Coronavirus - we are here for you
Published on 13 March 2020 01:50 PM
The Coronavirus Pandemic has changed life for everyone and we are aware that older people are some of the hardest hit.
As a local community based charity, we also know how important support is for our clients.
To respond to where the need is greatest during this period of Stay home, Stay safe, we have set up two new services: Volunteer Shopping and a Check in and Chat Call. We have been able to deliver these services by re-deploying staff to co-ordinate, and recruiting amazing volunteers who have stepped forward to help.
The Contact details for these services are:
Telephone: 01483 503414
Email: enquiries@ageuksurrey.org.uk
To volunteer please email: volunteer@ageuksurrey.org.uk
Volunteer Shopping Service:
We match people who need support with a volunteer who lives nearby.
Check in and Chat Calls:
Although we have had to temporarily stop our face to face home visiting Befriending service at this time in Waverley, Guildford, Runnymede and Spelthorne, we are now offering a new telephone service - Check in and Chat - to people across the County.One of the best ways of helping someone during this unsettling time is by just keeping in touch. We are able to offer this service through the support of volunteers, who we match, with people who would like a call.
Surrey Virtual Wellbeing Hub:
The Surrey Virtual Wellbeing Hub is a digital platform which supports Surrey residents who need interactive mental health and emotional wellbeing support during the COVID-19 isolation measures by connecting them to online resources and support available across Surrey. This service will also offer support moving forward from the current COVID-19 pressures to target those who are socially isolated.
Age UK Surrey have entered into this joint partnership between Surrey Heartlands Health & Care Partnership, Surrey County Council, Surrey and Borders Partnership and other voluntary sector partners. The Hub is designed to be a ‘one-stop-shop’ for connecting people to appropriate online emotional wellbeing support, either through self-referral or referral from a third party.
Age UK Surrey's virtual Information and Advice Session will be every Thursday at 2pm. Everyone over 50 years old are welcome, as well as carers.
Getting Online:
Staying home and staying safe has given rise to lots of new initiatives and ways to virtually access shows, art collections – all from the comfort of your home!
If you need digital help to take advantage of this online surge our Computer Drop-in Volunteers are offering a free telephone service arranged at a time and day that is mutually convenient. Whatever your question, we will have a volunteer who can help.
Information and Advice Service:
Help at Home Service:
As a key service, our Help at Home team continues to support existing clients who cannot carry out essential tasks in their homes such as cleaning hygiene areas, changing the bed and shopping.We are also providing support to new enquirers for shopping using our many Home Helps across the County. Our Home Helps are self-employed and instructed to observe Government guidelines during the Coronavirus.
We are taking requests from people who would like to receive our full service once Government guidelines allow, so please do get in touch if you would like help with cleaning, preparation of light meals, shopping, companionship or gardening. For more information about the service and fees, please do contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.
Donations to support our services are gratefully received and can be made online or by sending a cheque made payable to 'Age UK Surrey' to the address below:
Age UK Surrey, Rex House, William Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4QZ
Covid-19 Update Factsheet
All the above information can also be found in this factsheet.