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The coronavirus and older people

 

The current situation with the Coronavirus epidemic is, for most of us, unprecedented and there is much concern about the most vulnerable members of society.

Older people are clearly at great risk and we at Age UK Gateshead are determined to do everything that we can to provide support and help to protect those most in need.

And you can help.

Over the next 3 to 6 months, our resources are going to be stretched to the limit at the very time when demand for our support is increasing massively.

We will have some staff who are unable to work

Some of our volunteers will be unable to give us their time

The income from our charity shops will reduce meaning that our financial resources will be depleted

What we are doing…..

Coordinating a trusted community volunteer scheme for people to turn to for help. This will involve picking up shopping, getting urgent supplies, arranging prescriptions/deliveries, offering to do online shops for people, having friendly telephone chats

Extending our telephone advice line and ensuring availability for weekend and evening calls

Offering wellbeing support calls to older people identified as vulnerable and isolated

Can you help?

We need you. We need you so that we can all do that’s necessary to support older people in our area.

  1. Do you have time when you can volunteer? This could be phoning people to see how they are and if they need help. Or visiting someone to deliver their shopping or some essential supplies. This might be in our shops or office. Call us on 0191 477 3559 or email us at infoandadvice@ageukgateshead.org.uk and let us know if you can help and we’ll take it from there.
  1. Do you have an elderly neighbour or is there someone living on your street you are concerned about? Give the person our contact details so they can get in touch with us so that we can provide them with the support that they need.