The Somerset Older People’s Fund
The Somerset Older People’s Fund was created to bring together local people who want to help older people in Somerset. By supporting this Collective Giving Fund, you’ll join with others to make a greater impact with your giving and change the lives of our older neighbours for the better.
The Somerset Older People’s Fund is driven by research and consultation with charities and older people. This means your donation will be used to make the most impact possible.
Our supporters
Founding Donors:
- Donald Lake
Donors:
- The Wilton Trust
- Maureen Whitmore
Why Somerset’s older people need your support
Somerset is an ageing county. By 2036 it’s predicted that a third of Somerset’s population will be over 65 – a third higher than the rest of England.
We also know that older people make up 25% of Somerset’s population; the largest and fastest-growing population group.
Shockingly, almost 20% are living in poverty. We estimate 10,000 of our older neighbours are living in fuel poverty, which is why we run our Surviving Winter appeal every year.
Over 30,000 older people in Somerset live alone and around a third of older people feel lonely some of the time or often.
For those living alone, and without transport in our rural communities, isolation and loneliness are often made worse by distance from essential services and social activities. This is then compounded by the lack of public transport.
Following our research and consultation this Fund will prioritise the following areas over the next few years:
- Increasing the variety of low-cost, inclusive and enriching activities to reduce loneliness and isolation in older people.
- Improving transport provision for older people living in rural and coastal areas.
- Increasing support for older people suffering from dementia and their carers.
Talk to us about the Somerset Older people’s Fund
If you’d like to know more about The Somerset Older People’s Fund and how you, your company or charitable trust could support the Fund, get in touch. We’d be delighted to tell you more.
Local challenges need local funding and local solutions. Your gift will help us build stronger communities where older people have the support they need to live healthier, happier lives.
Wivey Cares supports any older residents who need it. It grew from within our community, who have taken control of it themselves. Our carers provide company, help with cooking and personal care. There’s an unspoken bond between carers and clients: they’re invested in the community and go the extra mile. We couldn’t have achieved all we have without SCF who pump-primed the project to get it going then supported us to keep it going.
David
Founder, Wivey Cares
