Age UK Suffolk calls for urgent support as it launches “Good Day Calls” for isolated older people

Age UK Suffolk is seeking to raise £33,000 each month to reach older people in Suffolk who will be facing an extended period of isolation and loneliness.

The charity are reacting to the current COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that as many isolated and lonely older people are reached by the charity as possible.

There are over 170,000 people aged 65 and over in Suffolk. On a daily basis, 17,000 of these people are affected by social isolation – that was before the current crisis – this number is now increasing at an alarming rate to levels never experienced before.

In these difficult times for everyone, older people especially are being faced with the reality of no social contact for an extended period of time, often alone in their home and sometimes living with additional health conditions.  The wellbeing and health of older people is at the very core of Age UK Suffolk’s heart, and their staff and volunteers are working hard to ensure that they can extend their support to those that need it over the coming weeks and months. The charity’s core services – Information & Advice, Befriending and Home Help – are already stretched and they are now seeing a huge increase in calls.

That is why the charity is asking for urgent help from Suffolk’s businesses for their Emergency Fundraising Appeal – “Good Day Calls”.

They need your support NOW to make sure they can help any older person who needs them through a regular “GOOD DAY” call – checking in to make sure they are okay, have everything that they need, and often simply for a chat.  They are also supporting people with shopping delivery and prescription collection.

The ask is simple – please consider a business DONATION of whatever you can to make sure that older people in our communities are supported through these difficult times. Perhaps you were considering supporting Age UK Suffolk or a local charity over the next few months and feel able to support them in their biggest challenge yet.

Age UK Suffolk’s Information & Advice and Befriending  services are free of charge to everyone over the age of 65 in Suffolk and in normal times, would be supported by the income generated through our Home Help and Day Care services – this is no longer the case – quite simply, they have never needed your help more.

All of the money raised through this Appeal will go directly towards supporting the immediate needs of older people across the county – however large or small, every penny will make a difference.

It’s easy to donate through the Age UK Suffolk giving platform here  the donate page on their website or by sending an email to [email protected] and the team can discuss making a donation or fundraising with you.