For many older people, having somewhere to go each week, familiar faces to see and the chance to enjoy a chat and a laugh can make a real difference.

Age Concern Hampshire’s social groups provide welcoming spaces across the county where older people can come together, make new friends and enjoy a range of activities in a relaxed and supportive environment.

One couple who attend an Age Concern Hampshire social group recently shared just how much the group has come to mean to them.

“Age Concern social groups have been great for us because we really enjoy doing different things and being able to have a chat and a laugh. It’s a good place to meet new friends, we now regularly meet with those who attend the groups outside of and within the scheme.

“The groups allow us to keep our mental health in a good place, and we also get to do things like exercise and activities that get our brains in gear. We always look forward to the clubs.

“The volunteers and staff are really helpful, nothing is too much trouble, they go out of their way to help. They also join in with the activities which I think is really good.

“The groups have helped us a lot because without it we would be stuck at home. My husband is disabled and it has been a lifeline for us to be able to go somewhere we can enjoy.”

That sense of connection is at the heart of Age Concern Hampshire’s groups. Sessions vary depending on the group and the interests of those attending, but can include gentle physical activity, games and activities, opportunities to exercise the mind, guest talks, conversation and, importantly, plenty of time to socialise.

The groups are also becoming an important part of Age Concern Hampshire’s five-year Living Well in Later Life project, supported by funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.

The project is helping the charity expand opportunities for older people to stay active, independent and connected within their communities. Sessions are designed to support strength, balance, mobility and confidence, while creating opportunities for people to build friendships and reduce loneliness and isolation.

A key part of the project is investing in the people who deliver these sessions. Age Concern Hampshire staff have undertaken specialist training through the British Gymnastics Foundation’s Love to Move programme. This gentle, chair-based programme combines movement, music, rhythm and repetition, supporting physical movement and cognitive function in an accessible way.

The training means staff can adapt activities to suit different abilities and help people feel comfortable taking part, whether they are already active or are taking their first steps towards becoming more active.

Jemma Saunders, Community Engagement Officer at Age Concern Hampshire, is among the team members who have undertaken the Love to Move training.

She said: “Everyone is welcome and just give it a go. What we do is so beneficial not for the body and mind, but also feeling part of something and making friends. It feels so good after.”

For Age Concern Hampshire, this combination of activity and connection is an important part of helping people live well as they get older.

The groups aren’t about having to be fit, knowing everyone already or taking part in every activity. They are about having somewhere friendly to go, meeting people at your own pace and finding things to enjoy.

And sometimes, as this couple’s experience shows, a social group can become much more than a weekly activity.

It can become a place where friendships grow, confidence builds and people look forward to seeing familiar faces — and somewhere that makes the week feel a little brighter.

Age Concern Hampshire runs social groups in communities across Hampshire. To find out more about our groups in your area, visit our Social Groups page or call 01962 868545.

As Volunteers’ Week is celebrated across the UK, everyone at Age Concern Hampshire would like to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to the remarkable volunteers who support our charity every day.

Across Hampshire, hundreds of volunteers generously give their time, skills, energy and compassion to help older people live well, stay connected and remain independent. From welcoming members at our Care & Wellbeing Centres and supporting community social groups, to helping with administration, driving our minibuses, maintaining gardens, assisting at events and sharing professional expertise, our volunteers make an invaluable contribution to everything we do.

Brogan Rehill, Head of Strategy, Partnerships & Community Impact at Age Concern Hampshire, said:

“Our volunteers are the heart of Age Concern Hampshire. Every conversation, every smile and every hour given helps make a real difference to older people across Hampshire. We are incredibly grateful for the time, compassion and dedication our volunteers bring to our communities every day. Quite simply, we could not achieve what we do without them.”

The difference our volunteers make extends far beyond practical support. For many older people, a friendly conversation, a warm welcome or simply knowing that someone cares can have a significant impact on their wellbeing. These moments of connection help reduce loneliness and isolation while creating stronger, more connected communities across Hampshire.

One of those making a difference is Anne, an Age Concern Hampshire volunteer, who said:

“I really enjoy talking and listening to clients. Some of them don’t have much contact with people, so it’s lovely to know that having a chat can make their day.

Volunteering gives me a sense of purpose. It’s nice to feel needed and to know that I’m making a difference.”

Our volunteers bring something truly special to Age Concern Hampshire. Many have strong links to their local communities, valuable life experience and a genuine passion for helping others. Their local knowledge helps us reach people who may otherwise go without support, while their kindness and dedication help create welcoming environments where older people can thrive.

Des Smith, Trustee at Age Concern Hampshire, said:

“Our volunteers are the heart of Age Concern Hampshire. They give their time so generously, and the difference they make to older people’s lives — their confidence, their wellbeing, their sense of connection — is something of which we should all be incredibly proud.”

As a charity, we simply could not deliver many of our services without the support of volunteers. They are at the heart of our organisation, extending our reach, strengthening our impact and helping us support more older people across the county.

Helen Callen, Chair of the Board at Age Concern Hampshire, added:

“As Chair of Age Concern Hampshire, I am continually inspired by the dedication of our volunteers. The compassion, practical and professional support you provide enriches the lives of older people across Hampshire every day. Your contribution is fundamental to achieving our mission to support our community through accessible, high-quality services.”

Volunteering is also a rewarding experience for those who choose to get involved. Many of our volunteers tell us they have gained new friendships, developed confidence, learned new skills and built stronger connections within their communities through their volunteering roles.

Adrian Thorne, Trustee at Age Concern Hampshire, said:

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank our volunteers for their commitment and dedication to the work they undertake for all the people the charity supports. Without you we would not be able to be there for our clients, their carers and families at a time when they most need support. The impact that you have cannot be underestimated. Thank you.”

During Volunteers’ Week, we want to recognise and celebrate every individual who chooses to volunteer with Age Concern Hampshire. Whether they give a few hours each month or several days every week, every contribution matters. Every act of kindness, every conversation and every hour volunteered helps us achieve our mission of supporting older people across Hampshire.

To all our volunteers, past and present, thank you. Your generosity, compassion and commitment make a real difference to the lives of older people every single day.

You are an essential part of Age Concern Hampshire, and we are incredibly grateful for everything you do.

Interested in Volunteering?

If you would like to make a difference in your local community and support older people across Hampshire, we’d love to hear from you. We offer a wide range of volunteering opportunities to suit different interests, skills and availability.

Visit our volunteering page to find out more about current opportunities and discover how you can join our incredible team of volunteers. Give time by volunteering – Age Concern Hampshire

Age Concern Hampshire has once again welcomed volunteers from B&Q as part of the retailer’s ongoing Community Volunteering Days initiative, helping to improve spaces used by older people across Hampshire.

The initiative, which has now been running for four years, forms part of B&Q’s wider commitment to giving back to communities across Hampshire and beyond. Through the programme, B&Q colleagues are encouraged to use their volunteering days to support local charities and community organisations, with many groups benefiting from practical help and improvements to their spaces.

This year, B&Q volunteers returned to support Age Concern Hampshire’s Lockswood Care & Wellbeing Centre in Locks Heath following the success of last year’s project, where the team transformed the charity’s Reflection Room — a peaceful, quiet space designed for people to rest, reflect and take time away from busy activities. The improvements helped create a warm and calming environment for older people, carers and visitors using the centre.

Colleagues took advantage of the sunny weather to refresh the centre’s garden by weeding plant beds, renewing the soil, planting new flowers and building a new garden bench.  While part of the team worked outdoors, others refreshed the main communal hall with a fresh coat of paint. All tools, garden items and paint were kindly donated by B&Q as part of their initiative.

B&Q colleagues are given volunteering days throughout the year, allowing them the opportunity to dedicate time to causes that matter to them locally. For many employees, the programme offers personal benefits too. Hollie Langford, Accountant at B&Q, said: “I really enjoy time outside. I’m a very keen gardener and it’s great for mental health too so it’s beneficial for all.”

The Community Volunteering Days programme supports hundreds of charities and community groups across the UK each year, with thousands of B&Q colleagues volunteering their time to make a positive difference in the areas where they live and work.

Hannah Park, Head of Operations at Age Concern Hampshire said “We’re so grateful to have the B&Q team here again. Having a large group of volunteers has meant so many improvements have been made to our Lockswood centre. The hall has a fresh coat of paint and the garden is blooming. Thank you to the B&Q team for getting stuck in and doing it all with a smile on their faces. It’s great to be able to collaborate with an organisation that is aligned with supporting the work we do across Hampshire.”

Partnerships with organisations such as B&Q play an important role in helping maintain welcoming, accessible spaces for the people who rely on their services every day.

 This year’s volunteering activity continues a strong partnership between the two organisations, building on previous projects that have enhanced facilities and improved environments for older people attending our centres. We hope the partnership will encourage more local businesses and corporate teams to explore how they can support older people in their communities through volunteering, sponsorship or wider collaboration opportunities.

Jemma Saunders is a Community Engagement Officer at Age Concern Hampshire. Working across the New Forest and South Hampshire, Jemma runs a range of social groups supported by dedicated volunteers. These groups provide vital opportunities for older people to come together, stay active, and build friendships in a welcoming, supportive environment.

Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, Jemma has recently completed training with the British Gymnastics Foundation and is working towards accreditation to deliver the Love to Move programme. Love to Move is a gentle, chair-based exercise programme designed to support both physical movement and cognitive function. Delivered to music, the sessions use repetition and rhythm to encourage coordination, mobility and memory.

Jemma is among the first cohort at Age Concern Hampshire to undertake the training. We caught up with Jemma to find out a bit more about the programme and how it will really help those who attend our Social Groups and Care and Wellbeing Centres.

Jemma, can you tell us a bit more about the training you’ve been undertaking?

“The Love to Move course is run by British Gymnastics Foundation. It’s a two-week structured course run by a trainer and I’ve been enjoying it so much. I’ve had lots to learn and at the end of the course as part of my assessment, I had to deliver a Love to Move session to the trainer assessor, putting everything that I’d learnt into practice for a typical exercise session.”

It sounds great, and have you received a specific accreditation at the end of this training?

“Yes. Because it’s run by British Gymnastics Foundation, I will have a Love to Move accreditation meaning I am fully qualified to deliver these sessions in a group setting. This is a coveted accreditation and highly recognised. Not only will it benefit me in my personal professional development, I can already see how much it will benefit those taking the sessions with me. I’ve been running movement sessions for years but the Love to Move programme is a lot more involved and structured.”

So, can you share a little more about what Love to Move actually involves?

“Of course. Love to Move is a seated chair exercise programme. It involves gentle movement of different parts of the body. Individuals can move at their own pace. The session works to music with gentle routines, encouraging cognitive stimulation through slow movement. The programme uses repetitive music and rhythms to encourage muscle memory and familiarity.”

And how do you feel this benefits people taking these sessions?

“The first thing is just how much fun we have as a group. The sessions are full of laughter and I can honestly say that participants have become friends. It’s the kind of activity where you don’t realise just how good it is for you because you’re too busy having such a laugh. The release of serotonin as a result of exercise is really key as that continues to boost the mood long after the session has ended. Furthermore, taking the sessions consistently and regularly helps with staying mobile and building up memory muscle.”

It sounds like you all have a great time. So what would you say to someone who’s perhaps unsure about joining a session?

“That everyone is welcome and just give it a go. What we do is so beneficial not for the body and mind, but also feeling part of something and making friends. It feels so good after and it’s a bit like when we choose to go to the gym or for a run – you never regret it!”

Brogan Rehill, Head of Strategy, Partnerships and Community Impact at Age Concern Hampshire, said:
“This training is a great example of how The National Lottery Community Fund is enabling us to invest in our people as well as the communities we serve. By equipping our staff with specialist skills, we’re able to deliver high-quality, accessible sessions that support older people to stay active, build confidence and remain connected.

Programmes like this play an important role in prevention, helping people maintain their independence for longer while also creating welcoming spaces where friendships and community connections can grow.”

Age Concern Hampshire’s Living Well in Later Life project is a new five-year initiative, supported by the National Lottery Community Fund, helping older people across Hampshire stay active, independent and connected. Delivered through Care and Wellbeing Centres and local community venues, the project offers accessible physical activity and wellbeing sessions focused on improving strength, balance and overall health, while creating valuable social connections to reduce loneliness and isolation.

The Love to Move sessions are now being delivered at our Social Groups across Hampshire and for members attending our Care and Wellbeing Centres.

For details of when are where the Social Groups take place, please visit Social Groups – Age Concern Hampshire

For more information about our Care and Wellbeing Centres, please visit Care & Wellbeing Centres – Age Concern Hampshire

Alternatively, email enquiries@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk or call 01962 868545.