Help is also available from the NHS, Leeds City Council and local organisations such as Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE). For instance:
Need a prescription delivering?
The GP surgery (tel: 0113 887 3322 / 01937 222841) can arrange to have your prescription delivered to your home. If you need your prescription before the service’s next delivery day, give ThornerCares a call.
Need a lift?
The GP surgery (tel: 0113 887 3322 / 01937 222841) can arrange lifts to hospital appointments at Leeds hospitals and Harrogate district hospital via the Patient Transport Service. If you need a lift to other medical appointments, shops, social activities or events, AccessBus or WiSE may be able to help. Click here for more information.
Other sources of help
The GP surgery has a leaflet, Taking care of your health and wellbeing, which gives information and contact details for support services for physical and mental health, vulnerable adults and children, social care needs etc.
For those who are feeling isolated, have more complex needs, etc, ThornerCares suggests trying the following local agencies and groups that can offer support or a social network in the long term.
Want to liven up your social life or take more exercise?
Check out what’s on at Thorner’s Over 60s Association, the Parish Centre and the Victory Hall, and see what social and sports activities Thorner has to offer here.
WiSE runs a busy programme of activities each month, including exercise classes suited to older people, singing and craft sessions, and social gatherings. Some are for people with dementia and their carers.
Want to know what’s available in the wider area to support your physical health and wellbeing? Click here. Or to find out about social and arts events in the Leeds area, try the Leeds Inspired website.
Feeling lonely?
Thorner Over 60s Association has a programme of social and special interest activities that offer opportunities to meet other people in the village – see the noticeboard outside the Bungalow for details. Try the weekly Thursday coffee morning (10am–12 noon) or fortnightly Wednesday lunches (12 noon–1pm) to meet other older people, many living alone. All are welcome.
WiSE has a befriending service that matches an isolated older or vulnerable person living alone with a volunteer who provides friendly conversation and companionship for a minimum of one hour a week. Where possible, matches are made based on shared interests and both parties living in the same area. Older people can also sign up to WiSE’s Send a Smile scheme, and will have forwarded to them a handmade card, a picture or a letter from a volunteer.
For older people experiencing loneliness or struggling with their mental health, there are a number of telephone helplines that are there to listen and talk, or that arrange regular phone calls or counselling:
• The Silver Line phone 0800 470 8090
• Independent Age phone 0800 319 6789
• Age UK phone 0800 055 6112
• Friends of the Elderly phone 0300 332 1110
Concerned about your mental health or that of someone else?
For advice on looking after your mental health, click here. If anyone needs immediate support, the following organisations provide help:
• The Samaritans offers a safe place for people to talk at any time. Phone 116 123 (freephone), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) offers an anonymous webchat with trained staff for people who are down or have hit a wall for any reason. Phone 0800 585858 (free), daily, 5pm–midnight.
• Papyrus HOPELine UK offers confidential support for under-35s at risk of suicide and those who are concerned about them. Phone 0800 068 4141 or text 07786 209697, weekdays 9am–10pm, weekends 2pm–10pm, bank holidays 2pm–5pm.
• SHOUT offers free 24/7 crisis text support for times when immediate assistance is needed. Text SHOUT to 85258, or visit Shout Crisis Text Line.
For those struggling to come to terms with bereavement, the Leeds Bereavement Forum (tel: 0113 225 3975) offers a free service that can put people in touch with an appropriate bereavement service locally or nationally. It has an online directory of bereavement support available in Leeds on its website.
Concerned about your financial situation?
Find out what help is available for those in financial difficulty Click here.
If anyone needs immediate support, contact Leeds City Council’s Welfare Support Team (0113 376 0330; weekdays 09.00–17.00; Wednesdays 10.00–17.00), which provides help to those in urgent need because they cannot afford to pay for essentials such as food, gas and electricity.
Concerned about domestic, child and other forms of abuse?
For help with these situations, click here.
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