Chair’s Statement Plain Text Version
The ongoing cost-of-living crisis resulted in our older and more vulnerable clients being particularly badly hit in 2023-24. Choosing between food and heat is still a reality for many, with soaring prices for both food and energy. Locally, we have continued to help Solihull Council to distribute £127,555 from the Household Support Fund to households in the borough most in need.
Demand for our services continues to rise, with more people than ever on the waiting lists for befriending and the clubs, despite the launch of our newest club at the Land Rover Social Club in Sheldon. In particular, we saw strong demand for our Older People’s Information and Advice Service, reaching over 1,789 people. During this year, Age UK nationally recognised the effects of the cost-of-living crisis on older people and we were able to apply for a £40,000 grant to enable us to support the increased demand for services such as the lunch clubs, Home from Hospital Service and Linking People together service. In addition, Age UK nationally supported our Digital Champions Service, enabling our 21 volunteers for that service to provide 1,538 people sessions.
As Chair, I am constantly humbled by the dedication of our volunteers and many supporters, both individual and corporate, as well as our amazing Trustees and staff. Without them we would never reach the number of clients, numbering a truly amazing 15,175 in 2023-24, whose lives we touch in a meaningful way. There are so many inspiring stories of our work in this review, whether through our Community Advice Hubs in partnership with Solihull MBC, our specialist Information and Advice Service, Postural Stability Classes, Home Support Service, Digital Champions Project, Lunch Clubs, Social Prescribing, Winter Warmth Campaign and more.
This year saw us continue to partake in important research with the University of Birmingham titled ‘When The money runs out – Capital depletion and the transition from self-funded care’, which will influence policy in the UK in the future. This will be particularly relevant to those in the borough whose lives we maybe don’t currently touch as much but who are still part of the wider community of older people in the borough.
2024 brought a nomination for a Kings Award for Voluntary Service for our volunteers, without whom we would not be able to touch as many peoples lives as we do. The nomination came from National Gas Metering who have supported us since the pandemic. As at the date of this report we have not heard whether our nomination has been successful but we were visited by two of the Deputy Lieutenants for the West Midlands, who recommended us forward for the National stage of the award. I would also like to thank all the staff at Age UK Solihull for the professionalism they show and their dedication to their roles. Thanks must go to the senior team who continue to go above and beyond for the concerns of older people in the borough. All our staff and volunteers have the concerns of older people at the forefront of everything they do.
Sally Tomlinson - Age UK Solihull Chair
The ongoing cost-of-living crisis resulted in our older and more vulnerable clients being particularly badly hit in 2023-24. Choosing between food and heat is still a reality for many, with soaring prices for both food and energy. Locally, we have continued to help Solihull Council to distribute £127,555 from the Household Support Fund to households in the borough most in need.
Demand for our services continues to rise, with more people than ever on the waiting lists for befriending and the clubs, despite the launch of our newest club at the Land Rover Social Club in Sheldon. In particular, we saw strong demand for our Older People’s Information and Advice Service, reaching over 1,789 people. During this year, Age UK nationally recognised the effects of the cost-of-living crisis on older people and we were able to apply for a £40,000 grant to enable us to support the increased demand for services such as the lunch clubs, Home from Hospital Service and Linking People together service. In addition, Age UK nationally supported our Digital Champions Service, enabling our 21 volunteers for that service to provide 1,538 people sessions.
As Chair, I am constantly humbled by the dedication of our volunteers and many supporters, both individual and corporate, as well as our amazing Trustees and staff. Without them we would never reach the number of clients, numbering a truly amazing 15,175 in 2023-24, whose lives we touch in a meaningful way. There are so many inspiring stories of our work in this review, whether through our Community Advice Hubs in partnership with Solihull MBC, our specialist Information and Advice Service, Postural Stability Classes, Home Support Service, Digital Champions Project, Lunch Clubs, Social Prescribing, Winter Warmth Campaign and more.
This year saw us continue to partake in important research with the University of Birmingham titled ‘When The money runs out – Capital depletion and the transition from self-funded care’, which will influence policy in the UK in the future. This will be particularly relevant to those in the borough whose lives we maybe don’t currently touch as much but who are still part of the wider community of older people in the borough.
2024 brought a nomination for a Kings Award for Voluntary Service for our volunteers, without whom we would not be able to touch as many peoples lives as we do. The nomination came from National Gas Metering who have supported us since the pandemic. As at the date of this report we have not heard whether our nomination has been successful but we were visited by two of the Deputy Lieutenants for the West Midlands, who recommended us forward for the National stage of the award. I would also like to thank all the staff at Age UK Solihull for the professionalism they show and their dedication to their roles. Thanks must go to the senior team who continue to go above and beyond for the concerns of older people in the borough. All our staff and volunteers have the concerns of older people at the forefront of everything they do.
Sally Tomlinson - Age UK Solihull Chair