Isabela & Fatima

When Isabela arrived in the UK from Brazil, she knew nobody. She'd relocated for her husband's work and found herself starting from scratch, no family nearby, no established friendships, no familiar community. A physiotherapist who had spent her career working with older adults back home, she spotted The Link at a local volunteer fayre and felt an immediate connection to what we do. She began attending All Saints Church, helping at the dementia-friendly table, and finding her feet in a new country.

Fatima had a similar story. She'd moved from Turkey with her husband and young child, and was looking for a way to connect and contribute. She came to us wanting to befriend an older person, and we suggested she start by attending Link Thursdays, a chance to build her English skills and get to know the community before taking on a regular visiting role.

The two women met through their volunteering and quickly became close friends outside of it too. Now, Isabela is bringing her physiotherapy expertise to our Fit for Life project, supporting Link Friends living with dementia in a way that goes far beyond a typical volunteer role. Fatima has befriended a Link Friend at Link Thursdays, with regular visits now well underway, and she's also become a familiar and much-loved face at the café.

A particular highlight has been their weekly cribbage sessions with Keith, who cares for his wife with dementia and is partially sighted. Keith loves teaching them the game, and every week the three of them fill the room with laughter. Both Isabela and Fatima told us: "It's lovely to see people happy and smiling." They came to give something — and found they gained just as much in return.

*Names changed to protect anonymity

Read more stories of friendship and connection below…