A friendship across generations
Margaret, Soniya and Anya
For Margaret, moving closer to family in Crowthorne seven years ago brought many positives, but it also meant leaving behind a lifetime of friendships, familiar places and activities. More recently, losing the ability to drive after more than 60 years has been another significant adjustment, leaving her feeling isolated at times.
That all changed when she was matched through The Link with volunteer Soniya.
Soniya began volunteering after seeing the loneliness her own father experienced following the loss of her mother. Wanting to give something back to her community, she joined The Link and was eventually introduced to Margaret.
"It was from my father. Since my mother passed, I've seen how lonely he was… Once he passed, I wanted to give something back."
What started as a weekly visit has developed into a special friendship that now spans three generations. Soniya's 11-year-old daughter, Anya, occasionally joins the visits and has formed a close bond with Margaret through a shared love of stories, history and laughter.
Margaret, a self-described "true Cockney", has lived a remarkable life. From performing at the Royal Albert Hall to sharing memories of being evacuated during the Second World War, she has an endless collection of stories to tell.
For Anya, hearing Margaret's firsthand accounts of wartime Britain has brought history to life in a way that no textbook could. "It's helped me a lot because reading a book, for example, isn't the same as someone you meet actually telling you the story that happened." Margaret's experiences have even inspired Anya's schoolwork, including writing a story based on Margaret being a wartime child.
Their visits are filled with shared interests: gardening, painting, family photographs, stories from the past and, most importantly, laughter. Margaret has shared her knowledge of plants from her garden, while Soniya regularly shares her latest paintings from her monthly art sessions.
When asked what she looks forward to most when Soniya visits, Margaret's answer was immediate:
"Having a laugh."
For Soniya, volunteering has filled a space in her life she hadn't anticipated.
"It feels like the void has gone. I can share stories, I can share things… I always make sure before we leave that we've had a great laugh. I go out of here smiling. But it's not just what you can give someone, it's what you get in return. It's not something you can put a value on – it's priceless. All you're doing is giving a bit of your time."
Anya's enthusiasm is equally clear.
"I’m really, really happy.… Margaret makes you smile a lot, and she always has loads of nice stories to tell and things to show me."
Margaret describes their friendship simply:
"We get on so well, It's so easy to talk to each other."
This Link friendship demonstrates the power of connection. What began as a volunteer visit has become an intergenerational friendship built on kindness, shared experiences and mutual support.
For Margaret, it means companionship during a period of changing independence. For Soniya, it is a meaningful way to honour her father's memory and give back to her community. For Anya, it is an opportunity to learn from a generation whose experiences might otherwise be lost.
Together, they are proof that a single hour each week can make a lasting difference—not only to one person's life, but to many.
NEW: Family Volunteer Club
At The Link Visiting Scheme, we believe that kindness has no age limit.
We’re delighted to launch our Family Volunteer Club giving the children and grandchildren of fully recruited Link volunteers the opportunity to experience volunteering in a safe, welcoming and meaningful way.
We know that kindness can start young. Through practical, enjoyable activities, children & young people under 18yrs can build confidence, learn new skills, meet people of different generations and discover the positive difference they can make in their community.
Activities could include helping at Christmas and summer celebrations, making crafts and gifts for Link Friends, supporting special events at our Community Café, and taking part in our Link to Nature project.