Charity receives Lottery funding

Local charity, Age UK Rotherham, has received Funding from the Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund to help provide critical support for older people in Rotherham.

The fund is being delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund and provides grants to charities and community organisations, who are at the frontline of dealing with the increase in the cost-of-living. These are the groups that know what issues are affecting the community and so they know how to make a difference at grass roots level and are best equipped to deliver solutions where they are needed.

Whilst everyone is feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis in some way, the effects on older people can be much more dramatic and this is when Age UK Rotherham can step in and help. The charity supports over 7000 older people in Rotherham every year and the need for help increases greatly as living costs go up. A free and confidential Information and Advice service for older people, their families and carers has helped to support 1400 older people and gained over £2.6m of unclaimed benefits income for them in the past year. This additional income helps people to afford basics, such as food and heating and to get extra help if they need it, allowing them to feel safe and secure in their own homes, meaning they can remain independent.

The grant of almost £75,000 will enable the charity to maintain its current services and go towards meeting ever-increasing demand, ensuring that more older people in Rotherham can be offered help when they need it most.

The charity’s CEO, Barbara Dinsdale said “We are thrilled to have received this funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to support our vital work here in Rotherham. We’re acutely aware of the challenges our older residents face, that’s why we’re committed to providing tailored services and engaging the community. Our teams stand on the frontline, offering support and hope to those facing tough decisions, often with nowhere else to turn.

Together, with the support of the Government and The National Lottery Community Fund, we’re transforming lives and creating a brighter future for Rotherham’s older residents.”