Community Connectors: helping older people stay connected
What is Community Connectors?
Community Connectors is a free service supporting people aged 55 + in Southwick, West Sussex and the surrounding area.
As we get older, staying active, connected and informed can sometimes become more difficult. Changes such as retirement, bereavement, health concerns or reduced mobility can make it harder to access activities, services and social opportunities.
Community Connectors helps people find local support, discover community activities and access information that can improve wellbeing and help them remain independent.
Whether you’re looking for support for yourself or a loved one, we’re here to help.
Working closely with local organisations, community groups, churches, health services and residents, we help people understand what support is available and make connections that improve wellbeing, reduce isolation and support independent living.
How can our service help?
Everyone's circumstances are different.
Some people are looking for information about local services, while others want help finding activities, meeting new people or overcoming practical challenges.
Community Connectors can help people:
- Find local activities, groups and social opportunities.
- Access services that support health, wellbeing and independence.
- Reconnect with their community following changes in health or personal circumstances.
- Understand what support is available locally.
- Build confidence to access services and take part in community life.
How does the Community Connectors service work?
The service may be particularly helpful for people who:
- Need help finding local services or support.
- Want to become more active in their community.
- Would like more information about local groups and activities.
- Have recently experienced life changes such as retirement, bereavement or relocation.
Once we’ve received your enquiry details, we will:
Initial conversation
We take time to get to know you and understand what matters most to you.
Together, we discuss your interests, circumstances and any challenges you may be experiencing. This helps us identify the types of support, activities or services that may be helpful.
Exploring local opportunities
Using the information shared during our conversation, we identify local activities, groups, services and support options that match your interests, needs and goals.
Making connections
We review the available options together and help identify what feels right for you.
Where appropriate, we can support you to access services, meet local organisations or explore new opportunities within your community.
Ongoing support
You might find that you’d benefit from additional support while you build confidence, access services, attend activities or establish new community connections.
The level of support provided is always tailored to your individual needs and circumstances.
Who can refer to Community Connectors?
Referrals can be made by:
- Individuals seeking support for themselves.
- Family members and carers.
- Community organisations.
- Churches and faith groups.
- Health and social care professionals.
- Local charities and support services.
If you’re unsure whether Community Connectors is the right service, please get in touch and we’d be happy to have an informal chat with you.
Community Connectors
Many older people in the UK feel isolated or disconnected from their local area. Isolation is personal and can arise for many reasons including social, emotional or physical challenges that make it harder to reach out or stay involved. Community Connectors helps reduce these barriers so people feel more connected where they live.
The Community Connectors project is Keychange’s response to this growing challenge – a new, proactive approach that supports older people to build connection, regain confidence and feel part of their community again. Our focus is on enabling participation and reducing the practical, social and emotional barriers that contribute to isolation.
This pilot project is based in Southwick and rooted in strong partnerships with local churches, community groups and organisations who care deeply about older people and want to help strengthen community connection.
Working with local communities
Community Connectors works closely with local partners to strengthen community networks and improve access to support.
We build relationships with community groups, charities, churches, health services, housing providers and other organisations to increase awareness of local opportunities and improve referral pathways.
By working together, we can help more people access support, stay connected and avoid becoming isolated within their communities.
What have we learned from the local community?
Community Connectors has been shaped through extensive engagement with older residents, community organisations and local services across Southwick and the surrounding area.
Through these conversations, people told us about a range of challenges affecting older people, including:
- Uncertainty about where to find support.
- A lack of awareness of local services and activities.
- Barriers to accessing community opportunities eg transport links.
- Loneliness and social isolation.
These insights helped shape the Community Connectors service and continue to inform how it develops.
You can read more in the Southwick Community Insights Report.
Meet Alex
Alex Watts leads the Community Connectors project.
Alex works alongside local residents, community groups, churches and support services to help people access information, build connections and remain active within their communities.
By developing local partnerships and understanding the needs of residents, Alex helps connect people with the services, activities and opportunities that matter most to them.
Whether supporting an individual to access local services or working with organisations to strengthen community networks, Alex plays an important role in helping people stay connected and live well within their community.
3 ways you can be part of Community Connectors
If you have any questions about our Community Connectors Service or would like to sign up, contact us.
Please pray for older people who are feeling isolated, and for wisdom, compassion and impact as this project grows.
With your support, we can help more people connect with their communities and break free from isolation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Community Connectors free?
Yes. Community Connectors is a free service for people aged 55 and over living in Southwick, West Sussex and the surrounding area.
Can I get in touch directly?
Can you help me find local services?
Yes. We can provide information about local services, support organisations, activities and community opportunities that may be relevant to your needs.
What areas do you cover?
Community Connectors currently works with people living in Southwick, West Sussex and the surrounding area.
How community conversations shape our work
Tackling transport barriers together in Southwick
