To ensure every older person in the borough knows they are not alone

Christmas care packages will be distributed across the borough from December. Picture: Age UK Wandsworth

December 8, 2022

Age UK Wandsworth has launched its Winter Care campaign after witnessing the impact of events in recent years on older people in the community, from the effects of the pandemic to the rise in the cost of living. The charity, which is based on Old York Road in The Tonsleys, is now asking residents to get involved with helping vulnerable older people in the borough.

“Clients are calling our office every day with worries about heating their home as the weather gets colder, and how to budget around the skyrocketing price of food,” said a spokesperson. “These are often extremely vulnerable people, living alone, on low incomes and with multiple health conditions.”

Age UK is keen to stress that it wants to make sure every older person in Wandsworth knows that they have somewhere that they can go for advice and support over this particularly difficult winter.

The Wandsworth Winter Warmth Campaign is all about raising money to prepare and distribute care packages for older people across the borough. Parcels will include practical items to help people keep warm as well as tins of non-perishable food, treats to make people smile, as well as vital information on accessing Age UK’s many free and potentially life-changing services.

A resident receiving her care package. Picture: Age UK Wandsworth

There are three ways in which the charity is hoping members of the wider community will get involved. First off is donating items for the care packages. Especially requested are boxes of chocolates and tins of biscuits, particularly with Christmas themes.

Also needed are tins or cans of non-perishable items such as soup and fruit or vegetables. Warm clothing such as hats, gloves, scarves and socks would be much appreciated, as would soaps, shower gels, toiletries and hand wash. Hot water bottles would also be gratefully received and all items should be “brand new”.

Donations can be dropped off on weekdays between 10am-3pm at Age UK Wandsworth’s Gwynneth Morgan Day Centre at 52 East Hill SW18 2HJ.

Residents can also make financial donations – large or small – so that the charity can buy items itself and make more parcels. You can give money via the secure fundraising page.

Finally, Age UK Wandsworth are asking for their posts to be shared, and the word to be spread, on Instagram or Facebook on @ageukwandsworth on Instagram, or Age UK Wandsworth on Facebook.

Care parcels will be distributed to Wandsworth residents between December and March, by staff and volunteers.

The Charity’s overall aim is to help thousands of older people stay well and, importantly, independent. With this winter proving particularly harsh with the rising cost of food and fuel, Age UK Wandsworth says it would like to reach out even further, “so that every older person in the borough knows that we are there for them, and that they are not alone”.