CHRISTMAS has come early for Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest (BRWF) after being awarded £10,000 from the National Lottery.

The money was awarded for its Befriending & Care Calls service and is one of 33 community projects in Worcestershire to have received funding.

Age UK BRWF was awarded the money so it can expand its work to support more people over the age of 50, who may be experiencing isolation and loneliness.

Sam Humphray, CEO of Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest said: “As a charity, we are acutely aware of the impacts that loneliness can have on an older person’s health and wellbeing. However, we also know the difference that our befriending scheme makes to members of the local community, which is why we are so very grateful to National Lottery players for this award which will help us to develop the scheme and reach more people.

"I would also like to take the opportunity to appeal to members of the wider community to talk to us about becoming a Befriender as the more people that get involved, the more that we can do to help tackle loneliness across North Worcestershire.”

Matt Poole, senior head of regional funding for the West Midlands at the Big Lottery Fund, said: “All over the country, National Lottery money is being used by people who are taking the lead in developing great ideas to help their communities thrive.

"They know and understand the needs of their area better than anyone else and are best-placed to develop projects to tackle them.

"These projects in Worcestershire are brilliant examples of this and, thanks to National Lottery players, we are proud to be able to support them to change lives for the better.”

It is estimated that there are over 4,500 local people over the age of 65 that are experiencing loneliness (1,472 in Bromsgrove, 1,213 in Redditch and 1,847 in Wyre Forest).

One local lady who was visited by an Age UK BRWF befriender recently said: “I have been so lonely in my house, to have someone come and visit me is wonderful, it’s like a little bit of paradise and a ray of sunshine”.