Ahead of the International Day of Older Persons, York Neighbours are here to help

This Sunday marks the annual International Day of Older Persons. 

Local charity, York Neighbours, supports residents aged over 65 and is delighted to announce that - after a few months’ pause owing to reduced staffing - they are open for referrals and, as ever, in need of volunteers.

Following the recruitment of a new Executive Officer the charity is now back to full strength and once again able to receive referrals for older people who might benefit from their help, which comes in three ways:

• Help with practical one-off jobs such as changing a lightbulb, collecting a prescription, or taking down curtains;

• Organising small group outings for social trips, from afternoon teas, to Christmas concerts, to bowling;

• Offering regular phone calls to provide an opportunity to chat with someone who cares.

The charity was formed in 2015 after it became clear that there was a need for a local, friendly service providing older people with an occasional helping hand to maintain their independence, and working to reduce isolation and loneliness.  This came following the initial success of an informal church-led initiative in 2012, known as The Belfrey Neighbours, whose members went on to founding the charity as it is now.

Newly appointed Executive Officer, Kallum Taylor, said: “York Neighbours fits a very real and distinct gap for older people in our city; supporting them to remain independent for longer and also helping to fend off the growing spectres of loneliness and isolation. This is made possible thanks to the heart-warming neighbourliness of our volunteers and generosity of our supporters.

Ahead of this Sunday’s International Day of Older Persons we wanted to let our city know that York Neighbours is very much open, and here to help.”

Most recently the charity took seven of their “Neighbours” out for tea at the Balloon Tree farm shop and café, which proved to be a huge success.  One of those Neighbours was Margaret, from Heslington. She said: “I am very grateful for York Neighbours’ work. Their regular contact, offers of help, and chances to go out and socialise make such a positive difference.”

Knowing how valued these outings are by their Neighbours - for many it is often their only chance to get out - the charity wants to organise more, but can only do so if it has more volunteer drivers.

Kallum added: “We gladly welcome volunteers for all three of our services but we are most in need of drivers to help with the outings we organise.  We have far more Neighbours wanting to come on these than we can currently accommodate, and there are lots of organisations who want to host us, but we’re unable to facilitate this due to low numbers of drivers.

Our volunteers do not need to make a particular time commitment - they just do what they can, when they can.  If this might work for you, our team would love to hear from you.”

Referrals for help with tasks, outings, or regular phone calls can be made to York Neighbours by any service working with people in York aged 65 or over. Individual residents over this age can also self-refer into the service.

All that is required to either start that referral process off, express an interest in volunteering, or raise any other queries, is a call to 01904 891 627 or an email to info@yorkneighbours.org.uk.