Local Independent charity, Age UK York has been awarded National Lottery funding to support its work in providing older people in York and their loved ones with an Information and Advice Service.
The charity which has been supporting older people in the city for over 50 years will be using the funding to contribute towards the running of their vital Information and Advice service.
This service covers a wide range of topics from household matters to money and benefits.
The helpline supports thousands of people every year by taking live phone calls and providing home visits, which make this crucial service as accessible as possible to older people and their families.
Last year alone, the Information and Advice service team helped local older people collectively access over £600,000 of unclaimed benefits - and an even higher figure is expected this year.
The funding from the National Lottery Community Fund will enable this service to continue to help thousands of elderly people in the community.
Speaking on the service, Nicola Edwards, Information and Advice Manager at Age UK York said: "Age UK York advisers help older people in York claim tens of thousands of pounds each year through benefits and grants."
She continued saying: "This allows them to maintain their independence at home, keep warm, eat well and maintain their social connections and keep informed."
Advice from the charity is not only sought by the older people themselves but by their families and carers too.
Nicola said: "We often find that relatives who live away from an older family member need our help with information regarding York-based facilities or organisations."
The Information and Advice service is just one of the many areas of support the charity provides.
Other services include: care after hospital stays, befriending services to tackle loneliness, dementia services and much more.
Simon Holmes, Age UK York Chief Executive said: “The support of the National Lottery is a wonderful contribution and a huge thank you for their trust in the work of Age UK York alongside all of our supporters who kindly make what we do possible."
He continued saying: "There is still plenty to be done in tackling daily challenges and to help ensure older people receive the help they need to enjoy later life, with care and dignity."
"Every effort and every penny raised goes right back to support local people here in York”.
The National Lottery Community Fund
The National Lottery is the largest non-statutory community funder in the UK – community is at the heart of their vision, purpose and name.
The National Lottery Community Fund recently launched its strategy, ‘It starts with community’, which will underpin its efforts to distribute at least £4 billion of National Lottery funding by 2030.
As part of this, the funder has four key missions:
1) Support communities to come together
2) Be environmentally sustainable
3) Help children and young people thrive
4) Enable people to live healthier lives.
If you or anyone you know requires help and advice from the Age UK York team, please call 01904 634061 or email firstcall@ageukyork.org.uk
For more information about Age UK York's services, visit their website: Age UK York | Welcome to Age UK York
To find out more about the National Lottery Community Fund, visit: Home | The National Lottery Community Fund
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