Volunteering Opportunities with The Link Visiting Scheme
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
A Small Commitment That Makes a Big Difference
Loneliness isn’t always obvious. It often hides in plain sight: someone who goes days without a proper conversation, who rarely leaves the house, or who no longer has the social circle they once did. That’s where The Link Visiting Scheme comes in.
Based in Wokingham Borough, The Link Visiting Scheme brings people together through simple, regular friendship. We match volunteers with older people who would welcome a bit more company, usually a weekly visit or phone call, built around shared interests rather than formal support. There’s no checklist, no pressure to “fix” anything, just time, conversation and the chance to get to know someone.
Volunteers tell us the role is surprisingly ordinary and that’s exactly why it works. A chat over a cup of tea. A short walk. Reminiscing about holidays, pets, work or family life. These small moments add up, providing consistency and connection for someone who might otherwise feel quite cut off.
Volunteering with The Link is designed to fit around real life. Visits are flexible, training is provided, and volunteers are fully supported by our small, experienced team. Some people volunteer after retiring, others while working part‑time or full-time or raising families. Many start out wanting to “do something useful” and end up with a new friendship themselves.
Supporters of The Link make this work possible too. Donations and community fundraising help us recruit and train volunteers, support people with no family nearby, and respond when someone’s situation changes. It’s practical, local support that stays rooted in the community it serves.
Loneliness can feel like a big problem, and it is, but responding to it doesn’t have to be complicated. Often, it starts with turning up, listening and being reliable.
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to get involved locally, or you’d like to support a charity that focuses on simple, human connection, The Link Visiting Scheme would love to hear from you.
To find out more about volunteering or supporting our work, visit www.linkvisiting.org or get in touch with our team for an informal chat.
Marjie Walker CEO
0118 9798019
