GrandFriends works to combat loneliness and isolation in older people and families .GrandFriends is a small but mighty charity that combats big issues like isolation and loneliness.
We are the bridge that brings Kiwis together across generations.
Our story began in 2016 when the Surrogate Grandparents Trust was created by our founder Jo Hayes to connect older people and families looking for help, based on her own experience of lacking a mother figure in New Zealand.
We rebranded to GrandFriends in 2020 as we saw an increasing number of people in their 30s and 40s coming forward looking to befriend and support others. These people weren’t always grandparents; they were simply awesome, caring people who wanted to lend a hand. So, the name change was a natural progression from there.
Today, GrandFriends works to match families across New Zealand with older people (still usually in their 50s and upwards), locally to help them make new connections and foster new relationships. These relationships enable both families and older people to access better support networks and enjoy the benefits of multi-generational relationships.
Website: https://www.grandfriends.nz/