Tag: Vintage Vibes

Vintage Vibes celebrates 9 years of tackling loneliness in Edinburgh

Edinburgh-based charity project, Vintage Vibes held a week of celebrations, marking 9 years of tackling the loneliness crisis in the city.  

The week of celebratory activity started on Older Peoples’ Day (on 1st October) with Kaukab Stewart MSP, Minister for Equalities, joining the charity project’s VIP Voices group, where people over 60 who are lonely and isolated are invited to meet every two months and share their views on current topics affecting older people.

The topics for discussion with the Minister covered the value of older people in society, over 60s contributing to communities through volunteering, and how to make local heritage and culture venues barrier free for the older population.

Kaukab Stewart MSP, Minister for Equalities said: “I want to congratulate Vintage Vibes for the great work it has been doing over the last nine years to bring generations together and provide companionship and support to older people.

“The Scottish Government has delivered a range of policy measures over the last five years aimed at reducing inequality and promoting health and wellbeing and reducing social isolation for all older people across Scotland.

“We aim to enable better access to a range of services for older people as and when they need them and we want to ensure people are financially secure and supported as they age. We will ensure that older people’s views and aspirations are taken into account as we undertake a refresh of our strategy for older people.”

The VIP Voices group and fellow VIPs (over 60s supported by Vintage Vibes) also came together to celebrate 9 years of friendships and connections at The Broomhouse Hub with a pizza party filled with fun, games, singing, chat and laughter.

Alongside this, the Vintage Vibes team hand-delivered cakes to those who are housebound and unable to attend the birthday celebrations, to ensure every member felt included and shared in the fun.

Vintage Vibes VIP, Shelia said: “Vintage Vibes lifts my spirits enormously. I get on so well with my friendship volunteer, Nicky and we just laugh and laugh when we’re together.

“I love everything about Vintage Vibes, it’s so much fun and I get to be involved in so many things – it’s just lovely.”

Vintage Vibes brings people together through friendship matches, groups, meet-ups and events to tackle social isolation and loneliness in the over the 60s across Edinburgh. Since its creation in 2015, the charity project has now helped over 1200 older people in the city to establish one-to-one friendships and delivered over 30,000 hours of volunteering.

Events, and groups are also available including film, theatre and singing or simply meeting for a chat over a coffee, bringing older people together for friendship, improve their wellbeing and have some much-needed fun.

Alongside this, the charity project has a passion for tackling ageism, changing perceptions and reducing stigma around isolation and ageing.

Gemma Wright, Communications and Fundraising Lead at Vintage Vibes said:“We are incredibly grateful to our fabulous VIPs (older people we support), volunteers and supporters for helping to us to build this amazing, supportive, empowering community.

“Over the past 9 years, Vintage Vibes has changed the lives of so many older people feeling alone for the better.

“We’d like to thank Kaukab Stewart MSP for taking the time to listen to the insightful thoughts, views and ideas of our VIPs and hope that together we can create a brighter future for the circa 11,000 older people in Edinburgh who are often or always alone.

“As we celebrate 9 fabulous years at our pizza party, we are joined by our wonderful VIPs and volunteers. It is always so special to see everyone laughing, chatting and having fun to mark the difference Vintage Vibes makes to so many.

“For those who sadly couldn’t attend due to ill health, we delivered cakes and flowers to their homes and popped in for a chat. We exist to prevent the development of chronic loneliness and bring fun, fulfilment and friendship to older people who are feeling lonely and isolated through our network of amazing friendship volunteers and the support of local people, businesses and funding partnerships.

“We would like to thank all involved for your ongoing support and helping us to ensure everyone is included and feels valued.”

Having successfully delivered over 30,000 hours of volunteering, Vintage Vibes’ 2024 annual survey showed that 97% of their VIPs felt that being involved in the project left them feeling happier and gave them a better quality of life and 91% saying it had improved their mental health.

Vintage Vibes is now seeking amazing new Edinburgh-based volunteers to expand the project and offer support to even more older people across the city.

For more information on becoming a Vintage Vibes volunteer, please contact Vintage Vibes by emailing hello@vintagevibes.org.uk or visit vintagevibes.org.uk.

Corstorphine locals: Vintage Vibes needs YOU!

Do you live or work in or around Corstorphine and could spare an hour or two a week to help tackle loneliness in your area?

We’re looking for lovely locals to become a friendship volunteer to a local older person who’s feeling alone.

To find out more about how you can change someone’s life for the better and make a difference on your doorstep, send us a DM or visit, vintagevibes.org.uk.

Do good. Feel good! 💛

Do something different to tackle loneliness with Vintage Vibes

Fancy an exciting, exhilarating challenge?

We have 2 places to do an amazing zip slide 100ft in the air over the River Clyde on Saturday 14th September!

Have an amazing experience and know that you are tackling loneliness at the same time! For more information DM us or email gemma@vintagevibes.org.uk

Do good. Feel good.

Vintage Vibes launches wellbeing prize draw!

CHARITY PROJECT INVITES EDINBURGH LOCALS TO IMPROVE THEIR WELLBEING WITH FEEL GOOD PRIZES WHILE TACKLING LOCAL LONELINESS

Edinburgh-based charity project, Vintage Vibes has launched its new Wellbeing Prize Draw, encouraging Edinburgh locals to donate and enter the draw to win fabulous prizes that support their wellbeing while helping the charity project to tackle the loneliness crisis among older people in the city.

The multi award-winning charitable partnership brings people together through friendship matches, groups, and events to tackle social isolation and loneliness in the over the 60s across Edinburgh – which has been named as one of the loneliest cities in the UK for older people.

Prize draw tickets are now available online at Vintagevibes.org.uk, with local businesses going the extra mile to support the cause by donating a wide range of fabulous prizes to encourage wellbeing and fun.

From tickets to shows at The Edinburgh Playhouse and The Cameo Picturehouse, to feel good treatments for your hair, body, mind and soul, a family photography session, and experiences such as a family day out at Edinburgh Zoo, or a meal at The Port of Leith Distillery Bar!

Gemma Wright, Fundraising and Communications lead at Vintage Vibes, said: “All proceeds from the prize draw go to supporting lonely and isolated older people in Edinburgh, which is one of the loneliest cities in the UK for older people.

“By supporting our new Wellbeing Prize Draw you could not only win a fabulous prize to improve your own happiness and wellbeing but know that you are in turn helping to improve the life of a lonely local older person too.”

Now in its 9th year, Vintage Vibes has helped over 1000 older people in the city to establish one-to-one friendships based on mutually shared interests from singing and musical theatre to gaming, and even, like VIP Shelia and volunteer, Nicky, Love Island! Events, and groups are also available from theatre to cinema, and singing to bring people together for fun and friendship.

Vintage Vibes VIP, Sheila said: “I was pretty depressed before I joined Vintage Vibes. I didn’t really know what to do with myself and had lost myself a bit. Then I met my volunteer, Nicky and it’s really lifted my spirits.

“We just talk and talk, and I love going out for a coffee or a trip out with her. When you get that low, you don’t know how to fix it but having a good friend in your life makes all the difference. Joining Vintage Vibes has been amazing for me”.

Vintage Vibes’ 2024 annual survey showed that 75% of their VIPs felt that being involved in the project had improved their mental health and 95% reported feeling happier and having a better quality of life. Vintage Vibes is now seeking amazing new Edinburgh-based volunteers to expand the project and offer support to even more older people across the city.

“It has been a privilege to work in partnership with, and fundraise for, Vintage Vibes since October 2023. We are proud to support their Wellbeing Prize Draw and the work they are continuously doing to help tackle loneliness in the over-60s right here in Edinburgh.” – Gordon Millar, Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre Director.

For a full details, list of prizes and to get your ticket for the Vintage Vibes Wellbeing Prize Draw, visit vintagevibes.org.uk.

Volunteer opportunity with Vintage Vibes

Do you love playing the piano and a good sing along? Our over 60s singing group, Vocal Vibes is looking for a fabulous volunteer to join them on piano.

The group brings together isolated older people to build confidence and connections through the shared love of singing!

As a volunteer you will accompany the song leader in the sessions and performances and collaborate with the group to select songs from throughout the decades. Fab piano and musical skills are needed and experience working with singing groups would be great but not essential.

This is an in-person volunteering role. Vocal Vibes meet on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month from 11am -1pm in an accessible city centre venue close to several transport links.

If you think you can help, please get in touch at hello@vintagevibes.org.uk or visit vintagevibes.org.uk/help-us/get-involved/.

Thousands of older people will be alone this Christmas – but a card can make all the difference

Call out for Edinburgh locals to join schools and businesses in sending a card to a chronically isolated, local older person this Christmas through Vintage Vibes

Edinburgh-based charity project, Vintage Vibes today announced the launch of their Christmas Card Campaign to ensure lonely and isolated older people in the city receive a Christmas card this year.

Since 2017, Vintage Vibes has asked thousands of local people to write Christmas cards to isolated older people in the city by sending them a profile of someone who will be lonely this festive season – and this year more than ever they need the public to get involved!

Edinburgh locals are invited to show their support by visiting Vintage Vibes’ website, where they can donate and receive a profile of a local, lonely older person – from Betty who loves cats and crafting, to Edward who puts tomatoes on his cereal!

They can then write a personalised Christmas card to them and send it on to Vintage Vibes in time to distribute for Christmas. All the family can get involved, with Vintage Vibes VIPs loving to receive children’s drawings and crafts as part of the card!

One female VIP who spent Christmas day alone last year told Vintage Vibes: “Sitting here on my own, receiving your cards and letters gives me something to look forward to. It does make such a difference, thank you.”

With new findings from the University of Glasgow and data from a UK Biobank study, showing the devastating impact social isolation can have on older people – the need for inclusion and meaningful connections has never been greater.

Findings showed, those aged over the age of fifty-seven, who experienced more than one form of social isolation, such as often feeling lonely, not seeing friends or family, or living alone for a prolonged period had a 77% higher risk of dying earlier.

As one of The Edinburgh Playhouse’s Charities of the Year, Vintage Vibes teamed up with staff at the theatre to launch this year’s campaign which is designed to make older people, who might be alone over the festive season, feel valued and remembered.

Georgia Artus, Development Manager at Vintage Vibes said: “During the pandemic, we all got a taste isolation many older people suffer daily.

“Sadly, for a great many, that isolation will continue without the support of Vintage Vibes and our wonderful network of volunteers. 

“Edinburgh is one of the loneliest cities in the UK for older people and we know something as simple as receiving a Christmas card can make all the difference to someone who will be alone over the festive period. I would encourage anyone to get involved, it is easy to do and makes such a difference.”

Claire McCarragher, Deputy Customer Experience Manager: “We at The Edinburgh Playhouse are delighted to be taking part in this year’s Vintage Vibes, Christmas Card Campaign.

“The staff are looking forward to connecting with the VIPs and making their festive period a little bit brighter.”

To take part in Vintage Vibes’ Christmas Card Campaign and make this Christmas special for a local lonely older person visit vintagevibes.org.uk.

Local businesses come together to tackle loneliness in the city

VINTAGE VIBES BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Award-winning Edinburgh-based charity project, Vintage Vibes is marking eight years of tackling the loneliness crisis in the city by having a party for lonely and isolated older people (their VIPs) and delivering cupcakes to those who are housebound and unable to attend Vintage Vibes’ birthday celebrations at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo.

Teaming up with Cuckoo’s Bakery and EZ Bike Tours, they delivered a birthday treat and a chat to older people who were unable to attend due to health or mobility issues to ensure nobody was left out of the celebrations.

Vintage Vibes brings people together through friendship matches, groups, and events to tackle social isolation and loneliness in the over the 60s across Edinburgh.

Since its creation in 2015, the charity partnership has now helped over 1000 older people in the city to establish one-to-one friendships based on mutually shared interests from baking, gaming and, like Aly and Betty, beach walks and milkshakes.

Events, and groups are also available from sewing to cinema, and singing to bring people together for fun and friendship.

Gemma Wright, Communications and Fundraising Lead at Vintage Vibes, said: “We are so grateful to Cuckoo’s Bakery, EZ Bike Tours and Edinburgh Zoo for helping to make our 8th birthday celebrations so amazing.

“We delivered cupcakes to the homes of our wonderful VIPs that were sadly, unable to join us for our birthday party. We exist to bring fun and friendship to older people who are feeling lonely and isolated through our network of amazing friendship volunteers and the support of local businesses and funding partnerships.

“We would like to thank all involved for your ongoing support and helping us to ensure everyone was included.”

Having successfully delivered over 20,000 hours of volunteering, Vintage Vibes’ 2023 annual survey showed that 95% of their VIPs felt that being involved in the project left them feeling happier and gave them a better quality of life.

Vintage Vibes is now seeking amazing new Edinburgh-based volunteers to expand the project and offer support to even more older people across the city.

Thomas Partridge, Director of Cuckoo’s Bakery said: “We first helped Vintage Vibes back in 2017 when we supported their heart-warming Christmas Card Campaign. We are delighted to be able to make a difference again and provide celebration cupcakes to those older people who were unable to attend the party.

“The team at our new bakery on Grindlay Street waved them off on their mission to tackle isolation in the city and we hope everyone enjoyed the fun!”

Euan at EZ Bike Tours said: “We’re delighted to support Vintage Vibes in making their birthday celebrations extra special and to play our part in helping to tackle loneliness in older people across Edinburgh.”

For more information on becoming a Vintage Vibes volunteer, please contact Vintage Vibes by emailing hello@vintagevibes.org.uk or visit vintagevibes.org.uk.

Vintage Vibes: Friendship Volunteers

Do you want to make a difference? Have you thought about becoming a friendship volunteer?

Vintage Vibes supports people over 60 in Edinburgh who are feeling lonely or isolated, matching them with like-minded volunteers to form friendships and to start enjoying life again!

If you can spare an hour a week to change someone’s world, send us a DM or visit our website at vintagevibes.org.uk for details.

 #vintagevibesed 

#volunteering

Loneliness Awareness Week 2023: HEROES WANTED!

LOCAL CHARITY TACKLING LONELINESS ONE FRIENDSHIP AT A TIME

Edinburgh-based charity project, Vintage Vibes is marking Loneliness Awareness Week (12-18th June) by encouraging Edinburgh locals to join them to become volunteer heroes, offering companionship to older people (VIPs) with like-minded interests, to tackle the loneliness crisis in the city.

The award-winning charitable partnership brings people together through friendship matches, groups, and events to tackle social isolation and loneliness in the over the 60s across Edinburgh – which has been named as the loneliest city in the UK for older people.

A statistic only exacerbated by the impact of the pandemic, with a 2022 Age UK study showing that 1 in 3 older people felt more anxious than before covid and less motivated to do the things they enjoy.

Now in its 8th year, Vintage Vibes has helped over 900 older people in the city to establish one-to-one friendships based on mutually shared interests from baking to music, and even, like VIP David and volunteer Emily, gaming. Events, and groups are also available from sewing to cinema, and singing to bring people together for fun and friendship.

Vintage Vibes volunteer, Alyssa Kuranowicz said: “I’ve had so much fun since becoming a volunteer with Vintage Vibes.

“I was introduced to a lovely lady called Betty based on our shared love of coffee and connecting with people. On top of our weekly coffee shop visits, Betty and I have also enjoyed going for milkshakes, attending concerts, going for beach walks, and attending events hosted by Vintage Vibes.

“Our connection has made a real difference to Betty’s well-being and quality of life and has also given me a great new friend and a lot of shared good times”.

Having successfully delivered over 20,000 hours of volunteering, Vintage Vibes’ 2023 annual survey showed that 75% of their VIPs felt that being involved in the project had improved their mental health and 95% reported feeling happier and having a better quality of life. 

Vintage Vibes is now seeking amazing new Edinburgh-based volunteers to expand the project and offer support to even more older people across the city.

Georgia Artus, Development Manager at Vintage Vibes said: “We’re delighted with the impact Vintage Vibes is making to the lives of older people and due to increasing demand, we’re seeking to expand our team of amazing volunteers.

“We’re looking for adults of all ages who can spare at least one hour each week, for a minimum of six months, to help an older person in need of friendship.

“During the pandemic, we all faced the kind of isolation many older people in the city suffer daily. Sadly, for a great many, that isolation will continue without our wonderful community of Vintage Vibes volunteers.”

For more information on becoming a Vintage Vibes volunteer, please contact Vintage Vibes please email hello@vintagevibes.org.uk or visit vintagevibes.org.uk.