FriendshipWorks

105 Chauncy St #801, Boston, Ma 02111
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Our missionOur mission is to reduce social isolation, enhance quality of life, and preserve the dignity of older adults in Greater Boston.

FriendshipWorks

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Ways to help

Medical Escorts

Did you know many older adults delay medical care when they do not have someone to help them to and from appointments? We are looking for volunteers to help escort elders in Boston, Brookline, and Newton to their medical appointments. As a volunteer, you provide a friendly face and conversation, and may provide a little added physical support. In return, you get to meet new people and have the rewarding experience of enhancing the wellbeing of elders in your community! Many of our volunteers have found the experience extremely valuable when pursuing careers in healthcare. Do you want to make a difference in your community by helping older adults access critical medical care? Complete a Medical Escort volunteer application Volunteers must be 18+, and must have availability on weekdays during business hours. No car or driving is required. We ask for a 6-12 month commitment, although you can choose which escorts fit your schedule.
  • Occasional
  • 55+, Adults
  • Individuals
  • Indoor
  • Formal
  • Weekdays

Friendly Helping

Support your older adult neighbors with errands and other tasks! Age or physical disability can pose challenges for many elders who may be otherwise able, but need assistance with certain tasks. Friendly Helping volunteers provide companionship and one-time and short-term assistance to elderly individuals in Boston, Brookline, or Newton with errands and tasks such as organizing a closet, picking up leaves (seasonal), setting up a new remote or phone, getting an appointment scheduled, or helping to sort mail. Most helps can be arranged at a time that works for you. Volunteers should expect to commit to several helps over a 6-month period. Volunteers must be 18+, or 15+ with parental permission.
  • Weekly
  • 55+, Adults
  • Individuals
  • Indoor, Outdoor
  • Formal
  • Weekdays, Evenings, Weekends

Friendly Visiting

You can make a new friend and make a difference in the lives of older adults in your community! We are looking for people interested in visiting in-person with older adults living in Greater Boston. We make one-on-one matches that allow you to make a new friend while enhancing the quality of life of someone in your community. Without the stimulation that social interaction and friendship provide, an isolated elder can experience physical, emotional, and mental health problems. Volunteers and older adults often take walks together, play games, go on excursions to local museums and shops, or just sit and tell stories over a cup of tea. Does this sound like something you would enjoy? This opportunity is in person and the time is flexible. Volunteers must be 18+ and willing to make at least a 10-12 month commitment.
  • Occasional
  • 55+, Adults
  • Individuals
  • Indoor, Outdoor
  • Formal
  • Weekdays, Evenings, Weekends

PetPals

Are you and your pet looking to meet new friends and make a difference in the lives of older adults in your community? PetPals are canine and feline volunteers (and their owners) who visit elderly residents in long-term care facilities. PetPals volunteers participate in a brief training and animal behavior assessment, and are matched with one of 36 sites in metro Boston. These teams bring the “healing power of pets” to elders every week or twice per month. If this sounds like something you and your furry friend might be interested in, please complete a volunteer application.
  • Weekly
  • 55+, Adults
  • Individuals
  • Indoor
  • Formal
  • Weekdays, Weekends
How you helpAt FriendshipWorks, we match older adults with volunteers of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds who provide friendship, advocacy, education, assistance, and emotional support. Volunteers are critical to helping elders maintain independence and addressing the serious health risks posed by social isolation in the elder community.
About usFriendshipWorks was founded in 1984 to address isolation among older adults in Greater Boston. We match older adults, (60+ years of age or 55+ for those with visual or hearing impairments) with volunteers of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds who provide friendship, advocacy, education, assistance, and emotional support. Volunteers are critical to helping address the serious health risks posed by social isolation in the elder community, including accelerating brain and cardiovascular aging. Our participants do not pay a fee for any of our programs. FriendshipWorks' coverage area includes all of Boston, Brookline, Newton, Somerville, and Cambridge.
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