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Over a quarter of the Island's residents are over 65, and this is set to increase. Not surprisingly, admissions to care homes on the Isle of Wight are significantly higher than England's average. Research shows that older people in care homes are twice as likely to feel severely lonely as older people living at home.
That's why we're raising up an army of volunteers to spend time and build friendship with residents across the Island. We know that volunteers make a huge difference in the lives of the people they visit. Volunteers usually spend an hour a week visiting residents and do a range of activities with them, from simply chatting, to helping with IT skills, to playing games, reading aloud, accompanying a resident on a walk - the list is endless!
You can get an insight into what Embracing Age Isle of Wight does and the difference you can make in this brilliant video made by the McCarthy Stone Foundation, one of our generous grant funders. 

Volunteer with us and make a difference

Isle of Wight Volunteering Opportunities

We now have a high demand for new volunteers in across the Island to visit residents who have few or no visitors. Our volunteers may spend time chatting with residents,  or playing a board game, reading aloud, going for a walk - anything that a resident would enjoy that builds companionship.

We also have other volunteer roles available on the Isle of Wight.
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Click on the photos below for more information about each opportunity
Befriend a care home resident
Make handmade cards for residents near you
Make gifts for residents
Deliver Cards of Kindness in ​your local area
Help with flower posies & gardening activities
Help raise money for Embracing Age in your local community
Help set up Alexa devices to connect care home residents with their loved ones
Pets as Therapy Volunteers
If you would like further information about any of our Isle of Wight volunteer roles  click on the relevant role to download a role description or email Rebecca
​To apply for any of these roles please complete our online application form and self declaration form by clicking on the links below: 
Over a quarter of the Island's residents are over 65, and this is set to increase. Not surprisingly, admissions to care homes on the Isle of Wight are significantly higher than the England average. Research shows that older people in care homes are twice as likely to feel severely lonely as older people living at home.
That's why we are raising up an army of volunteers to spend time and build friendship with residents across the Island. We know that volunteers make a huge difference in the lives of the people they visit. Volunteers usually spend an hour a week visiting residents and do a range of activities with them, from simply chatting, to helping with IT skills, to playing games, reading aloud, accompanying a resident on a walk - the list is endless!

Rebecca Savage

Isle of Wight Co-ordinator

Animal Care Home Connections

Connecting care home residents with animals
​Embracing Age on The Isle of Wight are partnering with various organisations to bring animal connections to care home residents.

One such project is Equine assisted sessions with people on the dementia pathway. Weekly sessions are run with a Riding establishment where residents can come and " be" with the horses, as well as stroke and groom them.

Research shows that  these equine assisted sessions can have a positive impact upon a person's wellbeing. Physical contact aids relaxation, helps reduce anxiety and helps a person stay focused in the moment. Connecting with the horse is a fulfilling emotional experience, raising self esteem and confidence.  Furthermore, fine motor skills are used through grooming the horse and there is improvement in dementia related behaviors such as agitation after the session itself. The experience can enable a person to reminisce about positive bygone experiences and enhance communication  after the session itself.

Pets as Therapy

We want to see a therapy pet in every care home on the Island. 
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Most  care home residents who have had pets in their own homes are unable to take pets with them into care which can leave a big hole in their lives . Visits by volunteer cat and dog owners can bring huge benefits to a resident, increasing well being, bringing joy and enabling reminiscing of positive memories of their beloved pets.

Cards of Kindness

Our volunteers are sending colourful, interesting cards to care home residents, particularly those without family or friends, to brighten up their days and let them know that they are not forgotten. 

Here are some of the colourful creations being sent to residents.
"Something so simple and thoughtful as a card brings smiles in abundance. One of our residents had just returned from a stay in hospital and it was a real pleasure to see her reaction - perfect timing!"
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- A care home member of staff -

Flower Bouquet Blessing

​Rebecca, our co-ordinator on the Isle of Wight, started this project in Spring 2020, with a team of volunteers interested in floristry. The idea is to bless care home residents and staff with bouquets of flowers, bringing sunshine and joy during the pandemic. They have been creating these lovely arrangements and delivering them to care homes across the Isle of WIght.
"​You may not know the difference a bouquet makes to those living with dementia.
The presence of plants and flowers can have a healing effect, stimulate reminiscing,
​provide peace and quiet to help ease stress, aniexty, agitation and pain."
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- A member of the care home staff - 

Sensory Knitted Aquariums

We are creating sensory knitted aquariums for care homes residents across the Island,  to bring a smile to their faces and let them know that their local community is thinking of them, even when we can't visit.