• I AM the new CEO at Age UK Camden and I wanted to write to say a very big thank you for your support for our befriending schemes, NW3 Good Neighbours and Primrose Hill Neighbours Help, and to give you an update on how funding is going for the services.

Your coverage in the New Journal helped us reach out to the community after NW3 Good Neighbours had been unsuccessful with its renewed funding application to the Big Lottery. That resulted in a number of life-saving donations, one of a very generous £5,000.

The very good news now is we have received £25,000 from Camden Council and £12,000 from Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust (HWCT) for this year. With donations and fundraising we are now able to unfreeze the services and open up to new referrals.

Together the schemes cost £50,000 a year to run and support 74 very isolated frail and / or housebound older people in the community. Your newspaper has helped make their lives, often their very last years, more enjoyable again.

Looking ahead, for 2019-2020, we have a pledge of £10,000 from a private donor and are at the second stage of an £8,000 grant from HWCT. We are also applying to other grant givers and trusts.

NIKKI MORRIS
CEO Age UK Camden