A CHARITY working with elderly people is celebrating after being given a new home.
Last month The Link Visiting Scheme launched a Facebook appeal after describing its current premises as unfit for purpose.
Now Wokingham firm, Niche Communications, has stepped in and offered The Link three rooms at its Oakland Park offices.
The charity moved on to the site on Wednesday, November 1, just in time to organise its annual Christmas Day lunch for more than 100 lonely and isolated elderly people across the borough.
Marjie Walker, Link’s manager praised Niche for stepping in as a Good Samaritan.
“We can’t thank them enough, they really have given us and everyone who uses our services, a very lovely early Christmas present,” she said.
“We have use of three rooms and it is not far from our current dilapidated premises next to the old bingo hall. That building wasn’t big enough, we had no central heating and a toilet that only decided to flush when it chose to.
“Niche Communications has been very generous and couldn’t be more helpful. We owe them the biggest thank you.”
Link has a small staff and around 250 volunteers who befriend people on a one-to-one basis for an hour or more each week. The charity also runs classes such as basic computing skills and various social events including a monthly pub meal.
“Our old premises weren’t ideal for the work we do which is varied and expanding,” added Marjie.
“We are now busy organising our very popular Christmas Day dinner and I would like anyone interested in attending to contact us.”
She added: “It is always a wonderful day and last year we had over 100 people there.”
Peter Burnham, managing director of Niche said the firm was “delighted” to help The Link Visiting Scheme.
“My wife, Frances, is a volunteer and loves being part of such a great local charity,” he explained.
“The Link do amazing work and helps many people who might have no company except for the television. We are delighted to help The Link carry on this wonderful work.”
The Link Visiting Scheme’s telephone number – 0118 979 8019 – remains the same. Their new address is 2 Oaklands Park, Wokingham