Helping to break the isolation for a resident in Waltham Forest

At 74 years old, Walthamstow resident Jenny has faced more than her fair share of challenges. Estranged from her family and with few close friends, she has lived with the long-term effects of extreme agoraphobia and severe social anxiety—especially around public transport—which left her feeling deeply isolated for years. When we first met Jenny at the WFCHUB Community Living Room, she had only recently overcome her agoraphobia after a long and difficult journey. But despite her progress, she was still reluctant to venture out too far from home on her own.

The fear and uncertainty that lingered made it hard to take that next step toward truly enjoying life again, and she was deeply lonely. What she needed was encouragement, companionship, and someone by her side.

Since then, we’ve been proud to support Jenny on four successful day trips—the most recent ones being coach trips to Canterbury and Whitstable in July and Great Yarmouth (where Jenny has fond memories of childhood holidays) in August.

Each trip has been a milestone. From the historic streets of Canterbury to the fresh sea air of Whitstable and Great Yarmouth, Jenny has continued to build her confidence and rediscover her sense of joy and independence.

We’ve seen a remarkable transformation in Jenny. Her confidence has grown, her anxiety has eased, and her outlook on life is more positive with every outing. What started as a small act of support has made a lasting impact.

Our Social Value Manager Rachel Statter said "These examples highlight the powerful impact we can have by consistently showing up at community events and building trust with residents who feel safe enough to share their concerns and seek support. We’re proud that, through our established networks and strong partnerships, we’re able to inform and reassure the community—while also remaining flexible enough to offer tailored support and create meaningful social impact, both on a large scale and at the individual level.