About us

Support

We endeavour to support those vulnerable people who can be forgotten about and who, through no fault of their own, find themselves detached from their local communities. We provide opportunities for:

14

years

of Supportive Service

Our Mission Statement

Our mission is to improve the physical, emotional and social wellbeing for the lonely and isolated and also for those living with dementia, and their carers, within our local communities.

Befriending beats loneliness

improve mental health

friendship

Enhance Self Confidence

The Living Well Project was set up in 2010, with the aim of supporting isolated and vulnerable people in the communities of North Aberdeen. The Living Well Project embraces two strands of care within the community; The Living Well Befriending Service and The Living Well Dementia Cafés.

We offer a Befriending Service where volunteers are matched on a one-to-one basis, with an older person. Volunteer befrienders visit socially isolated and lonely older people over the age of 65 in their homes in the north of the city. Volunteers visit regularly to offer friendship and companionship.

We also run the Living Well Cafés which provide social support for those affected by memory loss and dementia, their families and carers.

Our cafés are situated at Brimmond and Oldmachar (held on alternate Tuesdays), and Devana Fonthill every second Thursday. They are led by two part-time members of staff and supported by a dedicated and committed group of volunteers.

Brimmond Church (formerly Newhills Parish Church). As a congregation in Aberdeen, Brimmond Church had long been aware of the isolation and loneliness of many of its local residents. Although various services, organisations and other opportunities to engage were available, not everyone, because of health issues, infirmity, lack of mobility and lack of confidence, was able to engage with these provisions. It became the desire of the church to reach out to those who were unable to access services and social activities. Befriending became a natural outcome and ministry that the church sought to offer. As a church community they believed that they should pursue this separately from their existing church pastoral care to ensure that everyone, regardless of their beliefs, knew it was for them.

Our Services

Dementia Cafés

When discussions began in 2015 concerning creating a provision for those living with dementia, a different model of collaboration and recognising each other’s strengths emerged, giving the church community the confidence to begin a partnership. This involved Aberdeen City Council, NHS Grampian, Alzheimer’s Scotland and the Living Well Project. The five years of work (2010 – 2015) produced by the Project made them a reliable and credible organisation to be the catalyst for starting cafés. The basis of the care given by the charity is Christian compassion and respect for all whom we serve.

Befriending

Brimmond Church (formerly Newhills Parish Church) seed funded the Project, and a constitution was agreed where each trustee would be a member of Brimmond Church, though its work and functioning would operate independently. Within 12 months, a Befriending Service was established with great support from Aberdeen Council for Voluntary Organisations (ACVO) and guidance from Befriending Network Scotland. Befrienders were trained and supported to visit and brought much welcome human contact and hope.

Meet our team

Jeanette Abel

Café Service

Linda Rendall