How Yorkshire charity is helping combat loneliness among older people during pandemic

Supporting Older People has had to adapt its services during the Covid-19 pandemic, but at a time when the Government’s orders have been to ‘stay at home’ – and now ‘stay alert’ and socially distant, its work to alleviate loneliness and isolation among older people in Harrogate and Knaresborough remains vital.

Volunteers have been shopping for older and vulnerable people who are self-isolating, delivering hundreds of food parcels and freshly cooked meals.

They are also providing a one-to-one telephone befriending service and making over 400 calls a week to people who have very limited social contact to help them feel less lonely.

Their work has undoubtedly been valuable to all those they support – and it has now been highlighted as part of a short film starring Carolyn Lyster and Only Fools and Horses actor Paul Barber.

The film, Hickory Dickory Dock, features two lifelong friends Irene and Winston as they discuss their hopes and fears in daily virtual chats during the coronavirus crisis.

London-based producer Natasha Marburger was looking to partner with a local charity for the film, to represent the multitude of small charities operating during the pandemic. She approached Supporting Older People’s director Kate Rogata.

“She found SOP online and felt that what we offer tied perfectly into the theme of loneliness portrayed in the film,” Kate explains.

“She asked me to write a piece before the credits asking for people to support small charities in their area and explaining what we are doing. There is a link to our page for anyone wishing to donate to us specifically.

“For a small, local charity like us, this film is a rare opportunity to be seen on a national stage and be involved with a production which has already been viewed over 1800 times.

“It’s also an amazing chance to raise the profile and awareness of small charities and their work at a regional and national level.

“Community First Yorkshire (an organisation that supports voluntary and community organisations) feel it supports their key messages about the value of the sector and the issues of the dreadful impact of the virus on older people both in care homes and their own homes.”

Kate’s words at the end of the film set out the value of Supporting Older People’s work.

“The physical strain and mental health impact of loneliness on an older or vulnerable person is enormous, without the added stress of social isolation in care homes or their own homes,” she has written.

“Small charities like Supporting Older People are vital during Covid-19. They are the lifeblood of communities, ensuring older and vulnerable people have companionship and access to food and medicines, but their funding has reduced during the pandemic.”

Natasha, who is the director of the London Independent Film Festival, says she hopes the film resonates with people in all areas.

“People are staying away from the elderly which is the right thing to do to not spread this to vulnerable people,” she says. “I can’t imagine what it would be like to be completely alone and isolated and not have anyone to help or be there.

“What local charities are doing is amazing work. SOP and other charities are not new because of the virus, this (loneliness) exists in the first place.

“But it’s even worse at the moment and we wanted to highlight that and encourage people to support the charities, at the moment and hopefully afterwards as well.”

Visit www.supportingolderpeople.org.uk