Age Concern Liverpool and Sefton CEO Jacinta Ashdown is challenging herself and conquering her fears by abseiling 150 foot doors of the Anglican Cathedral this Saturday (15th July 2023) to raise money for the charity.
She said: “I’m joining a group of wonderful supporters from our community who are helping us to raise awareness of the fight against loneliness and isolation in older adults locally!
“My older brothers used to always challenge me to do things out of my comfort zone as a child, so I thought I should continue to push myself as an adult – I’m sure there will be amazing views of our city from up there.”
This year marks the charity’s 95th anniversary supporting older adults in Liverpool and Sefton. Jacinta Ashdown said: “We are proud of our achievements over the years and are grateful to the people of Merseyside who have helped us to do so much for local, older people.
“This year we are reaching out to the community to think about what it feels like to be an older, vulnerable adult who may not have the support or companionship they need to live a happy, fulfilled life.
“We’d like our local community to push themselves out of their comfort zones by taking on a personal challenge and whilst doing this we urge them to think about how some older people (our neighbours), struggle with loneliness and isolation and have no one to turn to for support.”
As well as having lots of fun, the money you raise will help the charity to continue to provide support through a range of services, including;
- Friendship and support services – to help regain confidence and independence,
- Monthly activities – connecting with others and keeping active,
- a range of financial and home safety products – advice and support to continue to live an
independent life,
- Information and advice – help with welfare benefits to housing options, health and social
care issues to accessing services and trusted traders,
Support in crisis free advice and support for all money matters including pensions, form filling, benefit entitlements, utilities and energy costs,
- a specialised nursing home for people with a functional mental health diagnosis.
Charities have been hard hit over recent years with older adult charities receiving less than 2% of the total donations made nationally. Your support means;
- Helping an older adult in your neighbourhood
- Volunteering a couple of hours a week to visit or call someone living alone
- Donating (no matter how small, every penny helps)
- Taking on a challenge to help our fundraising efforts.
n England more than 2 million people over 75 live alone, and more than a million older people say they go for over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member.
With hundreds of thousands of elderly people lonely and cut off from society in this country – now, more than ever, our older generations need our support and we can all help!
We all hope to live happy, fulfilling lives into our later years – together we can make a difference. Please get involved. Challenge yourself whilst raising money for a local, good cause!
If you are up for a challenge, please visit our website and get in touch.
If you or someone you know is feeling lonely or isolated, please call us on 0151 330 5678.
For details about our latest calendar of activities and how to get involved visit www.ageconcernliverpoolandsefton.org.uk or call 0151 330 5678.
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