A friendly chat, a listening ear, someone to do things with, someone to empathise and understand – simple acts that can help people from different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds to meet, learn, share experiences and enjoy each other’s company.

time-of-your-life-interview-enid-and-murray

Time of Your Life (ToYL) is a multicultural scheme running in the London borough of Brent.

Time of Your Life matches older people (Friends) who are in need of companionship, with volunteers (Befrienders) who of are of similar age and have common interests to them, but are from a different ethnic group. Befrienders visit and call their Friends to help them feel less isolated.

Brent is a borough rich in many cultures, with 120 languages spoken. However, Brent also suffers from segregation, with older people from different ethnic communities mainly living and socialising within their own communities.