Donate your words at AGE UK to help lonely people near you

This autumn Cadbury Dairy Milk is supporting Age UK to tackle loneliness amongst older people. With new research revealing that over 225,000 older people often go a week without speaking to anyone, Cadbury Dairy Milk has removed the words from its iconic bars and ‘donated’ them to the Charity, with 30p from each sale going towards Age UK to help fund services to alleviate loneliness amongst older people.

Calling on the people of Thornton and Cleveleys to get involved, the Age UK shop in Victoria Street West is asking local residents to donate their words to tackle loneliness in the community.

Visitors to the shop will be able to donate their words by writing a message pledging the ways in which they plan to do something for older people near them. This could be checking in on an older neighbour, calling an older relative, speaking to an older person whilst out and about or volunteering. Messages will be displayed in the shop window.

As well as calling on people to ‘donate their words’, the shop is also asking the public to donate their unwanted items. The money raised by Age UK shops helps to fund the Charity’s work, including its free advice line (open 365 days a year) and support for Age UK’s network of local partners, ensuring the Charity can continue to be there for older people when they need support the most.

Paul Whilton, Shop Manager at the Age UK shop in Cleveleys said, “Loneliness is a huge problem which can make older people feel invisible and forgotten. That’s why we are asking the people of Thornton and Cleveleys to join Age UK and Cadbury Dairy Milk and make a pledge to do their bit to help tackle loneliness amongst local older people.

“We also urge people to help us raise much-needed funds by donating their unwanted items to the shop. By donating you will be helping Age UK raise much needed funds to provide companionship, advice and support for older people across the country. Please visit the shop to make your pledge soon.”

Age UK has almost 400 shops across the UK which generate much-needed funds for the Charity’s work with older people, whilst encouraging everyone to recycle unwanted goods including clothing and accessories, gifts, toys, household items and shoes. The money raised through Age UK’s shops goes towards supporting the Charity’s vital work supporting older people and their families.

People can also boost their donation and make this worth an extra 25% by signing up to Gift Aid. Simply completing a basic form when donating goods means that Age UK will receive an extra 25p from the government for every £1 that is raised from donations. That extra money helps raise much-needed funds for people in later life.

Age UK shops are supported by dedicated staff and volunteers. There are numerous benefits to volunteering for Age UK including developing new skills and making new friends. In fact,

98% of the Charity’s volunteers recommend Age UK as a great place to volunteer. To find out more about volunteering in the Age UK Victoria Street West, Cleveleys shop or call 01253 858315

For more information about the Cadbury Dairy Milk Donate Your Words campaign visit www.ageuk.org.uk/donateyourwords and pick up a bar in store today.