Supporting our local communities is important for us at any time…

Although, it’s taken on a whole new meaning for us during the last 12 months.

We’re only a small business and have been struggling ourselves during the pandemic, even so, our team has managed to help our local community in three ways.

During the first lock down Age UK Lancashire asked if we could help them with contents for care packs to be delivered to the isolating elderly.

Daft as it may seem, one of things we provide is toilet roll (supplied by local manufacturer Star Tissue). Two pallets later, it’s made the perfect soft addition to their care pack.

We’ve also hooked up with Rossendale based mental health charity Shiva Trust, who’s helped us create a plant a tree scheme for our customers. Leading to 2,000 planted trees and £2,000 raised for the charity.

Finally, and just as important…

We’ve been helping Age UK Lancashire with a digital inclusion project. Here’s what Community Engagement Manager Anne Oliver had to say about it:

“MY Total Office Solutions support has enabled us to buy twice as many tablets as we would normally be able to and deliver a digital service to twice as many people across Lancashire.”

“We now have almost 100 tablets out in the community and that has been achieved by one member of staff with my support. All are getting basic help to access the information/connectivity they want whether Zoom or watching the cricket.”

“Some of the outcomes have been really touching.”

“Recipients have included an 81 yr. old gentleman who has lost his wife and two brothers to the pandemic, he uses his for artwork and cricket. Another lady Zooms her family in Australia. One very nervous lady on the Fylde who has no family is learning to shop online, play basic games and keep informed.  One lady said she felt ‘really looked after’ because of the support and so it goes on.”

“They are really helping us make a difference.”

“We are hoping that by having great outcomes we can secure additional funding to help reach more and more people and keep them connected and able to access more services.”

“As the NHS is trying to get patients online more and more, whether GPs, ambulance service, health visitors or opticians, the pressure is being put on older people and we are trying to leverage support from the clinical commissioning groups to support the older age group to get on board!”

It just goes to show, you don’t need to be a huge corporation with loads of money to make a difference to your local communities, you just need to be a little creative.

Age UK Lancashire still have a long way to go with their digital inclusion project, but as Anne says, “teamwork will make it happen.”

…and if you want to help and be part of the team, donate online or call 0300 3031234 now.