Alderney Age Concern volunteers entertain senior citizens at the Island Hall. Pictured, from left, are Anne Maloy, Barbara Benfield, Pat Baker, Pat Connor and Jan Jaques. (0741695)

ELDERLY people in the island are being urged to get involved with Alderney Age Concern.

Former States member Barbara Benfield, who set up the charitable group five years ago, said the body’s weekly get-togethers provide a social facility for many senior citizens who would otherwise have nowhere to go.

Barbara, who runs the organisation with her sisters Pat Baker and Anne Maloy, as well as volunteers Jill Conelly, Lil Symonds, Jan Jaques, Pat Connor and Jane Capazario, explained what the group offers.

‘First and foremost, Age Concern’s a social centre which caters for anywhere between 35 and 40 members every week,’ she said.

‘They come to the Island Hall and play games and bingo, take part in quizzes and have a nice afternoon.’

Barbara said there was very little for Alderney’s older residents to do before Age Concern was established.

‘These days there’s Darby and Joan, and the Salvation Army has started an afternoon gathering.

‘However, when Age Concern first started, there was nothing, apart from Darby and Joan, which is an evening event held once a month.

‘There was absolutely nothing for the elderly to do on a weekly basis and that’s why I started Age Concern.’

Barbara said the group plays an important role in members’ lives.

‘They enjoy the social side of things and it helps us learn whether or not there are needs we can help with, such as helping in the home or filling out forms.

‘It makes a big difference. Some of these people don’t go anywhere and this gives them somewhere they can go and talk. It’s only through this sort of thing that people’s needs are understood.’

Despite the success of Age Concern, Barbara said there are still elderly residents who don’t take advantage of the service.

‘I would say to those people who don’t get involved that they should come along and try it.

It’s not everybody’s cup of tea and we understand that. Just come in for half-an-hour – you don’t have to stay the whole afternoon,’ she said.

‘We’re here for everybody and if there are people at home who are totally isolated and just need somebody to talk to, then my phone is always on.’

A holiday to Bognor Regis in June is just one event currently being planned by Barbara.

‘We usually go to the UK once a year for a week.

‘We also go to Guernsey once a year and Guernsey Age Concern, which we are affiliated with, come here.

‘The Bognor hotel’s booked and we’re now taking names and people are starting to pay their costs. Hopefully, there will be about 18 of us going.’

Barbara said the trips are always enjoyable.

‘It’s a laugh a minute and there are always memorable moments. I can’t say what’s happened in the past – my lips are sealed.

All I’ll say is that we’re like the England cricket team.’

For more information about Age Concern, call Barbara on 07781 123637.