E V E
CALL FOR HELP
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
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VOLUNTEERS WANTED: Alison Stirzaker Picture: ROB LOCK
CALLS seeking help from an advice service for older people at Fylde Age Concern have shot up to more than 300 a month since the appointment of advice and information officer, Alison Stirzaker. Based at the charity’s offices in St Georges Road, St Annes, Alison leads a small team of volunteers trained to give information on a wide range of issues affecting older people. Since June, when she took up the part-time post, funded by Fylde Council, the number of inquiries has shot up from 40 to 300 a month. And now Alison is putting out a recruitment call for more volunteers to ensure the service can meet the demand. “People look at Lytham St Annes and think that because it is quite a wealthy area it won’t have problems, but the problems faced here by the over 50s are the same as those everywhere else. “An older person’s family may have moved away, their partner may have died leaving them on their own without any support. “I do home visits for those people unable to get in to see us here. I have seen people living on their own, in the cold, because they can’t afford to switch their heating on. “There are people living in nice houses, which they don’t want to leave, but on a low income. And there is a lot of loneliness too. “I never cease to be amazed by the way they
Volunteers needed to boost advice service for elderly. Elizabeth Gomm reports cope. I don’t know if it’s a generational thing but they are often reluctant to claim the benefits they are rightfully entitled to, and don’t want to be a burden. Their age group is so resilient. “Our job is to help them get the services and benefits they are entitled to, or to signpost them to other agencies which can help. “Our service is completely confidential. No details are ever passed on without consent,” said Alison, who cared for her own ageing father until his death. “We have some loyal volunteers who support my role, but we do need more and, ideally, with a background in advice. People who have been benefits officers, worked for a local council or PCT, or in the voluntary advice sector would be just right. “I will provide any coaching they need, plus there are Age Concern and AdviceLink courses they can go on. We do need volunteers, able to commit to at least a regular three hours a week, to ensure that the service we offer is the best it can
be, with a 24-hour turnaround for inquiries.” Alison, who lives in Thornton, worked as a compliance officer for Lloyd TSB before transferring into training which included a stint for with the bank in India. She took early retirement at 50, and, after taking a “gap year”, started voluntary work with the Citzens’ Advice Bureau. When she saw the job at Age Concern advertised she grasped the opportunity and landed the post, funded for three years by Fylde Council. They field all sorts of inquiries covering a wide area including consumer complaints, problems with housing, care, pensions, age discrimination, care and repair services, the Warmfront Scheme and benefits claims. Alison will help with form-filling when necessary, helping to cut through red tape and jargon which can be confusing. “The only thing we can’t do is to give legal or financial advice,” said Alison. To volunteer or to contact Alison for help and advice on all issues concerning older people call 783718. For gas and electricity price comparison ring the Age Concern direct checkline on 0800 051 0755. elizabeth.gomm@blackpoolgazette.co.uk
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