NEWS

A charity café visited by almost 4,000 people across Wetherby has celebrated its second birthday. Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) launched its Welcome Café two years ago to support people of all ages as they battled the cost of living crisis. The café proved so successful over its 102 weekly sessions that the short term initiative became a permanent fixture as part of Voluntary Action Leeds’ award-winning ‘Warm Spaces’ scheme. WiSE Chief Operating Officer Mark Dobson, said: “What started out as a short term initiative to help people through winter hardship proved to be a desperately needed social…

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) wants sponsors to help a hamper appeal which aims to curb isolation across the district. WiSE hopes residents and businesses will donate cash or goods which can then be turned into hampers which will raise money at raffles throughout the year. WiSE fundraisers say money raised through the appeal could prove vital, as hundreds of people prepare for the long winter months ahead. Liz, fundraiser at WiSE, said: “Every hamper we manage to whip up- be it through donated cash or goods- will be given away as raffle prizes, turning your small donation…

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) has reported a big jump in the number of people accessing its services, as demand in the district grows. The number of survey respondents who said they access services provided by WiSE at least once a week leapt from 30 to 54 per cent year-on-year. Calls for extra dementia support have fallen meanwhile, after WiSE upped its memory café provision. The findings form part of the results of a major annual consultation delivered by Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) to find out more about what people of all ages think about…

A popular charity postal scheme needs poppy-themed cards to help Wetherby older people mark Remembrance Day. Wetherby in Support of the Elderly is making an early call for crafty kids and volunteers to hand make the cards, which will then be sent to over 60s across the district in November. It’s all part of WiSE’s ‘Send A Smile’ scheme, which aims to cut feelings of isolation by sending older people pieces of proper post to let them know someone is thinking of them. Melody Mills, Send a Smile Scheme coordinator, said: “Our seasonal appeals are really successful, with hundreds of…

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly’s (WiSE) is appealing for superhero kids to make cards over the school holidays to make isolated older people smile. WiSE’s ‘Send A Smile’ scheme aims to cut feelings of isolation and loneliness by asking people to spare 10 minutes to send an older person some handmade post. Now the charity wants to ramp up its efforts over summer, to build on the 2,725 pieces of post it has already sent under the initiative. Melody Mills, Send a Smile Scheme coordinator, said: “We would love it if local kids could be superstar heroes this summer…