Funding boost for groups supporting the elderly

Photo: ArtySmokes@flickr

More than £1 million of funding has been allocated to local groups that help support older people living independently.

Croydon council is set to give over £1 million to 27 voluntary groups that provide services to the elderly or disabled. The money will help local organisations and provide thousands of Croydon residents with support for the next three years.

They range from small, church-based voluntary groups such as St Edmunds, which provides a lunch club, to better-known organisations such as Age UK. Neighbourhood care groups based in wards such as Addiscombe, New Addington, Purley, Waddon and Coulsdon are also to be awarded funding.

Margaret Mead, councillor for adult services, said: “This will help local voluntary organisations deliver really important services for Croydon residents in a way that offers genuine value for money for taxpayers during a time when there are huge constraints on public sector finance.”

At the moment, more than 2,000 people in Croydon have access to a range of activities that reduce isolation, give access to support, in some cases a hot meal, and enable them to receive advice and information if they need it.

The money is being provided by the council’s department for adult services and housing (DASH) and is part of the approximately £15 million spent by Croydon each year on services provided by voluntary organisations.

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