Friend to Friend is a registered charity operating in rural South Kirklees, West Yorkshire. We celebrated our 20th Anniversary with a lunch event for over 120 people in 2016 and are currently making plans for a 30th Anniversary celebration in March 2026!
Our aim is to work with older people to enable them to improve their quality of life, combat loneliness and reduce isolation. We do this by providing a range of stimulating activities in accessible local venues. These include armchair zumba, lunches, a men’s group, tai chi, activity and lunch clubs and monthly get-togethers, occasionally added to with day trips in a fully accessible coach. All our members receive regular newsletters detailing past and planned events.
Many older people can feel isolated for a variety of reasons; their families have moved away, they may have suffered bereavement or be new to the area (moving to be nearer family but leaving behind old friends). Most of our members find us themselves through friends and neighbours, but we are also sometimes put in touch by health and social care professionals, family members and carers, to offer opportunities to develop friendships and participate in a range of activities to combat loneliness and potential isolation. Friend to Friend exists to provide companionship, activities to stimulate the mind and exercise groups to keep us all active and engaged with life in our community. The majority of our members are over 70 years of age, with the same range of personalities, interests and needs that you would expect from any other group of individuals. We aim to keep our groups friendly and welcoming to all.
Our groups are open to older people who live within our various catchment areas (see ‘Our Groups’ page for further details). Door to door transport is arranged where possible for those who need it. Please contact us if you would like further information or know an isolated older person who you think would benefit from joining Friend to Friend. We would then arrange a phone conversation or home visit to discuss which groups would be appropriate and to answer any questions.
This lovely lady was Joan Hulse, a long-time member of Friend to Friend, who sadly passed away in 2017. Joan was a very talented poet, and we wanted to share her positive message about getting older here:
Friend To Friend 