A special day for the first recipient of the charity’s Gift of Friendship service shows the power of connection, kindness and community support.
Age UK Isle of Wight has shared the heartwarming story of Barry, the first recipient of its Gift of Friendship programme, after a lifelong wish to see an owl up close was made a reality.
A life well lived, but a growing sense of isolation
Barry, who was born on the Isle of Wight but spent large parts of his life on the mainland and around the world, had become quite isolated following the loss of his wife.
Through the charity’s Gift of Friendship programme, part of its Good Neighbour Scheme, he was matched with a volunteer who helped him begin getting out more, rebuilding confidence and reconnecting with others.
From Chatty Brew to a lifelong wish
Over time, Barry began attending Age UK Isle of Wight’s Chatty Brew events, which he came to enjoy. During one visit, he shared one of his biggest wishes with his volunteer: to see an owl up close.
Owls in the hangar: a passion rooted in decades of work
Barry’s love of owls goes back many years to his time working as an aeronautical engineer, including at Boscombe Down. He would watch owls nesting high in the hangars where he worked and see them fly out but never had the chance to see one properly up close.
When Barry shared just how much owls meant to him, his volunteer passed this on to the Age UK Isle of Wight team and to Barry’s family. Together, they worked to make the experience happen.
Making the wish come true
With the support of Barry’s family, who kindly paid for the experience, and with help from The Falconry Experience Isle of Wight, Barry spent a wonderful afternoon at home meeting three owls: Rebel, Penny, and Shadow.
Reflecting on the day, Barry said,
“When you’ve dreamed of something for ever and ever and it comes true, you just can’t believe it.”
He also described the experience simply as:
“That’s made my day. Absolutely.”
What Gift of Friendship is all about
Joe Hodgkinson from Age UK Isle of Wight said,
“Barry’s story is a lovely example of what Gift of Friendship is all about. It is about helping people feel more connected, supported and able to enjoy life again.
“Barry had been through a difficult period of isolation, and with the support of his volunteer he began rebuilding confidence and reconnecting socially.
“To then see one of his lifelong wishes come true was incredibly special for everyone involved.”
He added,
“We are hugely grateful to Barry’s family for helping make the day possible, and to The Falconry Experience Isle of Wight for creating such a memorable and meaningful afternoon.
“It was a wonderful reminder of how much kindness, friendship and community support can mean.”
Gift of Friendship was launched in 2025 as part of Age UK Isle of Wight’s Good Neighbour Scheme, with generous support from the Julia Rausing Trust and Age UK. The service works alongside the charity’s existing volunteer support, with an added focus on helping older people work towards personal goals, rebuild confidence and enjoy meaningful moments.
Age UK Isle of Wight hopes Barry’s story, and the video of the day now shared on its Facebook page, will highlight the difference that volunteering and companionship can make to older people who may be feeling lonely or isolated.
How to get involved
For more information about Gift of Friendship or volunteering with Age UK Isle of Wight, visit the charity’s website or view Barry’s story on the Age UK Isle of Wight Facebook page.
News shared by Joe on behalf of Age UK Isle of Wight. Ed
