Helping the elderly through the winter

The activities, which have ranged from Tea & Chat to Games & Chat, have meant socially isolated people have been able to make new friends.

Among these, Horsham District Age UK was able to put on extra places for a special Christmas Day meal for isolated elderly people at Lavinia House, in Duke’s Square, Horsham.

West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Adult’s Services, Peter Catchpole, said: “Our aim with this funding was to find ways of reaching out to people who had not engaged with our services before – the hard-to-reach group – and we have been pleased with take-up. They show how a bit of friendly contact goes a long way.

“These activities also demonstrate well our prevention and wellbeing agenda, which we have been developing in West Sussex, and complements our existing services such as the Prevention Assessment Teams, the Wellbeing Hubs and the local health & wellbeing programmes.”

In Worthing a partnership of organisations – Guild Care, Age UK West Sussex, and the Salvation Army – have organised a suite of activities through to the end of March across a range of community venues.

So far, these have included Tea & Chat, a Quiz and Chat, Musical Bingo, through to an afternoon tea for older gay and lesbian people.

West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Adult’s Services, Peter Catchpole, said: “Our aim with this funding was to find ways of reaching out to people who had not engaged with our services before – the hard-to-reach group – and we have been pleased with take-up. They show how a bit of friendly contact goes a long way.

“These activities also demonstrate well our prevention and wellbeing agenda, which we have been developing in West Sussex, and complements our existing services such as the Prevention Assessment Teams, the Wellbeing Hubs and the local health & wellbeing programmes.”

Outreach manager for Guild Care Luc Harvengt said the most successful events had been a singing session and afternoon tea for older gay and lesbian people.

He said: “We are particularly proud of being able to offer the latter as, at the moment, it is the only place where older gay and lesbian people can meet like-minded people.

“As always when we organise activities to break isolation, we have heard some tough stories, but it is also fantastic to hear how these short activities are a chance to brighten people’s lives quite dramatically, by giving them a chance to meet new people or simply have a purpose to get out of their house.”