Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale have always supported older people in need and as the Coronavirus hits hard, the local charity has teamed up with Bro Radio to spread the word about how they are helping and also to highlight the help that they desperately need.
Karen Steele from Age Connects explains: “As more older people, their friends and family members need to self- isolate, the number of vulnerable older people needing our support is rising immensely. In the past three weeks we have received 1600 incoming calls for information, advice and support and in almost all cases we have managed to provide support or signpost people onwards. This is in addition to the 1000 calls we have made to check on older people on our database who we were already supporting. In three weeks we have arranged almost 200 new shops and prescription pickups.”
Nona Hexter, who runs the charity’s Senior Health Shop on Holton Road in Barry shares: “For so many years we have been there for older people to pop in for information, advice and have a cuppa and chat with their friends and us too. It is tough not being able to be there in person for all of the vulnerable older people that we know but staff and volunteers are ensuring we are still there at the end of the phone, helping with shopping and in any way we can within safety guidelines. The feedback from people I have spoken to is that they are so relieved and thankful to hear from us still and this is truly humbling. Family members who may not live locally are also sharing their gratitude with us for being here for their loved ones while they can’t be.”
The charity is urging the general public and local businesses to “help us help” to keep older people safe, well and reassured at this difficult time by making a donation to support their work at grass roots level where it is making a vital difference.
A donation of just £5 will help the charity make reassuring telephone calls. £10 will help support staff and volunteers get shopping for vulnerable older people. Any donation will help ensure that when it is possible to do so, the Age Connects Senior Health Shop on Holton Road can reopen and offer the fantastic services it has done for so many years for many more years to come.
If you are an older person needing support at this time or know of someone who does please call: 07507 416 875.
To make a much needed donation visit ageconnectscardiff.org.uk or find out how by listening to Bro Radio.
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