Herald - Issue 398

19th November 2020 • The HERALD • Page 37 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v OPEN 9AM-4PM MONDAY-SATURDAY LYMINGTON RAMPS Safer Easier Access Free no obligation visit Call 07511 801493 lymingtonramps.co.uk ANY DESIGN TAILOR MADE FOR YOU SAFEST ANTI SLIP SURFACES WE CARE, YOU CARE Send your local news to The Editor, The Herald, 2 High Street, Hythe SO45 6AH or email editor@herald-publishing.co.uk Stormy Waters Age Concern New Forest is just one local charity that is having to learn to steer an adapted course through the choppy waters of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is certainly an extremely challenging time,” commented CEO Teresa Blakey. “Our charity supports older vulnerable people in our local communities; our aim is to support them to live independently if that is their wish, and to breach the barriers of isolation and loneliness. Achieving these aims at an unprecedented time of lockdown and social distancing has meant establishing a new balance between offering friendship and support and ensuring peoples safety and protection.” Charities like Age Concern New Forest face a whole range of issues if they are to survive this crisis and continue to contribute e ectively to the welfare of local older people. Like so many other organisations their usual income streams have been greatly adversely a ected. Temporary closure of their charity shops earlier in the year, followed by new social distancing requirements are all taking their toll and the charity is becoming more reliant on obtaining grants from other charitable foundations and trusts. “We are battling through” says the CEO “But it is an emotionally difficult time not just for our clients who rely on our services, but also for our staff and wonderful volunteers who are all so dedicated to supporting others. Isolation and loneliness can be an enormous issue for people living alone. It has been heart breaking to have to curtail or reduce some of our services andactivities,likeourbefriendinghome visits and lunch clubs, particularly at a time when many local older people need us and crave company more than ever. In partnership with our clients, we are learning to adapt though. We are finding safe ways to restart many of our activities and whilst the use of telephones and computers are not a favoured method of communication for many older people, we are at least managing to keep in touch and provide a source of information, advice and support where face to face communication is currently not advisable.” e local Age Concern charity shops are currently closed, for details of these and other services running visit: www.ageconcernnfe.btck.co.uk