During lockdown, a befriending service set up by retirement village operator Inspired Villages’ resulted in a long-distance friendship that has continued today
Inspired Friendships introduced ‘Calls of Friendships’ in 2020 where retirees, many of whom were isolating during Covid, could to chat each other on the phone. It was a life saver for many and staved off loneliness at a time when people could not see their family.
Two years on, two ladies who met ‘on the phone’ have forged a friendship that has endured and strengthened.
Jenny Hossack in Maidstone and Sally Griffiths from Exeter live over 200 miles apart and, until recently, had never met in person.
“In the two years since Sally first phoned me, we have formed a wonderful friendship,” Jenny, 77, a widow with one son and two grandchildren, explains. “In fact, I think we have helped each other through very uncertain times.
“During our weekly calls, we have shared much laughter along the way, even when one of us started off feeling sad. Long may it continue, and hopefully, we will meet one day.”
Sally agreed.
“Getting involved in Inspired Friendships was a natural thing for me to do as I had thought about signing up to Silverline,” she said.
“From the first moment that Jenny and I started talking we hit it off.
“On our calls we put the world to rights, share our troubles and make each other laugh.
“It is lovely to support Jenny in this way when she may be feeling blue and Jenny has supported me through some difficult times too.
“Our friendship has naturally evolved and we send each other messages, photos and gifts and share lots of anecdotes and tips. I feel blessed to have Jenny in my life.”
Sally, 52, is single and has worked at Inspired’s Millbrook village in Exeter for six and a half years.
On Wednesday 1 March at 10:00am, Inspired Villages arranged a very special surprise for Jenny where she lives at Inspired’s Ledian Gardens in Maidstone.
A coffee morning was held for people who have formed friendships through the service, however Jenny did not know that arrangements had been made for Sally to travel 200 miles to meet her in person for the first time.
Their delight at meeting each other for the first time is clear to see from these photographs.
Jamie Bunce, CEO of Inspired Villages said: “It’s moments like these that highlight exactly what Inspired Villages is all about. Our villages help residents to live the best years of their lives, meet new friends and take up new hobbies.
“Inspired Friendships is a wonderful extension of this within the wider community and it was wonderful to finally bring Jenny and Sally together.
“Loneliness and isolation is a huge social problem across the UK.
“Currently the service is just focused on Kent, however there are plans to roll the friendship service out further to all areas surrounding Inspired Villages across the UK, embracing all aspects of wellbeing to include physical, mental, social and financial” .
