Age UK Calderdale & Kirklees Health and Community Services team are working with ‘Good Neighbour Scheme’. They aim to alleviate a lot of the problems associated with later life.

A project which the people of Heptonstall are likely to hear a lot more about is ‘LOCAL LINK’.

Local Link is managed by Andrew Fearnley, who has a network of Community Volunteers, mainly in rural areas of Calderdale, who act as ‘eyes and ears’ of their local communities, to support isolated older people. Mary Cockcroft and Jean Leach are our volunteers in the Heptonstall area.

Andrew also runs a scheme called ‘SAFE & WARM’, offering Home Energy Information and Advice, with support in applying for grants and reducing fuel poverty amongst vulnerable older people.

The ‘ACTIVE BEFRIENDING PROJECT’, co-ordinated by Christine Henry offers ‘one to one’ support for isolated people throughout Calderdale. Trained volunteers are linked with lonely older people who feel depressed and socially isolated. The scheme is focused on engaging people in activities with their befriender, in order to restore confidence and gain more out of life.

People are referred to the scheme through various channels; usually by Health Professionals, but often by family or neighbours and sometimes by the person who actually needs the support.

Andrew and Christine can be contacted at Age UKCK Choices Centre, Woolshops, Halifax. For further information Tel 01422 399830.