Age UK County Durham Covid-19 News Update

Age UK County Durham are delivering vital services to older and vulnerable people across County Durham during this Covid-19 pandemic.  We are are taking over 700 calls per week from older people at high risk and self-isolating.

Our shopping service is bridging the gaps that the huge demand has put upon online shopping services and is enabling those without internet connections to access foods, particularly for those with medical or dietary needs.

Prescription collection and welfare in the home services are being delivered right across the County. All our 11,000 existing clients are being offered a daily or weekly welfare call, an opportunity to have a conversation and share anxieties.

The Information and Advice Services telephone lines are open from 9.00am – 4.30pm and a weekend service is available.

Age UK County Durham prepared early for an increase in demand for its information, advice and the new services that would be required during this outbreak which has enabled us to react quickly and effectively to the demands this outbreak has created amongst our older populations.

We are extremely grateful to all those who have volunteered their time to us to ensure we can reach out to the many older people needing help and support at this time.

Over 85 generous local people have signed up in the last three weeks to help us deliver food and medicines to those who are self-isolating.

There are some challenging times ahead for us now and in the near future and Age UK County Durham needs, more than ever, support to ensure that we can continue to address the physical, emotional and mental health needs of older people in this rapidly changing and uncertain world.