Age Cymru chosen as new Board charity
A £30,000 donation to Age Cymru will help to fund a phone-befriending and advice service for the next three years, helping to tackle loneliness and isolation in Wales.
The national charity for older people in Wales will receive £10,000 per year for three consecutive years from the Board at Wales & West Housing Group.
It is one of two new charities which the housing provider’s Board will be supporting in this way in 2022.
Age Cymru’s ‘Friend in Need’ service provides free telephone friendship calls for people in Wales who are 70 or over.
Initially launched during the Covid-19 pandemic, it has supported over 2000 older people to date.
The funding from Wales & West Housing Group’s Board will enable this work to continue along with their information and advice service.
Age Cymru’s chief executive, Victoria Lloyd says: “This donation is a significant contribution to some of the charity’s key frontline services. Our friendship calls provide a vital connection to older people who live alone.
“For some individuals, it is the only conversation they will have with another person that week.
“And with the cost-of-living crisis a key concern, Age Cymru Advice is needed more than ever to make sure people have the right information and advice regarding their own circumstances.
“Older people across Wales will benefit from these funds, and we thank Wales and West Housing for reaching out to support older people at such a challenging time.”
“This donation is a significant contribution to some of the charity’s key frontline services.”
Victoria Lloyd, Age Cymru chief executive
Alex Ashton, Chair of the Board at Wales & West Housing, said: “Loneliness and isolation is becoming more and more visible across our communities and the services which Age Cymru provide make a huge difference to a range of people.
“We hope that our contribution will enable the charity to grow the service and help those who need support.”
To find out more about Age Cymru’s Friend in Need service visit www.agecymru.org.uk/friend