Royal Voluntary Service
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85% fear a negative impact on the life expectancy of older people

The cost of living crisis is set to intensify. Millions of older and vulnerable people will be the hardest hit and in personal crisis. The pressures of rising living costs mean people’s lives will be at risk. As prices soar and people struggle to make ends meet, we are seeing significantly higher cases of people living in food and fuel poverty and struggling to cope. We are committed to doing all we can to support those most in need and the NHS.

The stories coming in from our services are a sobering reminder of the terrible difficulties people are facing. Inevitably there will be increased hospital admissions, further pressure on our NHS, and higher demand for our services.

“I have had to start skipping meals. I am hungry, but I’m saving money on my food bills and by not cooking, I don’t have to worry about how much the oven would cost me to use. I need to have my heating on too, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I don’t know how I’m going to survive.”

Royal Voluntary Service client

Our recent research tells us that:

  • 50% of people are worried that they won’t have enough money to live off and that their quality of life will be adversely affected
  • 42% of people living with long-term health conditions state that they can’t afford food
  • 1 in 5 people plan to stop hot meal deliveries and a quarter of people will stop going out to lunch and social groups
  • 1 in 5 living with long-term health conditions fear for their own life
  • 42% of older respondents felt that they didn’t have anyone to turn to during this crisis.

We will support those most in need and the NHS

 Our Support Programme will provide:

  • access to an ‘Emergency Support Fund’ to help cover the costs of emergency food and fuel vouchers or small household equipment to help those in the most urgent need
  • a hot, nutritious meal in the company of others at one of our many lunch and social clubs
  • transport to vital medical appointments and community services
  • home support and food packs to patients returning home from hospital alone
  • regular companionship calls providing company and checking people are safe and well
  • help to access local foodbanks and other support services.

Your support will help those who need it the most across Great Britain

£2,500 could cover the cost of a nutritious hot meal at one of our Lunch Clubs or centres for 500 people.

£5,000 could help 500 vulnerable people safely attend a vital medical appointment through our patient transport service.

£10,000 could help support 330 people returning home from hospital alone with ongoing visits, food shopping and prescription collections.

£25,000 could cover the cost of recruiting, training, and placing 350 volunteers in an NHS hospital or local community. This will help us to be there for more vulnerable people when it matters most.

£50,000 could cover the cost of taking 270 people to and from a lunch club, using our transport service, and providing a hot nutritious meal.

He actually laughed this week – and it really made my day!

“That’s the first time in all the time we’ve been helping him” added Royal Voluntary Service volunteer Kirsty who supported Sid to stay safely at home and continue his recovery after a 7 month stay in hospital. Sid had moved into a new home with no possessions, no bed, no food and no clothes.

Talk to us...

To discuss a donation or for further information please contact:

Companies & philanthropists:Contact Sarah Dawson by email sarah.dawson@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Trusts & foundations: Contact Cassie Northam by email cassie.northam@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk