Our Annual Review

2024-25 Annual Review

A message from our CEO

This year, as we reflect on 42 years of amazing and unstinting service to older and vulnerable people in Solihull, amid increasing demand and seemingly never-ending increases in costs, we take this opportunity to thank our brilliant staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly, with passion and commitment throughout the year to support and help our clients.

This work, as evidenced by the statistics gathered in this report, shows their commitment to supporting those who are lonely and isolated, experiencing poverty and hardship, or striving to remain independent in their own homes. Everything that we do, be it information and advice, befriending, lunch clubs, Postural Stability classes, benefits checks, winter warmth helpline support, or safeguarding (amongst other things) are designed to help keep people safe and comfortable in their own homes.

One high point of the year was the major success achieved when we were awarded a three-year Charity Quality Standard Certificate following an external audit assessment in April 2024. The assessment was unable to identify a single non-compliance which is a testament to the hard work of Trustees, the staff team and our wonderful volunteers. Another high point was undoubtedly being nominated for the Kings Award for Voluntary Service, and even though we didn’t win, it brought home to us what a wonderful charity we are, due in no small part to the amazing volunteer support we enjoy.

It has also been a year of deep refection on our relationship with Age UK and all the local Age UKs in the country but especially with our neighbours here in the East and West Midlands. December 2024 saw us signing an important Age UK Network Agreement which is the result of long debate and discussion about what the future partnership should look like. Despite these important close ties, we remain however an independent, autonomous local charity, governed and steered by local people, and dedicated to serving older and vulnerable people in Solihull.

We thank our wonderful staff and volunteers, not forgetting our brilliant Trustees (who are themselves also volunteers) for working with us to help make Solihull a great place to grow old.

Anne F Hastings
Chief Executive Officer