Essex Freemasons supporting care for the elderly in Waltham Forest

A £15,000 grant from the Masonic Charitable Foundation helps Age UK Waltham Forest team continue their work

AGE UK (Waltham Forest) received a grant of £15,000 over 3 years from Essex Freemasons through the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF). This grant will enable Emma Tozer and her team to carry on their work supporting Older People in Waltham Forest and in particular to fund the Information and Advice service they offer.

From their facility Hall Lane, AGE UK Waltham Forest help over 6,000 people every year, and this includes 88 veterans. The services offered have helped 650+ digital trainees, 300+ visits for befriending as well as 2,350+ advisory projects which have led to over £2 million unclaimed benefits now being claimed. In addition, they offer shopping services, exercise classes and handyperson services! All this takes a lot of time and effort, from the over 360 volunteers plus the staff, and a budget of over £600,000 per year to run.

Emma Tozer, Chief Executive of AGE UK Waltham Forest said, “The donation from Essex Freemasons and the MCF will go a long way to support our members in the coming years. The importance of helping them to be comfortable and safe in this digital age, and to be able to access information and advice on benefits, cannot be underestimated. This grant will really help.”

Chris Hicks, Essex Provincial Grand Charity Steward (PGChStwd), echoed those comments and added, “Essex Freemasons are well aware of the importance in supporting the elderly and vulnerable and it is an honour and privilege to be able to help in this part of Metropolitan Essex.”

Read more about Age UK, Waltham Forest by clicking this link: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/walthamforest/

Photo

Top (Centre L-R Chris): Hicks (PGChStwd) with Emma Tozer and Helen Bigham at a Coffee morning in Hall Lane