Updates

Volunteer Awards 2024

Celebrating our Amazing Volunteers!

13 of our amazing volunteers were awarded with Volunteers Awards at a lovely afternoon hosted by the Five Arrows in Waddesdon recently. It was a delight to celebrate volunteering at AgeUK Bucks through these Volunteer Awards. It was a lovely celebration of all things volunteering with many inspiring stories shared.

Welcoming our Awards Winners

Mayor Steve Lambert started the proceedings, informally addressing the award winners and their guests including stories of nearly losing his mayoral chains down the drain! Not only is he a great supporter of volunteering, but is thrilled to have AgeUK Bucks as one of his Charities of the Year.  He enjoyed all the volunteers’ stories and went on to present all the certificates with plenty of handshaking and smiling throughout the afternoon!

One of our award winners shared,

“it was an absolute pleasure to attend the afternoon at Waddesdon.  I really enjoyed meeting other volunteers from the different areas within AgeUK, hearing all their stories and especially catching up with someone, a fellow volunteer and award winner, whom I had not seen for a good number of years. 

The stories that were shared about all the wonderful and rewarding work that the various volunteers do were fantastic and quite moving, especially within Befriending and Welfare Benefits where the brilliant volunteers make such a huge difference to the lives of older people within Bucks.”

Our Winners

Each of our winners had their nomination story outlined as they came to receive their award. Each one was different but had common threads running through them. Threads of generously giving their time and energy to help others. These snapshots brought many a smile to our faces, a few tears at times and lots of clapping in appreciation.

Here is a just a summary.

Befriending is our biggest service and 7 or our befriending volunteers received awards. Some volunteering for years, some newer. Some in the home, some taking people out, some by phone, and such a variety of support that is provided.  All offering a listening ear, genuine care and a huge commitment to their clients.

Hospital Discharge and Community Support Service - This vital service supports people who are returning home after a stay in hospital, providing  transport, settling people at home and giving practical support and advice for up to 6 weeks.  The work of 2 of our volunteers from this service was recognised, volunteers who dedicate their time to helping people, often when they need it the most and going the extra mile to help people.

BOOST is one of our newer services where our volunteers provide crucial short-term support to older people who have become isolated but would like to reconnect with their local community. As well as her Hospital Discharge work, Shirley was nominated for her work on BOOST, recently working with 2 very different clients, helping to transform their lives.

Our friendly Welfare Benefits team provide advice, guidance and support in completing various benefits forms. Last financial year, our volunteers helped our clients receive an amazing £1.6 million in benefits. Recognising the work of the team, 2 volunteers received awards for their dedicated work and commitment over many years, and their work training new volunteers. 

As well as our volunteers who work with clients, we are really grateful for those that support our central services. Ann, an Admin Volunteer received an award for the many hours she spends each week as a valuable part of our office team

Whilst she couldn’t be there on the day, Volunteer Christine was recognised for both her befriending volunteering and a tremendous fundraising effort last year, walking 200 miles coast to coast with her husband and another friend.

Thank you to everyone

As stories were shared, there was a lovely feeling of gratitude for the work that all our volunteers do. There were lots of comments like, “she has a busy life yet still finds time”, “it made such a difference”, “they have such a huge heart”, “they are so committed”, and so many more!

So, thank you to every one of our volunteers making such a difference for the older people of Buckinghamshire.

The current cold-health alert has been upgraded to an AMBER Cold-Health Alert issued between 08/01/2024 at 12:00 and 12/01/2024, covering the whole of Buckinghamshire.

Read cold weather advice and tips here: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/keep-well-this-winter/cold-weather-advice/

Stay warm and well!

The Cost of Living Crisis is something that is affecting all of us across the country, young and old.

With that in mind, please see some information and contacts below that may ease the pressures that you or somebody you know may be facing.

Helping Hand
Support from Bucks Council if you or your family (or someone you know) are in need of support, on low income or experiencing a financial emergency or crisis. Call 01296 531 151  Mon-Fri
https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living/

Better Housing Better Health
The Warmth and Wellbeing Service. They offer advice and financial support in order to help improve the energy efficiency of your property. Call 0800 107 0044. https://www.bhbh.org.uk/

Buckinghamshire Housing Support
This is delivered by P3 Charity and can support with a range of needs including, housing advice, health and wellbeing, risk of homelessness or eviction, Pension Credit, budgeting and debt issues and accessing financial support. Call 0808164 1810. Call the Pension Credit Helpline on 0800 99 1234. https://www.p3charity.org/services/buckinghamshire-housing-support-service-

Winter fuel Payment
You usually get a winter fuel payment automatically if you receive a State Pension or Pension Credit. However, if you don’t receive a State Pension or Pension credit you may still be eligible. Please Call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160

Food Banks
Aylesbury Foodbank 01296 395514
Chiltern Foodbank 01494 775668
Slough Foodbank 01753 550303
Wycombe Food Hub 01494 913626

Help for Households, with the Energy Support Scheme
Please have a look at the poster below for further information on how you can apply for this.