NEWS

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…

Nifty knitters are being asked to knock up hundreds of cute Christmas cosies, as part of a Wetherby in Support of the Elderly’s (WiSE) drive to raise vital cash this winter. WiSE wants folk to pick up their needles and knit or crochet the woolly covers, which will be used to cover Chocolate Oranges and Ferrero Roche treats at future events. The charity hopes everyone from creative grannies to Gen-Z home crafters will come forward to produce the cosies- with knitting in the midst of a lockdown inspired boom. WiSE Activities Coordinator Debbie, said: “We know lots of people picked…

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) is on the lookout for extra volunteers for the WiSE Owl Cafe as it strives to stay open amid a rise in staff isolating. WiSE reopened its flagship café last month- marking a welcome milestone in its pandemic recovery after a spirit sapping year for older people across its patch. But now the charity says it needs to build a reserve list of volunteers willing to step in to help out at the venue, with a well-publicised rise in isolations across the UK and an uncertain winter potentially putting its opening hours under…