Hand of Solace run a befriending service for older people (Elderly Support Service): This service is aimed at isolated older people (60 years and above) in Aberdeen who -have no close family or friends, lost contact with family/ friends or they live far away, have recently experienced bereavement, experience language or cultural barriers (BME), disabled older people living in their own home, Hand of Solace befriending service aims to provide companionship to older people. Through the Befriending Service, befrienders help isolated elderly in Aberdeen to access and also support them to attend local activities (activities organized by groups, organizations, government etc). 85 percent of older people we support through the ‘Elderly Support Service’ are over 75 years and all the older people we currently support live on their own. 70 percent of older people we are currently supporting are from BME and the majority do not understand the local language. Majority of the older people we support have underlying health conditions and 15 percent are disabled, normally limited in movement hence the benefit of having befriender come in from time to time to reduce loneliness
