Wales & West Housing donates more than £35,000 to help older people in Wales
The money was raised by our 400 staff members over two years of fundraising with regular raffles, bake sales, dress down days and pennies donated from pay. Fundraising special events such as a sponsored Ride the Nation charity cycling challenge from North to South Wales and a rugby tournament, supported by former Welsh rugby players, helped to take the total to record levels.
Age Cymru provides a range of activities such as Tai Chi, Nordic Walking, low impact training sessions and the annual Gwanwyn Festival of Arts and Creativity. It also runs advice and support services including a bilingual information and advice line which, last year alone, helped older people claim more than £6.5m in entitlements.
Wales & West Housing’s Group Chief Executive, Anne Hinchey, visited a Tai Chi group at the Pier Pavilion, Penarth, to see how the activities delivered by Age Cymru are helping older people to connect.
She said: “At Wales & West Housing we provide homes for 22,000 people across Wales and almost one in five of our residents are over 65. When our staff voted on the charity they wanted to support, Age Cymru was a clear winner.
“The charity is doing a fantastic job to make sure that as people grow older they don’t miss out on the social activities they enjoy. With activities like Tai Chi and Nordic walking the emphasis is just as much on socialising as it is on improving physical health. Through its range of campaigns it makes sure that the voices of older people in Wales are heard when it comes to the decisions that affect them.”
Wales & West Housing’s Group Chief Executive, Anne Hinchey
Age Cymru’s Chief Executive, Victoria Lloyd said: “One of the key steps along the road to an age friendly Wales is connecting people to help combat the loneliness and isolation which is said to affect more than one in four older people in Wales.
“There are many reasons why older people become lonely. As people retire they may lose contact with colleagues, while others become lonely through bereavement. Poor health and financial hardship can also keep older people trapped in their homes. While cuts to local services such as bus routes, libraries, and day centres have compounded the problem.
“Much of our work is aimed at enabling older people to participate in their communities and to enjoy the companionship of others.”
“We are extremely grateful to the staff of Wales & West Housing for their fantastic fundraising efforts resulting in such a hugely generous gift to support our work in creating an age friendly Wales.
Age Cymru’s Chief Executive, Victoria Lloyd
In the last 14 years WWH staff have raised more than £140,000 for a number of charities including Cancer Research Wales, Stroke Association, Help For Heroes, Alzheimer’s Society, NSPCC, Tenovus and Wales Air Ambulance and Guide Dogs. The staff are currently fundraising for Mind Cymru.