JUNE 2020: COVID-19 SERVICES UPDATE

Age UK Richmond upon Thames has been working hard along with our voluntary sector partners to provide support for older people since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak. This has unfortunately meant we have had to stop providing some of our services- but we are doing our best to help people in other ways.

At all times, we will follow the government and local authority guidance, and follow infection control and social distancing measures. We must be particularly careful as many of our users are over 70 and therefore considered vulnerable.

Many users are asking when we are going to reopen our usual social & wellbeing services that involve bringing older people together face to face. Current guidance and the potential vulnerability of our user group mean we are simply not able to consider this or provide a date as to when it might be possible.

We completely understand the impact this may be having on user’s wellbeing, and have adapted our services as best we can, including:

• Online wellbeing & exercise classes, and we are developing a range of online social gatherings as well. As well as this, we are expanding our offline wellbeing services that can be delivered in safe way.

• Information & advice over the phone, including help with claiming welfare benefits.

• Handyperson, gardening and housekeeping services to support people at home.

• A Home from Hospital service to support people upon there discharge from
hospital.

You can find more information about our services here, by emailing info@ageukrichmond.org.uk or calling 02088783073.

We will be continually reviewing the government guidance and will gradually reopen face to face services if and when it is safe to do so- no one wants to bring people together again more than us.

Thank you for your support,
The Age UK Richmond upon Thames Team