Age UK South Lakeland has announced the ending of their Village Agent program from March 2016.
The program has been running for over six years, funded mainly by Age UK South Lakeland and the Big Lottery.
The Village Agent program will end on the 31st of March 2016.
During the life of the award winning Village Agent program it has been recognised nationally as an exemplar template delivery model and has been used on numerous occasions for the development of other programs around the country, many of which are now up and running and enjoying support from their local commissioners of services.
Age UK South Lakeland are justly proud of what has been achieved with the Village Agent program, much of which would not have been possible without the fantastic support from local volunteers, the body of dedicated staff and the commitment of many local organisations.
The trustees and management of the charity have done everything within their power to secure the funding that would have enabled the continuation of this excellent program, unfortunately they have been unsuccessful.
The team at Age UK South Lakeland will endeavour to provide as much support as possible to the many local groups operating across South Lakeland which are currently supported by the VA team.
Penny Pullinger the Chief Officer of Age UK South Lakeland commented: “It is very sad that similar projects elsewhere in the country are being funded, but unfortunately in South Lakeland where this innovative program was developed, the value of the work of our Village Agents in improving the Health & Wellbeing of our older citizens is not supported.
"The growing need for more complex client casework means that we have to focus our limited resources on this critical area of work to ensure that older people in South Lakeland regardless of where they live, are able to access the services they need, when they need them”.
If anyone wishes to know more about the closure of these services, or has any other enquiry, contact Mrs Penny Pullinger Chief Office of Age UK South Lakeland on (01539 728118) or email her on: ppullinger@ageuksouthlakeland.org.uk