Who we are
Our not-for-profit Charity was founded in 1986 and over nearly 40 years has helped thousands of older people and their families across the Staffordshire Moorlands.
We aim to prevent social isolation, loneliness, and maintain independence in the home for as long as is practicable for each individual who comes into our professional, quality services. We aim to help and support our clients to have a quality of life in their later years which encompasses a holistic approach to care inclusive to all.
Our practical support and service provision enables older adults to maintain their dignity and autonomy. Through the compassionate efforts of our 90+ volunteers and 14 staff, we play a vital role in creating a supportive and inclusive environment, ensuring that every older person feels valued and connected.
Why are we crowdfunding?
The NHS North Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) has taken the decision to discontinue the £70,000 per year grant award to our organisation.
This grant provided funding towards our Day Care and Outreach Group support service provision and has been a huge part of our ability to provide all our support services to frail, older people in our community. Our other support services for older people include Befriending, Meals on Wheels, and Care Navigation support, and these services currently receive no statutory funding.
We currently support over 130 older people and their families each week and we feel that it is vital for our work to continue. (This number does not include the numerous weekly calls we take to provide information and advice).
The NHS ICB has agreed a final £35,000 transitional support grant to our charity which will come to an end on 30th September 2025. However, with rising costs across the whole of our charity we are seeking to secure our immediate future by raising a minimum of £50,000 to preserve all services to March 2026.
Like many organisations and business, we have seen increased costs across the whole charity from energy bills to the cost of food. As a means of reducing our energy costs, we have been able to install a grant-funded solar PV system and are continually looking for ways to make our charity financially sustainable.
We are exploring all other possible avenues to secure additional funding.
PLEASE DONATE either as an individual or a business. Without external funding we simply cannot support older people across the Staffordshire Moorlands, so we need your help. We would be grateful if you could donate any small (or large) amount to help us to continue our services.
Here are some other ways you can also help to support our charity:
SHARE THE NEWS - Please spread the word and share this crowdfunding campaign.
BUSINESSES - Please consider a corporate donation or sponsorship. Want to sponsor our minibus transport and have your logo on the vehicle, get in touch!
VOLUNTEER - We are privileged to have a group of volunteers who enjoy supporting what we do. If you feel you could spare some time, please join us – it is a very rewarding experience. We are always looking for volunteers to help with our services including Befriending connections and Meals on Wheels deliveries, if you have time to spare, please contact us for more info.
COMMUNITY ACTION - Please spread the word and share the crowdfunding campaign amongst your friends, families and any contacts you have in local businesses. Lobby local, district and county councillors and your Member of Parliament.
Thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to read this, for considering making a donation, and for all the support over the nearly past 40 years the community has shown our clients and the charity.
Your support is always greatly appreciated.
Read on for further information about our services...
What we do
Day Care at Cheadle
Our Day Care staff and our Transport team work closely together to ensure high standards of care are delivered throughout the day, from collection via our minibuses in the morning to return home at the end of the day. The wheelchair accessible minibuses collect clients from Cheadle and the surrounding areas. While attending our Day Care service, clients can enjoy a light breakfast followed by a three-course nutritional meal at lunch, along with snacks and drinks throughout the day. Our clients look forward to their day and the friendship and laughter encouraged through a program of activities including gentle exercise, reminiscence, crafts and brain games. This service provides essential respite and support for carers and families to maintain their own health and mental wellbeing. The service also provides support to those with long term health conditions such as Dementia and Parkinson’s and provides socialisation and care for those who also may live alone, enabling individuals to maintain their independence for as long as practicable. We have found that clients and their families are especially grateful to receive the support of the Day Care service which provides social inclusion within the local community.
· To attend our Day Care in Cheadle, we currently ask for a contribution to attend of £70.00 per day, while it costs our charity £112 per client per day to provide this service.
Outreach Group at Leek
This weekly group supports clients to come together and enjoy a hot 2 course lunch and engage in a varied programme of activities, including chair-based exercise, crafts, quizzes, and singing. 85% of our current clients live alone and benefit from the opportunity to use accessible transport to attend a group to combat their feelings of isolation and loneliness and encourages them to feel part of their community.
· To attend our Leek Outreach Group, we currently ask for a contribution to attend of £28.00 per day, while it costs our charity £68 per client per day to provide this service.
Meals on Wheels
The Meals on Wheels service provides the opportunity for older members of the local community to receive a nutritional, hot, home-style cooked meal delivered straight to their table. Meal delivery also acts as a subtle safe and well check with follow up action taken if required. Clients greatly appreciate regular social contact with the meals on wheels volunteers.
Befriending
This service allows us to provide support to the most rural members of our community in the Staffordshire Moorlands. This service provides weekly contact with one of our befriending volunteers either face-to-face or by telephone. Many friendships have been formed and continue to thrive between the volunteers and the people they connect with.
The Befriending service is a low level, high impact, preventative support service which gives a sense of community inclusion and improves mental wellbeing.
There is no charge to a client for this service.
Voluntary Transport in partnership with Moorlands Voluntary & Community Transport
Provides the community with access to volunteers who provide transport to health appointments.
All of the above services help to promote independence in a client’s own home, and we liaise with other health professionals/agencies.
Care Navigation and Support
We know that the current Adult Social Care system can be daunting and complex to navigate. We support clients and families with the process of accessing appropriate services at the optimum time.