Rumours on social media about an Island charity charging people for help could hinder it trying to help its core clients.
Age UK Isle of Wight has says posts on Facebook which say the charity is charging people £16 to collect a prescription or do their shopping during the coronavirus lockdown are simply not true.
Nik Attfield, head of development at Age UK IOW, said at first the charity tried to remain above it all but now felt it had to respond to comments in case people were missing out on help. She said:
“The people who are complaining do not know the full story and are doing a lot of damage to the charity — people won’t ask us for help.”
Before lockdown was enforced, the charity’s Just About You home help service, had been provided to people on the Island for the last 12 years who could pay for it.
The service, which has about 370 clients, included meal prepping, housework, laundry and other jobs for an hourly rate of £16. The services were provided by a support worker. For those who couldn’t afford it, alternatives were found and help given.
However, since government guidance was issued for those over 70s and with underlying health problems to self-isolate, the service has been reduced and discussions had with customers about whether or not they would like it to continue.
Nik said:
“Pretty much all of our clients are over 70, so we said the guidance was we should not be coming into your house.
“We had a discussion with them and about 125 [regular service users] said they would like us to continue to do their shopping or prescription checks and pay for the service as they were keen to support charity and the staff — it is their choice.
“One of our clients even gave us a £250 donation as a thank you for our work.
“Then the Isle of Wight Council started the helpline, which we help with, which provides volunteer services — free of charge.”
A helpline (01983 823600) was set up for vulnerable Islanders who need help and support with requests passed on to voluntary networks including Age UK IOW.
In the 5 weeks since lockdown began, more than 540 new referrals have made been made to charity, 1,394 people supported and 220 volunteers have signed up to help Age UK IOW provide people’s shopping or get their prescriptions should they need it — this service is free.
However, online posts have been confusing the services and spreading rumours — which has lead to concern those who could do with help, now and in the future, will be afraid to do so as it carries a cost.
Nik said:
“The rumours have spread like wildfire — one thread on a community group had 94 comments, some saying we are a disgusting charity.
“We try and inform people, sometimes on private message but they never go back to the original post saying they are wrong.
“We are here to help. We have got volunteers who will go out for you, keep yourselves safe. ”
Despite the very supportive community volunteer sector in the Island, Nik said the charity may see income drop by £300,000 this year as a result of cancelled fundraisers and reduced services — which puts at risk some of the charities much needed assistance in the long term.
She said:
“Kicking us while we are down means we may not be able to restore services.
“We are supporting a lot of people and trying to do everything we can think of to help at this time.”
perhaps if you just stop providing the service, then those ingrates complaining can step in and do the work, or if they are a service user, get their own damned shopping.
Some seem to forget that people providing charity support are giving their time of their own free will and out of the kindness of their hearts. If this is the thanks they get, then stop giving your time, stop donating and go and do something else with your time. Then those whining, selfish ingrates will realise they have bitten the hand that feeds, as there won’t be anyone to answer the call when they need help.
i guess those voting my post down are agreeing that those who volunteer for this charity should be treated like dirt by people online and expect the service they provide to be free, despite the fact the charity state it is one of their paid for services, for those that can afford it.
I recommend that all age concern volunteers stop volunteering until their efforts are acknowledged by the trolls abusing them – perhaps when they do, they will understand that a charity will provide free and paid for services and that those doing charitable work should not be mocked online by trolls.
I would never ask the local group for help anyway. not as long as the same woman in charge that was there a few yrs ago is still there. Horrible attitude and discriminatory against anyone she takes a dislike to for any reason.
Oh yes. They do indeed do some good, but dig around and you might not be overwhelmingly impressed. Particularly the way they achieve all the funding. Hands held out for so many funding projects but all too often the cash goes into the same chest and no auditing of the work for what the money was given for.
Not all bad but by no means saints.
They charge for a great many things you might not think they would charge for.
Er, it’s called social distancing. So you’re suggesting elderly men, many with other health conditions, should put them selves at risk of catching Coronavirus to carry out jobs that even paid trades workers are unable to do in the current situation? I’m gobsmacked.
It’s also a recognised policy that men’s sheds do not take work away from trades. They are not free labour. They are there to benefit the members and the community they live in
Along with all other community groups all sheds have been forced to close their doors although sow are invoked with volunteering as shoppes and collection/ deliveries.
I’m also find your description of retired men very condescending.
why don’t you do it steve mann instead of suggesting others.
What have men in sheds to do with such? They just mess around, we need professionals not those who will make it all worse
none given, I am not so bored with my life, nor I am a hen pecked subservient person, so have no inner need to find ‘something, anything’ to fulfil my days.
I am not wishing to contract CV by doing chores for others whilst those who ‘gain’ self satisfaction from a pat on the head are more than willing to do so either.
I admire, with some pity too, those who do risk their lives for complete strangers for free, however, that is not me.