ScS, one of the UK’s largest retailers of upholstered furniture and floorings, has renewed its support of the Foundation of Light to help older members of North East communities who are at risk of social isolation.
For over 10 years ScS has been a proud supporter of Sunderland AFC's official charity backing a range of programmes and helping the leading football charity to tackle some of the region's biggest societal challenges.
Through support of the Wear Together programme, ScS will be working closely with the Foundation to help older people across Sunderland, South Tyneside and County Durham improve their connections at home and within their communities.
Aimed at anyone over the age of 50 who might feel isolated and want to make new connections, Wear Together brings people together through a range of different activities to facilitate them becoming more connected to their community. There is a bespoke, person-centred approach; members complete a ‘This is Me’ profile to enable staff to get to know them, understand their memories, challenges, interests, hopes and ambitions.
Sessions take place in daily or weekly two-hour hubs, with an hour focussed on social activities and an hour of light physical activity such as walking netball and walking football, table tennis and hiking. Additional activities include arts and crafts, music, cooking, talks and digital skills as well as life workshops.
Wear Together currently supports over 80 participants in person and during COVID-19 lockdowns, supported over 1,500 people with care packages, online activities, garden gate visits and telephone befriending.
Martin Allison, 69, from Whitburn has praised the programme and the support it has given him and his wife Anne over the last two years. He said: “At first it was just something to get us out of the house; but we have really enjoyed it. Not only have we met new acquaintances but they’re now new friends.
“Me and my wife Anne have loved getting involved with the activities and we now lead on the Steering Committee to arrange extra activities for everyone and get them out and about outside of the normal session times. “After spending a year catching up with people online, we are really glad to be back at the Foundation and catching up with friends face-to-face.”
Liz Barton-Jones, Head of Sport and Wellbeing at the Foundation of Light explained why the partnership is important to the charity: “We are delighted that ScS is continuing their partnership work with us.
"With an ageing population, social isolation and loneliness is a growing problem across the North East. Pre-COVID, 5% of adults reported to “always or often” feel lonely. Sadly, this rose to 8% as a result of lockdowns.
As we start to move out of lockdown restrictions, our work matters now more than ever and we’re working hard to support the most vulnerable and isolated in our communities, through a range of outreach and in-home activities to help people of all ages, and backgrounds, stay connected
ScS is a key partner in that work; their support will help us reach more people with life-changing services to help them live happier and healthier of lives.”
As part of the partnership, ScS team members will be taking an active role in supporting activities, volunteering their time to help by delivering care packages, hosting online quizzes, taking part in gentle seated exercise or helping to lead walks around Sunderland.
Steve Carson, ScS Chief Executive said: “Our home town is Sunderland – it’s where our company began back in 1894 and nearly 130 years later, the support we give to our local communities is more important than ever. Lockdown has been challenging for so many and we’re thrilled to be able to support the Wear Together programme to help bring people together.”
