Two Shropshire charities have joined forces in a move that has seen a new advocate appointed to support elderly people living in the Much Wenlock area.
The Wenlock Forester Trust (WFT) and Oswestry-based Shropshire PCAS (Person Centred Advocacy and Support) will jointly fund the new advocate for an initial period of three years – emphasising the ongoing commitment of the two organisations to the communities they serve.
Both charities are focussed on the challenges of loneliness and vulnerability experienced by an increasing number of people living locally to Much Wenlock and the wider Shropshire area and believe the appointment of the new advocate will enhance the vital work they are already carrying out.
The WFT since its inception has awarded more than 80 grants totalling around £160,000.
Its objective is to relieve financial hardship, sickness and poor health amongst elderly people living in Shropshire – particularly in and around Much Wenlock. Funding applications are considered by its trustees throughout the year.
Shropshire PCAS supports clients, most of whom live alone and have no family support, through complex issues including housing problems, safeguarding concerns, social care access, energy bills, and health challenges.
The charity has been a lifeline to more than 11,000 disabled and vulnerable adults across Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin for more than 30 years with advocates and volunteers working with clients who often have no one else to turn to.
Susanne Preston, a WFT trustee, said: “We are aware of the amazing work being carried out in the community by Shropshire PCAS and have been delighted to agree to a request they made to the trust for funding for an advocate to specifically support elderly people in the Much Wenlock area.
“Jointly funding a new advocate, specifically to support elderly people in our community. We are acutely aware of the growing number of people who are struggling with even the smallest of tasks, made more difficult by feelings of loneliness and rural isolation.
“The WFT is dedicated to providing funding to help tackle financial hardship and poor health among the elderly, and partnering with Shropshire PCAS in meeting the cost of a new advocate for a three-year period to support elderly people will enhance and benefit the work of the trust.”
Tarrah Lewis, Business Development Manager at Shropshire PCAS, said: “As a charity, we are always in need of help with finance to continue the important work we are doing across Shropshire, so we were delighted when the WFT agreed to grant us funding which will help to pay for an advocate.
“It is a joint venture between the trust and ourselves and joining forces in this way will make a huge difference in the Much Wenlock area – our new advocate will essentially be the eyes, ears and voice of elderly people within the community.
“The support of this new service will provide help in dealing with practical and administrative tasks such as health appointments and referrals and signposting people to other organisations for specialist help.”
The WFT provides grants for help with things such as mobility assistance, issues in the home, transport costs and other practical support, while Shropshire PCAS funds independent one-to-one advocacy. For more about Shropshire PCAS, visit https://shropshirepcas.co.uk/ and for more about WFT, visit
https://www.wftrust.org.uk/community/wenlock-forester-trust-13156/home
L-R Mark Laws (WFT) Pippa Walker (WFT) Jackie Copson, new Shropshire PCAS advocate, Lady Forester (WFT) and Suzanne Preston (WFT).
