Young befriender wins award

More than one million older people across the country are affected by loneliness but one inspirational young person has been working to reduce this.

Rosie Goggin, 25, volunteers her time each week to ensure that 79-year-old Elizabeth gets regular company. Rosie joined our befriending volunteers two years ago, after a conversation with her friend who is a student nurse. Rosie says: “I decided to become a befriender after my friend was sending me information about how loneliness affects older people. I remember reading some awful things, like loneliness can be worse than smoking. When I read it, I cried and thought I need to do something about this.”

Rosie visits Elizabeth in her home every Tuesday, where they chat, watch quiz shows, and share biscuits and tea.
Rosie adds: “Elizabeth is forgetful now and she says she counts down to 5pm every week. The routine is really helpful, so I get there exactly on time.”

Now, Rosie has been awarded the first Youth award at the Age UK North Tyneside, Age Takes Centre Stage Awards, in honour of her incredible commitment, motivation and big heart.

Rosie says: “I was shocked to be nominated for the award, but to actually win it is incredible. It has inspired me to do more to befriend older people.”

The annual awards have been running for 24 years, but this is the first time we have featured an award dedicated to a young person in the community.
Kay Bradshaw, our Volunteering & Community Manager says “The youth award was to acknowledge that there are a lot of younger people doing great volunteering work to support older people in their communities. Befrienders like Rosie help to ease the burden of isolation and loneliness felt by many people in the local community."

Beverley Swan, our Befriending Co-ordinator says  “When a relationship is strong and true friendship emerges, the benefits are wonderful. Before Befriending, Elizabeth was frequently anxious and upset. The turnaround is remarkable and it’s all thanks to Rosie.”

Rosie’s award also coincided with National Befriending Week, 1st to 7th November

We would love to welcome new volunteers to our team supporting more lonely older people living in the community.

If you could spare one hour each week, over a long period of time, to meet an older person for a chat, you too could make a difference.

Rosie adds: “You get loads out of being a befriender. It’s one hour a week and to us it’s nothing, but to the person you’re visiting, it means everything.”

Sign up to volunteer online or telephone our Befriending Coordinator, Beverley Swan on 0191 287 7013 to find out more.