JUST five days remain for people to help a local charity claim funding to continue a pilot programme helping Ilkley’s elderly and vulnerable residents.

Moving On is the latest scheme launched by Ilkley and District Good Neighbours and is designed to help the over 60s combat feelings of isolation resulting from significant life changes.

Just 90 more votes are needed to help the charity qualify for the next stage of the £5k funding application which would help the Moving On project be extended to September 2018.

Ilkley and District Good Neighbours chair, Judy Hutton, said: “We all extend our heartfelt thanks to those who have voted for us through the Aviva Community Fund website, which stipulates that 1,000 votes are needed to help applicants get through to the final stage of the funding process.

“Since July, Moving On has helped more than 30 local residents find new activities, friends and a new lease of life after the death of a partner, moving into the area or coping with reduced mobility. Significant change can suddenly make life outside your own four walls feel overwhelming, which is why Moving On is such an important resource that helps sign post people to groups, activities and experiences to try. We can keep this going from our own reserves until March 2018 but thereafter, without the funding, the programme would have to end.”

Moving On offers weekly meetings offering older members of the Ilkley community the help and support needed to discover activities including art groups, bridge, country dancing, Canasta, badminton, scrabble clubs and travel groups. Meeting every Monday at the Ilkley Playhouse from 10am – 11.30am, visitors have the opportunity over tea, coffee and cakes to chat with people who have time to listen, advise and support.

Judy added: “These last few voting days are now the crucial time in our funding application and we are calling on our local community to help us with the final push for funding which would mean Ilkley and District Good Neighbours continuing to provide the venue, support, staff and facilities for Moving On until September 2018, giving some of Ilkley’s most vulnerable residents a further six months of making friends and connections and sharing information through skills and knowledge.”

Aviva’s voting lines are open until Tuesday November 21 and votes can be made by logging on to the Aviva Community Fund website https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/17-3128