Active and In Touch, Frome’s volunteer befriending service, has been shortlisted for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for the third year running.
Active and In Touch Frome is a group of local volunteers who are available to visit, talk with, and gently support people with getting involved in groups or activities.Their volunteers visit, help and befriend people who have become isolated or out of touch with the community around them.
Charles Wood, chairman states, “Active and In Touch volunteer befrienders spend time with those who wish to use our services, find out their needs and interests, and help them to find their own place in the community. Over the last six years, many different people have been helped by the befrienders, in many different ways and for many different reasons.
“Currently the project has around 65 active volunteers, helping to support people in Frome and the surrounding villages. Our youngest member is 23 and the oldest member is 99! Since the project first began, our wonderful volunteers have helped change the lives of well over 300 vulnerable, isolated, lonely people in our community.
“Recent research has shown that loneliness doesn’t just make people unhappy, but that it has an effect on mortality too. Loneliness is also associated with poor mental health and, more surprisingly, with conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and dementia.”
In 2017, Active and In Touch Frome became a registered charity. The charity also benefits greatly from partnership working, most importantly, and directly, with CSW You Can Do (CSWYcD). CSWYcD provide the mechanics by which Active and In Touch Frome induct volunteers, take new referrals and establish volunteer and beneficiary relationships. The charity also receives support from Frome Town Council and they have a new office at Frome Town Hall, Christchurch St West, Frome, BA11 1EB.
Anyone who feels they might like to volunteer their time to help others, or who may know someone who might benefit from this support, can call Lucia Chadwick or Di Roberts on 07572 854029/ 07468 859453, call CSW You Can Do on 01278 664 180, visit the CSW You Can Do website on cswyoucando.co.uk or send an email to lucia.chadwick@cswgroup.co.uk or activeandintouch@gmail.com
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The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) independent assessors committee said, “The nomination represents a tremendous achievement for your organisation. The work you do for the community was very much admired. Everyone involved, and particularly your volunteers, should feel immensely proud.”
In recognition of the charity’s achievement, and to thank Active and In Touch Frome for the service their volunteers offer the county, the Lord-Lieutenant, Annie Maw, sent a personal invitation to four members of the charity to attend the Royal Bath & West of England Show last month and join her for a cream tea in the members’ and stewards’ marquee as her guests.
