AGE Cymru is Wales’s largest and leading charity for older people.

We work nationally and locally - through our network of local charity partners, to make Wales a place where older people can flourish.

Last winter, we gave 18 groups in South East Wales a ‘Winter Celebration Grant’ as part of our Spread the Warmth campaign.

Spread the Warmth is aimed at tackling the isolation and loneliness felt by thousands of older people in Wales, especially during the festive period.

Overall, we distributed £6,850 to groups across Wales to organise a get-together for potentially vulnerable older people during the winter months.

Around 1,200 older people benefited directly from the grants.

In South East Wales, Age Cymru gave grants to the following groups:

Aberbeeg Sewing Circle, Llanhilleth

The Wednesday Club, Pontypool

Rhondda Ward Old Age Welfare Association, Pontypridd

St David's Mother's Union, Maesycoed

Bridgeman Court Resident Owners Association, Penarth

Parkside OAP Complex, Old Cwmbran

Caerau Old Age Welfare Association, Maesteg

Llanvaches Extend Class, Caldicot

Abergavenny Action 50+ Mark II, Pontypool

Blaina Institute Modern Dancing Club, Blaina

The Castaways, Barry Island

Stay Young at Heart, Trelewis

St Dials Community Action Group, Cwmbran

Sbectrwm Computer Club, Penarth

Ebenezer Ladies Group, Pontypool

Alway Heart Support Group, Caldicot

Good Companions Club, Caldicot

Women Connect First, Cardiff

Age Cymru’s ‘Winter Celebration Grant’ is just one way that our charity reaches out to older people and gives them comfort, warmth and company at what can be a very difficult time of year.

We can only continue to do this important work with your support, with every penny from public donations helping vulnerable older people across Wales.

If you would like to donate to Age Cymru please email fundraising@agecymru.org.uk or call 029 2043 1555.

Victoria Lloyd

Director of Influencing and Programme Development

Age Cymru