In an inspiring act of cross-generational generosity and selflessness, one of our amazing Young Commissioners, Aratrika, has donated her birthday money (£500) towards the purchase of Christmas and birthday gifts for our Sutton Befrienders clients, many of whom may receive no other gift.  

Our Sutton Befrienders project aims to reduce social isolation and loneliness by carefully matching people with a volunteer Befriender to provide weekly contact or support them re-engage in the community. Retirement, losing a partner, disability, illness and other life circumstances can lead people to feel lonely.

Gill and Jenny from our Sutton Befrienders team recently pitched at Sutton Soup (pictured here) to create a welfare fund to provide gifts for our most isolated clients. When we meet new clients, we take the time to find out more about their background and interests, so we can make a great match with their Befriending volunteer. We’ll be picking the brains of our amazing Befriending volunteers and choosing gifts that will be really personal to our clients, and something that would mean something to them.

Sadly, Gill and Jenny didn’t win at Sutton Soup (but huge congratulations to The Fantastic Freddie Foundation who won the jackpot of £1,435). However, Aratrika, one of our youngest Young Commissioners, heard about the pitch and decided there and then that she wanted to help!

Aratrika’s incredibly generous donation will kickstart a fundraising campaign to run later this year (watch this space) to create a welfare fund to buy Christmas and also birthday gifts throughout the year. And she has also inspired her fellow Young Commissioners to support the initiative, so our Young Commissioners will be helping to wrap and deliver presents in the run-up to Christmas.

Aratrika is a shining example in demonstrating that no matter our age, we all have the power to make a difference in the lives of others. 

Thank you once again, Aratrika. Your support is invaluable, and we are really appreciative of your efforts to make our community a better place. We look forward to seeing the wonderful effects of your generosity and the happiness it will bring to those who need it most. 

Please watch out for our fundraiser later this year. In the meantime, find out how you can support Volunteer Centre Sutton and our projects here.