‘Demand has gone through the roof’ – OAP charity reveals impact of pandemic

Chatting over a cup of coffee or getting together with like-minded knitters and crafters can be a lifeline to stave off loneliness, which is why local community projects funded through The Health Lottery are so important right now.

Thousands of people are working hard in local community charities to combat the risk of isolation, loneliness and mental health challenges as Covid-19 restrictions continue.

And every time you play The Health Lottery’s draws or online scratch cards, you’re helping to raise precious funds to support these much-needed projects. More than £117million has been raised through The Health Lottery, which has provided support to more than 3,000 charities so far.

Pallion Action Group in Sunderland is just one of many community groups supporting older people who are isolated and financially disadvantaged. The project started out with coffee mornings, knit-and-natter and jigsaw-puzzle groups at the organisation’s Library Community Hub, until Covid forced them to change the way they support people.

Pallion is unstoppable: it moved sessions online, providing training and sending out activity packs to people who don’t have access to technology. Volunteers have also been busy distributing food packs and homemade soup.

There was a huge increase in demand over winter and January was the busiest month. “The demand for our services has gone through the roof. Whether it’s people looking for someone to have a chat with or someone in dire need of emergency provision,” says project co-ordinator Karen.

“A lot of our members are elderly and their safety is our No.1 priority. So during the pandemic we’ve focused on making sure they feel supported and less isolated.

“We’re incredibly grateful to The Health Lottery scheme for the support we received.”

If you’d like to support local charities – AND be in with the chance to win thousands of pounds – then play The Health Lottery. And remember: when you play, you help.

For a limited time only, The Health Lottery is offering new customers a FREE chance to win up to £100,000 when you register at healthlottery.co.uk

It couldn’t be easier. Just register at healthlottery.co.uk and you’ll automatically be given a free ticket worth £1 to play in any of the main draws – including the £100,000 free prize draw every Wednesday and Saturday!

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