During the pandemic, one Harrogate and Knaresborough charity has seen a huge increase in pleas for help after some of the most vulnerable in our communities found themselves feeling lonely.

Supporting Older People helps more than 300 members combat isolation and loneliness by providing activities, trips and a befriending service.

The charity works with people over 60 and say many come to them because they often only see one person a week and need more opportunities to socialise.

Director Kate Rogata said:

Ms Rogata said a lot of the people the charity helps are over 75 and may live alone due to bereavement or moved to Harrogate and Knaresborough to be closer to family but don't have a network of friends.

The charity is there to help. It holds monthly lunches, tea and talk events and weekly exercise classes. All of these are always in demand.

Ms Rogata began working for the charity in 2013 when there were just 75 members and 45 volunteers. She said the demand just keeps growing, since the pandemic they've seen a 60% increase in people coming to the charity for help.

Ms Rogata said they are always in need of new volunteers. Currently, the charity has 150 trained befrienders but with 30 older people on the waiting list they are pleading for more people to come forward.

She added:

Set up in 1982, the charity is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and hopes to encourage more people to volunteer as befrienders and give an hour a week to visit an older person.

During the pandemic the charity has been unable to do as much fundraising as it likes. It costs around £70,000 a year to pay its three part-time staff, train volunteers and put on events.

It gets a £11,000 from North Yorkshire County Council but the rest has to come from fundraising and grants.

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