Age UK (a wonderful charity to help communities)
If you’ve ever passed an AGE UK charity shop and wondered what it does, this post can tell you. By the way, it does not test on animals, so it’s okay to shop there!
In fact, the charity Age UK (nothing to do with government), offers a suite of services that is more helpful than government:
- A phone helpline (some people on very low incomes have had income rise by over £100 a week, after one phone call).
- A free Silver Line helpline where lonely older people can receive calls from chatty volunteers (including ‘conference calls’ which involve other elders, to make new friends).
- An in-person volunteer befriending service.
- Affordable handypersons to do odd jobs
- Nationwide cafes, to chat over tea and cake
- Over 80 trained workers, to offer in-home footcare
- Social activities and IT training
Proof that often it’s private charities and organisations, that do the work better than governments and councils can. If you know anyone who could use their help, do mention Age UK if they could benefit.
This also has a knock-on effect on reducing NHS costs. Because older people who are eating well in warm homes, who have friendships and access to local support, tend to be healthier both physically and mentally. And results in less stays in hospitals, and long-term stays in residential and nursing homes.
