Supporting Older People
Supporting Older People – Reducing Loneliness in Harrogate & Knaresborough
Supporting Older People (SOP) is a registered charity based in Harrogate, founded in 1982, dedicated to helping older people feel less lonely and isolated.
Many of the people we support live alone and may be experiencing loneliness due to bereavement, moving home, or a change in circumstances.
Our Mission
We believe everyone deserves friendship, connection, and a sense of belonging. Our mission is to alleviate loneliness and build community links for older people across Harrogate and Knaresborough.
How We Help
At Supporting Older People, we:
-
Match older people with volunteer befrienders who offer companionship and conversation
-
Recruit volunteers including befrienders, drivers, and fundraisers
-
Organise social activities, outings, and community events throughout the year
-
Work with families, local councils, and voluntary organisations to ensure joined-up support
-
Host regular gatherings where volunteers and older people can meet, chat, and enjoy time together
Our Team
We are a small, passionate team of three part-time staff, supported by a Board of Trustees and an amazing network of volunteers.
-
Director: Kate Rogata
-
Befriending & Activities Manager: Julia Lightfoot
-
Administrator: Lorna Daniel
Get Involved
Whether you’d like to volunteer, donate, or refer someone who could benefit, Supporting Older People is here to help. Together, we can make Harrogate and Knaresborough a place where no one feels alone.
What We Do
BEFRIENDING SCHEME
Our core work is our befriending scheme. We recruit and support suitable volunteers who then visit older isolated people on a regular basis.
The befriender provides companionship and may support the person to get out and about, help with a hobby or interest or just have a chat over a cup of tea.
This service is free of charge.
TEA & TALK
Tea & Talk is an opportunity to meet new and old friends in the lovely setting of the Crown Hotel, Harrogate for afternoon tea with entertainment.
You need to be a registered client to attend, this is a simple process of calling the office on 01423 531490. Once you are registered we would ask if you could call the office to book a place.
The cost is £9.00 to include afternoon tea & raffle ticket.
DINING OUT CLUB
Dining Out Club is held in Harrogate & Knaresborough. We meet, wherever possible, at local independent restaurants for lunch.
Harrogate Dining Out Club is usually held on the first Monday of the month.
Knaresborough Dining Out Club is usually held on the third Monday of the month.
We meet at 12noon at local restaurants in the town centres. This gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy a lovely meal with great company.
Various costs but we strive to make it accessible to all.
OUTINGS
Outings have previously included trips to the Skipton Canal, The Lion King, National Railway Museum and Filey. We also have a Christmas shopping trip and Christmas outing. This gives our members chance to visit a new venue, get out and about with a group of like-minded people with the emphasis on having fun.
Various costs
MOVEMENT & MUSIC GROUP
This is a friendly group who meet at the Green Hut, every Tuesday at 10am for an hour of gentle exercise led by a qualified instructor and supported by volunteers. The exercise session is followed by an hour of socialising over a hot drink and biscuits!
The cost of the session is £5.00
Please note there maybe a waiting list for this activity
HARLOW FRIENDSHIP GROUP
This is a lovely group who meet at the Green Hut, every Wednesday afternoon at 14:30. Come along to meet new friends, have a cup of tea, and enjoy the entertainment, which varies from speakers, presenters, singers, musicians, quizzes etc.
The cost is £4 per person. (£6 per couple)
