Five West Sussex groups supporting elderly people are set to benefit from fund

Five West Sussex based groups are set to become beneficiaries of the Friends of the Elderly Fund at Sussex Community Foundation.

The Friday Club in Shoreham, Bognor Community Action Network, Mid Sussex Older People’s Council, Selsey Community Forum and Summersdale Afternoon Club all stand to benefit from this fund.

£8,600 has been divided between these West Sussex groups, all of which work to support older people.

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The Friday Club provides weekly activities for older people to bring together those isolated from the town through mobility issues.

The money contributed to the Friday Club will provide birthday presents for each of the club’s members and go towards a summer outing.

The Friends of the Elderly Fund at Sussex Community Foundation aims to provide grants to charities and groups which help reduce loneliness, isolation and promote social engagement and befriending among older people in Sussex.

Bognor Community Action Network’s Creative Communities project brings together those experiencing loneliness and isolation to get involved with acrylic art workshops. These classes encourage older people to make new friends, grow in confidence and develop their skills. The fund will support the group to launch two new groups each week to reach even more people.

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Mid Sussex Older People’s Council connects older people through a network communication through a website, newsletter and events to provide a voice for older people’s issues. The fund will support the group to produce three newsletters and support existing and developing IT drop in sessions.

Selsey Community Forum supports people of all ages in the local area. The fund will help the group to continue to deliver their services aimed at older people. These include a free daily phone service, twice monthly tea parties, a monthly film club and a flyer to promote what’s happening in the community.

Summersdale Afternoon Club meet every Tuesday to play board and card games and to enjoy tea and companionship. The fund will provide transport for the older people who attend the club and also cover the rent costs for the year.

Friends of the Elderly provides support for all older people, and particularly those in need due to mental or physical frailty, isolation or poverty.

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Its range of personalised care and support services includes care homes, befriending schemes and grants.

Jo O’Boyle, Director of Engagement at Friends of the Elderly, said: “We are so pleased to be able to support these groups – each and every one is doing so much fantastic work for older people of West Sussex.

“We are really looking forward to seeing photographs and hearing stories from the activities our fund is supporting and the difference it makes to those experiencing loneliness and isolation.”

For more information, visit the Friends of the Elderly website www.fote.org.uk.

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The Friends of the Elderly Fund is facilitated by Sussex Community Foundation.

This organisation raises funds for and makes grants to local charities and community groups across East and West Sussex and Brighton and Hove.

The Sussex Community Foundation make it easier for Sussex donors to support local people and ensure that their donations reach the people that need them.

Find out more at www.sussexgiving.org.uk.

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