ScS, one of the UK’s biggest furniture and flooring retailers, has renewed its support of the Foundation of Light to help older members of North East communities.
The company have backed Sunderland AFC’s official charity for over a decade, supporting a range of programmes to help the Foundation tackle some of the region's biggest societal challenges.
Through support of the Wear Together programme, ScS will continue to work 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.
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.
Lesley Spuhler OBE, Chief Executive at the Foundation of Light explained why the partnership is so important to the charity:
“We are delighted that ScS is continuing their partnership with us, our work matters now more than ever as we extend our programmes to support our communities navigate through the cost of living crisis”
"With an ageing population as well as these challenges facing us all, social isolation and loneliness is a growing problem across the North East. 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 programme, ScS staff members will be lending their support through volunteering and joining in the sessions.
Elaine Swan, Executive PA enjoyed the chance to participate in a recent coffee morning:
“It was my first time volunteering and it was such a rewarding experience,” she explained.
“It’s nice to get the chance to engage with the community, chat to people and learn more about them. I spoke to one guy who was a commercial diver, I used to go scuba diving – after that we chatted for ages.
“Colleagues also enjoyed the opportunity to socialise outside of our office environment, while being able to give something back to the community.”
Wear Together currently supports up to 200 participants in person and during lockdowns, supported over 1,500 people with care packages, online activities, garden gate visits and telephone befriending.
A group of students from the Foundation of Light’s scholarship and study programmes were given a unique opportunity to visit Japan thanks to funding from the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.
Foundation of Light PFA Player Ambassador, Aji Alese, and teammate Jenson Seelt marked EFL Week of Action with a visit to the Beacon of Light.
Foundation of Light, Sunderland AFC’s official charity, is thrilled to announce defender Aji Alese as official PFA Player Ambassador.