Age UK Lindsey charity boss denies rumours of closure

Although based in Horncastle, Age UK Lindsey helps people across the county and has been particularly busy during the Covid pandemic.

However, in his letter to the town council, Chief Executive Andy Storer says that contrary to rumours, the charity has not ceased trading and is not in the process of closing.

Mr Storer writes: “It has been a very difficult twelve months for Age UK Lindsey, as it has for many charities and businesses because of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to some changes for the charity in terms of what we can deliver and the temporary closure of our charity shops.

“But in what is our 30th year, we are fighting hard to make sure that the charity remains open and ready to serve local communities.

“We fully intend to open all of our 10 local charity shops when Government restrictions end (employing more than 30 local people) and we are also continuing to deliver key services for older people including; telephone information and advice, befriending and our ‘Keep Connected project’.

The letter is published in full on the town council website and Mr Storer goes on to reveal:

•Prior to Christmas, we delivered 400 Christmas packs of food and resources to local vulnerable older people who are socially isolated and we are also planning Easter packs to go out to clients in March/April.

•Our Information and Advice Team have over the past two months taken 1,107 contacts and supported clients to successfully claim £537,790 welfare benefits plus £15,558 in arrears, all of which comes back into the local economy.

•Over the past two months, we have made 1,369 befriending and wellbeing calls to the most vulnerable older people across all of our area, many of whom suffer from loneliness.

•Our Eon Winter Warmth project continues, again on a telephone basis and is performing well and ahead of target, with 52 assessments having been undertaken to the end of December against a target of 43.

•When Government restrictions end we will be launching our new Keep Connected mobile outreach project, which will go into local rural communities delivering support to those who are most isolated. This project will be offering to upskill older people in the use of digital technology and will be equipped with tablets/laptops for use once restrictions ease and it is safe to do so.

Mr Storer adds: “As you can see we are very much open for business and extremely busy doing what we do best – helping older people in the Lindsey area!

“With the upmost respect, I would ask that all members of the town council make sure local people know this is the case and continue to promote and support a good local charity, with its spiritual home in Horncastle, as much as possible.

“As the quote says; ‘The reports of our demise are greatly exaggerated.’

•To read the letter in full visit https://horncastletowncouncil.co.uk/

•To learn more about he charity, visit https://www.ageuk.org.uk/lindsey/