The NEW Cosyfeet Community Award
Loneliness and isolation is a problem that affects many people as they get older. According to the latest Age Concern and Help the Aged survey results, 7% of people aged 65+ in England say they always or often feel lonely. If you include those who say they are sometimes lonely, the figure rises to 33%.
In a recent review, Age Concern found that group activities are particularly useful in helping older people out of loneliness and isolation. The report states that participating in leisure, social, cultural and spiritual activities in the community, as well as with the family, allows older people to continue to exercise their competence, to enjoy respect and esteem and to maintain or establish supportive and caring relationships.
The Cosyfeet Community Award offers a one-off donation of up to £500 to registered charities or not-for-profit organisations and clubs who are working on local projects within the UK that support and enrich the lives of older people. There are 2 awards of up to £500 available – one for projects operating within Somerset (which is where Cosyfeet is based) and one for projects operating outside of the county.
We are particularly interested in projects that provide practical and emotional help, keep older people active or give them a chance to meet up with others. It might be a friendship group, a lunch club, a telephone befriending service, an exercise class or even a special interest group – anything that may help older people to feel less isolated and part of the community.
To apply for the Cosyfeet Community Award please click here.