Issue 17 | Spring 2003

 Celebrating 12 Happy Years

Age Concern Knowsley celebrates its 12th birthday in July 2003. From modest beginnings in 1991, the organisation now provides a number of social care and commercial services for the older people of Knowsley borough.

In the Visiting Service befrienders visit older people in their own homes, each for two hours per week. They provide companionship, social contact and monitor the older person's health and well-being. This service operates in partnership with the Social Services Adult teams of ‘Prescot, Whiston and Cronton’, and ‘Huyton and Stockbridge Village’.

The Clubs Service is also in partnership with Knowsley Social Services. It provides social contact and monitoring for older people at seven venues. Transport is provided by Knowsley Social Services, and meals are purchased from KMBC. Each club runs from 11.30am - 2.30pm, with lunch, social stimulation and activity.

Advice and Information Service
All agency staff provide advice and information at various levels to all our service users, visitors to our offices and telephone enquirers. We provide general information on a range of matters using both local resources and the central information service of Age Concern nationally (Facts Sheet and Age Concern books). When not able to advise on an issue we signpost to appropriate agencies.

Older Peoples Involvement
Funded by the Local Implementation Team for Older People and the Knowsley Voluntary and Community Sector Network, our Older People’s Involvement Officer promotes the involvement and representation of older people in groups, committees and organisations. With involved older people a collaborative team is working to establish the “Knowsley Senior Citizens' Voice”.

Insurance and Commercial Services
In association with Age Concern Insurances Services, we provide a range of insurance products including Home and Contents, Car, and Holiday.

Also available is AID CALL, emergency response telephones and pendants, Pre-paid Funeral Plans, and a range of Financial services and Life Assurance provided by Age Concern.

Campaigning and Local Partners
Over the past ten years we have worked closely with KMBC, St Helens and Knowsley Health and other agencies. As partners we have assisted in staging a number of campaigns on welfare rights, health and well-being awareness raising, and promotion of cross-generational projects and principles. With Health 2000 (now Health 21) and Community and Youth, we established the Knowsley Age Combined working group. Also supporting colleagues in Kirkby we helped to establish the Knowsley Pensioners Advocacy and Information Service.

Mr David Rimmer, Chief Executive, said, “We are indebted to many colleagues in Knowsley Borough Council departments, St Helens and Knowsley Health Authority, Knowsley CVS, and the many local organisations we have linked with over the years. I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all of them for their tremendous support and encouragement. We look forward to the years ahead when we can strengthen existing partnerships and forge new affiliations.”

To help us continue our valuable work, please support this important local charity, which services local older people. If you would like to support Age Concern Knowsley by making a donation, Gift in Memory or Legacy our charity number is: 1001485. You will find our contact details below.