Covid 19 crisis: Age Cymru makes more than 2,000 reassurance calls to the over 70s in Wales

Age Cymru has made more than 2,000 reassurance calls to older people in Wales since the launch of its Check-in-and-Chat initiative on Monday 23 March, in response to government advice on isolation and social distancing.

Our service enables those aged over 70 who live alone to receive a regular call from the Charity to answer basic queries, link people to local support services, or simply have an informal chat in either English or Welsh.

To date nearly 500 people have signed up to the service, with many receiving a daily call, stretching the Charity’s resources to the absolute limit. At the same time the Charity has dealt with nearly 1500 calls to its free to use Advice line.

The charity’s chief executive, Victoria Lloyd says: “Like many other organisations we have switched our operations so that our teams are working from home and we’ve had to postpone many of the activities and events we had planned. Our priority is to reach out to older people and be there for them during these very worrying times. With more than half of the over 75s in Wales having no access to the internet telephone contact is hugely important for people and the response to our calls has been overwhelming:”

• Mrs Jones, Gwynedd – It’s good to have someone to talk to, even if it is to have a moan!
• Mrs Phillips, Powys – It’s so good to have an intelligent conversation with someone.
• Mr Atkinson, Wrexham – This service is a lifeline for us.
• Mr Foster, Denbighshire – Thank you much for caring; it means the world.
• Mrs Griffiths, Swansea – It’s nice to know there’s someone else alive!
• Miss Smith, Gwent - Being there is a help, believe me.

Coronavirus Emergency Appeal

Unfortunately, due to current restrictions we have had to cancel many of our fundraising activities which could lead to the Charity being short of funds to continue providing support to older people who are reaching out to us during these deeply worrying times. Calls to our advice line have increased by 200% during the last few weeks and we only expect this number to rise.

Age Cymru is determined to respond and is particularly concerned about the plight of older people who are on their own, without the support of family, friends or neighbours. To help us to continue to be here for older people at their time of need in this difficult financial environment the Charity has launched a Coronavirus Emergency Appeal.

Donations to the appeal will help Age Cymru to keep answering the growing number of calls to its Advice Line and meet rising demand for friendship calls from older people who are feeling frightened and lonely. They will also help local Age Cymru’s to offer practical help to older people in acute need in their areas.

Please support our emergency appeal