Age UK launches Donate a Coat appeal and calls on the public for help

Age UK is calling on everyone who can to Donate a Coat this winter for its Spread the Warmth campaign. The Charity is encouraging people to take any coats they no longer wear, along with other unwanted warm clothing, along to any one of its 262 shops across England and Wales in order to help older people stay warm and well during this time.

Age UK’s shops are reliant on the generous donations of their local communities to keep the shelves stocked. Items donated are sold on to be loved again, raising much-needed funds for the Charity and helping to recycle and reduce waste.

The Donate a Coat appeal is part of the Charity’s Spread the Warmth campaign which aims to raise awareness of the challenges older people are facing during these colder months and rally support. Funds raised from the campaign will help ensure Age UK can continue to provide crucial services, such as its free national Advice Line, Telephone Friendship Service and The Silver Line Helpline, to those who are vulnerable and struggling this winter.

These services can be a lifeline to so many - not only can cold temperatures seriously affect older people’s health but the darker days can make it harder to get out and about and stay connected, leaving many feeling isolated and lonely. Eye-watering energy bills and the ever-increasing cost of living also mean that many older households are struggling to afford the essentials, and getting by on a low fixed income is incredibly challenging and stressful.

There are many ways people can get involved and help to Spread the Warmth:

• Donate a Coat: Age UK is urging everyone to donate their unwanted winter coats and warm clothes to the Charity’s shops, which can be found across the country. Winter clothing donated will be sold on to be loved again, helping to raise much-needed funds for Age UK’s work supporting older people this winter and beyond. To find out more and find your nearest shop visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/warmth.
• Share your donation on social: Let your friends and family know that you've supported Age UK's Donate a Coat appeal by posting a photo of your coat on social media, tagging #DonateaCoat plus Age UK’s handle, as well as nominating others to do the same!
• Donate to Age UK: Donating to Age UK will help keep essential national services, such as the Charity’s free and confidential Advice Line, Telephone Friendship Service and The Silver Line Helpline, running. People can also donate to their local Age UK to help keep a range of regional services running. To donate what you can and find your nearest Age UK visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/warmth.
• Check in on the older people in your life: check in regularly with your older relatives, friends and neighbours to see how they’re feeling, and find out if there’s anything they need this winter. Invite them round for a coffee or lunch. If you’re unable to visit in person there’s still plenty you can do to show you care – a phone or video call, making homemade cards, letters or even small gifts. 
• Lend a hand: if you’re able to offer simple, immediate assistance to older people nearby, such as offering to pick up shopping or run errands.
• Give out these useful numbers: for practical information and advice, Age UK Advice: 0800 169 65 65. For a cheerful chat, day or night, The Silver Line Helpline: 0800 4 70 80 90.
• Share Age UK’s Winter wrapped up guide: Age UK’s free Winter wrapped up guide has lots of useful information to help people stay well through winter and can be accessed by visiting ageuk.org.uk/warmth or calling the Age UK Advice Line.

 Age UK’s services are vital for those older people who are struggling this winter and have no one else to turn to. The Charity runs three different telephone-based services for older people struggling or in need of advice:

• Age UK’s free and confidential national Advice Line, 0800 169 6565, offers advice on a range of issues that affect older people during the winter months and beyond, including money, health, and isolation. Specialist benefits advisers can also help identify the financial support older people may be entitled to and it is open every day of the year.
• The Silver Line Helpline, founded by Dame Esther Rantzen and now part of Age UK, is free and available 24 hours a day for any older person who would like a friendly chat - 0800 4 70 80 90.
• Age UK’s Telephone Friendship Service matches older people with a volunteer who shares similar interests so they can really get to know each other through weekly calls and can be accessed by calling the Age UK Advice Line.

Age UK’s network of 125 local charities, which reach most of England and also includes Age Cymru, Age NI and Age Scotland, offer a range of support services and social activities as well as necessities to help older people this winter including winter wellbeing packs, food parcels, and hot meals. To find out what’s on in your area visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/services/in-your-area/.