Loneliness can affect people of any age, but for the elderly, the deaths of family and friends combined with a lack of mobility, can make it especially problematic.
Which is why Hoppers Crossing’s Edith Clarke is so appreciative of the friendship she’s developed with Truganina’s Rochelle Gore over the past year or so.
Despite an age difference measured in decades and which could easily make them grandmother and granddaughter, Edith and Rochelle have been catching up once a fortnight since December 2022.
It’s a connection that the older of the two values highly.
“I certainly look forward to my visits with Rochelle,” said Edith.
“She is such a lovely, kind person. We spend our visits going out for lunch at the (Werribee) plaza, where we also like to go window shopping. We also spend our visits at local shops up the road. We get on really well and always have a lovely time.”
Rochelle agrees.
“I’ve loved getting to know Edith and spending time with her,” she said.
“Whether it’s grabbing a coffee or walking around the plaza, we always have a good time together.”
As heartwarming as this generation spanning friendship is, it’s not one that came out of nowhere.
Both Edith and Rochelle were brought together through In Great Company, a not-for-profit program aimed at combating loneliness among older people by pairing them with younger volunteers.
In Great Company’s Victorian volunteer coordinator, Gemma Merrick, explained how it worked.
“We receive referrals and clients need to be receiving a homecare package or be on the waiting list for one,” she said of how they find elderly people in need of a friend.
These elderly clients are then matched with volunteers to which they are most suitable.
“We get their likes and interests and we get the client’s likes and interests and we try and match them the best we can.”
In Great Company have recently branched into Victoria, including Wyndham, and are on the lookout for volunteers aged 18 and above.
Ms Merrick said there were other guidelines that prospective companions needed to abide by.
“Anybody that can spare and hour a week or two hours a fortnight is welcome, but it requires a minimum commitment of 6 months,” she said.
“It does take a while to grow a friendship.”
Once established though, the experience of Edith and Rochelle shows how beneficial those friendships can have.
“This has had such a positive impact on me as I am unable to drive meaning I cannot get out as much as I would like,” said Edith.
And while not designed to benefit her, Rochelle said being matched with Edith has anyway.
“Visiting Edith has brought such joy into my life and it brings me such pleasure to know I’m helping keep Edith connected to the community”.
More information: https://www.ingreatcompany.com.au/
