Don't let Stoke‑on‑Trent lose its lifeline for older people

For 54 years, the Beth Johnson Foundation has been there for people across Stoke-on-Trent when they needed it most. In August 2026, that ends - unless we do something about it.

54

Years serving the community

1,000s

People supported over the years

Aug '26

Closure date without urgent support

A lifeline under threat

For decades, BJF has played a quiet but significant role in the lives of people aged 50 and over in Stoke-on-Trent. Now, following the withdrawal of their primary funding, the foundation has been left without a sustainable income - and without the means to continue the services so many people depend on.

  • All current services and activities will close permanently in August 2026 without urgent intervention.
  • Thousands of older people will lose the only space where they feel safe talking about their grief.
  • 54 years of trust, knowledge, relationships, and community presence cannot easily be rebuilt once lost.
  • Planned future services - from inclusive technology to health and creative support - may never reach the people who need them most.

Every day we see the difference that simple human connection can make. For many people, this is the only place they feel heard, safe and valued. Without urgent support, these services — and the people who rely on them — are at real risk of being lost.

— Sue, Chief Executive, Beth Johnson Foundation
Donate now — every pound helps

Why this work matters in Stoke-on-Trent

  • 54+

    Years of continuous support for older people in Stoke-on-Trent

  • 2,000+

    People supported through dementia services

  • 7,700+

    Older people in Stoke-on-Trent living with loneliness

  • 3rd

    Highest dementia diagnosis rates in England

The difference you could make

These are the services that were at the heart of BJF's work — the kind of meaningful, everyday support that changed lives in Stoke-on-Trent. While BJF is not currently able to run them, your donation could help bring them back. Every pound takes them one step closer to reopening their doors for the people who need them most.

  • £5

    could help fund a befriending phone call for an isolated older person

  • £10

    could help run a coffee morning to reduce loneliness

  • £15

    could help fund transport to sessions for those who can't get there alone

  • £25

    could help run a Tea and Tech drop-in, supporting older people to use their phones and iPads

  • £30

    could help run intergenerational activities, bringing children and older community members together

  • £40

    could help run a dementia group for people living with a diagnosis

Real people. Real difference.

Every session, every phone call, every cup of tea shared at Tea & Tech — it's the small moments of connection that change lives. In Stoke-on-Trent, those moments are at risk of disappearing forever.

Help save this lifeline

Rooted in Stoke‑on‑Trent since 1972

Beth Johnson was born in Hartshill and spent her life caring for others - serving as a Red Cross nurse during the Second World War, and later dedicating herself to volunteering in the community — particularly for older residents of Stoke-on-Trent.

After her passing, her husband Alfred used her estate to establish a foundation in her name. For more than five decades, that foundation has championed positive ageing — not just providing services, but listening to older people, amplifying their voices, and working to make Stoke-on-Trent a more inclusive, age-friendly city.

  1. WWII

    Beth Johnson serves as a Red Cross nurse, dedicating herself to caring for others during one of Britain's most difficult periods.

  2. 1972

    The Beth Johnson Foundation is established in Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent — carrying forward Beth's legacy of care and compassion.

  3. 2021

    Awarded Digital Champion in the Community for the Healthy Generations Project. The Dementia Advocacy project is shortlisted for Outstanding Service.

  4. 2022

    Celebrates 50 years of championing positive ageing. The Lord Mayor unveils commemorative plaques at Parkfield House, Hartshill.

  5. 2025

    Showcased as a leader in intergenerational practice at Global Intergenerational Week. Named country lead for 2026.

  6. August 2026

    Projected closure date unless urgent funding is secured. 54 years of community support would end permanently.

Support that truly matters in later life

The Beth Johnson Foundation shows up for people during some of the hardest moments in later life, providing support to people who have nowhere else to turn - and once that trusted, local presence is gone, it cannot easily be recreated.

  • Inclusive Technology

    Supporting people to feel more confident and included in an increasingly digital world, with guidance around digital skills, neurodiversity and emerging technologies.

  • Health and Wellbeing

    Providing practical advice and support around everyday health, including diet, exercise, and affordable cooking, alongside help for those managing long-term conditions such as dementia, disability, and mental health challenges.

  • Communication as Therapy

    Creating safe and creative spaces through storytelling, writing, poetry, and the arts to support emotional wellbeing, build confidence, and give people a voice through shared experiences.

  • Tea and Tech digital inclusion session
  • Bereavement support group session
  • Intergenerational activity session

What this support really means

  • I was so lucky to have incredible people around me that helped me to see the light on my dark days.

  • It has made me feel much less lonely, and now I have people I can talk to who understand. I'm not alone anymore.

  • I knew that the only place I felt safe to talk about what I was going through was here.

  • My quality of life has really improved. Your positivity on my progress really boosts me.

  • It has been lovely to have someone who has the time to listen. Caring can be hard at times, so it's nice to know there's someone who can help.

  • It was a sense of connection with the community in these difficult times.

There are many ways you can help

Whether you can give a little or a lot, your support helps make a real difference to vulnerable older people in Stoke-on-Trent.

  • Make a donation

    Any amount - £5, £10, £25 - helps keep the doors open and services running for the people who need them most. Whether one-off or regular, your support makes a real difference.

    Donate now

  • Share this page

    Help spread the word by sharing this page with friends, family, and colleagues. The more people who know, the better the chance of finding the support BJF needs to survive.

  • Fundraise or partner with us

    Organise a fundraiser, contact us about a corporate partnership, or discuss how a grant or major donation could help secure BJF's future beyond August 2026.

    Get in touch

They stood by the community for 54 years

Now it's our turn to stand by them.

Donate now — every pound helps Or contact the team to discuss other ways to support.