A Gateshead charity supporting older people has successfully raised £5,000 during this year's Big Give Small Charity Week campaign.
Teams and Bensham Community Care raised £2,500 in donations, and every donation was doubled thanks to match funding from campaign champions, the Postcode Neighbourhood Trust.
The campaign ran from 12 noon on Monday 22 June until 5pm on Monday 29 June 2026, giving supporters the opportunity to make double the impact through matched donations.
The funds raised will enable the charity to continue delivering a range of vital services for older people living in central and inner west Gateshead, including weekly lunch clubs, men's groups, hot meals, activities and community transport.
These services provide a vital lifeline for many older people who are experiencing loneliness, social isolation or the challenges that can come with later life, including bereavement, disability, reduced mobility and memory loss for example.
As the number of older people living alone continues to grow, community-based services play an increasingly important role in supporting independence and social connection. For many people attending the charity's activities, a regular lunch club or men’s group is a chance to build friendships and feel part of their community.
Michelle Chirnside (Project Manager) of Teams and Bensham Community Care said:
"We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported our Big Give Small Charity Week campaign. Raising £2,500, with every donation then matched by the Postcode Neighbourhood Trust, means we can continue providing essential services that make a real difference to older people in our community.”
“Every day we see the positive impact that friendship, a hot meal and the opportunity to take part in activities can have on someone's wellbeing. Many of the people we support are living with grief after losing a loved one, managing disabilities or memory loss, or simply finding it harder to stay connected as they get older. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we can continue ensuring that older people can come along to our groups where there’s always someone to talk to.”
The charity would like to thank everyone who donated, shared the campaign and helped spread the word throughout the week. Every contribution has helped strengthen local services and ensure that older people across central and inner west Gateshead continue to stay active and connected.
