Our Work
For Care HomesMobilising an army of volunteers to befriend care home residents
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For ChurchesEquipping churches in their ministry amongst older people
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For CarersProviding opportunities for carers to chat and pray together
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Where we operate
We support churches across the UK, through webinars and resources to help them
adopt their local care home.
Carers Connected also operates nationally, as it is based on zoom.
We also have area wide projects across Richmond upon Thames, the Isle of Wight and Hampshire.
adopt their local care home.
Carers Connected also operates nationally, as it is based on zoom.
We also have area wide projects across Richmond upon Thames, the Isle of Wight and Hampshire.
OUR STAFF TEAM
Tina trained as a nurse many years ago and specialised in the care of older people. Following a career break to raise three children she worked in the third sector for local charities supporting older people, setting up projects for the lonely and isolated. She's completed a Masters Degree in Charity Management. Her Christian faith, coupled with a big heart for the older generation inspired her to establish Embracing Age.
Sarah’s role covers everything from supporting existing and new Care Home Friends projects, measuring their impact and sharing their initiatives with other teams, seeking and establishing new opportunities and connections, building on our fundraising efforts, and coordinating our marketing and communications to build our network and share updates about our work. Sarah grew up in a clergy family and has a real passion for befriending, especially anyone that may be feeling isolated. She deeply respects older generations and believes that, “in this age of increased social isolation, it is vital for local communities to reach out to people that might otherwise have limited companionship.” Sarah lives in Twickenham with her husband and three young daughters.
Paul is our Development Manager and his role involves connecting with churches who want to be supported by Embracing Age. Paul was involved in church leadership for over 20 years and lives on the Wirral with his wife and three boys. He has always helped in youth and children’s ministry and has a real heart for ministry to older people too. Paul loves to support local church ministry and is available to talk to any church, group or individual who would like to explore developing their ministry through linking up with Embracing Age. In addition, Paul is an experienced preacher and Bible teacher and can be booked as a visiting speaker for church services and church groups.
Sarah is our new Carers Connected Coordinator and will be running the weekly zoom gatherings and developing the initiative nationwide. She is familiar with the challenges faced by carers having looked after her father in the past, and now her mother, both with Alzheimer’s. Sarah is passionate to show God’s love and compassion to others and is involved in pastoral work, specifically bereavement support, at her church. She lives with her husband and two cats in Gloucestershire, and loves walking and being outdoors, particularly on the Suffolk coast where her parents were raised.
Jo and her family moved from the centre of London when her son was 4 years old to be nearer to Richmond Park. Being a country girl at heart, she loves being surrounded by nature and knows how it can bring balance and restore us when life gets too busy. Jo’s passions are singing, interior design and she loves being part of a church working in the community.
She has first hand experience of how a cheerful visitor can brighten your day and help make those living in a care home feel more valued and loved.
She has first hand experience of how a cheerful visitor can brighten your day and help make those living in a care home feel more valued and loved.
Rebecca's role is to pioneer and manage Care Home Friends on the Isle of Wight. Rebecca is passionate about connecting and bringing people together in the community, especially those that are more vulnerable and can feel socially isolated. Rebecca has a love of floristry and set up ‘The Flower Bouquet Blessing' initiative, donating flowers to care home residents and staff across the Island. Rebecca believes “It is vital we show the older generation they are still valued and loved as they move into the later stages of their life and I want to be able to help facilitate that across The Isle of Wight”. Rebecca was born on the Island and lives there with her husband where they attend True Vine Church. They both have a love of the outdoors and the Island offers many opportunities to enjoy.
I have a big heart and vision for coming alongside people, especially those who may feel isolated. I have been working in a care home environment for the last few years and I've seen the difference it makes when residents feel valued and connected, and what a positive impact this has on their health and wellbeing. Before taking a career break to care for my children I worked in marketing, administrative and desktop publishing roles in healthcare, charity and education settings. I have also done a wide range of voluntary work. I live near Southampton and enjoy music, craft, walking and photography. I am very excited to be working with Sarah to pioneer the work of Embracing Age in the Hampshire area.
Having grown up in her local community, Sarah's desire is to see people come together to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of others. With a background in education and youth work, Sarah's passion is to increase the intergenerational aspect of Embracing Age. Sarah is excited to be working alongside Zoe, our other Hampshire Coordinator, to pioneer and increase the amazing work of Embracing Age in the area. She says, "Bringing like-minded people together to show those in our community who are often be overlooked that they are cared for and valued is a privilege."
OUR TRUSTEES
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Jenny EadesChair of Trustees
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Jenny is a local GP and mum. Living and working in the borough gives her a good appreciation of the support currently available to older people and she strongly backs Embracing Age as it strives to address unmet needs.
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Karen BlockTrustee
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Karen was brought up in Richmond and lives in the borough with her husband. Their two daughters are at university and home is shared with three generations of family and occasionally friends. She is a committed member of Holy Trinity Richmond and works for a Christian publisher that supports charitable projects in the UK and overseas. Karen has a real heart for the elderly and the value they bring to community and family life.
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Tim BlairTrustee
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Tim worked for many years as a Company Secretary in the City and, more recently, was the driving force behind a project to build a new children’s hospice in south London for a well-established regional charity. He came to know about Embracing Age through his wife, Jude, who is an Embracing Age care home befriender in Hampton. He is passionate about the need to make a difference in the lives of frail, lonely and isolated older people often living with complex conditions and those with no remaining living relatives.
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Fiona CostaTrustee
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Dr Fiona Costa originally trained at the Royal College of Music. Her lifelong interest in music, together with a calling to a ministry with older people, has led to a range of different initiatives and interests. Underpinning them all is a desire to address the loneliness and isolation so often experienced in older people. As a research fellow at the University of Roehampton, her principal research interest is the effect of music on the wellbeing and quality of life of older people. Her PhD and subsequent research projects have studied how music can alleviate pain, stress, anxiety and depression. Her most recent work focuses on the use of music to assist in maintaining memory and the ability to communicate in people with dementia. She has contributed to a number of academic journals. Fiona is also a trustee of the Amber Trust, a charity that provides musical opportunities for blind or partially sighted children and young people and a member of the Lambeth Partnership, which supports the personal priorities of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
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Roderick Day
Treasurer
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Rod is a qualified accountant and has worked as a finance director for a number of different companies during his career. This has included retail, on-line and the provision of social housing. He is passionate about the activities of Embracing Age having seen the benefits of high quality community care first hand. Rod lives in Putney with his wife Clare, two dogs and two cats.
OUR AMBASSADORS
Our ambassadors love what we do and like to shout out about our work
John Noble |
John Flanner MBE |
Lady Sally Grylls |
Could you be an ambassador for Embracing Age?
Reg. Charity No. 1160400
© 2023 Embracing Age
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