Hello January!

January is a great time to think of setting yourself some new goals that you’d like to achieve to welcome in the New Year. So, while you’ve still got that New Year buzz, why not take a quick peek at some of our personal favourite goals to help you on your way?

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Get your finances in order

It can be overwhelming knowing where to begin with your finances. Age UK Norfolk is here to help you and we can support your New Year endeavour to get everything in order with a free benefit check to help make sure that you’re claiming everything you’re entitled to. What’s more, if we identify other benefits that you could be claiming, we can even help you with the paperwork.

You can book an appointment with one of our advisers by calling our advice line on 0300 500 1217 (Monday-Friday 10am-4pm) / emailing advice@ageuknorfolk.org.uk or alternatively, you can use this online benefits calculator.

Make new connections

There are estimated to be 38,000 lonely older people in Norfolk and here at Age UK Norfolk, we believe that no one should have no one. Our Telephone Befriending service offers people over 60 companionship by phone with one of our local volunteers or telephone befriending coordinators. Why not start the year by making new connections and having bright, friendly chats with local people across Norfolk? Whether you, or somebody you know could benefit from a regular phone call, or you’d like to help telephone befriend an older person in Norfolk who is lonely, you can join our service today. 

Contact our telephone befriending team by calling 01603 785 223 or email befriending@ageuknorfolk.org.uk

Try something new

It’s never too late to pick up a new hobby and try something new! Maybe you’d like to visit a new day club, join a singing group or try out some new recipes – you can call the Age UK Norfolk advice line on 0300 500 1217 (Monday-Friday 10am-4pm) or email advice@ageuknorfolk.org.uk and we’ll help you search for activities in your local area.

Always wanted to take up knitting? This year you can finally put those knitting needles to good use and join our ‘Big Knit’ campaign by helping us to reach our target of miniature knitted bobble hats which help to raise vital funds for Age UK Norfolk. You can find out more about the Big Knit, including some handy knitting patterns, over here on our blog.

Give something back

Volunteering and giving something back to your local community can help worthwhile causes and other people in need but it can also be extremely beneficial to those who volunteer. Not only will you meet new people and learn new skills, but volunteering can help to reduce stress, combat depression and loneliness as well as keeping you mentally stimulated!

Age UK Norfolk is truly a volunteer-led organisation. Our dedicated volunteers make up over two thirds of the Age UK Norfolk team and the services we offer to support older people simply wouldn’t exist if it weren't for our valued volunteers. We have a variety of volunteering opportunities from becoming a telephone befriender, joining our information and advice help line, administration and even a range of fundraising roles!

Find out more about our volunteering opportunities by calling our volunteer coordinator on 01603 785 210 or email volunteering@ageuknorfolk.org.uk