NEWS

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly’s (WiSE) newest team member wants to supercharge its support for older people by boosting volunteer numbers and extending services to new areas. Catherine O’Rourke has launched her volunteering campaign after joining WiSE as its new volunteer coordinator. She hopes an increase in helpers in everything from befriending to transport services will mean the much loved charity can reach even more older people- especially in underserved places like Boston Spa, Bramham and Thorner. Catherine said: “I’m thrilled to be joining an organisation which does such wonderful work for older people throughout Wetherby and its surrounding…

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) is inviting older people across the parish on a trip down the rabbit hole into an immersive wonderland, as it ramps up its post-pandemic activities. Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) wants Mad Hatters and Queens of Hearts to sign up for the enchanted tea party as it continues work to restore face-to-face events. Anyone aged 60 or over is able to attend the fun filled event- complete with magician, tea and cake- with WiSE staff hoping to put a Cheshire Cat grin on people’s faces after long months of lockdown. WiSE…

A Wetherby woman says being reconnected with friends has changed her life, three months after a charity transport scheme came to her aid. Josie, aged 86, is driven by volunteers to friendly meet ups, social events and charity activities thanks to Wetherby in Support of the Elderly’s (WiSE) pick up and drop off service- saving money on taxis in the process. The WiSE Transport Service is designed to curb loneliness by helping isolated, older people who cannot drive to get to certain appointments and social engagements they would otherwise miss. Josie said: “Unfortunately I’m no longer able to drive, and…

A Wetherby wordsmith has won a cunning competition to name a charity mascot bringing cheer to older people at events across the parish. Diana Greenwood’s 1960s television inspired suggestion of ‘Ollie Beak’ beat off competition from more than 50 entries to scoop top prize in the Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) contest. Other entries ranged from Ozzie to Hooty and Diego to Dave, however Diana’s proposal impressed judges for its nostalgic links to children’s programme The Five O’clock Show. Diana said: “I’m thrilled to have been named the winner, especially after hearing that there were so many entries….

Two Wetherby women whose weekly phone chats kept each other company during the darkest days of lockdown have finally met- hailing the impact the charity led scheme has had on both their lives. Hazel Wade, aged 60, rang Winnifred Ware, aged 88, once a week as part of a telephone befriending scheme organised by WiSE. Now the friends- thrust together in lockdown- have finally met in person, sharing a well-earned cuppa at one of the charity’s first face-to-face coffee mornings in months. Hazel said: “I’ve been volunteering for WiSE since January. I had retired just before the pandemic struck and…