About Us

About Age UK Northamptonshire

Age UK Northamptonshire is the new name for Age Concern Northamptonshire.

For sixty years Age Concern has been the UK’s leading charitable body committed to the well-being of older people. As Age Concern Northamptonshire, we developed an unparalleled reputation for meeting the needs of vulnerable older people and working to make later life a better experience for everyone. As Age UK Northamptonshire, we will continue to be a local, independent, voluntary organisation, serving the needs of older people in our county and part of a national family which serves the needs of older people everywhere.

To see our latest annual report and accounts, view our entry on the Charity Commission Website

Age UK Northamptonshire offers a Shopping Service in various locations in the county that provides a vital facility to older people who are unable to access the supermarket for various reasons.

 

Volunteers are being recruited for the Co-Op Supermarket on the corner of Barry Road and the Wellingborough Road in Northampton on Wednesday mornings at 9.30am. The shopping is likely to be finished by 11am -11.30am. Volunteers select the shopping from lists at the supermarket which is left to be delivered by the delivery van later.

 

Ideally suited to volunteers who live in the locality, the Shopping Service does not demand very much commitment to time or responsibility. However, volunteers should be able to work on their own initiative where alternative items on the shopping list are required. Volunteers should also be able to read and be physically able to reach high and low shelves.

 

This is a vital service for older people who may be housebound or lack the ability to get to their local supermarket. The service works to strengthen the link between the community and the charity, ensuring we safeguard the older population when they are at their most vulnerable.

 

For further information, please contact Jo Gunnett, Volunteer Co-ordinator at 31, Billing Road, Northampton or phone 01604 611 200 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

After many years, our existing Lifetime Centre that was formerly at Bridgewater House in Brackley has moved to a new location - Godwin Court, Brackley.

Providing essential Day Care services every Wednesday to local older people, the Centre is looking to recruit more volunteers in order to expand the client numbers.

Lifetime Centres are an essential service, offering our clients social interaction, cognitive and physical stimulation and emotional support. Often they are the only opportunity someone has to leave their home during the week.

Volunteers not only assist with the day to day running of the centre but provide continuity of care to the clients, building professional relationships through which Age UK Northamptonshire are able to develop further services and where needed, place preventative measures in place thus ensuring the well being of older people.

If you would like to become involved as a volunteer at Godwin Court, Brackley on a Wednesday please contact the Volunteer Co-ordinator Jo Gunnett on 01604 611 200 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for further details.

Alternatively, if you know of an older person from the South of the County who would benefit from attending the Centre, please contact our Service Advice team on 0845 677 2220.

Hospital Aftercare is an essential service delivered to clients who have been discharged from hospital and who do not have adequate social or emotional support during their recovery period at home.

Volunteers are an integral part of this service as they offer a weekly visit, maintaining contact with the client and offering a listening ear.

The role involves visiting the client at home and staying for no longer than 1.5 hours. Some clients just want to sit down and have a chat over a cup of tea; other clients ask for a little practical help such as vacuuming the front room or doing a little local shopping or changing their bed linen - anything that assists the client whilst they regain their independence and strength. It is not intended as a Befriending service as the volunteer only visits for 6 weeks which takes the client up to their first out patient check up and supports the organisations objectives in encouraging older people to remain independent for as long as possible.

On no occasion is the volunteer expected to carry out any personal care or manual handling.

Age UK Northamptonshire is recruiting volunteers in the DAVENTRY area.

For further information, please contact Jo Gunnett, Volunteer Co-ordinator on 01604 611 200 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

VOLUNTEERS IN OUR LIFETIME CENTRES.

 “Lifetime Centres” is the Age UK Northamptonshire term for Day Care Centres. It describes the environment we endeavour to create for our clients who attend. We offer activities that promote mental and physical stimulation as well as a social element that is vital to the emotional wellbeing of older people who might otherwise be isolated. In order to deliver this service we depend on reliable and highly motivated volunteers who can not only offer the commitment but who can also engage with our clients. In return, volunteers can expect to feel an integral part of the Centre, as part of a supportive team. For those seeking employment within the care sector, we can offer valuable work experience, with fresh challenges and the possibility of training. The role is varied but is highly rewarding to those who have a natural empathy to older people.

 Listed below are current vacancies. Application forms can be obtained from Jo Gunnett, Volunteer Co-ordinator on 01604 611 200 or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

  • ELEANOR HOUSE, off Grange Road, Northampton: THURSDAYS and/or FRIDAYS
  • NENE DRIVE, Kingsheath, Northampton: TUESDAYS and/or THURSDAYS
  • WARWICK COURT, Daventry: MONDAYS and/or FRIDAYS

Iris Attwood and Eadie Lindsell launched the new name and logo for Age UK Northamptonshire today, 19thApril 2011. Eadie, pictured right, said that Age Concern had transformed her life and she was proud to cut the special celebration cake provided by Gardeners Bakery for the occasion after Iris cut the ribbon that launched Age UK Northamptonshire.

Age UK Northamptonshire have opened a new monthly Lunch Club at The Crossroads Hotel, High Street, Weedon, Northants, NN7 4PX.  The Lunch Club will be open from 12.00 until 2.00pm. on the following dates:-

Monday 13th February 2012

Monday 12th March 2012

Monday 9th April 2012

Monday 7th May 2012

A main course meal including a drink costs £4.95 each.  You can add a starter or dessert for an extra £1.00 each.

All over 55's welcome.

For further details please contact Lisa Thorneycroft on 07500 065598, or alternatively you can contact The Crossroads direct on 01327 340354.

In a few weeks time, schools will be breaking up and many people will be going on holiday, enjoying a well-deserved rest!

 

Here at Age UK Northamptonshire, our vital work continues to flourish and develop in a variety of ways for which we depend on voluntary help. We provide Day Care services throughout the County for older people to attend so that they might meet up with close friends in a lively environment and enjoy a nutritious lunch with a day full of activities. We have 11 shops in the County that is essential for generating the money needed – and which stays in the County - to provide our services. Older people can benefit from a home visit which provides social support and companionship for when mobility or a loss of confidence prevents them from venturing outside alone.

 

Age UK Northamptonshire would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has the long summer stretching ahead of them, such as students, teachers or retirees.

For more information, please contact Jo Gunnett (Volunteer Co-ordinator) on 01604 611 200 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 BAPS is a world wide community based organisation dedicated to fulfilling the spiritual, cultural and social needs of people; providing practical means for attaining inner peace and harmony between individuals with families and amongst communities.

 In the UK, BAPS is respected as one of the largest and most active Hindu organisations.  We were delighted BAPS selected Age UK as their charity of the year. Susie Davis represented Age UK Northamptonshire at the 10K challenge run in Wellingborough, Eastfield Park. It was a fabulous hot sunny Sunday on the 17th April.

 The event started with registration at the magnificent Hindu Temple of Madir in Mill Lane, Wellingborough. Dr Hiten Patel opened the event. The Lady Mayor and her consort, local Councillors and Community leaders were among the dignitaries

 Dr Patel gave a touching speech about older people to the 150 people who were present. The priest gave his blessing, photos were taken and we were off. The atmosphere was brilliant and it captured a community event at its best.

 People ran, walked, and pushed babies in prams. Older ladies walked, looking gorgeous in their colourful saris. There were refreshments at hand throughout the event followed by food back at the temple after what proved to be a lovely inspiring day.

 Age UK Northamptonshire wish to say an enormous thank you for BAPS’ generosity and warm welcome.

On 19th April 2011 Age Concern Northamptonshire adopted the new name, Age UK Northamptonshire.  Trustees of the local organisation agreed to adopt the new name and as their first act under the new banner, celebrated another year of service to older people in our county, that includes achieving over £2 Million in benefits claims for older people who otherwise were losing out.

Formed as the Northamptonshire Advisory Committee for Old People’s Welfare, the organisation adopted the name Age Concern in 1971 along with Old People’s Welfare Committees across the Country. With the merger of Age Concern England and Help the Aged under the new name of Age UK, local organisations in the Age Concern Network have been invited to share that name. Age UK Northamptonshire will continue to be a local, independent, voluntary organisation, serving the needs of older people in our county and part of a national family which serves the needs of older people everywhere.

During the last year, despite constant financial pressure, we responded to more older people than ever before because more older people than ever before needed our help. Over a thousand older people used our Lifetime day care services, we established a new service to help people at the end of their life, nearly 1500 people used our Domestic Care service and 800 people benefited from “A Little Help” our flexible support service helping people to stay independent at home. Our Advice team answered over 7000 queries giving in-depth support to hundreds of older people, 1200 jobs were completed by our Handyperson scheme, a thousand sessions of support for beleaguered carers and a hundred new members for our befriending service. None of this would have been possible without the support of members of the public through their donations and visiting our charity shops. They can rest assured that every penny they give to Age UK Northamptonshire goes to help a local older person.