Proud recipients of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the MBE for volunteer groups. Recognised for excellence in community support.
Services we offer
Build a Connection
Visit someone for a coffee and a chat. Many of our befriending matches turn into lifelong friendships.
Provide a Lifeline
Use your own car to help people reach essential medical appointments. It’s more than a lift; it’s a way to maintain independence.
Practical Help
From light gardening to small tasks around the home, your hands-on help makes a house feel like a home again.
Services we offer
Provide a Lifeline
Use your own car to help people reach essential medical appointments. It’s more than a lift; it’s a way to maintain independence.
Build a Connection
Visit someone for a coffee and a chat. Many of our befriending matches turn into lifelong friendships.
Practical Help
From light gardening to small tasks around the home, your hands-on help makes a house feel like a home again.
“Two years ago, I was very much alone, with nowhere to go. The GP suggested I contact VLU with a view to volunteering. The visits help me as much as I help her and they give me a reason to get up and out of the house. They are an anchor in my week and I enjoy them.”Joan, 62Volunteer befriender of 2 years, sees a lady of a similar age every week
“Kasia is an angel in human form, a wonderful person. I so look forward to seeing her, as I don’t really see anybody else, even family. Her visits make me feel wanted and relevant. She helps in practical ways which are extremely helpful. During the last visit she cleaned out my fridge, I didn’t ask her to do it she just saw that it needed doing. I can’t do it myself, I wouldn’t do without her.”Jeremy, 79Client of 3 years, lives alone. Our volunteer visits 2-3 times per week
“I wanted to give something back, get out and about and meet people. Driving for Volunteer Link Up has fulfilled these needs.”Dave, 48Volunteer driver of 3 years
“The service is invaluable, because it is door to door. The drivers are very caring and so are the people on the phone. Help is tremendous. He wouldn’t be able to get to cancer treatment without you. Radiotherapy treatment means he cannot travel with hospital transport, because of the risk of radiation to others. It takes the pressure off me. I don’t know what I would do without you.”Ellie, 63Wife of transport client
“Catherine is a wonderful person, we have become friends. My home situation is difficult as my husband has dementia. My visit to her provides me with some respite, we lean and offload on each other as we know things that we say will not go any further. I enjoy and value my time with her.”
Sarah, 32Volunteer befriender, has visited an elderly lady who lives alone for the last 3 years
“It is a service I could not do without, I am so impressed with the kindness of the drivers and lack of discrimination towards my mobility issues. I enjoy travelling with them and hearing about their lives. I couldn’t manage to get to physiotherapy every week without them. Going by public transport would negate the benefit of the physiotherapy. I appreciate the kindness of the office staff and all the effort they put into finding me someone. The low cost of the transport is also a benefit.”
Nita, 60Transport client
* Names and appearences have been altered
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