Why Contact matters
...to individuals
Loneliness can affect us all. But people who are elderly or housebound are especially at risk. A 2004 NOP survey found that 72% of old people saw a maximum of two people a day - the average for younger people was over 20. It is hard for those who have large networks of friends living near them, or who are easily able to go out and meet people, to understand how much difference a visit can make to an isolated person. But CONTACT volunteers are reminded over and over again how important their contribution can be to the quality of somebody's life.
...to your community
CONTACT brings together groups of people, students and Cambridge residents, older and younger people, who often have little opportunity to meet. In the process it addresses a facet of social exclusion which is often overlooked - precisely because those affected rarely venture outside. A 2004 study by the Womens' Royal Volunteer Service found that, whereas younger people spent 63% of their time away from their homes, 75% of the older people they interviewed rarely or never went outside. Many view the outside world with anxiety or suspicion. In the meantime, many Cambridge students find that the relentless pace and pressure of university life can sometimes get too much, and would appreciate an opportunity to step outside the bubble. CONTACT volunteers open a window on a world that our visitees can no longer experience for themselves. They in turn benefit from having a maturer perspective on life's challenges.
...to you
Volunteering for CONTACT isn't about sacrificing time and energy and getting nothing in return. It is about building friendships, receiving support as well as giving it. Departing CONTACT volunteers often say their participation in the scheme is the most important thing they've done during their time at Cambridge. It has put the small world of the university in perspective. They have made new friends and learned from the experiences of people they would never otherwise have met. And they've had fun.
Ready to take the next step?
Download an application form
