Your postcode is used to send you relevant local updates. Your details will NOT be shared with any 3rd parties.

Many thanks for joining us at InYourArea

The Slip into Slippers campaign hopes to raise vital funds by encouraging the local community to wear their slippers in their place of work, education, in clubs or just in their home

SHOW YOUR SLIPPERS: Take a picture of your slippers and donate and share your pictures via social media

Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (AgeUKCAP) is celebrating its annual Slip into Slippers fundraising and awareness day on Friday, October 7, 2022, and this year it will use all funds from the campaign towards helping older people in crisis this winter.

The charity is calling on the local community to show off their slippers, donate and share their pictures via social media to spread a serious campaign message.

Any funds raised during this campaign will go directly to supporting older people experiencing financial hardship due to the Cost-of-Living Crisis. The majority of the calls to its Information and Advice service are from people seeking help with rising costs and enquiries to this service have risen by 46% in August in comparison to the same month last year.

AgeUKCAP is an independent charity that raises funds to deliver services that directly benefit older people specifically in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area. It is the go-to expert for support, information, advice and for services to maintain independent living at home and wellbeing in later life.

The Slip into Slippers campaign hopes to raise vital funds by encouraging the local community to wear their slippers in their place of work, education, in clubs or just in their home - while sharing images via social media tagging @AgeUKCAP, #slipintoslippers22, #reduceloneliness and donating money (suggested £3) to support the organisation and its work in the local community.

Melanie Wicklen, Chief Executive, Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough commented: “Both the pandemic and now the cost-of-living crisis has really put our services under extreme pressure as we have not only faced huge demand, but we’ve had to quickly adapt and manage very complex circumstances.

“Our staff and volunteers continue to support some of the most vulnerable people in our communities with kindness and compassion, but we can only continue to do this if we are able to raise the funds we need to support this valuable work.

“This year we will use all funds raised to support older people in crisis this winter with food and energy bills. Our service users have told us how incredibly worried they are about their bills as they stand and are already cutting down as much as they can, with many already experiencing or fearing fuel poverty this winter.

“Not being able to afford just the basic essentials in life such as paying for groceries and switching the heating on will lead to a decline in physical and emotional health.  We want to lessen the impact by helping those most in need.”

AgeUKCAP, with the support of an army of 500+ volunteers, is able to ensure more older people are able to live independently, live at home, engage with the local community and help to make links so that individuals can take part in social activities, meet other people, develop and sustain friendships. All these elements help the aging well process and contribute to reducing the challenging impacts of social isolation and loneliness.

Daniel Zeichner, MP for Cambridge, said: “Slipping into my favourite slippers is even nicer when it’s for AgeUK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s Slip into Slippers fundraising campaign.

“Whether it’s fitting grab rails to enable getting in and out of the shower safely, making home visits to deliver prescriptions, do essential food shops and check on wellbeing, or building friendships and decreasing loneliness at their day centres, AgeUK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s support for our older people is truly life enhancing and life changing.

“That’s why I’m delighted to support this local charity and will be wearing my slippers on Friday, October 7.”

AgeUKCAP urges people to get involved in the following ways:

Wicklen concluded: “Our annual Slip into Slippers Day is designed to be fun, inclusive, easy to donate and easy to share. Sharing is important as we also need help in raising awareness of our charity so older people, their families and carers know we are here and able to support them.

“As an independent charity, we raise our own funds to deliver local services to older people living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, so we hope this campaign will inspire people donate to our cause and raise awareness of the local needs.”

All money raised will stay within Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.  In 21/22 AgeUKCAP dealt with over 11,000 Information and Advice enquiries and helped local people to claim over £1.7 million in welfare benefits. Each week over 2,000 individuals are supported through its many services.

Submitted by Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Get all the latest news, updates, things to do and more from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire's dedicated InYourArea feed.

Updates in your area sent directly to your email inbox

We connect you with the people and communities that matter to your business

Contribute to your community by becoming an area ambassador

Search for trusted local businesses near you

Available for both iPhone and Android