Margaret’s story: overcoming life losses
When Margaret lost her husband of 57 years, she felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness. She struggles to get on with her day without her husband by her side.
Apart from her twice weekly visits from our Silverchain aged care team, Margaret is mostly at home alone. Her children live interstate and while they do their best to visit, there are no extended family left to keep her company.
With the house silent and still, Margaret relies on the sound of her radio to keep her company. She has learnt how to send text messages, so she can share interesting news stories to her son David. This is not the life Margaret envisaged. Sadly, through life loss and circumstances, many older people live alone.
Margaret went out on a limb and let us know she was lonely. She decided to join the Silverchain Lunch Club, an initiative designed by mental health researchers at Silverchain to help our aged care clients stay connected and socially engaged.
With your support, Silverchain can create more opportunities like the Silverchain Lunch Club for people like Margaret to feel a sense of belonging.Will you send a gift today to help reduce social isolation and loneliness, and keep people like Margaret engaged and connected?
Connection on the menu at Lunch Club
The Lunch Club is one of the initiatives Silverchain has designed to help people like Margaret stay connected and socially engaged. The way it works is simple. Our care teams check in with their clients regularly and help support people who need connection. Local coordinators create a friendly and engaging space where a small group of people can connect online, enjoy a laugh and make new friends.
“I wasn’t sure about taking part, but Asmita who organises the sessions gave me the confidence to give it a go, and now I can’t wait for next week,” Margaret shared.
With your donation, you can offer more people the chance to be involved and to have companionship, no matter where they live.
We know there are too many people in our community silently suffering like Margaret. With your support, Silverchain can change that. You can bring joy and connection back to someone’s life.
“Knowing that people care about my wellbeing – that Lunch Club exists and is funded by people from across our community – I couldn’t miss the chance to take part and feel better.”
You can give someone else like Margaret access to support from mental health and wellbeing experts.
The Silverchain Lunch Club gives people a chance to connect, share and feel part of the community again.
Social engagement isn’t just a nice to have, it’s essential for wellbeing.
When you make a donation, you’re giving participants a chance to chat, share experiences and enjoy companionship. You’re helping people heal from the loss of a loved one, or expand their circle to find common interests with new friends.
Will you send a gift today?