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FRIENDS FOR LIFE V for Life the charity for older vegans and vegetarians, introduce their fantastic pen/phone pal scheme
Staying social as we get older can sometimes be more challenging, while forming new relationships and making friends might be even more difficult. Not only can a lack of social contact negatively affect our mood in the short term, but over a longer period it may have a detrimental effect on our overall mental health. According to research carried out by Age UK, around 1.4 million older people in the UK struggle with loneliness, with around 225,000 often going a week without speaking to anyone. And on top of that, the issue of isolation has been exacerbated by lockdown over the past year.
Common ground It’s natural to seek company from those who share similar values as ourselves. V for Life’s pen and phone pal scheme offers a way to meet like-minded people from all over the UK, who are vegans or vegetarians, mostly aged 65 or older. Alison from the Central Lowlands of Scotland has been a member for a while and is pleased with how well it works for her. She says, “It’s the best thing I’ve done in a long, long time. I’ve now got a few people I speak to from the scheme and I’m delighted with how well it’s been going. I like how easy it is to get signed up and start chatting to people.” Linda from Surrey has also found the scheme easy to use. She says, “The scheme is very honest and open. I’ve found a number of people to contact, one of which I’m close friends with now over the phone. She lives quite far away, and we’d probably have never met otherwise.”
The scheme has the protection of its members at its heart. Malcolm from South Yorkshire notes, “It’s very reassuring to know that I can pick and choose who to contact and how to contact them. When I want to stop, I can do. There’s no pressure whatsoever.” Members also have control over how much of their personal details are shared, and who has access to them.
How does it work? The scheme is there for you to use as you wish. The application form can be filled out by hand – either download it from our website or call us and request a paper copy (all details below). The form asks whether you’d prefer to speak to people over the phone, via letter, or both. It also asks whether you would prefer to speak to just men or women. Participants can also include details about themselves, such as your interests and hobbies. We hope that you will find the scheme interesting and, if you decide to take part, that you will then enjoy being in touch with like-minded people throughout the UK. By Oliver Thompson, V for Life V for Life are also running an online lunch club. Find out more on their website or by calling the phone line. Vegetarianforlife.org.uk / @VfL_UK on Twitter / VfLUK on Facebook / 0161 257 088
Issue 2 2021 The Vegan | 25
