The Dorcas Project
The Dorcas Project is a befriending service to older people and disabled adults in Angel and Canonbury areas of Islington.
Main Activity
The Dorcas project is a part of Canonbury Recreation Centre, which provides lunch and activities for older people (it is managed by Canonbury Community Baptist Church). Providing companionship and support to older people and disabled adults in their own homes. Activities may include a chat over a cup of tea, outings to local places, a game of draughts, a bit of gardening.
Description
The Dorcas Project consists of dedicated volunteers who individually visit and befriend either an older person or a disabled adult in the Canonbury and Angel parts of Islington. The intention is that a volunteer develops a friendship with a service user, which consists of a visit, for an hour or more at around the same time each week. The Canonbury and Angel parts of Islington have a high proportion of older people and disabled adults, and the Dorcas project can make a great difference to the quality of their lives. Most users of the Dorcas Project like to be read to, or to play a game. Occasionally we have requests for help with some gardening, or for an escort to enable clients to go on short outings. At the same time the project provides a rewarding opportunity for the volunteer, who can clearly see the difference their visit brings to the service user. A Dorcas project volunteer also benefits from training and experience in a caring role.
Sectors: befriending, elderly
