Home Local News The Great Wirral Door Knock visits Pensby

The Great Wirral Door Knock visits Pensby

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Volunteers have been knocking on doors in Pensby as part of a befriending project.

For just under a year, volunteers have been taking part in the Great Wirral Door Knock, calling on residents who might feel lonely or isolated, particularly the elderly.

Pensby was their latest destination, after similar visits to Eastham, Woodchurch and Rock Ferry racked up 3,230 individual ‘door knocks,’ 821 conversations with residents, and 316 referrals for further help and support.

Pensby had been identified as a local ‘isolation hotspot’ – meaning residents have a high risk of being isolated because they are living alone, suffering financial difficulties or have lost lifelong partners. The three-day visit resulted in a further 1,064 calls, 273 conversations, and 79 referrals for further help.

The project will continue as part of a rolling programme of visits. So far it’s been a success, with people going on to join community groups or lunch clubs, finding somewhere to eat Christmas dinner when otherwise they would have been alone, or receiving Christmas hampers. Seven residents also offered to volunteer as befrienders and have been trained by Age UK Wirral and matched to isolated residents to help bring communities and residents together.

The project is led by Age UK Wirral in partnership with key organisations who want to engage with older people and help to improve their lives. Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Citizens Advice, the Royal British Legion, Magenta Living, Wirral Change and Wirral Council have all played their part.

There will be more Great Wirral Door Knocks in the future so keep an eye out for campaigns in your area.

Do you feel lonely? The Silver Line is the only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year on 0800 470 8090.

If you would like to volunteer and support future campaigns or would just like some more information about the door knocking campaign, please contact Age UK Wirral on 0151 653 4404.

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