Charity and storage company join forces over homelessness

A pensioners’ charity and a storage company are teaming up to give Christmas meals to older folk who don’t have families.

Age UK Lambeth has recruited more than 100 volunteers, and counting, who will be plating up an extra seasonal dinner on the big day and taking it to an elderly neighbour who would otherwise not be able to enjoy a home-cooked festive feast.

The organisation is being supported this festive season by Access Self Storage, which is asking its customers to ‘Donate a Plate’ to help ensure the elderly in Lambeth have a home-cooked meal on December 25.

Access Storage will ask visitors to donate a plate until December 9 at its Streatham storage site.

The self-storage company has a designated drop-off point in the store reception to donate their dinner plates ahead of them being distributed to the Age UK Lambeth volunteers in time for Christmas.

Zoe Burton, of Age UK Lambeth, said: “Supporting older people in our community is particularly important during the Christmas period.

“At a time when many are enjoying time with friends and family, the prospect for hundreds of older people in our community who live alone may be long days without seeing anyone or an occasion to look forward to.

“Coming along to a social event, or having a volunteer pop round with a Christmas meal means a change from their daily routine, an opportunity to chat and socialise, and it can just put a huge smile on someone’s face on Christmas Day.

“When companies and individuals support our charity, we can help even more people, all year round.” Simon Daggett, of Access Self Storage, said: “Giving back to our local community is important to all of us here at Access.

“Christmas should be a time of joy, but for many elderly people this is unfortunately not the case.

“Partnering with Age UK Lambeth means that we can help older people in our community have a home-cooked Christmas meal as well as see a friendly face on the day.

“We’ve made it as easy as possible for our customers and non-customers to support our ‘Donate a Plate’ initiative – simply drop your plates off at our Streatham store and we’ll take care of the rest.”

To find Access Self Storage Streatham see https://www.accessstorage.com/south-london/access-self-storage-streatham

Pictured: Leonard, one or the many people helped by the charity Age UK Lambeth