AGE UK Merton has received a large cash boost to support the elderly with financial, housing and care issues.

City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charity funder, has given £248,000 to Age UK Merton, to increase the services it offers to older people in the community.

Based at the Elmwood Centre in Mitcham, Age UK Merton plans to use the funding to expand their outreach and home visiting service.

The funding will also support the charity’s work providing information, advice and casework support to the elderly across Merton.

Chairman of City Bridge Trust Committee, Dhruv Patel, said: “Navigating key services can be overwhelming and cause anxiety for all of us, but this is especially true for the most vulnerable in society.

“Age UK Merton is providing a lifeline for disadvantaged older people in Merton who may struggle with these pressures, offering a helping hand to deal with and address important issues.

"This funding will help them support more elderly people in the future.

“Now more than ever, the trust has a crucial role to play in ensuring the sector stays strong and effective, particularly by helping smaller charities such as Age UK Merton.”

Chief Executive of Age UK Merton, Rob Clarke, said: “We are delighted to receive funding from City Bridge Trust to provide high-quality information, advice and casework support for disadvantaged older people in the London Borough of Merton.

“We know many older people struggle to get by day by day.

"Our support will enable them to maximise their income and feel more confident to make informed choices about their futures.

"By doing so we aim to alleviate anxiety and allow our clients to get the most out of later life.”