Embracing Age was birthed in Richmond upon Thames in 2014 and the office is based there. Prior to the pandemic we had about 60 volunteers across all the care homes in the Borough. Our volunteers are slowly being able to get back to visiting care home residents as restrictions lift.

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Volunteer with us and make a difference

We now have a high demand for new volunteers in across the Borough, 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 in the Borough.
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Click on the photos below for more information about each opportunity
To apply for one of these roles please click here to complete our online application form.

Our volunteers also need to complete a self declaration form as they are working with vulnerable adults.
Click here for the online self declaration form.
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If you would like more information, please contact Wendy via the button below.

Emergency Clothing Packs

We are putting together clothing packs for care home residents admitted at short notice and in need of clothes that are easy to put on and take off.

Could you knit or crochet a snuggly bed cape to be included in the clothing packs?

Wendy Simeon

Volunteer Co-ordinator - Richmond

Volunteers have been making a huge difference to care home residents across Richmond during the pandemic

Pictures of Joy

Pictures of Joy is a new project to put a smile on the face of care home residents, particularly those with dementia.

We have been creating lovely laminated pictures, some with a line of a poem on, others just the picture, for care home residents to enjoy and to spark conversation. The pictures can be wiped clean between each resident, to stop germs spreading. Activity co-ordinators at the care homes we have trialled them  have said they have proved popular with residents.
​Below are some of the pictures we are using:
We're currently running a youth photography competition with the theme of "What picture would bring a smile to an older person living in a care home?" Closing date for entries is 30th March 2022. Click the button below for more information.

Sensory Knitted Aquariums

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

Helping residents stay connected

With the help of Richmond Parish Lands Charity we were able to buy 20 android tablets and distributed them to care homes across the Borough, to enable residents stay connected with their loved ones.

We also gave a couple of tablets to residents who we knew could use them unaided, to enable them to connect with volunteers and others using games like Words with Friends.
“The tablets have become such a life line in these difficult times."

"They will continue to play a big part in the residents lives long after these difficult times have passed.”

Kindness to Care Staff

At the height of the pandemic we prepared and delivered 900 goodie bags to staff in care homes for older people across the Borough of Richmond, to thank them for all their hard work. The bags were sponsored by churches across the Borough and were very well received by the staff.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful, caring gift. It is perfect Vaseline for the dry lips after a shift wearing a mask, hand and nail cream for the hands that are repeatedly washed and the sweet treats, always appreciated. I lit the scented candle last night and relaxed. Your prayers and the message card mean so much. "

PPE for Care Homes

At the height of the first wave of the pandemic we supported local care homes by sourcing PPE for care home staff including masks, gloves and aprons. We received a grant of £5,000 from City Bridge Trust and bought 8,000 masks which were distributed to care homes across the Borough of Richmond. 

Christmas Gift Bags for residents

We were able to make and distribute over 300 Christmas gift bags to local care home residents, to brighten up a difficult season when they were separated from family and other loved ones.
We are hugely grateful to Richmond Parish Lands Charity and The Hampton Fund for all their support of our work.