Domiciliary care agency, Vincentian Care Plus (VCP), say they are delighted to have received a grant from the City of Westminster Charitable Trust, enabling the charity to resume their vital Befriending Service. VCP was awarded a total of £14,400 from the trust's Community Contribution Fund COVID-19 Grant Scheme, which will go towards providing vulnerable elderly people in greatest need with additional hours of care and companionship.

Historically, VCP has provided its Befriending Service through volunteers as part of its charitable aims and Christian ethos, but unfortunately it has not been running for almost two years due to insufficient resources. Cathy Naigow, CEO and Registered Manager at VCP, says the service is essential to ensure isolated elderly people are supported during the pandemic.

"Some older people have been struggling to understand the current health crisis and restrictions, which has built up a sense of being helpless and alone. Our Befriending Service will offer vital company where clients can share their worries or simply have a chat," she said

"We are truly grateful for the support from Westminster's Charitable Trust. Our carers are often the only person that our clients see from week to week and they spend many hours alone, so extra time with our lovely carers will make a real difference," she added.

Carers at VCP already visit the homes of around 150 older and vulnerable people in Westminster with a range of medical needs, including dementia, stroke, mental health and palliative care. The Befriending Service will be delivered in addition to the services already provided to help prevent isolation and loneliness, as well as enable carers to undertake extra duties where required such as grocery shopping or cooking.

The COVID-19 Grant Scheme was built to help voluntary or community organisations providing services to help people impacted by coronavirus. Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Jonathan Glanz, congratulated VCP on their successful bid for the grant.

"The City of Westminster Charitable Trust received a considerable number of high-quality applications, but felt your [VCP's] project stood out as one that will provide genuine benefits to some of the people in Westminster who need it most," he said.

VCP has been working closely with its care staff to identify those most in need of help and the support required. All carers have been trained to use appropriate PPE and social distancing measures whilst giving their usual personal and respectful service.

The Befriending Service is set to commence next week, offering each client three hours of additional time per week. New clients and concerned families can also contact the charity if they feel they could benefit from the services. www.vincentiancareplus.org.uk

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For more information, please contact Cathy Naigow on cathyn@vincentiancareplus.org.uk or 020 3870 1880.