Tag: Vintage Vibes

Brighten Christmas for older people facing the festive period alone: Send a card, support a friendship

Edinburgh locals invited 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, have launched their much-loved Christmas Card Appeal to ensure lonely and isolated older people across the city to feel valued and are not forgotten this festive period, as they embark on their 10th year helping older people to find friendship and combat loneliness. 

Since 2017, Vintage Vibes has invited local people to write a very special Christmas card to a specific isolated older person in the city, by sending them a profile of someone who they know will be lonely this festive season.

By sending a personalized card, individuals can make a profound difference to a local older person, with some Vintage Vibes recipients keeping their cards up for months after December. 

This year, Vintage Vibes need the public to get behind them more than ever as funding cuts threaten to impact vital services. Having reached a staggering 30,000 hours of friendship in the city, Vintage Vibes is to become a fully independent charity in 2025.

This means every donation made will not only help create friendships this season but will also support the future of Vintage Vibes friendships across Edinburgh for years to come. 

Edinburgh locals can show their support by visiting Vintage Vibes’ website, where they can donate and receive a profile of a local, lonely older person – from Anne who loves doing jigsaw puzzles and looking around the shops to our numbers fan Bryan, who loves to sing and used to be a lecturer of economic history! 

Personalised Christmas cards can then be written and sent on to Vintage Vibes in time to distribute to them to those in need in time for Christmas. All the family can get involved, with Vintage Vibes VIPs (older people they support) loving to receive children’s drawings and crafts as part of the card! 

VIP, Sheila said: “I joined Vintage Vibes over a year ago. At that time, I was feeling a bit down and very alone. I then got introduced to my friendship volunteer, Nicky and we never stopped talking and laughing.

“I love socialising, attending their events and groups too. I then I found out about the Christmas card appeal and asked to be included. When I received my Christmas cards, I think I cried a lot.

“My cards were mainly from local school children and were so adorable they touched my heart. I love the company and joy that Vintage Vibes brings to me and so many lonely people.

“Vintage Vibes is part of my life now and I can’t praise them enough! I recommend anyone thinking of taking part to just do it. You won’t regret a minute of it.” 

Here are just a couple of the other thank you comments from our wonderful VIPs who received cards last year: 

‘What a lovely surpriseit was to receive the Christmas cards, and to know that people were thinking about us.’ Irene

‘I lost my husband and was feeling down but reading all the lovely Christmas cards really cheered me up. You made my day – thank you all so much.’ Marleen

Why It Matters: Edinburgh ranks as one of the loneliest cities in the UK for older people, and Vintage Vibes has been committed to tackling the loneliness crisis since 2015 – empowering over 60s to lead happier, healthier lives through friendships, groups, events and activities. 

Having partnered with local charities LifeCare and Space for nearly a decade, they are now preparing to stand on their own.

The need is greater than ever, with up to 2,000 older people currently waiting for friendship support across the city, and community support such as the Christmas appeal is vital to raising awareness and funds. 

Georgia Artus, Development Manager at Vintage Vibes said: “This is my favourite campaign in the year, because we know from our VIPs what a difference this makes to their Christmases.

“Sheila’s story of crying with joy at receiving the cards is not the only I’ve heard, and I’ve been to VIPs houses where they have kept the cards long after Christmas is over – something this simple really does matter to someone spending Christmas alone.

“For us, the recent funding cuts are challenging, however we’re excited for our future as an independent charity and now more than ever, we are asking for the support of the local community to help continue our vital work helping older people to live happy, healthy lives.

“I would encourage everyone to get involved, it is so easy to do, incredibly fulfilling and supports the future of friendships in Edinburgh.”

Neil Hay, CEO Space (parent charity) said: “I’m inspired by Vintage Vibes’ remarkable growth and impact over the past few years.

“Through innovative programs and unwavering dedication to the VIPs, Vintage Vibes has transformed countless lives. The positive ripple effect of their work is a testament to the power of love and compassion. 

“Their commitment to making a difference has uplifted communities and inspired an outstanding volunteer team to join their cause; their collective effort will hold them in good stead as they move into the next chapter as an independent charity.” 

How to Join In: By taking part in Vintage Vibes’ Christmas Card Appeal, you can make this Christmas special for an older person feeling alone. It’s so simple, just visit vintagevibes.org.uk and go to the Donate page.  

Here you can donate and download the first name and interests of a local older person, so you can write a personal message and send your good wishes at a time when they need them most. Some have even got their colleagues, friends or family members involved as a wee Christmas celebration! 

Vintage Vibes also provide examples to help you write your card and information on how to send it. Their donate page is also filled with fabulous ‘gifts’ if you wanted to add a festive meal or trip out for a local older person to your basket.  

Support the Future of Friendships: Vintage Vibes works to tackle isolation in local older people year-round, with hundreds of older people engaged in their friendships and activities every week and 97% saying being involved in Vintage Vibes has improved their wellbeing and reduced their loneliness.

You can now help support the future of year-round friendships and groups by becoming a Regular Donor as they move into an exciting 2025. 

Gemma Wright, Communications & Fundraising at Vintage Vibes: “Sometimes people underestimate what a difference becoming a regular donor can make to a small project like ours – our incredible regular donors help us to be able to make plans and grow.

“To you, it may be the price of a coffee each month, to us, it’s the ongoing support that helps us reach those who are most vulnerable within the community.” 

To show you care and give the gift of friendship this year, visit vintagevibes.org.uk today. 

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