Sheffield's Project Intake acts to show isolation doesn't have to mean loneliness

Project Intake has already been working for 12 months to combat what it describes as an epidemic affecting 1.2 million older people in England - loneliness - with its negative impact on health and wellbeing.

Made up of a group of residents and businesses in the S12 area, Project Intake is a self-funding project working to ensure that isolation does not become loneliness.

As part of its work for the whole community, the project had planned a big Easter fun event for children that had to be cancelled.

Poundland in Crystal Peaks had match funded the Easter donations of its shoppers, so 150 Easter eggs were distributed, and a box of 50 Easter treats went to Intake Primary School for the children of key workers.

The team also put together decorated care gift packages, part-funded by the Richmond councillors’ ward pot fund, for 75 older people.

The packages contained hand wash, hand cream, face wipes, a colouring book and pencil crayons, a pack of playing cards, a night-time drink, a packet of biscuits and Age Concern leaflets.

Project Intake’s secretary Liz Beighton, of Island Parties Sheffield, donated £100 to purchase enough filament to make 125 3-D printed NHS face shields, which will be distributed to NHS hospitals, whilst her husband, Jud, has started giving free video guitar lessons.

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Chair Sue Groves, of S G Bookkeeping, said: “Local businesses and the community have been behind us all the way, donating goods, time, money and talent. Our thanks go out to all these.

“The response we have received on our Project Intake Facebook page shows us that we are effectively reaching the people who most need us.

“The members and volunteers will be contacting each other again to plan further activities.

“Ignoring the challenge that isolation presents us with is not an option for us.

“We want to unite the whole community as people often forget how much we can learn from each other.”

For more information about Project Intake, contact Sue Groves on 07779 090318.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​