Saints Foundation

[p]Help us to support isolated older adults in Southampton.[/p][p]We are aiming to raise £10,000 in order to continue vital support into 2021.[/p][p]£5 a month could mean that someone like Margaret, 84, receives a regular check in phone call from one of our team[/p][p][i]Lockdown caused Margaret to become isolated, living alone and fearful to use public transport. She has said that her regular calls have been a lifeline.[/i][/p][p]£10 a month could fund online and radio resources for older adults to access from home[/p][p]£25 could fund a team member to run a weekly exercise session for older adults to keep active.[/p][p][i](We want to continue to keep older adults active and engaged in the local community so we will return to our weekly walking sessions as soon as we can within the government guidelines.)[/i][/p][p][i]These sessions have given me the confidence that I didn’t have before’ Bob – Senior Saints participant[/i][/p][p]Across the city, we work with those who need our support the most. And, due to the pandemic, these were the same people who were most affected, seeing isolation issues with older adults increase.[/p][p]We strive to support the most in need members of our community to safely and confidently re-engage with the world around them whilst continuing their journey to fulfil their potential. But, now more than ever, an increasing number of people need our help, and we want to be there for our community.[/p][p]Our usual delivery includes weekly social and exercise sessions to keep isolated older people healthy and engaged within the community. This delivery has been greatly affected by the pandemic as most of the sessions are no longer able to run, leaving many of these people alone in their homes without their usual routine and structure.[/p][p]To stay connected, the team have been making weekly phone calls, running socially distanced walking sessions and delivering exercise workbooks. We have also produced a radio programme and additional video resources to keep older adults active and healthy whilst isolating in their homes. Our work has not stopped. Now with a second lockdown in place and our face to face sessions having been postponed, our at home resources are more important than ever to the many older adults that are confined to their homes once again.[/p][p]Throughout the last six months, we have had invaluable support from our partners, including Southampton FC, the National Lottery Community Fund through the Coronavirus Community Support Fund and the Premier League. But, due to the restrictions put on us by the pandemic, we have still missed out on vital donations, that allow us to support people like our vulnerable older adults. Your support can ensure we continue this important work.[/p]