Farnham ASSIST @FarnhamASSIST

We are very grateful to our friends at @HI_Farnborough who have kindly agreed a new partnership where they will provide a disability taxi and volunteer to enable more people to attend our regular community lunches. It was great to meet Lauren and Mahdi and the Mayor of Farnham.

Thank you to @Jack_and_Alice in Farnham for hosting a new community lunch club for around 20 of our Farnham Assist guests...it is so important that older people living alone within our local community get to enjoy good food and good company!

We would like to say a big thank you to Jack and Alice Farnham for hosting an excellent recent lunch for our guests. It was great to hear their commitment to the local community & wish to give something back.

A big thank you to the Rushmoor Oddfellows Male Voices Choir for allowing us to be their charity partner for the Christmas concert. Over £1000 was raised for the charity & here is our Manager collecting the monies from Peter Viveash the Chairman of the Oddfellows...

Are you willing to help serve local older people living alone in Farnham by driving them to our community lunches a few times a year? We would love to hear from you & offer mileage at HMRC rates. Please contact us on 01252 717710. You will need to complete DBS & safeguarding.

We are aware that the passing of HM The Queen can bring back sad emotions for many of their own lost loved ones. Therefore, our Farnham ASSIST office (7 St Georges Yard) will be open tomorrow (Wed) & Thurs between 9.30am and 12.30pm for anyone wanting to drop by and just chat.

Due to the severe weather and to avoid unnecessary travel, we have decided to postpone our 20th Anniversary Service planned for tomorrow. This will now be rescheduled for the autumn and provisionally the afternoon of Monday 3 October.

Further to the Duck Race on Saturday, we had a "Name The Duck". We can now reveal that the duck's name was Marshmellow Trevor Quackers and that messages have been left with the winners...thanks to everyone for entering - our stall raised in excess of £300...

Please support Farnham Assist on @easyuk, you'll raise FREE donations with your everyday shopping. It's quick and easy to sign up! Plus, once you've raised your first £5, easyfundraising will double it! Sign up now: easyfundraising.org.uk/support-a-good…

Several resident and community groups are kindly holding coffee mornings for us & collecting donations this week. We are also having a client quiz in Farnham on Thursday afternoon (24th) - 2pm start & £5 entry. Please contact our office (01252 717710) if you want to come along.

Today is the start of Farnham ASSIST Week on the theme of "It's Good to Talk". We are encouraging everyone to spend 10 mins this week having a coffee or chat with a neighbour, colleague, family member or friend. Our charity aims to address loneliness amongst those living alone.

Vigil for Ukraine: Tonight at 6pm @ Gostrey Meadow Bandstand. Town Churches have organised for people in Farnham to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. This event is open to all. Come, bring a candle and pause for silent prayer or reflection. No speeches or preaches.

Thanks to our new supporters for signing up to support us through @easyuk! Every donation you raise really helps! If you haven't signed up yet, it's easy and FREE. 6,200 shops and sites will donate when you use @easyuk to shop with them. Visit:easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/farnham…

Quick note to say that Farnham Assist is now registered with @easyuk, so over 6,000 shops and sites will now donate to us for FREE every time you use @easyuk to shop with them. easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/farnham…

Delighted to say that Farnham Assist is now doing a phased return of activities! Our Pie & Pint group is now back to weekly meetings. Ladies Lunches resume on Monday 26th July and our Knit & Natter group resume in August. Hale Community Lunch resumes on 18th September.

We are currently in Carers Week & a good time to remember the many carers that we have in Farnham. Caring involves dedication & personal sacrifice but also moments of joy with loved ones. We want to recognise value & support all carers especially during these challenging times.

On Saturday morning, we will be doing a street collection for Farnham Assist. Do look out for our fantastic friendly volunteers outside Farnham Sainsburys, Boots and Elphicks! All contributions will go towards addressing loneliness & isolation of our older people within Farnham.

Just had the privilege of delivering an Easter pack to our oldest client at Farnham Assist and her carer. She is 103, still lives in her own home and was absolutely delighted! Thank you to our volunteer bakers for providing biscuits & to Waitrose for their donated chocolate.

A big thank you to @waitrose in Farnham & especially to Alice our local Community Partner who kindly donated Easter egg packs for our 150 older clients living alone within the local area. We know this will be deeply appreciated by them in these challenging times.

Important message from the Government that if you are over 70, wish to have vaccine & have not yet heard about an appointment, you should contact nhs.uk/covid-vaccinat… or call 119 if you cannot get online. We will check our clients but encourage all friends & family to do same