NEWS

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) is helping to fund a local culinary campaign to get kitchen-shy older men cooking. WiSE is working with Wetherby Man with a Pan (MWAP) to appeal for men over 50 to sign up for the scheme after agreeing to fund two courses starting from next year. The Wetherby Man with a Pan programme sees experienced cook, Lesley Titchmarsh deliver kitchen training to men who lack basic cooking skills- boosting their physical, social and mental wellbeing at the same time. Jennifer Siswick, Volunteer Coordinator for Wetherby MWAP, said: “National research has revealed a huge…

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) has unveiled a glittering line up of glorious in-person events in one of the biggest signals yet that the worst of the pandemic is over. WiSE hopes the activities- which begin just days after all Covid-19 restrictions are removed in England- will give a new lease of life to hundreds of older people in the area. From line dancing to singing and chairobics to cakes, the charity’s long awaited programme aims to help isolated, older people get active and get socialising- with many starved of human contact for months. Debbie Todd, Activities Coordinator…

A team of IT experts who marched an incredible 1.6 million steps in less than a month has donated its winnings to Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE). Staff at Deans Computers (DCS) launched a ‘Move in May’ incentive scheme in a bid to lose a few lockdown pounds and reignite team spirit after long months of working from home. Now one of the winning teams- which clocked up 845 miles between just five people- has donated their prize pot to WiSE, which helps isolated older people across Wetherby and its surrounding villages. Barry Rankin, Sales Director at DCS,…

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly has reopened a much loved café lifeline for older people. WiSE says the revival of its café in Boston Spa represents a crucial milestone in its pandemic recovery- after a spirit sapping year for older people across its patch. The WiSE Owl Café offers a safe space to socialise for dozens of isolated older people- but was forced to shut its doors when coronavirus first hit last year. Christine Hardman, who runs the café, said: “We’re really excited to finally be in a position to reopen our café, which we know brings so much…

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly’s newest addition says she cannot wait to begin offering activities to isolated older people who’ve spent months alone and behind closed doors. Debbie Todd has joined WiSE as its new activities coordinator and will be responsible for providing social events to older people across the town and its surrounding villages. Debbie is starting the role alongside her popular business, Angels & Butterflies, which provides creative craft workshops and parties for children and adults. Debbie said: “I already knew about the excellent work WiSE does for older people and felt that I have lots of…