Partner Article

£500,000 to help older people in County Durham and Darlington live well and stay connected

Point North launches Enriching Later Lives Programme thanks to a £500,000 gift from the Varley Family Foundation, investing in grassroots groups to help older people stay active, healthy and connected.

A gift of more than £500,000 from the Varley Family Foundation to Point North has enabled the launch of the Enriching Later Lives Programme (ELLP), a three-year fund that will support people aged 55 and over in County Durham and Darlington to live healthier, more connected and fulfilling lives.

The programme will channel funding directly into grassroots organisations that understand and respond to local needs. From digital training to help grandparents keep in touch with family; to exercise programmes that reduce the risk of falls, the fund will support projects that help older people stay active, share their skills and remain at the heart of community life.

Unlike many funding streams, Point North together with the Varley Family Foundation has designed the grants to be unrestricted, giving organisations the flexibility to provide support in ways that work best for their communities. Ten local groups have received funding, including Bullion Community Resource Centre, Pimms and Needle’s CIC, the Cornforth Partnership, the Sporting Memories Foundation and Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services. Together, they will deliver activities that reduce isolation, boost confidence and bring generations together.

County Durham has a growing ageing population, and many communities face high levels of deprivation. This combination contributes to poorer health outcomes and lower life expectancy compared with the national average. The Enriching Later Lives Programme will address these challenges, funding projects that help people age well, stay well and feel valued.

Michelle Cooper, Chief Executive of Point North, said:

“For 30 years we’ve worked alongside local organisations to turn the generosity of our donors into action for communities. This extraordinary gift means older people in County Durham and Darlington will have more opportunities to stay active, connected and confident. Our aim with these grants, and all the grants we make, is to create the conditions for people to live well, age well, and have a bright future, at every stage of life.”

Local groups highlighted the real impact this programme will bring. A spokesperson from Bullion Community Resource Centre who received funding to deliver community activities that reduce social isolation and improve physical and mental health, said:

“We know that simply getting out of the house is of great value to older people. In our neighbourhood there are many who are housebound. For some people, this will be the only social activity per week and indeed may be almost the only time they leave the house each week.”

Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services (UTASS) who works together with people living and working across Teesdale and Weardale, added:

“We know that often people living and working here in the dales find it hard to put themselves at the top of the list. Our survey earlier this year showed that 44% of those responding felt stressed by social isolation and 74% reported financial worries. It can be difficult to ask for help. Local people tell us that if it weren’t for UTASS, they wouldn’t know where to get the support they need. This funding from Point North means we can deepen our connections throughout our dales communities and reach new people who haven’t yet accessed our support.”

With donations from families, individuals and businesses across County Durham, Tees Valley and the wider North East, Point North has directed more than £74.5 million into communities since 1995. In the last year alone that figure is £5.7 million. The new Enriching Later Lives programme builds on that record of action to make an immediate, lasting difference.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Point North .