ECO – Environmental Communities Olympics – tackling loneliness and isolation in older people

Inspired by National Recycling week and the recent Olympics and Paralympics, MHA Communities in the South West are organising a ‘pass the baton’ sponsored walk and litter pick across the region to raise money for our 5 schemes to help Older People Live Later Life Well.

Our aim is to support people in their communities with social events, activities and trips to prevent them felling lonely and isolated, helping them to make friends, socialise and enhance their wellbeing.

We have a dedicated and passionate team of colleagues, volunteers and walkers who are giving up their time by coming together to raise money to support our great cause and to put a smile on the faces of the people we support.

Our teams of walkers will take part in a planned walk in the localities of Cornwall, Mendip, Penarth, South Somerset & Swindon during national recycling week (20-26th September, 2024) and will involve people of all ages coming together in their community, litter picking and enjoying the fresh air, local spaces whilst contributing to reducing the environmental impact of littering.

Our sponsored walks will happen over 5 days in 5 different areas in our Region 5 MHA Communities team.

Day 1 on 20th Sept - Tara and her team at MHA Communities South Somerset.

Day 2 on 23rd Sept - Elizabeth and her team at MHA Communities Cornwall

Day 3 on 24th Sept - Linda and her team at MHA Communities Penarth and District

Day 4 on 25th Sept - Veronica and her team at MHA Communities Swindon

Day 5 on 26th Sept - Ramona and her team at MHA Communities Mendip

The money raised will go towards the activities and social opportunities we offer for older people and help us to reach more people who are feeling isolated or lonely. Older people have been affected by costs increasing and we support them to still enjoy their life to the full. Each of our communities schemes fundraises to support the delivery in our areas.

£10 will support an older person to have a hot meal at one of our weekly lunch clubs

£20 will help with the recruitment of our volunteers

£50 will support the delivery of weekly exercise classes to keep older people healthy and well

Please support us no matter how big or small so that older people in your community can Live later life well

Our website can be found here if you would like to know more about us

https://mha.org.uk/care-support/community-groups-activities.

Can you help us reach our £10,000 fundraising goal?

Our team has many strengths, however we also have some challenges! Some of us are fitter than others, some of us struggle with social media and digital planning, but we are passionate and committed to our fundraising goal – this is because we see every day the positive impact and value that we bring to people lives.

So…..

When we reach 25% of our goal, we will don our active gear and do a photo shoot!

When we reach 50% of our goal, we will ask each scheme to post a map of the planned walk and we will work out how to provide live updates during the walk

When we reach 100% of our goal our 5 scheme managers will double the walk!

We will update you in the lead up, with numbers of walkers, photos and funds raised so far so you can see how you have helped us with our goal. Afterwards we will ask our older people to post a video message of thanks so you can meet some of them in person and see for yourself the difference we have made together.

See you on the WALK!