A LOTTERY win will help a Hartford-based charity fight loneliness and isolation for older people across Cheshire.

Age UK Cheshire has been awarded more than £5million from the Big Lottery Fund to help reduce social isolation for people aged 65 and over.

Ken Clements, chief executive of Age UK Cheshire, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real and tangible shift in the culture around attitudes towards later life in Cheshire and to put in place practical and proven measures that will combat loneliness and isolation.

“We know the difference that can be made to older people’s lives by introducing a number of simple interventions and developing more innovative services is hugely significant.

"Our aim is to create a better life for older people by giving them a sense of purpose and fulfilment.”

Age UK Cheshire has been commissioned to deliver services as part of NHS West Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Vale Royal CCG's Ageing Well programmes and Cheshire West and Chester Council's (CWAC) Altogether Better initiative to make sure people are well looked after into their old age.

The Big Lottery Fund announced the £5.1m funding for Age UK Cheshire as part of a share of £82 million to reduce social isolation for up to 200,000 older people in the UK.

The consequences of social isolation include poor physical and mental health, less active citizens and a need for more costly services.

Alison Lee, NHS West Cheshire CCG chief executive, said: “We hope that Age UK Cheshire can encourage changes and improvements in society so that older people are happier, healthier and more active, which in turn enables them to contribute even more to their communities.

“Older people should be at the heart of projects run by local partnerships, with a strong voice in the decisions and priorities for their local communities.”

Simon Whitehouse , NHS Vale Royal CCG chief executive, said: “Social isolation is detrimental to health, with links to chronic conditions and increased mortality.

"With more people living well into their 80s, pressures on local services and budgets will continue to rise.

“Our plans as a CCG, along with Age UK’s involvement will put older people at the heart of how our projects are designed and delivered to ensure that future generations of older people not only live longer, but also live well.”