Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has welcomed a £20million programme by the Big Lottery Fund to improve the quality of life for elderly people in Wales and urges local voluntary and community sector organisations that work with people over 50 and may be eligible to apply for support under the scheme.
The ‘AdvantAGE’ scheme aims to improve the quality of life of older people by providing access to befriending or advocacy services. Projects must meet this aim as well as two of the following outcomes:
- Reduced loneliness and increased wellbeing through improving social interaction
- Increased confidence and ability to meet the challenges and opportunities of ageing
- Increased understanding and use of rights and awareness and uptake of services leading to greater independence and choice for older people
Commenting, Assembly Member Mr Bates states:
“AdvantAGE is an excellent initiative by the Big lottery Fund, that will help some of the most vulnerable in our society to face the new challenges and changes that life after 50 can bring. At a time when pursestrings are tight, schemes such as ‘AdvantAGE’ will be of key support to our many voluntary and community organisations that do such fantastic work locally. Projects that meet the outcomes could be eligible to apply for grants of between £200,000 and £1 million which is a substantial amount and would go a long way, so I urge all groups that work with the elderly and may be eligible for this scheme to apply.”
