Reducing Loneliness in Older People | Meet our New Charity Recruit, Niharika
As we continue working towards reducing loneliness in the older generation, we’ve got some exciting news!
We’re delighted to welcome our new Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Niharika Noakes.
Discover more about Niharika, and what she’s able to bring to the Adopt a Grandparent table:
The Next Step to Reduce Loneliness in Older People
As we approach the 100,000 volunteers milestone, we’re thrilled to be welcoming a new member to the senior leadership team of Adopt a Grandparent, Niharika Noakes.
Transitioning from her role as the Director of Championing Social Care, and bringing more than ten years of experience to her new post, Niharika will be using her breadth of knowledge to help us achieve our aim of abolishing loneliness in older people in the UK.
With a long track record in strategic communications and digital media, she’s extremely-well placed to help us reach the next stage in our long-term plan here at Adopt a Grandparent.
About Niharika
Niharika, who’ll be joining us full-time in October 2023, has a background spanning over 15 years in communications, active citizenship projects, advocacy, and community development.
She’s set to play a key role in driving our growth and impact, which has a fundraising target of £100,000 for this year – of which £63,000 has already been raised.
Niharika's vision revolves around enhancing the intergenerational connections nurtured by Adopt a Grandparent, recognising that companionship is a powerful antidote to reducing depression and loneliness in older people.
She aims to purposefully bring together different generations, document their shared journeys, and work towards improving mental health while delivering a positive societal impact.
Reducing Loneliness in Older People: Niharika’s Comments
Commenting on her upcoming role, Niharika said:
“I am truly excited to embark on this new journey with Adopt a Grandparent. The organisation's commitment to fostering intergenerational connections and improving the lives of the elderly population resonates deeply with me.
“My vision for Adopt a Grandparent is to reiterate our sense of purpose – find the best avenues and opportunities to purposefully bring together different generations, document the journey, and work towards improving the mental health of society.
“I hope to bring with me the wealth of experience, connections, and learnings I have assimilated over the last 10 years of working on over 100 community-building charitable initiatives, and utilise them for better establishing our mission of abolishing loneliness and building stronger communities.”
Niharika’s Previous Experience
In her new role, Niharika intends to create a compelling evidence trail, showcasing the lasting impact of our work. She plans to formulate events and initiatives that inspire society to invest in the well-being of elderly people across care services worldwide.
In her most recent role, serving as the Director of Championing Social Care at the CareTech Charitable Foundation, Niharika led communications, fundraising, programme management, strategy, and governance for the initiative. Championing Social Care is an organisation committed to sharing uplifting narratives and impactful projects related to the social care sector.
Niharika has also founded two social impact initiatives, having founded Changing Perceptions, a social enterprise that championed active citizenship and community development.
Additionally, she co-founded and led the city-wide 16 Days of Action campaign in Edinburgh – a worldwide organisation strategy that calls for the prevention and eradication of violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Collaborating with 150 local and national organisations, such as the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Trans Alliance, SACRO, and Edinburgh Police, it became one of the most expansive initiatives ever orchestrated to amplify awareness against gender-based violence.
Her commitment extended to the boards of groups like the Edinburgh Interfaith Association and UTSAAH, an organisation aiming to sustain and assist Himalayan communities, where she played a pivotal role in empowering women in a rehab camp in Kashmir to establish sustainable initiatives.
As a VAWG advocate, Niharika orchestrated multiple projects targeting human trafficking and violence against women in partnership with the Government of Karnataka, in the South of India.
She worked closely with human rights organisations, law enforcement agencies, and the Ministries of Home Affairs, as well as Women and Childcare. As an integral part of the Gender Training Institute at the Centre for Social Research in India, Niharika managed four Rape Crisis Intervention Centres for several years.
What Our Founder, Shaleeza Hasham, Had to Say
Our founder here at Adopt a Grandparent, Shaleeza Hasham, shared her enthusiasm for our new hire. She said,
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Niharika joining our team at Adopt a Grandparent. Her remarkable background is a perfect match for our mission.
“Niharika's commitment to driving positive change and fostering community empowerment is truly inspiring, and we can't wait to witness the meaningful impact she'll make within our organisation and in the lives of the people we serve. Her expertise and dedication are a truly valuable addition to our team.”
Our Future Plans to Target Loneliness in Older People
Niharika's multifaceted expertise, coupled with her passion for social impact, makes her an exciting addition to our leadership team.
Her appointment as Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer is expected to drive innovation, collaboration, and transformation within the organisation, as we continue to make a difference in the lives of the UK’s elderly population.
For more information about Adopt a Grandparent, please visit our website. Or, to take advantage of our loneliness charity for your residents, why not register your home.
Alternatively, read our previous blog to find out about our newest ambassador.
