Age UK Rotherham celebrates National Lottery Community Fund award

Age UK Rotherham is celebrating after being awarded more than £95,000 in National Lottery funding to support its work with older people in Rotherham. Age UK Rotherham will use the cash to provide social and recreational activity groups for at least 240 older people over the next three years, helping them to meet new friends and reduce isolation.

Left to right: Hannah Massey, Peter Burton, Lesley Dabell, Iain Cloke, Jane Morgan

We are an independent local charity, with a vision to make Rotherham a great place to grow older and to live in later life. We are specialists in providing a range of activities and support for people in later life. Building the connections that prevent and reduce loneliness is a high priority for local older people and has been at the heart of our purpose for many years.

We currently work to address the issues of isolation and loneliness affecting people in Rotherham through the provision of Information and Advice; by providing individuals support and companionship at home through our ‘A Little Bit Of Help” service; and Social Centre which provides a stimulating setting for social interaction for people to meet new friends and remain more active, and receive advice and information on other services provided and to learn new skills.

The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will see the charity working with older people in their communities over the next three years to develop a range of social and recreational activities. Participants will be able to meet new friends and help to shape the activities on offer.

Lesley Dabell, Age UK Rotherham Chief Executive, said “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Now, thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to help even more people to feel less isolated and lonely.”

Iain Cloke, EngAge Rotherham Development Officer for the charity, said “We have listened to what people say matters most to them in later life and we are really excited to have this opportunity to make a difference.

We’ll be developing our plans over the coming weeks and would like to hear from people who would like to be actively involved.”

If you’re interested contact Iain Cloke on 01709 386 836 or email iain.cloke@ageukrotherham.org

Rotherham Older People's Forum members