Age UK have launched the latest in a string of breakfast clubs, in West Cumbria.
Breakfast clubs are a great way of staying sociable, and connecting with other veterans who might have had similar experiences in combat. They are especially important in helping those who experience loneliness or social isolation join in with their community. One group that is particularly vulnerable to this is the elderly.
Our Joining Forces Project provides support for older ex-Service personnel & their families giving specialist knowledge & support to access relevant services to maintain independence & stay socially involved in the community contact 08443 843 843 https://t.co/UuHLjkjSOQ #AgeUKWC pic.twitter.com/dtUHGfFzHD
— Age UK West Cumbria (@Ageukwc2) October 28, 2018
BREAKFAST
The new Age UK breakfast club takes place at the Bradbury Centre in Millom, West Cumbria, and runs on the second Saturday of the month from 9.30am-11.30am. The club is run specifically for older veterans, and their family and friends to attend, costing £2.50 per person, which includes food and drink.
This is the latest in a series of initiatives run by Age UK to combat loneliness in older veterans, as part of their Joining Forces project. The charity has partnered with armed forces charity SSAFA, aiming to provide person-centred conversations to older veterans, their family and carers. The initiative aims to connect with over 45,000 veterans and will be running local projects across England.
Today is #internationaldayofolderpersons 👵 👴
As a way of supporting veterans, SSAFA has teamed up with @age_uk to help those born before 1950 who are in need as well as their families & carers.
Read more: https://t.co/XlxlCrgEVD
— SSAFA (@SSAFA) October 1, 2018
BEFRIENDING
The charity also runs a befriending service throughout the UK, and is constantly trying to encourage younger veterans to get involved with the project. Volunteers are paired with an elderly veteran, and would be expected to visit the person they’re matched with once a week for an hour, or call them for a chat.
What a lovely story this #CharityTuesday! Harold and Joanne met through @AgeukF's befriending scheme and now meet to share stories from their service days. Find out more about our #JoiningForces project here: https://t.co/EBu3YFbhUq https://t.co/eZQTUhgiD9
— Age UK (@age_uk) October 16, 2018
Befriending has numerous benefits for the elderly, many of whom experience loneliness. But it also has benefits for the befriender too, with many describing a connection like no other with their companion.
For more information on Joining Forces, click here.
If you’re interested in signing up as a befriender, visit Age UK here.
*All images credited to Age UK*
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