Fauxmage
07-30-2009, 09:48 AM
GRANTS ON OFFER FOR OLDER VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS
By Emma Foster, Community Newswire
28 Jul 2009 - 14:45
Vegetarians or vegans aged over 65 and in financial need are being invited to apply for a grant of up to £3,000 from a newly launched fund.
Vegetarian for Life (VfL), an advocacy and educational charity working on behalf of older vegetarians and vegans throughout the UK, has set up two new funds to help assist with individual independent living, using funds from the charity's sister organisation the Vegetarian Housing Association (VHA).
The Vegan Fund and The Vegetarian Fund will provide one-off grants to provide ramps, grab handles, minor kitchen/bathroom adaptations, stair lifts and respite care. Other uses will be considered for a grant as long as they will benefit one or more older vegetarians or vegans.
The charity commissioned a study into care homes in June this year, which found that vegetarians and vegans make up only 1.25% of residents in care homes compared to the latest Food Standards Agency figure, which suggests of 3% of the population is vegetarian or vegan.
VfL said they believed this may be because older vegetarians and vegans are typically healthier and that they are often more independently-minded and stay in their own homes for longer.
The funds have been set up to help older vegetarians and vegans stay at home and retain their independence for longer.
Tina Fox, company secretary for VfL, will be managing the new scheme. She said: "I am very pleased that we have been able to launch this new scheme.
"Often older people end up in care homes before they really need to and it can be a particular problem for older vegetarians and vegans as they may find the catering unsuitable for them and they also tend to be very independently minded.
"The scheme has been set up in order to help delay or avoid this eventuality and assist a better quality of life."
Peter Lakey, chair of VfL and VHA, added: "We aim to make life easier and more enjoyable for older vegetarians and vegans, and the launch of these charitable funds adds an important new dimension to our work.
"We hope that the wider vegetarian and vegan community, and the social care community, will welcome them and encourage older vegetarians and vegans to apply for grants if they are in need."
The Vegan Fund originates from donations made by Vegan Society members and held in safe-keeping by VHA. The Vegetarian Fund comes direct from VHA's own assets, which originated from donations from members of the Vegetarian Society. Both funds will be run by VfL and applications will be assessed by the trustees of the Vegetarian Housing Association.
For further information and details of how to apply contact Tina on 0151 608 1595, email: tina@vegetarianforlife.org.uk or visit www.vegetarianforlife.org.uk (http://www.vegetarianforlife.org.uk).
By Emma Foster, Community Newswire
28 Jul 2009 - 14:45
Vegetarians or vegans aged over 65 and in financial need are being invited to apply for a grant of up to £3,000 from a newly launched fund.
Vegetarian for Life (VfL), an advocacy and educational charity working on behalf of older vegetarians and vegans throughout the UK, has set up two new funds to help assist with individual independent living, using funds from the charity's sister organisation the Vegetarian Housing Association (VHA).
The Vegan Fund and The Vegetarian Fund will provide one-off grants to provide ramps, grab handles, minor kitchen/bathroom adaptations, stair lifts and respite care. Other uses will be considered for a grant as long as they will benefit one or more older vegetarians or vegans.
The charity commissioned a study into care homes in June this year, which found that vegetarians and vegans make up only 1.25% of residents in care homes compared to the latest Food Standards Agency figure, which suggests of 3% of the population is vegetarian or vegan.
VfL said they believed this may be because older vegetarians and vegans are typically healthier and that they are often more independently-minded and stay in their own homes for longer.
The funds have been set up to help older vegetarians and vegans stay at home and retain their independence for longer.
Tina Fox, company secretary for VfL, will be managing the new scheme. She said: "I am very pleased that we have been able to launch this new scheme.
"Often older people end up in care homes before they really need to and it can be a particular problem for older vegetarians and vegans as they may find the catering unsuitable for them and they also tend to be very independently minded.
"The scheme has been set up in order to help delay or avoid this eventuality and assist a better quality of life."
Peter Lakey, chair of VfL and VHA, added: "We aim to make life easier and more enjoyable for older vegetarians and vegans, and the launch of these charitable funds adds an important new dimension to our work.
"We hope that the wider vegetarian and vegan community, and the social care community, will welcome them and encourage older vegetarians and vegans to apply for grants if they are in need."
The Vegan Fund originates from donations made by Vegan Society members and held in safe-keeping by VHA. The Vegetarian Fund comes direct from VHA's own assets, which originated from donations from members of the Vegetarian Society. Both funds will be run by VfL and applications will be assessed by the trustees of the Vegetarian Housing Association.
For further information and details of how to apply contact Tina on 0151 608 1595, email: tina@vegetarianforlife.org.uk or visit www.vegetarianforlife.org.uk (http://www.vegetarianforlife.org.uk).