Organisers of the Age Concern Shropshire open day at the new offices in Ludlow were delighted with the response to the event – more than 50 people visited the office in just four hours.
“It was a huge success,’ said Sally Powell, development officer for south Shropshire.
“The idea was to raise awareness of the services we offer and to make sure people know where we are and how they can contact us.”
‘We are here to help older people – that can be with advice and information or with a range of services such as day centres, benefits advice and advocacy. If an older person is worried or lonely, we are here to help.
‘One lady who came on the morning said that she couldn’t think what she would do without us.
‘We had experts from our advocacy and benefits departments with us on the day and they were kept busy – which just proves how important those services are.
“But older people in the south of the county don’t have to wait for special open days to get help.
Heather Osborne, the charity’s chief executive added: “The day helped us to raise awareness of the office and the services that can be accessed through it, but also of our need for funding.
‘We receive no g rant aid specifically to support the south Shropshire element of our work. Those people who have already signed up to our Bigger Picture Campaign are helping us secure the future of the services.
“They are a piece in our jigsaw puzzle and pledge just £5 per month by standing order. We need more people to make that pledge or to get involved in other ways in raising money for the south Shropshire services.
The Ludlow office of Age Concern is based in Stone House, Corve Street, Ludlow and is open for drop-in callers on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 2.30pm. It can also be contacted by phone on 01584 876039.
The winner of the raffle on the open day for a beautiful flower arrangement donated by Abundant of Ludlow was Mrs Linda Breakwell of Clee Hill.