To mark this year’s Older People’s Day (1st October) Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales has announced that over the last 12 months, it has invested more than £1.2 million in local charities supporting older people.
As part of this investment £395,800 has been awarded to 14 local Age UKs and Age Concerns across England and Wales, with many grants helping to fund much needed running costs such as salaries and rent. According to Age UK, local government spending on social care for the elderly has been slashed by more than £600 million this year.
Age UK Walsall was recently awarded £33,600 to fund the salary of a new part-time Learning and Disability Advocate who will assist older people living with disabilities such as Tourettes Syndrome, learning disabilities and low literacy. The Advocate will ensure that free and confidential support is provided to these older people who need help communicating with public service providers to ensure that they can continue to live safely, receive the correct benefits, address housing issues and pay their utility bills.
Davinia Lytton, Age UK Walsall’s Chief Officer said: “Age UK Walsall was delighted with the funding received from Lloyds TSB Foundation in order for us to fill a service-delivery gap within our busy advocacy service. This funding will enable us to support people with low level learning disabilities to maintain or regain control of their own lives which, in turn, promotes independent living.”
Linda Kelly, Chief Executive of the Lloyds TSB Foundation, says: “Older People’s Day highlights the important role older people play in the community. Charities such as Age UK provide vital support which enables isolated or vulnerable older people to take on more sociable or active lives, which can have a remarkable impact on their mental well being and health in general.
“The Foundation is committed to supporting charities that help people play a fuller role in society, and we are very proud to fund the core costs of older people’s charities so they can continue to thrive in communities across England and Wales.”
