Age Concern Sunderland

Services Presentation

Our Mission To promote the wellbeing of all older people throughout the City of Sunderland, improve their quality of life and help them maintain independence.

Day Clubs • Run from Monday to Friday, 10am till 2pm • Find them in the following areas: – Sunderland – Penshaw – Houghton – Hetton – Washington

• Enjoy a fresh 2 course meal and games!

Day Centres • We have 2 day centres, at Redwood Grove, Silksworth and The Mews, New Herrington • Fully trained and qualified care staff who make time spent at the centres an enjoyable, fun and stimulating experience. • A range of activities such as bingo, gentle seated exercise, positive health and wellbeing, quizzes and entertainment. • A tasty and nutritious two course lunch is provided, for which there is a small charge. • A standard charge of £33.95 per day with most service users being funded by Adult Services although we do have a number of private clients.

Hospital Discharge Scheme • For patients aged 60 and over • Who live alone or have no other support • Help to settle back into home life with things such as: – Shopping – Light Housework – Collecting Prescriptions – Or just simply Companionship

Social Focus Groups • For people over the age of 50 • Helps an individual: – Make friends – Join in everyday social activities – Relax and learn to enjoy themselves – Build up confidence and self esteem

50+ Forums • Helps to make the voice of 50+ age groups be heard • Tackles issues affecting older people • Aims to solve any issues raised

• We are always looking for help with our newsletters too!

ActivAge Courses • Family Tree Online • Craft & Calligraphy courses

• Yoga, Zumba, Tai Chi & Dance Fit classes • Computers/ Internet

• Learn French, Spanish or German • Gentle Seated Exercises • Photo restoration…and more!!

• Line Dancing

• Local History • Walking

Sunderland Advice Service We can offer free advice for the following issues to anyone aged 19 years and over: • Debt- Whether you have one or a number of debts we can help to try and resolve any difficulties you are experiencing • Housing- We can assist you with a number of issues around housing • Employment- We can assist you with any problems you may be undergoing at work • Welfare Benefits- We can check your benefit entitlement, and help you fill in the forms

Volunteering • Have you a few spare hours a week? • We have many and varied opportunities • Help us support many older and isolated citizens of Sunderland and the surrounding area

• Find out what projects we have available today!!

Advocacy • A free, confidential and impartial service for People living in Sunderland/Washington who are aged over 50. • Advocacy is a process of supporting and enabling people to: - Express their views and concerns - Access information and services - Defend and promote their rights and responsibilities - Explore options and choices • Advocacy can be useful whenever someone feels that their rights are not being respected, when an organisation or authority is not listening to them and/or in situations when they find it difficult to make their views heard.

Friendly Faces • Are you lonely and isolated? • We can arrange a friendly visit offering company and a friendly chat

• If you know of someone who would benefit or would like to be a volunteer for this service please get in touch!!

Telephone Service • Do you know someone who would benefit from a regular friendly call? • Giving them something to look forward to • Many callers build up a friendship with their clients which leads them to be able to offer information and advice when the client asks for it

LifeStyle Service • LIFEstyle is a new innovative service offered to people of all ages. • Our LIFEstyle service can now help you to remain independent and ensure a good quality of life – with choice and control. • LIFEstyle is whatever you want it to be, for example: -Would you like help to go shopping? -Do you need someone to accompany you to the cinema or to other social events? -Do you need a little help with light housework?

Tell us what style of life you want and we will provide you LIFEstyle. It is your life, your choice. We will provide a quality service to enable you to live your life to the full.

Dial-a-Driver Scheme • The scheme is for anyone who needs help in attending an appointment, meeting a friend, and who cannot access public transport. Project aims: -

To provide cheaper transport to the beneficiary group To enable users to get to and from doctors, chiropodist, hospital and social engagements To provide support from the volunteer drivers on the way in to and out of appointments, and in the waiting room.

Covers the City of Sunderland including Hetton, Houghton and Washington

Insurance Services • Home Insurance- building and/or contents • Car Insurance- personal and/or breakdown • Travel Insurance- home and abroad, single or annual multi-trip

Other Services • Gas & Electricity

• Wills & Legal Services

• Funeral Plans

• Personal Alarms

• Stairlift’s & Bath Aids • Recliner Chairs & Adjustable Beds Range • Annuity Service

• Hearing Aids • Age UK Weekly Lottery

• Equity Service

Age UK Sunderland’s Groups • Social Singles- Come along to our monthly meetings to meet new friends and companions in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. • Coffee and Company- Meet every Tuesday afternoon 1:30pm till 3pm at our No. 26 Information Café. An opportunity for people on their own to make new friends in a relaxed and friendly environment.

• Men’s Group- Meet every Friday afternoon 2pm till 3:30pm at our No. 26 Information Café. Come along and make new friends. For more information call 0191 514 1131