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A new befriending service to help tackle loneliness in Runnymede officially launched today on Thursday 26^th October. Time to Talk Runnymede connects volunteer befrienders with local people who feel isolated or are experiencing loneliness.

Time to Talk is run by Voluntary Support North Surrey (VSNS), supported by Runnymede Borough Council. VSNS has been successfully running a similar befriending service for the last five years in Surrey Heath, with support from Surrey Heath Borough Council and Frimley Integrated Care Partnership.

Almost half the UK population report feeling lonely occasionally, sometimes, often or always, with 7% experiencing chronic loneliness. Loneliness has a significant impact on our health. Not only does it put people at greater risk of poorer mental health, including depression but research shows it is also associated with elevated blood pressure and acute stress responses, and can increase the risk of early mortality by 26%.¹

Solette Sheppardson, Chief Executive Officer at VSNS, said:

“One way of tackling loneliness is to spend time with other people. Time to Talk volunteers meet with individuals for an hour a week, and that sense of connection that they bring helps keep feelings of loneliness at bay.

“At Time to Talk we pride ourselves on getting to know both the people we support and our volunteer befrienders. We work closely with volunteers on this journey, offering training and support, and our aim is to make the best possible match for both befriender and befriendee.”

VSNS is looking for new volunteers for this befriending scheme. If you would like to know more about befriending please contact Time to Talk Runnymede Manager Donna Palmer-Smith by calling 01932 571122 or emailing [email protected]