NPS Group is supporting the work of Age Concern in Norfolk during 2009/10 with sponsorship of its befriending programme.
The befriending programme offers an important service to older people who, due to location or other reasons, are particularly isolated. Volunteers either visit an individual or keep in contact via the telephone. NPS is funding the administrative support for the scheme with a donation of £10,000.
Tony Williams, Director of NPS and the Norse Group, and member with responsibility for commercial services on Norfolk County Council, said: “I am extremely pleased that NPS Group will support the vital work that Age Concern does in Norfolk. The befriending programme is a simple but brilliant initiative which reaches many of our older people and I hope our sponsorship will provide a boost to all the volunteers.”
Hilary MacDonald, Chief Executive of Age Concern Norfolk said: “We are delighted that the NPS Group has chosen to support the work of Age Concerns in Norfolk. The help and support we provide makes such a difference to the lives of so many older people and as the demand for our services continues to grow, so do the resources required to meet that demand.
“The combination of business and charity working together to assist people who need it most is very exciting. We are offering NPS staff a range of volunteering opportunities from organising their own fundraising events to raise much needed funding, to providing hands on support with Age Concern befriending and outreach activities. The enthusiastic response we have received from NPS and their staff team keen to help is a huge positive at this very difficult time for the voluntary sector. This kind of commitment from business has the potential to provide real benefit to older people across the County.”
Mike Britch MD for NPS Group said: “We already support a lot of community initiatives across Norfolk, but these rarely involve the elderly – an often isolated group within our communities. NPS is therefore more than pleased to support Age Concern and as well as financial support we will also be looking to provide practical support through our staff volunteers.”
Phil Wells, Chief Executive of Age Concern Norwich said: “We are keen to develop relationships with local employers to support our work and we are very grateful to NPS for this support, and especially for the donation of £10,000 to maintain our greatly-valued befriending service this year.”
