13 March 2020
Ashfield Voluntary Action has been running a service for many years to support people who are at risk of falls and of isolation. This popular service is valued highly by our service users and makes a massive impact on the quality of their lives.
Our Manager, Teresa Jackson, said: “Sadly, this year our budgets have been severely cut and we are facing having to close some of our groups and in particular activities linked to the Lifestyles project. This will have a massive impact on older people in Ashfield and Mansfield and we really don't want to abandon the people who attend our groups. Loneliness kills and people are literally dying because they have no one to talk to. This can be so easily addressed and our flexible and responsive project is literally life changing, having a significant positive impact on people's lives and helping them to remain an independent and an active part of their community for as long as possible".
Teresa said, “as a charity working in the heart of Ashfield for a number of years, we want to continue supporting our community to help our more vulnerable members to have a better life. This project really does change people's lives giving them the confidence to engage and be an active part of the community. Without the support we provide many people will be left alone, depressed and at risk. Help us to protect this much-needed area of our work by showing your support to the vulnerable people of Ashfield.”
AVA has started a £5,000 appeal to retain these services.
To make a donation go to www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/ashfieldlivewellhub or go to www.ashfieldvoluntaryaction.org.uk for more information.
Teresa said, "...whilst the current funding situation is a challenge, we have seen it as an opportunity to re-develop and extend the old programme so that it better meets the needs of our service users. This will allow us to work with people with a broad spectrum of need. We are determined to do everything we can to support local people whose quality of life, confidence and wellbeing can be blighted by isolation and loneliness. Please help us to support this often overlooked group of people. This is something we feel passionately about and a relatively small amount of funding will allow us to have a massive positive impact on people's lives".
AVA has designed a new programme to tackle loneliness in older people, based on three actions:
A range of social activity clubs for people able to get out of their homes.
A befriending programme for people who cannot get out of their homes.
Internet access training to help older people learn how to use digital technology safely to improve their lives.
Please help us to make a difference to the lives of local older people - every penny truly will help.
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