Support when you need it

The lockdown restrictions have meant some older people have found it hard to know where to turn to for help and advice. Michelle Jay, fundraising and communications officer at Age UK Norfolk, explains that there is help at the end of the phone.

- Michelle Jay

As the weeks we spend in isolation during the COVID-19 outbreak continue, there are many people across Norfolk experiencing limited social networks and support that they may have previously received or felt comfortable accessing.

At Age UK Norfolk, we often share details about our information and advice help line, which can help with a variety of queries and concerns relating to later life, but you may not be aware of our advocacy service which ties into the information and advice help line.

Our advocacy service can be loosely broken down into three areas and, across each, provides one-to-one support over varying lengths of time suitable to the task at hand, delivered by a team of dedicated Age UK Norfolk advocacy co-ordinators and volunteers who have all switched to telephone/ digital-based support during the COVID-19 situation.

General advocacy

We provide independent advocates to help older people speak up for themselves; supporting them to assert their rights when decisions need to be made that affect their lives. Often this might relate to incorrect bills or complaints.