CHEER Elmbridge

Who we are

CHEER exists to promote the welfare of older people in Elmbridge, and has been supporting the retired community for over 65 years. Our befriending service, including social events, covers the whole of Elmbridge, whilst our benefits advice service is available in the eastern part of the borough, i.e. Esher, Oxshott, Thames Ditton, Long Ditton, East and West Molesey, Hinchley Wood, Claygate, Weston Green, Stoke d'Abernon, Cobham, and neighbouring areas.

With its origins in the Esher and District Old People's Welfare Council (founded in the early 1950s), CHEER became a charitable company on 1st April 2010.  In 2018 we expanded our coverage area by taking over the befriending service previously provided in the western part of the borough by Friends of the Elderly.

According to the Campaign to End Loneliness there are 800,000 chronically lonely people in England. That translates into several hundred elderly people in the East Elmbridge area. Although Elmbridge is a generally affluent area, we still have many elderly residents who are struggling with low income, poor living conditions, disability and loneliness.
We are the only local charity to provide a comprehensive and caring response to these issues, including visiting people in their own homes.