COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on the older people we support. Most have gone from being active and independent to being isolated in their homes, the effect this is having on their mental health will probably stay with them for a long time.

Social distancing has led to huge and sudden increase in social isolation and loneliness. We have put in place measures to reduce this including scaling up our telephone befriending, we call our beneficiaries who are over 70 and self-isolating at least twice a week. Because we can no longer deliver 1:1 befriending and group activities face to face we have begun introduced virtual groups and 1:1 meet ups and are rolling out more online activities.

We produce a weekly chair-based exercise session so that older people can stay fit and remain active link below or visit our website ague.org.uk/westminster

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8rAlLir5HM&feature=youtu.be

Many of our clients have less than two days worth of food at home and are too nervous to go out. Internet shopping is not an option for many of them, so they are reliant on our volunteers delivering urgently needed food and other basic essentials.

Since COVID-19, demand for our services have increased and we are working hard to ensure we reach out to as many isolated older people as possible.

As an independent charity, we have to raise our own funds. Your donation will enable us to deliver our COVID-19 services such as telephone befriending over 450 vulnerable older people with the support of over 150 superb volunteers, wellbeing call, source and distribute emergency food packs, launch weekly shopping service and provide online activities to vulnerable older people per week facing crisis because of COVID-19 and those with general welfare and financial needs.