Link Visiting Christmas Appeal

At Michael Aubrey Barrow we’ve always believed in the power of community and in the difference that simple acts of kindness can make.

This year, we’re proud to support Link Visiting and their annual Christmas Appeal, a campaign that brings comfort and companionship to people who may otherwise spend the festive season alone.

Instead of sending our usual Christmas cards and corporate gifts, we’re choosing to give back in a way that directly supports those who need connection the most.

Proud Sponsors of This Year’s Festive Paint & Sip Night

We were delighted to sponsor Link Visiting’s Christmas Paint & Sip Night – a creative, uplifting evening filled with laughter, learning and connection.

Guided by experienced local artists from R Young art gallery guests painted a beautiful winter sky using acrylics (no experience required!), all while raising much-needed funds for Link’s ongoing work.

About Link Visiting

Link Visiting is a local non-profit organisation dedicated to tackling loneliness and social isolation across Wokingham Borough.

Their mission is simple but profound: to create meaningful, lasting connections by pairing volunteers with individuals who would benefit from friendship and company.

Through regular visits, phone calls, group activities and seasonal events, Link Visiting helps improve wellbeing, boost confidence, and bring genuine joy to people who might otherwise feel overlooked or isolated.

Why the Christmas Appeal Matters

For many of us, Christmas is a time for family, warmth and celebration. But for people without close friends or relatives, it can be the loneliest day of the year, a time when isolation, loss and grief feel even heavier.

For the 14th year running, Link Visiting is working to change that.

Their Christmas Appeal ensures that older people across our community receive:

  • A friendly chat and companionship

  • A delicious Christmas meal

  • A thoughtful gift of treats

  • Access to festive activities and events

These small moments of connection create something incredibly meaningful: the feeling of being remembered, valued and included.

How Donations Make a Difference

Funding is urgently needed to run Link’s full programme of festive events and to ensure every Link Friend receives a gift sometimes the only one they will receive all year.

Here’s what your support can provide:

  • £5 – A thoughtful Christmas gift delivered to a Link Friend

  • £15 – A place at a Christmas activity, bringing fun and friendship

  • £35 – A Christmas lunch and a gift for someone spending the day alone

For over 25 years, The Link Visiting Scheme has been a lifeline for older people across Wokingham Borough.

Through thousands of hours of conversation, shared laughter and genuine companionship, they’ve helped transform lives and strengthen our community.

If you would like to make a donation, please click here.

link christmas appeal

Introduction

At Michael Aubrey Partnership we believe in the power of community and the positive impact that simple acts of kindness can have on individuals’ lives.

Link Visiting is a remarkable organisation dedicated to fostering connections and providing support to those who may be feeling isolated or lonely.

So this year instead of sending the usual Christmas cards and corporate gifts we are supporting Link Visiting and their Christmas Appeal.

About Link Visiting

Link Visiting is a non-profit organisation committed to combating loneliness and social isolation within communities. Their mission revolves around creating meaningful connections by pairing volunteers with individuals in need of companionship and support.

Through regular visits, phone calls, and various activities, Link Visiting aims to improve the well-being and mental health of those who may be experiencing feelings of isolation.


Christmas Appeal

For many, Christmas Day is a day for family, for getting together and celebrating with loved ones. Sadly, however, for some people without family or close friends, it is the loneliest day of the year.


Christmas 2023

A time when isolation, loss and grief are even more keenly felt. For the 12th year running, Link are planning to bring festive cheer to those who are alone and who would love some extra company.

This includes having a friend to talk to, a delicious meal on the day plus a gift of treats.

How The Funding Will Be Spent

Funding is urgently needed to allow them to run a comprehensive, and varied, programme of events throughout the Christmas period.

They also want to ensure that all their Link Friends receive a gift from Link as it may be the only one they are given.

They rely heavily on donations to support those in our community who need us most. With your help we can bring some festive cheer to many older people who would otherwise be facing the season alone and then carry on our vital support throughout the Winter months!

Could You Help?

£5 £15 £35

£ 5 will mean that a Link Friend receives a thoughtful Christmas gift in the post

£15 will enable a Link Friend to have fun at a Christmas activity

£35 will give the joy of a Christmas Lunch, with a gift, to someone who would otherwise be on their own

To read more, or donate now, please click here

The Link Visiting Scheme was founded more than 20 years ago to help reduce loneliness amongst older people in the Wokingham area and to bring generations together in friendship and shared experiences.


Confronting loneliness and isolation by creating connections that transform lives.


“My volunteer’s warm welcome gave me a feeling of being wanted and restored my confidence. 

With the frequent visits and activities, I’ve managed to get back on my feet.

I cannot thank them enough for helping me get my life back again.” 

They have seen the positive impact of friendship where they provide quality time, a listening ear and focused attention on individuals who so often feel invisible and forgotten.

They have seen thousands of lives transformed, and in 2020/21, they continue to reach hundreds of older people throughout their work.

This Christmas, Michael Aubrey Partnership are proud to be donating to the Link Visiting scheme Christmas programme.

This year, due to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic Link Visiting are planning to hold a similar event to last year with hot meals directly delivered to the door, some extra phone calls over the Christmas period and the usual bag of gifts. 

To find out more about how you might be able to support the the Link Visiting Scheme and information on how to become a volunteer, please click here .

“It can be quite boring living alone.

Now I am part of Link to Nature, I have all these new friends with common interests.

And for the first time in years, I am excited about something and I have a focus.

It feels wonderful.”

The Link Visiting Scheme helps over 450 chronically lonely and socially isolated older people living in Wokingham Borough. Many rarely have visitors and their situation has worsened over lockdown. Some of their stories are heart breaking.

“Some days I am so down I sometimes wish I was not here”

“The world at this time is a lonely place”


The Link Visiting Scheme provides an in-home befriending service where they carefully pair and older person with a volunteer to form a meaningful and lasting friendship.


Volunteer  visits are often the highlight of the week for their clients improving mental health and well being. They also organise community-based activities and events which help older people make new friends.

“The Link Visiting scheme do superb work and I know, my life would not be the same without them”

This Christmas, Michael Aubrey Partnership are proud to be sponsoring the Link Visiting scheme Christmas programme.

They will be delivering gifts to all their clients and a hamper for those alone on Christmas day and providing a “Christmas buddy” service for those who are particularly vulnerable so that there is always someone available at the end of a phone if they are feeling low over the Christmas period.

To find out more about how you might be able to support the the Link Visiting Scheme and information on how to become a volunteer, please click here .