Over the past couple of months Reigate College has been collecting gift bags for the elderly who are in the care of Age UK charity. The operation, combined with the previously separate charities Age Concern England and Help the Aged, form the UK's largest charity for older people. Each tutor group at the College was assigned a man or woman to provide confectionery and gifts of interest for, and these donations were given to the local Age UK centre in Merstham.
Age UK is the country’s leading charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. The charity offers information and advice, helping millions of people to know their rights and make the best choices for later life. Health & care is also provided for, and people are put in control of the care they receive, while the best practices are shared to improve services. Age UK also helps with wellbeing by tackling loneliness, getting older people active and supporting people to stay independent for longer. Campaigns and research are conducted to ensure the help being provided for older people is continually improved.
At Age UK, services and support are provided at a national and local level to inspire, enable and support older people; the international charity even delivers work to some of the poorest countries around the world. Although Reigate College donates yearly to this cause at Christmas, this year more than ever, with the coronavirus outbreak, has been important in giving older people something to look forward to at Christmas, due to most of them being unable to see their families throughout the year. However this isn’t just a seasonal thing and any help is gratefully accepted all year round, so if you can, this is a great cause to be a part of. You can help by donating gifts yourself at Christmas, volunteering or even just buying from Age UK charity shops.
