London Clubs International And Help The Aged Working Together To Secure Older People's Homes In Southend, UK

Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 07 Mar 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Thanks to a donation of £30,000 from London Clubs International (LCI), the Help the Aged HandyVan service will be able to make hundreds of older people's homes in Southend safe and secure this year.

The Southend HandyVan has operated in the area since 2002 and provides a free home security service for those aged over 60 with less than £20,000 in savings. The HandyVan fitter, Ron Patchett will assess security and safety needs in an older person's home, fit locks and other items such as spy-holes, door chains, and carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.

London Clubs International (LCI) own The Rendezvous in Southend. Tony Donnelly, Manager of The Rendezvous said: 'We are pleased to lend our support to such a worthwhile service local to our business. As the HandyVan is a visible presence in Southend we can see how our support is helping the community in which we operate. We hope also that this will encourage other businesses to get involved with social ventures in their own areas.'

Although older people are least likely to experience a crime than other age groups, the impact of being a victim of crime can be more devastating than for younger people. Ron Patchett, Help the Aged HandyVan fitter, said: 'I've seen firsthand how valuable this service is to older people in Southend who may be worried about the quality of their home security, especially those who may have moved to the coast to enjoy their retirement. Just by fitting locks and door chains, it increases feelings of safety and independence, enabling them to live in their homes for longer. I urge local older people to call me now on 0845 026 1055 to find out more about the service.'

The Southend Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership is also a significant supporter of the service, and the neighbourhood watch often refers older people on to HandyVan. One grateful client is Shirley Sibley, who is aged 72 and lives in Southend. She said: 'The service is fantastic. It's a shame more older people do not know about it and I'd recommend that more should take advantage of it.'

London Clubs International has a long history of charitable involvement and since the acquisition of LCI by the Harrah's Entertainment Corporation of the US they have been fortunate to be able to increase and broaden that commitment.

The Southend donation is part of a larger pledge of support with the approval of a donation of £300,000 over five years to support Help the Aged community services in areas local to LCI casinos. This allows the company to give something back to those communities.

Help the Aged urgently needs donations and support to help it in the increasingly challenging fight to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect.

Notes

1. Help the Aged provides three service packages that enable older people to remain living independently in their own homes for as long as possible; Home Support; Advice and Information; and Community Living. HandyVan is part of Home Support, a range of practical services that support older people in the home improving their quality of life.

2. Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation and neglect. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services including information and advice, home support and community living that are supported by its fundraising activities and paid for services. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.

Help the Aged