Befriending service saved thanks to nearly £300,000 from good cause fund

The Befriending and Citizen Advocacy Service, run by Health Action Local Engagement (HALE), in Shipley, in partnership with Shipley & Bingley Voluntary Services, is one of 14 projects across Yorkshire and the Humber to receive a share of £4.1 million from the National Lottery good cause funding.

The project aims to support people aged over 65 who have become socially isolated, either through losing mobility or by having a lack of confidence.

The scheme, which ran for four years, was at risk of closing permanently if funding could not be secured earlier this year, and it was forced to suspend its services temporarily.

Natasha Thomas, manager at HALE, said: “We are absolutely delighted the project has been saved. The funding is an amazing gift for the district.

“The scheme helps so many people. In the first three years we saw more than 250 people. Then we managed to get funding for an additional year and we saw another 80 people use our services.

“Our volunteers mean there is someone at the end of the phone for someone who may feel very lonely and isolated. When we were at risk of closing the project our service users were just devastated. We are over the moon.”

Organisers of the project recruit and train volunteers and match them with an older person who they will visit once a week and be available to chat to on the phone.

The Lottery funding comes from the Reaching Communities programme which aims to help communities and people most in need.

Caroline James, of the Big Lottery Fund said: “All projects receiving Lottery good cause funding today are very much about enabling people in need to feel more empowered and in control of their situation so they can lead more fulfilled lives.

“These projects will mean people feel much less isolated and more confident in their communities.”

HALE is appealing for volunteers who may wish to befriend an elderly person. Call (01274) 271088 or e-mail lesley@haleproject.org.uk for more details.