“Spending time with older friends has made me realise we’re all the same: we all want to be able to socialise, have friends, and keep busy, no matter what age we are.” For #StudentVolunteeringWeek, read our Q&A on the employability benefits of volunteering with Maddie: www.linkagesouthwark...

It’s not all doom and gloom. Link Age Southwark is doing important work, supporting hundreds of older people and those living with dementia - listening to people who often feel unheard and making sure their voices matter.

Our yuletide parties are fantastic ways for our older friends to have fun, meet new and interesting people, get dressed up, and really enjoy their community. Here’s to many more parties and support for Southwark’s older residents in the New Year. Fa la la la la, la la la la!

We picked up 38 goody bags from Heber Primary School for our older friends who find it difficult to leave their homes. They will receive a wonderful mix of gifts: plenty of cosy knitwear, an assortment of chocolates, and some fantastic books - all of which will be delivered by our volunteer elves.

Oh, bring us a figgy pudding! Link Age Southwark is supported by many local businesses, one such business being the East Dulwich Tavern, just down the road from our office on Lordship Lane. The EDT has, very generously, provided Christmas Dinners for our older friends for many years.

& with that, our @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge is over! Thanks to everyone who donated, everyone who got the word out and our lovely poster girl Mica. We surpassed our target, raising £21,710 for our groups, which are designed to support and empower Southwark’s older resident! Big thanks!

The @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge is here! Donate today to support people like our poster girl, Mica, who attends Link Age Southwark's groups each week. Her daughter tells us, “Apart from family, these sessions are her most treasured and uplifting moments.” bit.ly/3JYxDlT#ChristmasChallenge

Link Age Southwark is proud to announce we will be taking part in @biggive.bsky.social’s #ChristmasChallenge25 in 7 days 📢 Every donation made from 2 - 9 Dec will be DOUBLED! Save the date & find out more: donate.biggive.org/c...

Recently, we gave the outside of our office a makeover and spent the afternoon planting flowers, bulbs, and herbs - with a helping hand from one of our older friends. You might even spot our chief exec, Ceri, repotting a brand-new monstera - brightening up our office space in style.

Our second @befriending.co.uk #BefriendingWeek spotlight celebrates Arlene and Eve. Their friendship helped both feel more connected - Eve to her new community, and Arlene to the world beyond her home. It’s an example of how befriending can bring people together, no matter their circumstances.

To kickstart #BefriendingWeek, we’re celebrating Zoe and Kevin, whose connection represents the Collaboration and Partnership @Befriending.co.uk is championing this year. Zoe reflects that their friendship “has made us both feel less lonely and more valued.” Read below: www.linkagesouthwark...#BefriendingWeek,

October saw our AGM, which was attended by our ambassador @helenhayes.bsky.social and, most importantly, our star volunteers. The work all our volunteers do is indispensable - whether assisting at groups, giving lifts, helping at our parties, befriending or delivering our newsletters.

Our friends over at The Ivy House treated us right and proper last week, they very kindly threw our older pals a knees-up. It was a smash success, serving pies, mash and liquor. The afternoon also featured melodic piano playing from Laurie Rich, who played us some classic dance hall tunes.

That’s right everyone, the cèilidh has SOLD OUT! Unfortunately, there will be NO TICKETS sold on the door. Worry not- the following evening, SELfolk orchestra will be performing another cèilidh just down the road in Herne Hill.

30 years ago, Joe moved to South East London, he reminisced that his garden was his “pride and joy.” As seasons change, tending to your garden can slowly become harder. Six of our older friends received gardening support from the wonderful volunteers from the consultancy firm EY.

In our last reading session, we explored a beautiful selection of poems, one of which left a lasting impression on us all. A friend shared that she keeps the final couplet from Derek Walcott’s “Midsummer, Tobago” pinned above her desk: “days that outgrow, like daughters, my harbouring arms.”

Link Aid makes its ceremonious return to the Ivy House for our annual event– lace up your dancing boots as the cèilidh calls! Many thanks to our band SELfolk Orchestra We hope to see you there, tickets are available on our website (link in bio)!

Our last Friday Social was a delightful gathering, filled with an array of homemade treats, especially enjoyed by our older friends. We were honoured to welcome a special guest - Sunny Lambe, Mayor of Southwark - whose commitment to community-building shone through in every conversation.

Yesterday, our Peer Support Group got crafty with the brilliant team at @dulwichgallery.bsky.social. We were treated to a tour of the gallery and Rachel Jones’ exhibition, Gated Canyons, which inspired our own artwork.

On Friday, Fitsum treated us to a delicious Ethiopian lunch. Serving up homemade dishes and an abundance of injera to around 30 guests - she truly took care of us #southwark #community #southeastlondon #localconnections #agepositive #lonelinessprevention #ageingwell

We donned our finest sports jackets and frilliest frocks for our Wimbledon-themed Summertime Party - and what a smashing afternoon it was! Game, set and match - we're already counting down to the next one.