Linking Lives speaker

Rotary and Linking Lives

Rotarian Brent Parker introduced Michelle Candlish, from the Christian charity Linking Lives UK to the final meeting of 2023, held in Solway Lodge Hotel.

Michelle, National Development Manager for Scotland, spoke passionately about the charity’s befriending schemes which aim to improve quality of life through friendship. Linking Lives create partnerships with churches to reach beyond church walls to connect with lonely or socially isolated older people regardless of faith or no faith. With loneliness described as almost the worst kind of poverty, Michelle gave many examples of people she is working with and benefitting from, social contact through regular visits from a friendly face. She went on to explain that trained volunteers can provide one to one support as well as group interaction within communities; this might be a walk, a chat, a game of chess or listening to music. Linking Lives UK also provide training on Good Conversations for volunteers in community settings such as food banks, lunch clubs and men sheds and a monthly free webinar to inspire and equip individuals to make a positive difference in just one other person's life.

Linking Lives Rotarian Brent was able to share his personal experience of working with the charity and emphasised the benefits of creating connections which can lift someone out of loneliness.

Michelle gave the Rotarians much to think about. In thanking her, Brent reflected on her words and the charity’s aim to reach out and care for each other in any small way particularly at this time of year.