By Press Release
I have recently taken on the role of chairman of trustees for AgeUK Isle of Wight (AgeUK IW), a local charity that I first got involved with through their volunteering programme, The Good Neighbour Scheme.
Demand for the charity’s support is at the highest it’s ever been; loneliness, poor health and the rising cost of living means the future looks bleaker for some older residents, their families, and carers. In a climate of the rising cost of living and energy prices, supporting local charities is now more important than ever. My challenge, as the new chairman, joining in their 50th year, is to secure the future of this life-changing charity to ensure that it will remain here for the next 50.
An important note to share with you all is that one of the reasons I chose AgeUK IW, is that whilst we are part of a national network that makes up AgeUK, we are actually an independent charity that survives on donations from local people to help other local older people on the Island, a very significant fact that’s sadly unknown to most. I’ve always said ‘Charity begins at Home’ and for AgeUK IW this is also the case, as every penny they receive stays on the Island.
My volunteering efforts began with befriending older residents living within my area who have found themselves at a point in life where they had no one to turn to. I meet them for friendly catch-ups, over a cup of tea each week and, whilst it’s only an hour of my time, to them I’m often the only person they speak to all week, and it means such a great deal for them to feel included in their local community.
For anyone ever looking to give back, I would highly recommend signing up to volunteer. You can do so close to home and the time spent is so rewarding and enjoyable; it doesn’t even feel like a commitment anymore, instead a mere catch-up with a neighbour.
Volunteers and staff have been helping people on the Island at AgeUK IW since 1973 and this year we are set to celebrate our Golden Anniversary! Fifty years on, I feel that the world and the Island have changed in many ways, but the support needs of our older residents are surprisingly the same. The only exception being that, with more people venturing to the mainland or reversely for those who retire to our beautiful Island in later life, there are increasingly more older people who struggle living without the support networks of friends and family close by.
To help combat the ever-growing demand for the charity’s support, I am asking Islanders for their help. If you could dig deep and donate whatever you can, to help us to ensure we can remain at the end of a phone, providing vital advice, information, and companionship to those with no one else to turn to. We appreciate that we are living in difficult times but, however small, your donation will make a significant difference to an older person in need.
As we celebrate our anniversary year, we are hosting sponsored events and have created a fund-raising pack full of top tips and fun ways to help individuals, schools, local organisations and businesses to get involved. If you prefer, by becoming a regular giver and donating a small monthly gift, you can help us to plan support over a longer period.
Information about the many ways you can help us, including volunteering, donations and fund-raising, will be found on-line at ageukiw.org.uk under the Get Involved tab or you can call 525282.