End Loneliness in Croydon

Launching our first ever crowdfunding campaign to tackle loneliness among older people in Croydon

Support the campaign

By Re-engage

13 Nov 19

Trialling a new way to raise funds

On 6^th November, we marked a first for the charity by launching a crowdfunding campaign to generate much needed funds to set up new volunteer groups for isolated older people in Croydon.

Find out more about the crowdfunding campaign

Wait, what is crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding is a different way to raise money for good ideas.

People are increasingly bypassing more traditional funding routes such as bank loans or grants and turning instead to the people around them and in their community to support their venture.

It's been around for centuries but the internet makes it possible to reach much bigger audiences than before.

(Crowfunder, our partner for this campaign)

Why Croydon?

We are experimenting with crowdfunding to determine if it can be a viable way for us to raise much needed funds to open new groups in a neighbourhood in need. If successful, we are planning to roll out the new model to other areas throughout the UK.

We chose Croydon because of the potential to bring together a community with strong business links and because we already have good partnerships in the borough.

Generally speaking, there is a real need for additional groups as the borough has one of the highest populations of older people living in London and we now have a waiting list of older people looking who want to join one of our monthly Sunday afternoon social groups.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBYUdiamTbc

What are we doing in Croydon?

The aim of our project is to:

Launch 3 new monthly social gatherings for lonely older people over 75
Supported by 50 volunteers from the Croydon community
Creating 360 new, strong friendships which benefit older guests and volunteers alike

We are aiming to raise enough funds for three new friendship groups and help us recruit new volunteers, take out the necessary checks and training and enable us to work in partnership with other agencies working with isolated older people.

If you live in Croydon and can spare some time to volunteer either to organise a group, drive or host, please do get in touch. You can also support our campaign by sharing it with your friends, family and wider connections. Email jane.vasudevan@reengage.org.uk or comms@reengage.org.uk if you have any questions about the campaign or if you'd like to help.

Find out more about the campaign