NEWS

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) is celebrating the continued success of its popular craft sessions- with everyone who attends citing new friendships they’ve made. Now in its third year, the ‘Knit, Natter, Craft and Chatter’ initiative has grown significantly, bringing together older individuals from various backgrounds and abilities to combat social isolation and loneliness. The sessions, which have seen many participants attend over 100 times, offer a welcoming environment where friendships flourish both within and outside the group. The diverse abilities and disabilities of the attendees are embraced, fostering a supportive and inclusive community. A recent survey of…

Wetherby health workers have raised more than £600 for older people after completing an ingenious charity multiplier challenge. Staff at The Wetherby Clinic baked, hiked, sold and donated for Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) as they transformed a £20 pledge into lots more cash to help over 60s across the district. Amongst the toughest challenges clinic workers came up with was a Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge in harsh conditions, but those behind the fundraising say it was worth the sore legs having seen first-hand the incredible work WiSE does. Cara Ash, director at The Wetherby Clinic, said: “We…

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly’s (WiSE) ‘memory café’ which provides a safe supportive space for people living with dementia and their carers is celebrating its second birthday. The initiative has already expanded from two to three sessions per month to meet local demand. Now those behind the café- visited 650 times last year- say they expect even more people through its doors this year, with additional sessions planned for carer respite from March. WiSE Dementia Lead Emma Collier, said: “This is a really important milestone for the café, with local demand for dementia services only increasing. “We know the…

One of Wetherby in Support of the Elderly’s (WiSE) dedicated volunteers is highlighting a transport scheme’s positive impact on older people in Wetherby- including himself. David Mills says he’s found solace and purpose in volunteering for WiSE since the death of his wife seven years ago. David volunteers for the charity’s transport scheme, which helps people who might otherwise be lonely and isolated to attend appointments and social events and activities. David said: “When my wife died in 2018, I wanted to do something useful to occupy my spare time and benefit the local community. I enjoy driving and had…

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) is heralding another huge year in which it interacted with thousands of older people- but warns funding cuts put its vital work at risk. WiSE had more than 17,000 interactions with older people in 2024. The charity increased the numbers of people accessing some of its key services- including its popular activities timetable, WiSE Owl Café, grass cutting service, transport scheme and Memory Café. But the figures coincide with a threatened reduction in WiSE’s council funding, which charity bosses say threaten its ability to help some of the most vulnerable people in the…