£3,000 boost for Shrewsbury charity's telephone befriending service
‘The work they do to tackle loneliness and bring people together is truly invaluable’
A Shrewsbury charity tackling loneliness and social isolation has received a £3,000 donation to help expand its telephone befriending service across the West Midlands.
Omega – Ending Isolation, Ending Loneliness received the funding from Persimmon Homes West Midlands through its Community Champions scheme.
The money will help Omega deliver more than 550 calls through its Chatterbox service over the coming year.
Chatterbox matches socially isolated people with volunteer befrienders who make weekly friendly calls, providing companionship and regular social contact to those who may otherwise have little or no interaction with others.
David Crosby, director of Omega, said the donation would help the charity reach more people.
He said: “For some people, their weekly calls through Chatterbox can be the only regular social contact they have, and this donation will help us to reach more clients every week.”
The donation was formally presented to Omega by Councillor Alex Wagner, deputy leader of Shropshire Council and ward councillor for Quarry and Coton Hill, and Joe Turner, managing director of Persimmon Homes West Midlands.
Councillor Wagner said the charity's work provided “vital friendship, support and connection” for people who might otherwise feel alone.
Persimmon Homes is currently delivering its Gardeners Walk development in Shrewsbury, where 226 new homes are being built alongside public open space and investment in local infrastructure.
Joe Turner said: “The work they do to tackle loneliness and bring people together is truly invaluable, and it is fantastic to see the positive impact services like Chatterbox have across the local community.”