Age UK Sutton, another of our TfS partners, are an independent, local charity supporting older people in the London Borough of Sutton. They offer a wide range of services and support for older people, their families and Carers who need help and support in order to live an independent and fulfilling later life.

	Anyone looking for help, advice or support to do with ageing, ageing well and older people in Sutton can speak directly with Age UK Sutton on 020 8078 0002.
	You can email the Age UK Sutton Welcome & Advice Team here.
	You can explore their website here.

However, we appreciate that you may not want to speak to anyone about this yet. So if you would prefer to do your own research first, then the below information may be a good starting place.

Carrying out your own online research.

If you wanted to search online to understand more about your situation in your own time, the best place to start is Age UK Sutton's website as this is our local offer. You can find a list of all of their services here.

Maximising your income in older life.

If you are experiencing issues around debt as well as housing, please take a look at our debt pages here for more possible options to support you in your home. Depending on your situation, several of our TfS partners may be able to help you.

Be careful of scams.

Friends Against Scams is a National Trading Standards Scams Team initiative which aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering people to take a stand against scams. Help protect yourself and others against scams by finding out more about them on the Friends Against Scams website. 

Reducing costs in your home.

We often have several projects running that can help support residents with making their homes more energy efficient, ultimately looking to reduce your bills and outgoings. Should you wish to explore this with us, please contact TfS and we will work out your next steps with the right kind of support. 

Gas & electricity bills.

If you’re struggling to afford your gas and electricity bills at the moment, take a look here at the Citizen's Advice Sutton's step by step guide, TfS may also be able to support you with this, so please do call us.

If you need to speak to someone about your welfare benefits, for example housing benefits, then the Sutton Council Welfare Team would be an ideal place to start if not TfS, you can call them on 020 8770 5000. It is worth keeping an eye on their household funding page here to see if you are eligible for one of their grants.

For information and advice on saving energy and water, reducing energy bills, accessing financial support, installing renewables and more, contact Energy Advice London free on 0808 196 8260 or visit their website here. 

Staying safe & well in wintry weather.

With the colder winter months in the UK, the drop in temperatures can really affect our more vulnerable residents. The NHS have outlined a few simple steps for people to keep themselves and their loved ones safe and well during colder temperatures. Click here for more information on staying safe and well in wintry weather.

Keeping yourself busy & isolation free.

Older people are especially vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation, and it can have a serious effect on health. But we are so lucky in Sutton as there are many ways to battle this with groups and activities out and about, support at home, and things you can do to overcome loneliness, even if you find it hard to get out.

Age UK Sutton have their Let’s Connect programme, a project that enables older Sutton residents to connect with their community. This is done through building confidence and skills to connect with others, by running age-friendly events and groups across the borough, or by providing information and guidance that helps people to link in with local activities. Check out their What's On guides for the most up-to-date list of activities available throughout Sutton. 

The NHS offer some great ideas anmd resources here to prevent isolation and loneliness, please take a look at the NHS pages here.

Living well at home & support for older people.

Whether you're looking to have afternoon tea with a group of like-minded people or picking up a new hobby, you will find something for your needs on the Sutton Information Hub Living well at home and support for older people webpage.

Staying mobile.

Throughout our life, we are told that we should be doing some type of physical activity every day. This can help to improve our health, reduce the risk of heart disease, strokes and can improve our general mental wellbeing. However, as we age and if we haven't exercised for a while, this can become harder and it is important to speak to a medical professional first. 

There are lots of free exercise programmes available on the internet, here are some reputable ones to try first:

	You can access FREE exercise programmes here with the NHS, and specifically for those over 65 years old here.
	You can access FREE exercise programmes here at Couch to Fitness.
	Or you could try a reputable personal trainer like Joe Wicks, The Body Coach, and his 7-Day Seniors Workout Challenge from the comfort of your home.

Digital Help - FREE local computer support sessions.

Struggling to use a computer? Did you know that our Sutton libraries offer free digital help sessions for novice users who just need a little support in certain areas. Please have a look at the Sutton Libraries calendar of events here to see when your next session is being held.

Age UK Sutton also have a digital inclusion programme which aims to promote the benefits of being online, provide people with confidence and skills to be able to use devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers, and even Amazon speakers to enable people to get the most out of using online services. For more information about Age UK Sutton's Digital Sessions please click here. 

Caring for someone in their older age.

Caring for someone in their older age can be difficult and often tiring. Support groups offer the opportunity to take some time away from your caring role; to learn, share, offload and exchange ideas, experiences and information.

Our TfS partner, Sutton Carers Centre, offer support to all Carers. You don't have to be struggling to get support but please get in touch with the Sutton Carers Centre so that you can discuss how they can support you.

	If you are a Carer and need support, please visit the Sutton Carers Centre Contact Us page to identify the correct contact details or try their general enquiries line on 020 8296 5611.
	You can email the Sutton Carers Centre Enquiries team here.
	You can explore their website here and their specific Sutton Carers Centre Dementia Carer pages here.

Sutton Dementia Support Service.

The Sutton Dementia Support service offers a wrap around service for people with dementia and their carers throughout their dementia journey, working closely with Sutton Carers Centre who provide support for a carers of people with dementia also. For more information, please visit the dedicated Age UK Sutton Dementia Support Service website here.

Deprivation of liberty.

A deprivation of liberty (DoLs) is when a person has their freedom limited in some way. This is common for a person with dementia receiving care who may have decisions made for them or on their behalf. You can read more about DoLs on the Alzheimer's Society website here, and should you or anyone you know need further support, our TfS partner, Advocacy for All, may be able to help you with this situation.

Seeking support if you are experiencing elder abuse.

Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust, usually a family member. The abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect. Elder abuse is a form of family violence.

If you are experiencing elder abuse by a family member, please contact Sutton DASS, Sutton's Domestic Abuse Services, via their online referral form here or by calling them on 020 8092 7569. Please remember, in the case of an emergency call the Emergency Services as soon as safely possible on 999, and if you are worried about being overheard, you can make a silent call by pressing 55. The call handler will then stay silent, listen to the situation and organise the correct help.

If you need to speak to someone outside of working hours, please try the National Domestic Abuse Helpline's freephone number which is available 24-hours a day on 0808 2000 247 or by visiting their website here.

Safeguarding an older person.

If you are worried about an older person or worried about them being abused, you can read about local policies here, or if needed, you can report this to Adult Social Services through their safeguarding online form here.

Another useful resource for information around abuse of an older person can be found here on the NHS website.