Grant boost for Agewell projects

Isolated older people in Carrick are set to benefit from a grant boost of almost £0.5 million announced by the Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership.

The £495,658 funding was secured from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Out: Connecting Older People Programme.

Details of the grant were announced at a launch event in Larne on Tuesday, attended by many of those who will supporting the partnership to connect with older people at risk of isolation over the next three years.

The money will fund the Good Morning East Antrim and Good Morning Ballymena projects, which provide one-to-one support to older people via a daily phone call.

Befriending support for home visits and assistance for tasks as hospital appointments or shopping will also be funded, while help will be given to the Citizens Advice Bureau to provide a dedicated telephone advisor for those wishing to get advice on a range of issues affecting older people.

MEAAP is also offering groups the opportunity to register their interest in helping to deliver social activity programmes in their area to help vulnerable older people.

“With up to £450 available for 15 groups throughout the boroughs of Carrick, Larne and Ballymena, this is an opportunity to become involved with MEAAP and change older people’s lives for the better,” said Deirdre McCloskey, MEAAP Project Development officer.

The closing date for expression of interest is October 31. For more information, see www.meaap.co.uk.

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