Welsh councils leading the way in tackling older people’s issues
01 October 2009
Today, as the UK celebrates national Older People’s Day, the WLGA publishes an information booklet (From Strategy to Outcomes: A showcase of local authority implementation of the Strategy for Older People in Wales) which showcases what Welsh councils are doing to improve the quality of life for older people in their local areas and getting them more involved in community life.
Various schemes have been set up by local authorities and older people together, ranging from intergenerational forums which bring older and younger people’s groups together to encourage greater respect between the generations, others which offer help and support to older people living in their own homes, schemes that provide older people with access to training and learning opportunities as well as others which offer good transport links and tackle older people’s fear of crime.
All of these schemes are made possible by national funding provided to local authorities by the Welsh Assembly Government and underpinned by a national Strategy for Older People in Wales which is designed to recognise the important contribution that people over the age of 50 make to society.
Speaking today at an event in Pembrokeshire dedicated to addressing older people’s issues, Cllr John Davies (Pembrokeshire), WLGA Leader said:
“Local authorities have responded creatively to the Strategy for Older People, tailoring local projects and activities to what older residents actually want and need to be able to live independent and fulfilling lives and which fully support their integration into community life. For example, In Pembrokeshire, older people have been involved in developing our Good Neighbour Scheme and we now have volunteers of all ages who offer support for everything from dog walking when someone is ill or in hospital to gardening, cooking and offering lifts.”
Speaking at another older person’s event in Cwmbran today, Cllr Arnold Woolley (Flintshire), WLGA Deputy Spokesperson for Older People and Ageing added:
“I am delighted to be speaking at today’s Intergenerational Citizen’s Jury event whereby old and young people are brought together under one roof to discuss the issues surrounding the media stereotyping of older people. Older people make an invaluable contribution to community life offering skill and expertise, knowledge and experience which today’s event recognises, however, it is equally important to reflect upon the isolation, vulnerability and problems that many older people still face and which councils are working hard to address. I am pleased that so many local authorities including Swansea and Wrexham are looking at ways to change the stereotypical attitude that younger people can sometimes have towards people over the age of 50 by bringing these generations together to discuss issues of shared importance amongst both generations including protecting the local environment, providing good quality learning and training opportunities, tackling community safety and making the local area a prosperous place to live and work. Today’s publication from the WLGA shows good work is ongoing across all parts of Wales.”
Full detail of how local authorities are implementing the Welsh Assembly Government’s Strategy for Older People is available at: www.wlga.gov.uk
Ends
Notes to editors
1. The Strategy for Older People was launched by the Welsh Assembly Government in 2003. Local authorities are currently in the second phase of implementation (2008-2013).
2. The overall proportion of older people is increasing across the United Kingdom, however, this demographic trend is even more pronounced in Wales. People over 50 in Wales currently account for 35.9% of the total population, whilst those over 60 constitute 22.7%. By 2026 it is estimated that one in five people will be aged 65 or over and the number of over-85s will have increased by two-thirds.
3. Funding is currently provided to local authorities to implement the Strategy according to the wishes, needs and aspirations of local older people within individual local authority areas.
4. Every local authority has appointed an Older People’s Champion whose role is to ensure the issues of older people are kept at the forefront of policy and service development.
5. Every local authority has a dedicated Strategy for Older People Coordinator