The Liverpool star is backing Age Scotland as it offers advice and support during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Scotland captain Andy Robertson is backing a charity supporting older people during the coronavirus outbreak.
Age Scotland’s helpline is currently dealing with ten times the number of calls it normally receives, with extra staff being assigned to the service to meet the huge increase in demand from older people seeking information, advice and friendship.
The charity is now operating a virtual call centre, with advisers working from home to handle the surge and ensure that older people across Scotland have access to all the support available. Most of the charity’s staff have now been drafted in and trained to work in the helpline service.
Liverpool star Robertson is urging any older people seeking advice or support during the outbreak to call the helpline. He said: “I’ve got older family members myself so I know what a worrying time this is for them. It can be hard to know where to get good information and advice, or even how to have a friendly chat if you are on your own. This is especially so if you are not online, like half a million over 60s in Scotland.
"I want people to know that Age Scotland is here for them. Their fantastic helpline is offering great support to older people and their families as we all adapt to a new way of life for a while. Please call them on 0800 12 44 222.”
The backing comes a week after Robertson made an “extremely generous” donation to mental health charity Back Onside. He is also thought to be behind significant donations to food banks across Glasgow to help them provide additional support during the crisis.
Age Scotland said the vast majority of calls to its helpline in recent weeks have been seeking advice or information about issues related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The charity also provides comprehensive advice on the virus via its website, which has seen an “unprecedented increase” in traffic from people seeking information.
Brian Sloan, Age Scotland's chief executive, said: “We’re really grateful to Andy Robertson for helping to make sure older people know about Age Scotland’s free helpline and how they can access help and support.
"Coronavirus is causing a great deal of anxiety among older people and their families. Many people don’t know where to turn for information, advice and how to access the range of services which are sprouting up across Scotland to support them. We are here to help.
“The main concerns of callers have largely been about access to food, medication and social care, but as it develops and shifts every day we are having to adapt quickly and decipher new information as it arises. Many of the calls have been people desperate for help.
"While it might take a little longer than normal to get through to us, we are here to offer information and advice, but also to have a friendly chat with older people who might be feeling more lonely and isolated than normal.”
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