NEWS RELEASES
New chance for older people to have a say
17th September 2004
THE Council has many ways of consulting with the community and one of the most successful is HYPER, the Horsham Youth Council.
With the support of Horsham District Age Concern, we are now in the process of setting up another group which will be devoted especially to the interests of older people across the District, an Older Persons' Council.
The idea has been under consideration ever since we first established our first older persons' strategy in 2002. Now we have set ourselves a target of having this new group in place by January, 2005.
During the next few weeks there will be a great deal of publicity generated on the subject and we are hoping that people in the 60 plus age group will be encouraged to take part. The construction of the Older Persons' Council will depend on the response we get and those serving on it will decide for themselves what to do. However it is likely to have its own chairman and would involve regular meetings to discuss issues that affect the elderly, to offer advice to local authorities and to undertake initiatives within local communities. It is also likely that there would be joint meetings so that issues that affect both young and older can be aired together.
Details about the new group will be available at our 'Life Is For Living' events which take place at two venues this year, at Steyning Leisure Centre on October 8 and at Horsham Drill Hall on October 27. Designed specifically to provide information for people in the sixty plus age group, these events will be attended by representatives of voluntary groups which provide services for the elderly and there will many opportunities to learn about new activities. Our population of over sixties continues to grow and I am hoping that many people will attend these special days. I look forward to meeting you. For more information call (01403) 215384.
The Council is involved in a series of initiatives to help older people, including the very successful Community Link alarm service, and it is aware that transport remains a very important issue for many. The Horsham Dial-a-Ride service has filled a great need in recent years and a similar scheme has just been launched at Steyning. Our recently appointed transport manager and his team are currently looking at further ideas.
Our Leisure Link staff are also involved in training staff at day centres and sheltered homes in the art of 'chair based' exercises for the elderly and we plan to introduce more people to Tai Chi which is known to help prevent falls and achieve better balance. We are also working with Horsham Age Concern in a bid to provide a part-time worker in the Storrington area who will provide people with advice on claiming benefits and allowances, many of which are lost each year because claims are not made. Similar advice is already available at the David Bryce Centre in Horsham and through Horsham Citizens Advice Bureau.
If you would like more details about the Older Peoples' Council please contact Shelley Denman on (01403) 215122 or e-mail shelley.denman@horsham.gov.uk.
Ends
Councillor Sheila Van Den Bergh, The Chairman, Horsham District Council, Park North, North Street, Horsham, RH12 1RH.
E-mail: contactchairman@horsham.gov.uk
CONTACT:Richard Morris, Communications Manager
(01403) 215549