Assisted Shopping Scheme
Social Inclusion
We are looking for funding for transport. We use a local community minibus to provide us with an accessible minibus and driver.
About this cause
Northumberland CVA is a registered charity based in Ashington providing information, advice, training and support to volunteers and local community groups throughout Northumberland. In addition we run a number of projects The emphasis of the Re:Action project is to enable older people to do things for themselves, giving them the support and time to make their own choices thus promoting independent living. We work in partnership with Wansbeck Golden Age Forum to deliver services including an Assisted Shopping Scheme and support with ICT. The shopping scheme provides two trips per week from various areas in South East Northumberland, supported 60 older people last year. The ICT sessions provided one-to-one sessions and four six-week training programmes supporting 25 older people.
How this cause brings people in the community together
The Assisted Shopping Scheme provides a lifeline for elderly people in South East Northumberland, giving them the chance to get to the bank, post office, shop, health services and leisure pursuits that they otherwise would be unable to get to. We currently run the service from the towns of Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth, East Sleekburn, Newbiggin by the Sea and New Hartley. The project uses accessible minibuses and a team of volunteers to take older people out to popular local shopping areas. The volunteers help the older people to get around, carry their shopping and provide companionship. Last year, 60 older people with varying abilities have accessed the service and now enjoy a better quality of life by being more socially, mentally and physically active.