Frank & Arjun

Frank’s story

Frank, 73, lives alone following the loss of his partner and rarely leaves the house due to a long-term health condition. A naturally sociable man, he found the isolation incredibly difficult and his low mood led him to seek help from the mental health practitioner at his GP surgery. She suggested a befriender, and Frank was hopeful that regular company would lift his spirits.

We matched Frank with Arjun, a warm and friendly volunteer, and the connection was instant. Their first visit felt as though they’d known each other for years. They share a love of food and cooking, and Arjun has been introducing Frank to different Indian teas and snacks, all of which Frank has thoroughly enjoyed. Their conversations flow easily, often lasting hours, and they’ve discovered shared experiences, including places they’ve both travelled and similar health challenges.

After their first solo visit, Frank told us how much he was looking forward to Arjun’s next trip over, saying they had “only touched the tip of the iceberg.” His mood has lifted significantly, and having weekly visits gives him something he genuinely looks forward to. The visits also give Arjun great joy, he describes feeling like he’s catching up with an old friend.

As Frank says, hearing a knock at the door and knowing it’s Arjun “makes all the difference.”

*names changed to protect anonymity

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