The Ursula Keyes Trust Supports OPAL Services with Vital Grant to Reduce Social Isolation Among Older People
The Ursula Keyes Trust is delighted to announce its latest grant to OPAL Services (Rural West Cheshire), a charity dedicated to reducing social isolation among older people and carers in rural areas of West Cheshire. This funding will enable OPAL to upgrade its IT equipment, ensuring the charity can continue delivering essential services that connect and support hundreds of older adults.
OPAL Services: A Lifeline for Older Adults
Since its inception in 2011, OPAL Services (Older People Active Lives) has played a crucial role in combating loneliness and isolation among older residents in rural communities. Operating across towns and villages such as Frodsham, Helsby, Malpas, Tattenhall, Kelsall, and Tarporley, OPAL provides a lifeline to over 250 older adults and their carers.
Through weekly activity clubs, hobby and interest groups, social events, and healthy living activities, OPAL empowers its members to maintain their independence, stay connected with their communities, and improve their health and well-being. For those unable to leave their homes, OPAL offers remote services, telephone befriending, and IT support to help members stay connected digitally.
Carers also benefit from OPAL’s tailored support services, including breaks, sitting services, and coffee mornings, providing much-needed respite and connection. A trusted and well-respected organisation, OPAL has been a vital part of rural life for over a decade and was recognised with the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2020.
The Role of Technology in Delivering Vital Services
As OPAL operates from community venues and does not own premises, technology plays a critical role in its ability to deliver services efficiently. Laptops are used for everything from managing club sessions to coordinating volunteers and supporting older adults with IT needs. However, with aging equipment and limited resources, maintaining reliable technology has been an ongoing challenge.
The grant from The Ursula Keyes Trust is being used to purchase eight new laptops—six standard models and two higher-spec machines—along with professional setup services provided by OPAL’s IT support partner, Pro-Networks. These upgrades will modernise the charity’s IT infrastructure, ensuring uninterrupted delivery of its diverse activities and services.
Meeting a Growing Need
The need for OPAL’s services has grown significantly, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Social isolation and loneliness remain pressing issues for many older adults, particularly in rural areas where access to support and services is limited. According to OPAL, 75% of their members face a combination of frailty, ill health, disability, or mental health challenges, with many relying on the charity’s services as a lifeline.
For example, one OPAL service user shared, “Without OPAL, I would be a prisoner in my own home.” This sentiment underscores the vital role OPAL plays in the lives of its members and their families, offering not only practical support but also companionship and a sense of belonging.
The Difference a Grant Makes
The funding from The Ursula Keyes Trust will ensure OPAL can continue its mission to reduce social isolation and improve the quality of life for older adults in West Cheshire. With modernised laptops, OPAL’s part-time staff and dedicated volunteers—many of whom are aged 60 and over—can work more effectively to organise and deliver services. The new equipment will also enable the charity to expand its reach to additional rural villages, addressing the rising demand for support.
The grant is a testament to The Ursula Keyes Trust’s commitment to supporting local organisations that make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable people. By investing in OPAL’s IT capabilities, the Trust is helping to secure the future of this essential charity and the well-being of the older adults it serves.
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
OPAL Services expressed its heartfelt gratitude for the grant, stating, “We are incredibly thankful to The Ursula Keyes Trust for their generosity. This funding will ensure we can continue to deliver our services and support older adults and carers across rural West Cheshire.”
As OPAL prepares to recruit a new part-time manager to oversee its growing operations, the charity is poised to build on its success and continue making a lasting impact in the community. The Ursula Keyes Trust is proud to support OPAL in its mission to ensure older adults are not defined by their age but are empowered to lead active, connected, and fulfilling lives.
For more information about OPAL Services, click here.