RAF charity aiming to tackle loneliness

THE Royal Air Forces Association is encouraging members of the RAF family in the Manchester area to get in touch if they are feeling isolated or lonely and their life could be brightened by visits from a volunteer befriender.

The charity provides welfare support to serving and ex-RAF personnel and their dependants.

Their befriending service has teams of dedicated and speciallytrained befrienders, who work across the UK to support people in need of a friendly face.

They are reaching out to people in the Manchester area who could benefit from their support. The befrienders pay regular visits to their befriendees, giving them someone to talk to and look forward to seeing.

Time is often spent reminiscing about life in the RAF and conquering loneliness.

The association understands that loneliness, which can often occur as the result of losing a loved one or moving into a new home, can quickly lead to feelings of isolation and even depression, particularly among older people.

Volunteers are able to provide support to befriendees in re-establishing old connections or forming new ones with people in their local area, helping to establish a wider group of friends.

In 2017 alone, the association responded to hundreds of appeals for befriending support, and the charity’s Director of Welfare and Policy, Rory O’Connor, hopes the Manchester area will see local people benefitting from the scheme.

He said: “If you are serving in the RAF, have served, are a partner or know somebody who is feeling a little lonely, get in touch with the RAF Association and find out how they can help you: call during the week on 0800 018 2361, email welfare@ rafa.org.uk or visit rafa.org.uk/ befriending.”