As the Coronavirus lockdown continues, local charity, Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale, has teamed up with Bro Radio to raise awareness that sadly isolation can already be the norm for some older people.
The radio station has launched the “We’ll Meet Again” campaign for listeners to get in touch and share a message for an older person in their lives that they are currently unable to be with due to the virus restrictions. These touching messages will be played out by the station for the recipients to hear. However, the charity is also keen to stress that not all older people are fortunate enough to have family and friends and that’s why the work of Age Connects is so vital, even more so now.
Nona Hexter, who runs the charity’s Senior Health Shop on Holton Road in Barry shares: “For so many years we have been here for older people to pop in for information, advice and have a cuppa and chat with their friends and us too. It is tough not being able to be there in person for all of the vulnerable older people that we know but staff and volunteers are ensuring we are still here at the end of the phone, helping with shopping and in any way we can within safety guidelines. The feedback from people I have spoken to is that they are so relieved and thankful to hear from us still and this is truly humbling. Family members who may not live locally are also sharing their gratitude with us for being here for their loved ones while they can’t be.”
Karen Steele from Age Connects explains: “As older people, their friends and family members continue to self-isolate, the number of vulnerable older people needing our support has risen immensely. In the first seven weeks of lockdown, we received 3,200 incoming calls for information, advice and support and in almost all cases we have managed to provide support or signpost people onwards. This is in addition to the 1,000 calls we have made to check on older people on our database who we were already supporting. Since the lockdown started, we have arranged 360 new shops and prescription pickups”.
The charity is urging the general public and local businesses to “help us help” to keep older people safe, well and reassured at this difficult time by making a donation to support its work at grass roots level where it is making a vital difference.
A donation of just £5 will help the charity make reassuring telephone calls. £10 will help support staff and volunteers get shopping for vulnerable older people. Any donation will help ensure that when it is possible to do so, the Age Connects Senior Health Shop on Holton Road can reopen and offer the fantastic services it has done for so many years for many more years to come.
If you are an older person needing support at this time or know of someone who does please call: 07507 416 875.
To make a much-needed donation please visit ageconnectscardiff.org.uk or call Karen on 02920 683 604 or 07584 346 015.
To find out how you can share a message for an older person in your life, listen to Bro Radio or contact the on air studio:
Tel: 01446 420 593
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: 01446 318 007
Text: Text Bro + your message to 82010
Texts cost 25p plus your standard message rate.
Please Help Us Help
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