When Eden Seager and Kassem Kassem, two 3rd year medics, first established the Friendly Society at Barts and The London, they could not have predicted the year that was to come. They established this volunteering group after learning about social isolation amongst the elderly population in the UK, and especially in London. Unfortunately, few services exist to combat this issue so they made the decision to create a volunteering group for this sole purpose.

As we all know, things didn’t exactly go to plan in 2020. However, FriendlySoc saw the potential for their group to assist older residents in dire need. Although they started off as a befriending service to prevent loneliness, the society decided to adapt its structure after its leaders realised most of these vulnerable members of society don’t have a support network in place. Whilst all of us (hopefully) have family members, friends or neighbours to come to our aid if we were in need, a lot of the elderly do not have someone to turn to for help with their everyday activities, for example going out to the shops. Therefore, FriendlySoc reorganised their services to include delivery of essential goods, in addition to their usual welfare checks and social calls.

Towards the end of March, the society teamed up with a Welfare Practitioner from a GP practice in Lower Clapton who refers vulnerable or isolated patients to the society team. As of the 21st of May, they have completed an incredible 75 deliveries, with over 50 referrals from the Welfare Practitioner. Most of the deliveries have been food but they have also transported regular prescriptions, a phone and lots of toilet paper!

The referrals have included many different types of people, not just the elderly who have to self-isolate and struggle to do their shopping. There have also been families who are struggling financially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as individuals suffering chronic diseases, forcing them to stay indoors for the foreseeable future. Easing their burdens by providing groceries for 1-2 weeks or collecting their medication is an admirable task and improves lives in the local community. According to Eden (now co-president of FreindlySoc), the referrals show no sign of slowing down and this is just from one practice. He says, “I think that the strain that this pandemic has put on third sector services which usually provide for these individuals has highlighted just how big the problem of social isolation is.”

Through generous private donations and the kindness of some volunteers who cover the cost of shopping trips, this volunteering group has managed to raise £1,500 to support the elderly and vulnerable members of East London. Once restrictions have been lifted and things start to get back to ‘normal’, the healthcare industry is expecting a second pandemic: mental health. It would make sense that the chronically unwell and older populations experience mental health problems at a higher level than the general population, so befriending and welfare schemes will be imperative in the coming months. The Friendly Society certainly has a busy year ahead of them and we wish them all the best in their future endeavours!

To support this amazing organisation, please donate at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-vulnerable-people-during-social-isolation or sign up to do deliveries by emailing tfsbarts@gmail.com