Our Stories
Iris & Ruby
Actor Ruby Rose signed up to Adopt a Grandparent at the end of March 2020, having heard about us through a friend (also an actor), who saw it online.
Given her occupation, we paired Ruby with 87-year-old movie fanatic Iris - and the duo connected immediately. They began speaking on a weekly basis, with Ruby even sending Iris flowers and DVDs regularly.
“I was very lucky to be paired with Iris. She has a heart of gold and a wicked sense of humour. We talk about our lives, share stories and I send her DVDs because I know how much she enjoys watching films. Iris doesn’t have children of her own, but she does have lots of friends and I am blessed to call myself one.” - Ruby Rose
“Speaking to Ruby has become the highlight of my week; I always look forward to receiving her calls. We get along so well and I’m really enjoying getting to know her and hearing all about the exciting life she leads. I’m so grateful to my care home for providing me with the opportunity to develop such a wonderful friendship” - Iris
Ruby and Iris continued speaking weekly and became incredibly close, before Iris sadly passed away in October 2020.
Rosie & Anette
Annette, from Honolulu, Hawaii, signed up to 'Adopt a Grandparent' over two years ago and has since been speaking with Rosie.
They formed our first international pairing. When Annette was asked about her experience of volunteering with us, she said that it had surpassed her expectations - and doesn't consider it to be volunteer work. To her, Rosie is a true friend.
Marion & Michelle
Michelle is in her mid 30s and lives in Chelsea, London. She is originally from the US.
She signed up online at the beginning of the pandemic and started speaking with her adopted grandma, Marion, in March 2020. She wanted to adopt a grandma as she has no family in the UK, no grandparents of her own and wanted to help people who were vulnerable and living in isolation.
Michelle is a trained chef and runs a bakery in London. She had to shut her business during the pandemic, and so she dedicated much of her time to volunteering with a local charity, taking food and essentials to vulnerable people in her local community.
Marion joined the programme as she loves to socialise and missed being able to see her friends and family. Marion is in her early 70s and has no grandchildren of her own.
She was very active in her local community in Haslemere, Surrey, where she frequently volunteered at the local soup kitchen and is the hydration champion at her nursing home, Brownscombe House.
They continue to speak as often as they can via video call. Their common interests include gardening and baking, and Michelle frequently sends Marion recipes.
Audrey & Clara
Audrey is a 96-year-old former art teacher who enjoys painting, gardening and music, and Clara is a 24-year-old marketing executive based in the Cotswolds.
Clara was inspired to sign up because she enjoys helping the elderly. She used to assist an elderly gentleman in her local area; however, he unfortunately passed away last year, and that's when Clara discovered Adopt a Grandparent.
Audrey and Clara have a lovely relationship, and have been enjoying weekly catch-ups for near a year!