News reports located on this page = 2.

Tackling loneliness amongst older people in Southport through retirement living

IN Southport there are a few initiatives underway to try to tackle this such as the Never Be Lonely Again (NBLA) group. But there is another solution. Girlings Retirement Rentals recently conducted and released research which revealed that living in a retirement development improves peoples social lives and can help prevent loneliness. Their Retirement Living Research Report found that the majority of people (88%) that had moved to a retirement development had made new friends, with a third (33%) saying they are now more socially active since moving in. 1 couple who are benefitting from retirement living is Pauline and David Harpin who moved into Homeport House in Southport in December 2018 after returning from a retirement abroad.

Pauline says:- "We've been very happy since we moved in. Everyone we've met at Homeport House has been lovely and the services available in the retirement development give us great peace of mind. There are regular coffee mornings in the communal lounge which is currently being redecorated, and we've met lots of nice people. It's stress free living!"

Many people will be starting the new year determined to make a new start or move somewhere new. For older people, moving to a retirement development is a great option as there is a ready made community and a communal lounge where people can socialise and where social activities are often arranged. Girlings have several apartments available to rent in Homeport House in Southport from ₤575 a month with apartments available on assured (lifetime) tenancies so tenants can stay as long as they like with the same security of tenure as home owners but without the responsibility of maintaining a property.

Volunteers needed now for Marie Curie's Great Daffodil Appeal in Southport

MARIE Curie, the UK's leading charity for people living with a terminal illness and their families, is urgently calling for volunteers in Southport to give just 2 hours of their time to hand out the charity's iconic daffodil pins, in return for donations. Volunteers will be supporting the Great Daffodil Appeal; Marie Curie's biggest fundraising campaign, held every March. In the next 10 years, more than 6 million people will die in the UK and of this number 75% will need end of life care. The money raised from the Great Daffodil Appeal will help Marie Curie provide much needed expert care to people with terminal illnesses, as well as support for their loved ones.

Tina Gill, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser for Southport, said:- "Whether you wear a daffodil pin in celebration, in solidarity or in memory of a loved one, you are joining with millions of others to help make sure all dying people get the care and support they deserve. Volunteering just two hours at a local collection is a great way to show your support and help us raise money to help make sure that we can be there for more people at the end of their lives. Collecting can be a lot of fun too. You can do it on your own or with family and friends, and we will support you every step of the way. Volunteering is also an easy way to get involved in your local community and meet new people."

To volunteer for Marie Curie's Great Daffodil Appeal and give out the charity's daffodils pins in return for donations, visit:- MarieCurie.Org.UK/Collect or contact Tina Gill on Tina.Gill@MarieCurie.Org.UK or alternatively call:- 0151 801 1405.