CALL ME MAYBE: Free telefriending for over 50s

Opening Doors London working to make sure older LGBTQI+ people stay connected while staying home 🌈☎️

BY KELLY-ANNE TAYLOR. PHOTO BRUNO CANTUÁRIA

Opening Doors London, the London-based organisation helping LGBTQI+ over 50s to live happy, sociable and independent lives, is now offering a wonderful Telefriending service to help people stay connected during lockdown. 

In the current global climate, many of us have found ourselves feeling lonely, isolated and in need of some much-sought-after human contact. In a bid to combat already widespread social isolation for older members of the community, ODL have launched their free telephone service.

https://twitter.com/Meghan_Herring_/status/1239917701520412672

Through the service, the charity match their volunteer “telephone befrienders” with like-minded, older LGBTQI+ people. The volunteer calls for a weekly, half-hour natter, offering regular conversation to those who otherwise, may have little contact with the outside world – especially at the moment.

Who is Telefriending for? 🌈☎️

Telefriending is suitable for people who are:

• Over 50 and identify as LGBT+
• feel lonely and isolated
• have their own landline or mobile phone
• able to hear and be understood over the phone
• able to commit to a regular weekly call at the same time

Sometimes people have support needs that are not suitable for this scheme, perhaps because they are too complex, or the needs are not linked to being lonely and isolated. If you’re not sure telefriending is for you, give ODL a ring on 020 7239 0400 – their Befriending Coordinator will be more than happy to talk things through with you.

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We're overwhelmed and so grateful for all the support we've received amidst the #Covid19Outbreak! It's really lifted our spirits to see our community come together against isolation!

You can still donate below as we adapt our services to keep supporting LGBT+ people over 50 👇

— Opening Doors (@OpeningDoorsUK) March 24, 2020

ODL are currently taking referrals for those who would like a telephone friend. Please get in touch, either for yourself or to refer a friend or family member, by emailing befriending@openingdoorslondon.org.uk or calling 020 7239 0400. 

Opening Doors London are also currently fundraising to reduce isolation during the coronavirus outbreak, which you can support by donating here. 

Like many businesses, DIVA has been hit hard by the economic impact of coronavirus and we need your help to keep the presses rolling throughout the pandemic. Visit our PayPal fundraising page and give what you can. Your support means the world.

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