Bradford and District Senior Power (BDSP) is a small City centre based charity with its Hub premises located close to the City's market in John Street. Under normal circumstances the Hub offers service users, volunteers, Trustees and visitors a welcoming environment where you can meet people of a similar age with similar needs and interests. Under COVID restrictions the Hub is open for specific times only with limited access due to social distancing requirements. We can be contacted by phone or by email, however, and we can then arrange a personal visit to the premises.
Our target beneficiaries are older adults from the Bradford District, usually aged 50 years +. Some of our members have retired, and they make use of BDSP's support services to get round the tangle of welfare advice and infomation; simply to meet up and chat; to participate in social and therapeutic activities. Others, who may be suffering depression, may need specialist support to get back into work; others simply want to 'buddy' another person or offer peer support.
Our support is important because we believe we understand fully the needs of older adults who are suffering the impact of isolation - loneliness, anxiety, depression - and can offer support which is tailored to each individual's needs.
Whilst the Hub is closed because of COVID restrictions BDSP's volunteers are operating a remote befriending service, seeking to alleviate the symptoms of isolation by making contact with service users on a regular basis, and by letting people isolated in their homes know that they have not been forgotten, offering practical support where needed.
Support is based upon the service users' needs - this may be through simple telephone contact points, arranging meals on wheels, referral onto more specialist services, or arranging 1:1 visits, bearing in mind social distancing, hand cleaning and mask wearing requirements at all times.
