Personal assistant help on offer as part of new initiative by Age UK

New initiative offers support with phones calls and other tasks

OLDER people can get themselves a personal assistant, thanks to a new charity initiative.

Age UK Leicester Shire and Rutland is offering to arrange support with tasks such as making phone calls and dealing with correspondence, excursions, medical appointments and shopping.

Anthony Donovan, executive director of the charity, said: “As a charity, we are all about helping people to stay independent for as long as possible and supporting them in the way that they direct us to.

“In response to need, the personal assistant service will bring a new dimension to this work and allow people to benefit from the flexibility it can offer but without needing to take on the extra paperwork, cost and time implications of employing someone.”

He said having a personal assistant is a tried and tested way of getting flexible and reliable support for adults with physical and mental issues or those just needing a helping hand as they get older.

Age UK has taken this concept and removed the challenges that employing your own personal assistant can bring, including candidate vetting and interviewing, payroll and contracts.

This means having a personal assistant is now straightforward, easy and effective with the complexity taken away and managed by Age UK.

The Age UK Leicester Shire and Rutland personal assistants will be happy to help with whatever is needed, either at home or in the community.

Their range of support will include help with phone calls, bill payment and correspondence, help with domestic tasks and household management and help to attend community activities, excursions, medical appointments and shopping.

One potential user said: “I am glad Age UK Leicester Shire and Rutland has decided to provide this service and I intend being one of the first people taking it up.

“The service will be a lifechanger for me making things so much better. I can’t wait.

“Age UK’s trained staff have the skills, personal qualities, time and ability to respond to the needs of their clients flexibly, thoughtfully and with empathy.

“The service is geared to respond well to a mixed range of tasks which is led by and responsive to what the individual wants help with on any given day.”

Anyone wishing to explore using a personal assistant to support their independence can contact Age UK Leicester Shire and Rutland on 0116 299 2266.

More information is at ageukleics.org.uk