Waitrose Newport supports local older people

Waitrose Newport has donated £1,500 to Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, following a customer vote through the store’s Community Matters green token scheme.

The Community Matters scheme gives Waitrose customers the opportunity to vote for charities and community organisations to be supported in their local area. Customers are given a green token when they shop in store and can place it in one of the voting slots provided for the participating charities. The number of tokens each organisation receives determines how the available donation is shared, giving customers a direct say in which local causes benefit from the scheme.

The scheme is designed to help Waitrose stores support organisations that are making a difference in their local communities, with customers able to vote for the cause they would most like to see supported.

For Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, the £1,500 donation will contribute towards its work helping older people to live independently, stay socially connected and access the advice, information and practical support they need to live well.

In Newport, the charity provides a day centre that meets in the Cornmell Lea Community Room every Tuesday and a lunch club at The Swan in Forton on the third Tuesday of the month. Local people can also access a range of wellbeing activity groups in Hadley and St Georges.

Jo Morehead, Branch Manager at Waitrose Newport, said: "Our Community Matters scheme gives customers the opportunity to vote for local causes, and we’re proud to support the vital work of Age UK, who are a lifeline for our local elderly community.”

Clare Davis, Chief Executive Officer of Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the customers and team at Waitrose Newport for this generous £1,500 donation. It’s support like this that helps us continue providing services that make a real difference to local older people.”

For information about the full range of services that Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin provides in the Newport area, call us 01743 233 123 or email enquiries@ageukstw.org.uk