Project to bring HOPE to older people in Monmouthshire - 2 March 2021

Older people and their carers throughout Monmouthshire can now benefit from a new Age Cymru project called HOPE (Helping others participate and engage), which will provide independent advocacy support to people aged 50+ and their carers.

So, if you are struggling to find information about what services are available, support to access services or help in getting the things you’re entitled to, then one of HOPE’s independent Volunteer Advocates may be able to help. They can also listen to your views and help you understand your options so you can make better-informed decisions.

HOPE has recruited and trained community-based volunteers throughout the county, so support is available no matter where you live in Monmouthshire.

Louise Williams, one of Monmouthshire’s recent recruits, says: “By building older people’s self-confidence and by giving them the necessary resources, we can help them to become engaged and involved in sorting out the issues that concern them.

“Age Cymru has done a great job in bringing the HOPE volunteers together as a team and has provided us with excellent training so I now feel ready to go out into the community and support our local older people.”

If you are aged 50 plus or if you are a carer of an older person and could benefit from the support of an independent Volunteer Advocate, please email janet.ellard@agecymru.org.uk or call 07943 186766.

If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Advocate, please email carl.pugh@agecymru.org.uk or call 07944 995603.

HOPE is being delivered in partnership with local Age Cymru partners and local Age Connects organisations and is funded by the Welsh Government for three years until March 2023.