SALTBOX
CARELINK
CareLink is a free and flexible service for the over 65s that offers a creative solution to the growing challenge of loneliness, vulnerability, and isolation for older people.
Who we are
We are a dedicated and compassionate team who understand that as we get older life’s challenges can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, fear and exclusion.
We are comprised of a diverse groups of staff members, fully trained Carelink volunteers, and specialists, committed to providing high-quality support and services to those in need. We have a shared mission to empower and uplift those who we serve, and work tirelessly to deliver their sense of wellbeing and independence.
In the past financial year we have…
- Invited 152 new clients into our stable of services
- Provided 11,490 befriending calls to people who feel isolated or lonely to help them feel valued and give them something to look forward to
- Held 142 Chatty Café sessions where attendees can socialise and make new friends
- Offered 14 fun outings to clients, including escorted day trips to local attractions
- Held 12 digital support Connect Cafes, at which attendees can get help with a whole range of digital matters, whether with their own devices or using ours
- Provided 187 individual digital support sessions
- Ran 45 KOKU sessions (Keep On Keeping Up), helping attendees keep mobile so they can stay independent in their homes for longer
- Enrolled 22 new wonderful volunteers who are all now fully trained in providing our services
- Thanked our volunteers for providing 4476 hours of their time to help others
Donate to Carelink and help change lives
Donating to Carelink will help isolated older people across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire who may be struggling with the effects of loneliness and isolation providing them with desperately needed social outlets.
What we do
At Carelink, we are dedicated to empowering our clients to live independently and confidently while fostering social connections and friendship, and offer a diverse array of services tailored to meet their needs.
Through our compassionate outreach and community connection, we strive to create a safe and nurturing environment that offers comfort, companionship, and the resources to enhance our clients’ quality of life.
Befriending Calls
Our popular phone befriending service plays a vital role in enhancing the wellbeing of our clients who may have difficulty leaving their homes due to mobility issues or lack of confidence, and are lonely or isolated.
By providing regular, friendly calls, we help individuals feel valued and remind them they are not alone. Our calls foster genuine connections that stimulate their minds through engaging conversations and offer emotional support that can significantly uplift their spirits. We also pick up when they might need extra support and explore with them how best to meet those needs.
The service is provided by our wonderful, fully trained Carelink volunteers, many of whom are struggling with their own wellbeing and understand the importance of personal connections and feeling part of a community.
Carelink Connect Club
Our Connect Clinic addresses the digital challenges our clients may face, equipping them with essential skills to navigate today’s sometimes seemingly overwhelming digital world.
We provide personalised support to enhance their knowledge of digital equipment like laptops and smartphones, using their own devices or ours. This helps them to stay connected with family and friends, as well as communicate with service providers with confidence.
Carelink KOKU Club
Our KOKU Clubs offer fun and engaging exercise classes tailored to help you enhance your physical strength and independence. Our classes focus on building stronger core muscles, which not only improves mobility but also significantly reduces the risk of falls, allowing you to enjoy life in your own home for even longer.
We believe that movement is a powerful antidote to stress, so our lively KOKU sessions are also designed to uplift your spirits and boost your mental well-being. The joy and laughter heard during our sessions speak volumes about the positive atmosphere we cultivate.
Plus, we’ve made joining in easier than ever with a user-friendly app that allows everyone to participate at their own convenience.
Chatty Café
Our famous Chatty Cafés serve as a welcoming haven for individuals over the age of 65 who may be feeling lonely or isolated.
This inviting space offers a friendly atmosphere where guests can come together and enjoy a comforting cup of tea or coffee and engage in meaningful conversation with our friendly staff and volunteers.
At Chatty Cafés, our patrons have the opportunity to learn new skills through games and activities, and to connect with others who share similar feelings, and provides them with a retreat from loneliness as well as something to look forward to.
Testimonials
“I have been visiting the chatty cafe for a few months now, it’s great to get out and socialise with new people and friends, it’s a highlight of my week.”
Sue Smith
Local person living on their own
“Being a volunteer for Carelink is amazing, I get to talk to some really interesting people on an amazing array of subjects, they have inspired me greatly.”
Kate Cuthbertt
Local Volunteer Befriending Caller
Read our heart-warming success stories from people that have been helped by Carelink and what it has done for them.
VAST Volunteering Quality Standards
Carelink was recently awarded the gold standard as part of the VAST Volunteering Quality Standards (Championing accessible, inclusive, and high-quality volunteering opportunities). For more information, please see the VAST website here. We were presented with the certificate by Sian Mollart who is Senior Project Officer (Volunteering) at VAST (which is a voluntary sector infrastructure organisation for Stoke & North Staffs) at one of our regular Carelink volunteers events. There are 4 photos connected with this
- ‘Team with volunteer award certificate’ – the Carelink staff team holding the certificate
- ‘Carelink group 1’ is a group of volunteers with staff at the event
- ‘Presentation of VAST volunteer award’ By Sian Mollart to Linda Smith
- Volunteer award certificate
Vacancies
We’re always looking for great people to join our team in paid and volunteer roles.
Find out what’s available for you.
Volunteering
How can you help people that are lonely and isolated?
Could you be a friendly voice on the end of a phone? Could you spare a morning to come and have a coffee and chat? Could you help support someone with digital technology?
We’d love to hear from you!
