Client Quotes Brochure 1

Client Quotes 1 Registered Charity Number: 1116662 Date Created: June 2020

Hello! During the early months of 2020, COVID-19 triggered a massive increase in the demand for our services, however, we also experienced an overwhelming number of offers to help from members of the public and local businesses and community groups. Our incredible volunteers also stepped up to take on more tasks and broaden the reach we had over Hertfordshire to ensure that as many vulnerable older persons were being helped as possible. We also swiftly re-designed all our services so that we could provide them online or over the telephone where possible. Initially many of our clients struggled to get food, many had been advised to socially isolate and in the first few weeks of lock down the supermarkets shelves were empty and it was impossible to get an online order (and many of our clients do not have access to the internet). We are so grateful to all the local supermarkets who donated and to Herts Full Stop who have given us over 300 food parcels now, which have literally saved lives. COVID-19 has also accentuated the feeling of being socially isolated for our clients (many of whom were already feeling lonely) so we began to put together comfort and activity packs to help pass the 1

hours in isolation and to show older people in Hertfordshire that people care. The items for these packs have been donated by volunteers, community groups, members of the public, supermarkets, businesses and we’ve been lucky enough to receive grants from HCF and also Welwyn and Hatfield Council so far. We’re going to be making more comfort and activity packs and we’re also looking at creating technology packs and craft/hobby packs. We would not have been able to support the number of clients we have during this time without the tremendous effort from our volunteers, staff and ‘friends’. This brochure is dedicated to sharing quotes from our clients and staff about the impact Age UK Hertfordshire has made on them through this challenging time. We’re making a real difference to people’s lives. Please stay safe and take care of yourselves With all best wishes, All at Age UK Hertfordshire 2

Thank You! From everyone at Age UK Hertfordshire, we would like to say a huge thank you to all who have donated and fundraised for us during the COVID-19 crisis, to help us continue to support vulnerable older people throughout Hertfordshire. Many people have donated anonymously, and supported our COVID-19 Just Giving fundraiser, but the following are those we can mention at the time of publishing. Age UK (the national charity) Jessica Beedles Astute Electronics Jodie Andrews Alex Barry Jody Ling Bedwell Rangers Amazon Julia Bailey Bic Jonny Hosking Brian Riley Kite Packaging Bricket Wood Rotary Club Lisa & Jack Duckenfield BNI Hatfield Mary Wyllie Cariad Marketing Merchant Taylors School Charity's MTS Summer Charity Drive Morrisons (Welwyn Garden City & Letchworth) Countryside Properties Nicola Riad Douwe Egberts Peter James Memorial Trust Dance Apart But Never Alone Peter Dutton East Herts Lodge Freemasons Rotary Club Bishops Stortford Eve Settle Housing Happinotes St Albans Rotary Club Hertfordshire Community Foundation Sunrise Chorleywood Care Home Hertford Shires Rotary Club Tesco (Baldock, Cheshunt, Hertford, & Royston) Herts Full Stop | Herts Catering Limited The Haberdashery, Hitchin Hertfordshire County Council The Vineyard Church Hitchin Garden Centre Uniqlo UK House Creations, Hitchin Waitrose (Hitchin & Rickmansworth) Innocent Smoothies Welwyn & Hatfield Council Intu Watford Jehovah Evangelical Team 3

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“It’s people like “I live alone and don’t you that bring a bit get to see many people in these difficult times. I of sunshine into was thrilled and grateful my day.” for people going to so \"All the things in the much trouble to put a parcel are absolutely smile on my face, which marvellous and it certainly did.” especially the little “Thank you for the pot with flower.” early Easter Gift. I felt like a child with a large lucky dip. Everything in there was excellent” 53

\"Thank you for caring.\" “You have made my day, actually month - brought a smile to my face. I thought for the first time in my life wouldn’t get a hot cross bun and there you go and deliver some thank you so much.” “Thanks for delivering ALL my medication it is very much appreciated you are all doing wonderful work many thanks, once again.” “I am so thankful for the food parcel, I’m not sure what I would have done for the next three weeks otherwise.” “Thank you so much for bringing this to me, I don’t know what else I would have done.” “Thank you for the comfort pack, everything was genuinely usable and lovely. I loved the teddy, I have been showing all my family when they do a social distance/doorstep visit.” 6

\"The support Chalmers Court staff have given us has been invaluable. Paul has received activity bags, without which, I don't know how I would have kept him occupied. Ruth and Deannah's visits and chats from the front door has kept Paul in touch with reality!” “Just a quick note to say that Dad has discovered a new hobby thanks to your activity sheets you’ve been delivering with his lunches. I got him some colouring pencils and he’s away with it now.\" “She wanted to express her gratitude for the lovely gift bag that was dropped off to her. She particularly liked the puzzle book. She said it was a lovely surprise and brightened her day. She is blown away by the kindness of people.” “Thank you so much for gifts, I am over the moon! My favourite, Maltesers! Socks, books and teddies too! Love them all, not forgetting the plant. Can’t thank you enough. Please let AUKH know how grateful I am!” 75

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“My lady who rings me has made such a difference to my life.” “She is her angel. She doesn’t know what she would do without her.” “How lovely of you to contact us to check in. So thoughtful in a time when you must be so busy.” \"It was a big surprise, for a lot of lonely people it makes you feel like somebody’s thinking about you, you are not on your own. Everything was nice, my cactus is on my dining table, the hand cream, socks, and scented items I particularly enjoyed. I feel cared and looked after by Age UK Hertfordshire\". \"It's nice to not be forgotten.” 9

\"She has given “You are all so Hertswise 101/100 wonderful and for praise – she said caring making you have bent over every effort for us backwards for her, all, nothing is too by calling her every much for you all.” week to have a chat.” \"Thank you to the Community Engagement team for their continued hard work during this difficult time!\" 10

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“She felt ‘uplifted’ after speaking with us.” “Dad and I both really value the fact that you are - at the moment - still providing the hot meals as this is one less worry for us.” “I can’t believe there is an Easter egg in here - it’s the only Easter egg I’ve had got and I can’t believe it – I’m thrilled.” 12

“Thank you for the “Everyone was pack, what a gem. over the moon and so thankful!” Used all the goodies. Very nice and thoughtful, and it really cheered me up.” “This newsletter has been a tonic to receive. It is an action of the very best kind in this time that can be described as one of the worst.” 13

\"Loved my comfort “I know she works as gift. Love bear. Face part of a team, but if mask great. A lot of they all work like her- it love ❤ and thought couldn’t be a better went into them bless service and I hope the service is well known. you all. ❤\" Just the biggest thank you.”. \"Many thanks for the surprise bag of treats for my elderly self- isolating parents. It really cheered them up when they were feeling very confined and lonely.\" 164

\"Thank you.\" “Thank you so much for calling me back today. I really appreciate it. It was as lovely to talk to you. Also thank you for all the information, which has really made my day!” “He and I both really appreciate the meals and the phone calls from the team, the care and dedication is second to none and it’s been crucial in helping him manage these strange times.” “I am sure you do not realise just what it means to us to get your lovely letters of hope… Thank you so much for the VE Day pack… I really don’t know what I would do without you all, a big thank you from all of us.” 15

“Just like to say the sessions online are excellent. It’s been a very difficult time for my mum not being able to attend the sessions. You’ve always provided such stimulating activities geared to each type of dementia need, therefore engaging everyone, this has continued with the online sessions, the content is amazing and engages everyone making it totally inclusive.” 16

...Local Charity, Local Impact www.ageuk.org.uk/hertfordshire 01707 232 272 Registered Charity Number: 1116662