Social isolation and loneliness are significant issues for our growing population of older people. BAF has worked to catalyse responses in this space for many years. In early 2013 BAF pitched to The Selwyn Foundation that there was an opportunity to expand their Selwyn Centre model beyond Auckland and Northland to meet the high needs in Waikato and Taranaki. The Selwyn Foundation agreed so BAF immediately started working with changemakers in Anglican parishes across this area. The first Waikato Selwyn Centre opened at St Matthew’s, Morrinsville, in September 2013 closely followed by St John’s, Te Awamutu, in October 2013.
There are now 6 centres operating across the Waikato in a mixture of urban and rural settings. BAF continues to provide oversight for all the centres and organises training and education sessions for the coordinators and volunteers.
BAF looked for opportunities to provide similar programmes in Taranaki and secured the support of the Tainui Rest Home trust in 2017, again working with changemakers in local Parishes. This support allowed for the opening of three centres in Waverley, Patea and Opunake, although the financial support concluded in 2022 the parishes have continued to deliver the programmes by gaining local funding and support.
The 9 centres are making a huge difference to the quality of life of large numbers of older people. In Waikato 160 guests are being supported while in Taranaki around 75 guests are regular attendees.
The key impact is the reduction/elimination of social isolation and loneliness for older people living alone in their homes. The programmes provide companionship, physical exercise, games, guest speakers, morning tea, debate, trips and regular support and friendship. A number of the guests when asked about their friend group will give the number of people who come to their centre. Family members have thanked the coordinators because their loved one suddenly has so much to talk about The weekly participation puts a meaningful purpose in their lives and they know someone else is keeping an eye on them.
An unplanned, but significant impact, was during the Covid 19 lockdown period, where the support and care changed considerably with the coordinators taking on a very different role. They ensured that their elderly guests had all the basic supports in place, such as food and supplies, that they could pay for electricity or rates. The coordinators and volunteers then worked hard with communication and engagement to try and help many with the increased isolation challenges.
It is not only the guests who are benefitting, the centres also engage a large number of volunteer helpers, many of whom are themselves elderly. As an example, a volunteer was having her birthday celebrated at the centre and after the coordinator and guests thanked her for being an amazing volunteer she responded by saying “You are my world”. She then spoke about how volunteering at the centre was a core part of her life and every week she loved seeing them all, sometimes laughing, sometimes crying but all with friendship. She said she can’t imagine her life without them, they are her family.