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Big Lottery Fund – Befriending Campaign Launch 04/08/10
Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2010
The launch of the Big Lottery Fund Befriending Campaign is taking place on Wednesday 4th August at 11.30am on the Big Lottery Fund stand (516-518) at the National Eisteddfod in Ebbw Vale.
The Big Lottery Fund is the largest distributor of National Lottery money to good causes and we are currently investing £1 million pounds every week in projects across Wales. We are committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need.
The Befriending Campaign is a partnership between the Big Lottery Fund, Age Cymru, the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, WRVS and the Alzheimer’s Society. Our purpose is to encourage individuals to volunteer in a befriending role for older people and we would like your help to spread the word.
Wales has the highest percentage of older people out of all four UK nations. For many older people in Wales, older age is a positive experience. For others, it can bring with it a number of challenges such as retirement, bereavement and illness which, without support, can appear daunting and lead to social isolation and loneliness. Just over 1 million (11%) of people aged 65 or over in the UK say they are always or often feel lonely and nearly half of all older people (about 4.6 million) consider the television as their main form of company.
Representatives from the Caldicot and District U3A Silver Surfers and the Women’s Royal Volunteer Service will be available on the stand to discuss local befriending opportunities. Refreshments will be provided.
The campaign ties in with the Big Lottery Fund’s new AdvantAGE programme, which is currently open to applications for projects to support advocacy and befriending services for older people. Big Lottery Fund staff will be on hand to talk about this programme as well as our other funding programmes.
Please indicate whether you would like to attend by emailing nia.lloyd@biglotteryfund.org.uk or calling 029 2067 8223 by Thursday 29th July.
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