IT was tea, sandwiches and laughs aplenty at a party to celebrate a new partnership offering year-round social gatherings and practical help to the elderly.
Two dozen senior citizens were guests at the lunch to celebrate a three-year hook-up between the charity Age UK — The Sun’s Christmas campaign partner last year — and homeware retailer Dunelm.
Dunelm will support Age UK’s longstanding work combatting elderly isolation by laying on get-togethers, singalongs and exercise classes as well as telephone advice and friendship services.
Sun readers raised money for Age UK over the festive season and now Dunelm aims to kick in £2million from food and drink sales at its in-store Pausa cafes, as well as carrier-bag sales, customer donations and fundraisers.
The party to celebrate the Age UK and Dunelm hook-up was held in the Pausa cafe of the shop chain’s Leicester branch — and guests spoke of their gratitude.
Safe from scammers
Mary, 68, told me: “After I retired I just wanted to go back to work because I was struggling to meet people. I wanted connection.
“Age UK has given me that. I’ve made so many friends. My world is no longer small and depressing.”
Also at the lunch was Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland user Nitin, 64, who is registered blind but supports his wife at home as she struggles with mobility.
Nitin, who attends bingo and exercise sessions at his local Age UK centre, added: “Age UK are very helpful in providing support and information.
“People can check if you’ve got the right levels of insulation, advise on keeping safe from scammers and more.
“The Government has stopped a lot of things so it’s nice to know we have Age UK on our side.”
Fellow service user Nalini, 68, said: “I used to be shy but now I talk to everyone, even in shops. Without Age UK, my life would be lonely, and I’d be depressed.”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”The Sun launches our Winter Fuel SOS campaign ” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6362843641112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]The lunch-goers in Leicester enjoyed bingo, and prizes supplied by Dunelm including blankets to homeware hampers.
Paul Farmer, CEO of Age UK said times are hard for the elderly, especially with the loss of Winter Fuel Allowance.
But he said: “Thanks to The Sun’s SOS at Christmas campaign we’ve been able to shine a light, and are doing our utmost to help.”
Dunelm’s Paul Sullivan added: “Our purpose is to support Age UK tackling loneliness in older people and bringing communities together.”
- If you are an older person who needs help, call Age UK’s free advice line on 0800 169 6565 or visit ageuk.org.uk