VALE Centre for Voluntary Services (VCVS) has received a donation from the Santander Foundation to buy iPads to help reduce social isolation amongst elderly people in the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff.

The foundation, which offers grants to UK registered charities for projects that help disadvantaged people in communities, donated £1,500 for the iPads.

VCVS promotes, supports, develops and co-ordinates voluntary work to improve the quality of life of the individuals and communities it serves. Its team of volunteers will use the new iPad Airs to show elderly people in local care homes and sheltered accommodation how to use the internet, email, and social networks in order to help reduce loneliness and seclusion amongst the over 50s.

Sandra Roberts, project manager at VCVS said: “We have around 18 volunteers who currently visit various homes around Cardiff and the Vale. They not only encourage and teach the use of the internet, but also provide long and short term befriending to local people aged 50 plus. We are very grateful to the Santander Foundation.”

Heidi Smith, branch manager at Santander’s Barry branch said: “The Santander Foundation makes hundreds of donations every year to good causes throughout the UK. Our branch is committed to playing a key part in the community and we are delighted to be supporting Vale Centre for Voluntary Services, and hope the donation makes a real difference to local people.”