Age UK shops help raise vital funds for the Charity's work and services supporting older people and are supported by a team of dedicated volunteers.

Volunteering in the Age UK Radstock charity shop you would be joining Maggie who said: " I have been volunteering a couple of half days a week since Oct. of last year and I really love it.

"It's great to be part of a very friendly, welcoming, supportive team. Everyone works together to make the shop as attractive and appealing for our customers as possible. As a volunteer I feel valued, ideas are welcome and listened to. It's also a great way to stay in touch with the local community and I love the fact I can catch up with old friends."

Volunteers can support the shop in a range of activities, both behind the scenes and on the shop floor, including serving customers and creating displays, managing stock donations and assisting with shop administration. Whether people want to learn new skills, keep busy or meet new people, Age UK shops offer a range of roles and time slots in order to fit around busy lives. Covid secure measures are in place in every shop to help keep staff, volunteers and customers safe. To find out more get in touch with the Age UK Radstock team of Julie, Manager or Emma, Assistant Manager on 01761 439901 or [email protected].

2022 Challenge

Age UK has launched its first-ever year-long stock appeal to boost donations to its network of charity shops and raise much-needed funds to provide vital support to older people across the UK.

The 2022 Challenge will run across the duration of 2022 and aims to help Age UK's charity shops receive a target of 2.2 million bags of donations by the end of the year. The challenge has been put together to help Age UK's retail estate become self-sufficient when collecting stock and improve overall sustainability. The Charity also aims to return to the record donations experienced following the shops reopening after the Covid-19 lockdowns, which saw numbers of donations that were more than 35% higher than pre-lockdown levels.

Despite these record numbers immediately after the shops reopening, overall donations reduced over 2020 and 2021, largely due to a number of Age UK shops being closed due to the effects of the pandemic. This resulted in a 20% loss in 2021 compared to 2019, which saw 2,034,908 bags donated. By extending the total target for 2022, the Charity hopes to place the Age UK retail estate in a better position than before the pandemic.

The work Age UK do- Age UK offers a range of support services to older people across the UK these include the Charity's free and confidential Advice Line and Telephone Friendship services, as well as the Age UK network of local charities.

Age UK Telephone Friendship services

Age UK's free Telephone Friendship Services offer those who are feeling lonely regular friendly chats or a listening ear.

There are two telephone friendship services available: regular weekly friendship calls and a 24-hour helpline. Age UK Advice Anyone who needs support, is worried about an older relative or friend, or wants to find out more about Age UK's friendship services can get in touch by calling Age UK Advice free of charge on 0800 169 6565 (8am-7pm) or visit www.ageuk.org.uk. Any older person looking for a cheerful chat can call The Silver Line's free helpline, day or night, on 0800 4 70 80 90.

The Age UK network

Age UK has a network of 125 local Age UKs across the country as well as Age UK Scotland, Northern Ireland and Cymru, who provide a wide range of services to help people throughout the UK.

These services vary in each area and can include home help, handyperson services, exercise classes, IT training, transport, shopping and drop-in information & advice sessions with their trained staff for older people as well as family members and carers.

Many local Age UKs also run day centres which host a selection of social activities designed to help tackle loneliness and help older people learn new skills and make friends, some of these include men and women in sheds, walking football, art and craft classes, dance groups and regular coffee mornings.