Age Concern Central Lancashire spreads cheer with afternoon tea

Age Concern Central Lancashire and Waitrose Walton-le-dale hosted a mass Afternoon Tea experience for older people across Lancashire on Wednesday 6th May 2020 ahead of VE day celebrations.

The charity who launched a Coronavirus Support Service on 19th March has been helping older people across Lancashire get the essential support they need during the pandemic including delivering hundreds of free food parcels, providing weekly shopping trips for those isolating and befriending many who are isolated.

The seven-day a week helpline has been a lifeline for many older people, Mrs Green who accessed the helpline in early April explained that before reaching out to Age Concern she had struggled to get a hot meal for 3 weeks. “It brought me out of the depth of despair, she saved my life” and was delighted to receive cherries (among other things) in her food parcel the following day describing it as a real treat.

Yesterday (Wednesday 6th May) marked the middle of the seventh week in Lockdown for many older people across Lancashire and as a special surprise to boost morale Age Concern Central Lancashire and Waitrose delivered over 100 Afternoon Teas creating an experience that people could be a part of in their own homes.

Katie Watt, assistant team manager at Waitrose Walton-le-Dale commented: "We are so pleased we were able to partner with Age Concern Central Lancashire to supply food for this afternoon tea, which we are sure will bring a bit of cheer to elderly people in this difficult time. It is such a wonderful initiative to be part of and we are glad we are able to help this amazing charity to support those in need of our help."

Starting as just an idea both organisations worked quickly to source the afternoon tea sets, rally volunteers to make sandwiches plus more to deliver to across Lancashire and most importantly identify those who are apart of Age Concern’s Coronavirus Support Service who needed a much needed boost. 

Mrs Green, who also received one of the Afternoon Tea sets, applauded the charity providing the feedback, “It was delicious… I cried when it was delivered. It is nice to know you are being thought of and even though I am here alone being part of this experience made me feel like I was joining in with something outside of these four walls and part of a community again. I can’t thank Age Concern enough for what they have done for me.”

The Afternoon Tea project is just one way Age Concern Central Lancashire has gone above and beyond providing essential support for older people during this pandemic. CEO of Age Concern Central Lancashire, Suzanne Carr commented, “This project has been about more than helping our older generation survive the coronavirus it is really helping them to live well whilst in lockdown and know that they are appreciated. A small gesture has brought so much joy to those receiving it.”

Age Concern Central Lancashire are encouraging individuals, health professionals, neighbours and families to think of an older person you may know and check they are ok and think could they benefit by signing up to the coronavirus support service… not just for the essentials like food shopping and free food parcels but to help them mentally live well during lockdown.

To refer in to the coronavirus support service please contact Age Concern Central Lancashire through;

Helpline:  (01772) 552850 option 0

Website:  https://www.ageisjustanumber.org.uk/covid-19-referral/

Various levels of support are available across Lancashire