How you can help Make later life better for older people in Cheshire

www.ageukcheshire.org.uk

Thank you for supporting Age UK Cheshire Our mission is to make later life better for everyone in Cheshire.

Now that you have chosen to support us, we would like to assist you in your fundraising. We very much appreciate the time, effort and commitment of our supporters and we want you to know we are here to back you all the way. You will find hints and tips over the next few pages in this pack to help you make the most of your fundraising. If you have any queries contact Georgina Alexander-Pulham on 01606 305000 or email georgina.alexander@ ageukcheshire.org.uk In March 2011, Age UK Cheshire became the new name for Age Concern Cheshire. We are a local, independent charity committed to improving the lives of older people living in Cheshire. As a brand partner of the national charity Age UK, we share the same values and mission but operate purely for the benefit of residents of Cheshire. Age UK Cheshire currently helps over 12,000 older people each year. By raising money for Age UK Cheshire, you will be helping us to deliver services by: • Informing and empowering older people so they have choice and control to live their lives independently and as they choose. We provide a wide range of specialist information through our local advice centres, outreach sessions, home visits, via the website and on the telephone to help older people access all help and advice available to them.

Age UK Cheshire, 314 Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, CW8 2AB

• Providing practical help at home to enable older people to live safely and independently in accommodation suited to their needs. We provide a range of services which help older people to keep their homes warm, well-lit and accident free and to reduce admissions, or re-admissions to hospital. We provide access to a ‘circle of support’ to improve the quality of life for older people. • Improving health and wellbeing by delivering quality services that respond to the individual needs of older people. We promote awareness of a wide range of social and physical activities for older people such as falls awareness and prevention which continues to develop our support for those with health issues. • Preventing loneliness and isolation by developing and promoting initiatives that will help older people in Cheshire to enjoy a more fulfilling life. We work to reduce loneliness by encouraging older people to enjoy a good social life through access to a wide range of clubs and groups which bring people together, particularly those living far away from home. We also help people to become digitally included by offering IT training and support. Your efforts will help us to maintain our high quality services to older people in Cheshire despite cuts in external funding. Thank you once again for your support.

An A–Z of ideas Thank you for choosing to fundraise for Age UK Cheshire. Your support means we can continue to provide our vital services. Whether you are an individual, a community group a company or a school, whatever you do, do it for us! If you are looking for ideas, we hope you will find some inspiration from this list. Georgina Alexander-Pulham on 01606 305000 or email georgina.alexander@ageukcheshire. org.uk A Auction of unwanted goods Aerobics class Arm wrestling contest Al Fresco party – BBQ, cheese and wine Afternoon Tea event B Bingo night Bring and Buy sale Babysitting Belly dance workshop Ball C Cabaret/comedy/casino night Car boot sale Car wash Cycle ride Carol concert Cake sale Coffee morning Craft show D Dress down day Disco night Dinner party Dragon boat racing Donate clothes and bric-a-brac to our shops. (Organise a goods collection day.) Darts night E eBay: sell any unwanted items on www.ebay.co.uk Organise an exhibition with proceeds to us. Extreme challenge!

Age UK Cheshire, 314 Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, CW8 2AB

F Fancy dress to work day Fashion show Football tournament Facebook: create an event or group dedicated to your fundraising and raise sponsorship online. Family fun day at work. G Guess the weight of… Garage sale Garden party Guess the number of … Golf tournament Gym challenge H Hair removal: be it a beard, moustache or shave your whole head for us! Hopping race I Invite friends to donate to your Virgin Money giving page. Indoor Olympics J Jumble sale Jam making: sell your own homemade jam! Jeans at work/school day K Karaoke evening Keep fit marathon session Knit: make some scarves to sell in those winter months (or some little hats for The Big Knit campaign) L Lemonade selling Limbo contest Loud tie day (continued overleaf)

An A–Z of ideas

M Music evening: put on a concert for your community Market stall Money box: leave a collecting box in local businesses Matched Giving: Some companies will match the amount you raise pound for pound with a corporate donation. Ask your company to give you a one-off donation to get the ball rolling. N Non-uniform day Night in: spend nothing in the comfort of your own home and save some pounds to put towards your challenge. O Office collection Organise a local event in your community Organised events – take part in something already happening, like a half-marathon, triathlon, 10k race. Opera evening P Photography competition Party Publicity: let everyone know about the challenge you are undertaking and where they can sponsor you Pancake race Q Quitting: smoking, chocolate, fizzy drinks… Quiz night R Running race Raffle Regular Giving: Donations can be made via our website at www.ageukcheshire.org.uk Race night Rowing race S Sponsored silence

Age UK Cheshire, 314 Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, CW8 2AB

Swear box Salsa evening Staff vs. pupils contest Singathon Street Collection – contact us for details as there are legalities which must be complied with. Servant for a day: offer to do some chores/to raise money Swimming competition T Tombola Teddy Bear’s picnic. Treasure hunt Talent show Triathlon Tea Dance U Unwanted items: collect them up and donate them to our shops Underground pub crawl V Variety show Valet service W Wheelbarrow race Wine tasting Walk: instead of getting a bus or a train and donate what you’ve saved Waxing! Window cleaning X X-factor party Xmas presents sale Xmas fair Y Yo-yo competition Yoga class Z Zumba dancing evening Zany clothing day

Seasonal fundraising ideas If you fundraise throughout the year, you’ll find it easy to reach your target. For more details on how to arrange these events, please contact us. January Stop smoking and donate money saved Unwanted Christmas present sale Aerobics-athon

July Sizzling summer BBQ Al fresco cheese-and-wine party Battle of the bands concert

February Homemade Valentine’s card sale Guess the number of sweets in the jar Mini office Olympics/sports challenge

August Summer cake sale with cream teas, strawberries and cucumber sandwiches Auction (items, people or services)

March St David’s Day plant and flower sale St Patrick’s Day dinner party Car wash

September School uniform fancy dress party End of summer hike Last Night at the Proms party

April April Fools’ Day junk sale Easter egg hunt St George’s Day lunch Grand National sweepstake

October Oktoberfest party End of summertime final BBQ Halloween party

May Eurovision Song Contest party May Day maypole dancing Golf tournament June Picnic in the park Mini-Wimbledon tennis tournament Wimbledon sweepstake World-cup/Euro sweepstake

Go wild and get your creative juices flowing – we would love to hear your ideas! Age UK Cheshire, 314 Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, CW8 2AB

November All Saints fancy dress party Guy Fawkes party St Andrew’s Day Scottish fancy dress party December Carol-singing Christmas card sale Christmas/New Year’s Eve party

Fundraising events Sometimes people get tired of giving to charities, so give them something for their money instead, by hosting an event!

Host a dinner party Invite ten friends for dinner, charging them £15 a head for their meal. Ingredients do not need to be expensive – make a huge casserole or paella or buy some cheap party food from the supermarket. You could theme your dinner party, e.g. 1980s or Mexican. Contact us if you need any recipe or menu inspiration. Throw a party Contact local pubs and venues. Many places are prepared to give you an area for you to hold a disco, party or theme night for free. You can ask people to pay for entry and then run a raffle to maximise your takings. How about a barn dance, a fancy dress party, a murder mystery, a vicars and tarts party, a Barbie and Ken party… the possibilities are endless! Coffee morning Lots of people fundraise through coffee mornings, but you can make yours a little bit different. How about some Somali spiced tea, Turkish coffee or French pastries?

Fundraise for Age UK Cheshire with a charity quiz night.

Age UK Cheshire, 314 Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, CW8 2AB

Games night Play bingo or board games all night, with people paying to take part. You could give them the chance to win a prize if they get the highest score, or perhaps the sociability and enjoyment of the event will be enough for them… along with some nibbles. Cheese and wine-tasting Many wine companies offer tasting sessions for local organisations and they can assist in your fundraising efforts. You can receive a commission for every bottle sold and hold a raffle as well. Promises auction Friends and family offer their services, from babysitting to dog-walking, for sale to the highest bidder. Bring and buy Clear out the loft and raise a bundle at your local car boot sale. Whether you are selling an excess of home-made wine or your unwanted gifts, your piece of kitsch could be someone else’s treasure. Bake a batch of cakes and add a cake stall too.

How your company or club can get involved Whatever you belong to, you can raise money for Age UK Cheshire.

Are you a Freemason, a Rotarian, a Lion? Are you a member of a golf club, a tennis club, a rugby club or any sports club? Do you belong to the WI or Inner Wheel? Does your workplace have a nominated Charity of the Year? Whatever you belong to, you can help us by nominating us to be your chosen charity or by organising an event to raise money for us. We can come and talk about our work at lunches or events to help to encourage support for Age UK Cheshire. For all enquiries contact Georgina AlexanderPulham on 01606 305000 or email georgina. [email protected] Please look at our ‘How your donation helps’ page for a list of examples of how your fundraising is used to help older people in Cheshire. There are also many non-financial ways your club or company can help Age UK Cheshire and we really value that support too. • Does your company supply or manufacture goods? How about donating any surplus stock/ ends of lines for us to sell in our shops? • Do you have event or conference facilities that you would be prepared to let us use free of charge?

We are always keen to hear from companies who would like to adopt us as Charity of the Year. Recent businesses have included Barclays and The Duke of Westminster. Age UK Cheshire, 314 Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, CW8 2AB

•S  upport our charity shops in Cheshire. Could you arrange a collection day for staff or members to bring in unwanted clothes and household items for us to sell in the shops? We can arrange collection. What we can not sell in the shops, we can still sell for rags! Encourage your staff and members to visit our shops to browse and buy good quality items. •D  o you end up with an overstock of items such as diaries, calendars, incentive items, calculators and memory sticks that you could let us make use of? •D  o you ever have free places on staff and management training courses which you could allow our staff members to make use of? •H  ave you just upgraded your computers and could let us have some tablets or laptops for our mobile staff? •C  ould any of you staff offer their time as volunteers to support our services? •C  ould you help promote Age UK Cheshire by putting our logo on to your company vehicles?

Fundraising in the workplace Why not use these tips to get your work colleagues to support you?

Cake sale Bake some cakes at home and ask colleagues to make or buy cakes for you, then sell them by the slice at work. It is a simple way to raise money and perk up the morning coffee break. Sell fruit to health conscious colleagues! The infamous office quiz Run this from the canteen or the pub local to your workplace. Just charge an entrance fee and use part of the money to purchase a prize (if not donated).

Get creative in your ideas, think of anything that will attract a crowd and get your peers to come along and join in

Age UK Cheshire, 314 Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, CW8 2AB

That’s my baby! Get baby photos and have a competition to see who can guess which bundle of fun has become which adult. Run a raffle Approach local companies or your company directors for prizes. These could be bottles of wine, hampers, dinner in a local restaurant, tickets to sporting events or the theatre, weekend breaks, vouchers or electrical equipment. In return for donating prizes, offer the companies publicity – for example, in the local press, or on raffle tickets or posters.

Getting started Age UK Cheshire helps over 12,000 older people every year. When you fundraise for us, you help us make sure we can continue to provide vital support. 1. The sooner you start, the more you’ll raise No explanation needed! Don’t leave it until the last minute. 2. Spread the word Tell everyone what you are doing. Use email signatures, work noticeboards, local press, Facebook, Twitter and even answerphone messages – use every means possible! (We would advise you not to go cold calling at doors.) 3. Create a sponsorship page with Virgin Money Giving Make a page and share it online with your friends and family. Anyone can donate with a credit / debit card from anywhere in the world. Virgin Money Giving send your donations straight to us and reclaim gift aid on your behalf. Go to www.virginmoneygiving.co.uk and follow the instructions. (Make sure that you select Age UK Cheshire from the list of charities). 4. If you work approach your employer Ask your company if it operates a matchedgiving scheme, which means they will match your fundraising pound for pound. If they cannot, you could ask for a donation or for permission to arrange some fundraising events within the workplace.

5. Don’t feel daunted If you set yourself a fundraising target, by breaking it down into easily achievable chunks, it will be less daunting. Divide your fundraising target and work towards a monthly or weekly target, instead of one amount. 6. Play to your strengths Where do your talents lie? If you are good at something, make some money out of it! For example, dog-walking, car-washing, gardening, odd jobs, babysitting and making greetings cards. 7. What’s in it for me? Do not rely on sponsorship alone. People are helping you to achieve your goal, so give them something in return. How about a quiz or dinner party? 8. Do not give up Persistence really pays off. You do not want to pester people too much, but there is nothing wrong with sending out an email reminder a couple of weeks after your first request. Do not be afraid to do this – people genuinely forget, and will appreciate the prompt.

Fundraising for Age UK Cheshire is all about having fun, raising as much as you can for older people and enjoying it!

Age UK Cheshire, 314 Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, CW8 2AB

Make the most of your fundraising Get your fundraising noticed. The more people that know about what you are doing, the more you will raise.

Contact Georgina Alexander-Pulham on 01606 305000 or email georgina.alexander@ ageukcheshire.org.uk. If you use Facebook or Twitter, post details of your event and ask people to share it. Give us details of your event and in return for a ‘Like’ on Facebook, we will add you to our Facebook page too. Press Tell your local press. Look on their website and find out who covers your area. They always like local and human interest stories. Make sure you know when deadlines are so that you can time promoting your event properly. Try to think of something which makes your event stand out, i.e. Age UK Cheshire helped your parents, or an elderly neighbour. If your event itself is slightly unusual, it will be more interesting.

Make the journalist’s job easy – take photos yourself if possible before the event, or invite a photographer on the day. Make sure you are wearing Age UK Cheshire tee-shirts or standing by an Age UK Cheshire banner, so that it is clear who you are supporting. Use props such as a bike or running shoes to show what you are doing.

Age UK Cheshire, 314 Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, CW8 2AB

Get information about your event onto your company or club’s intranet or internal newsletter Check if your company operates a matched giving scheme. This instantly doubles your fundraising. Create an email signature to add details of your fundraising to every email that you send.

Writing a news release Now that you’ve planned every detail of the event, you need to let the world know about your fundraising too

If a journalist can not make it to an event or photocall, your news release will be vital for you to achieve coverage. • The golden rule when writing a press release is to get all the most important information in the first paragraph: The five Ws – who, what, where, when and why. This should be a succinct story in itself, the rest should just be additional information. • Keep it to one side of A4, double-spaced – more than four paragraphs and you are waffling.

The more people who know about what you are doing, the more money you will raise – so shout it from the rooftops!

• Always assume your journalist knows absolutely nothing about you, so avoid jargon and abbreviations. Communicate everything first time round, or your story may get ignored. Keep things simple. • Do not forget to include a contact name and number at the bottom for journalists to get more information should they need it.

We have created a sample letter that you can use as a template to publicise your event.

Dear Editor of (insert name of local newspaper/radio station), I am currently supporting Age UK Cheshire, by taking part in the Charity’s (insert event name) event, taking place on/between (insert date). (Insert short paragraph on event: for example, what exactly will it entail? Is it something you have always wanted to do? How else will you be fundraising?)

I am a passionate supporter of Age UK Cheshire and am looking for local people to get involved/sponsor me to help raise vital funds for the Charity, which seeks to help those in later life who are in need, unsupported, lonely and poor. For any readers who would like to get involved/sponsor me, please contact me on (insert telephone number/ email address/website address). I would be extremely grateful if you would cover this event in your publication and help to raise awareness for this worthwhile cause. Thanking you, in anticipation, for your generous support. Yours sincerely, (Insert name, and location) Age UK Cheshire supporter

Text AGED11 £1/£2/£5 to 70070 to donate now e.g AGED11£5 Age UK Cheshire, 314 Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, CW8 2AB

Collecting Try collecting in one of the following places: busy high street, railway or bus station, shopping centre, supermarket or pub.

Collecting is challenging but fun and you can raise a lot of £££s in an afternoon. To collect in private properties, such as pubs, you only need the permission of the management. You will, however, need a collection permit to collect in public places. Applications should be co-ordinated through Age UK Cheshire, so call us for more details on 01606 305000. Please do: 1. Carry your fundraising authorisation letter, which we can provide for you. Make sure that the charity branding can be seen on all collection tins or buckets. 2. Get people’s attention (smile, eye contact). This is easier with individuals than with groups.

Please don’t: 1. Pressurise people to donate or ask the same person several times (this is illegal). 2. Break the seals. 3. Stand too close to other collectors or cause an obstruction. 4. Rattle tins or buckets. Wherever and whenever a collection takes place, properly sealed and labelled collecting boxes, tins or buckets must be used which we can supply. We will provide all fundraisers with a letter from Age UK Cheshire authorising you to fundraise on our behalf. If you would like to help Age UK Cheshire with the organised local collections in Cheshire and local supermarkets please contact us on 01606 305000.

3. Do not be shy – ask for support! 4. Make sure you thank all the people who donate. 5. Leave all of those people who respond ‘yes’ or ‘no’ with a favourable impression. 6. Compete (friendly rivalry with a fellow collector will keep you going). 7. Persevere – it can be tough to get started, but it gets easier with practice. 8. Be positive and enjoy yourself – it will rub off on those you are collecting from.

Enthusiasm is the key to a successful collection – remember to smile!

Age UK Cheshire, 314 Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, CW8 2AB

How your donation helps Whatever the amount of your donation, large or small, you can be sure it will be used to make later life better for older people in Cheshire.

Below are various examples of how we could use your donations.

£500 pays for an outreach centre for our Information and Advice service for a year

£5 pays for an older person to attend a lunch club once a week

£1,000 pays for training and support for our army of 350 volunteers over a three month period

£10 pays for a driver to take people to and from our OPEL groups (Older People Enjoying Life)

£5,000 pays for a venue for our Men in Sheds service, which focuses on socialising, sharing skills and learning new ones, with the aim to improve older men’s health

£25 pays for a home visit from one of our Home Assessors to enable older people to maximise their income and claim everything they are entitled to A home visit from one of our Dementia Advisors to offer support and advice to individuals with dementia, their carers and family

Last year a donation enabled us to provide 100 food parcels containing staple as well as luxury food and drink items to the most vulnerable, older people across Cheshire, during the winter months.

£100 covers the monthly cost of our Falls Prevention / Cardiac Rehab classes – to improve the health and wellbeing of older people with long term conditions. £250 pays for us to provide a weekly social group for older people who feel depressed, lonely or isolated. The annual cost of the telephone link service which is a lifeline for older people who may be isolated and have little or no contact with friends/family

In 2012/13, Our Supporting You service helped 936 older people to claim benefits, resulting in awards totalling £2.3million

Age UK Cheshire, 314 Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, CW8 2AB

Keeping it safe and legal We want all the lovely people who choose to fundraise for Age UK Cheshire, above all, to stay safe and not to break any laws! It is not worth taking any unnecessary risks – so here are a few things that you may need to consider prior to organising your fundraising event.

Health and safety • A good starting point is the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website www.hse.gov.uk, where you can access free health and safety advice. • Consider first-aid provision and, where possible, have a trained first aider present at your events. For bigger events, ask your local St John’s Ambulance crew for help. • For an event in a public area – for example, a mini-marathon or sponsored bed-push – you should inform your local police and local council of the date and the route. • Check out references, insurance, and relevant qualifications of any organiser or supplier you’re thinking of using for an event. • Always check that caterers and venues have relevant food hygiene and environmental health certificates before considering them for an event where food is to be served or sold. • If you are preparing or handling food yourself, please remember to adhere to basic rules for the safe and hygienic preparation, cooking and storing of food – you do not want to make those who have supported your fundraising efforts unwell! If in doubt, please consult the Food Standards Agency website www.food.gov.uk

Age UK Cheshire, 314 Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, CW8 2AB

Raffles and lotteries Raffles and lotteries are subject to strict and complex laws – to ensure that yours runs smoothly and within the law, you can either get advice from your local council or consult the Institute of Fundraising: www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk Age UK Cheshire cannot accept responsibility for any injury, loss or damage sustained as a result of fundraising for the Charity. If you are in any doubt about the legal or safety aspects of your fundraising, please contact Age UK Cheshire on 01606 305000 for advice.

Age UK Cheshire Fundraising Paying In Form Please send in this form together with any sponsorship or donation cheques that you receive. Cheques should be made payable to Age UK Cheshire. Please photocopy this form before you complete it so you have some for future use, then take a copy of the completed one for your own records. Thank you so much for raising money for Age UK Cheshire. Your efforts will make a very real difference to older people in the local area. Please do not send cash! If you would prefer to pay direct into the bank, please contact us for details then send this form to us together with a copy of a receipt to advise us as to what has been paid in. Georgina Alexander-Pulham on 01606 305000 or email [email protected]

Name of fundraiser: Address: Postcode: Daytime telephone number: Email: Fundraising event: Total amount enclosed: Names and amounts of cheques:

What prompted you to support Age UK Cheshire?

Please send this form together with your cheques to: Age UK Cheshire Fundraising Department 314 Chester Road Hartford Northwich CW8 2AB Your donations will be acknowledged and you can use this letter for matched giving requests or to show your final total. Age UK Cheshire, 314 Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, CW8 2AB

Sponsor form

Please help me reach my target of £ �����������������������������������

Gift Aid Declaration I/we, who have given our names and addresses below, and who have ticked the box entitled ‘Gift Aid’, want Age UK Cheshire to treat all donations I/we have made for the four years prior to this year, and all donations I make from the date of this declaration until I/we notify you otherwise, as Gift Aid donations. I confirm that I pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax at least equal to the tax that the charity will reclaim on my donations in the tax year.

So just tick the box – it’s that simple!

Date: ...../...... /...... (please complete) Date First name Surname Home address please give your full address or we can't claim Gift Aid

Postcode

Amount Amount Gift pledged paid Aid

Total donations £