AGE Friendly Melksham has announced the appointment of a new project co-ordinator, Mary Cullen.
“Mary may well be known to many as she has worked across Wiltshire in various community engagement roles for a number of years,” reports the local organisation. “Mary is keen to build on the excellent work done by her predecessor, Phillipa Huxtable, to take Melksham forward as a town recognised for its Age Friendly community approach. The work involved will bring Mary into close contact with all the excellent groups currently doing so much, to help all section of the community.
“The Age Friendly Melksham initiative is part of a National Age Friendly Network of towns and cities working to address the social, emotional and practical difficulties, for example, which older people face. In their case it could be in staying connected to their community or living healthier, more active lives. In the case of younger people, it could be in getting support for their mental wellbeing or having somewhere to share their time with new friends.”
Mary said, “It’s an exciting time to be joining Age Friendly Melksham, some good work has already been done through the community baseline survey which highlighted many positives for older people living in the area. It identified the quality of the park and open spaces, the great community spirit, but also some areas for improvement. These areas are as important to younger people as well as older people, namely accessible public toilets or support to access new technology.
“Some action has already taken place, however we now want to take this work to the next level, which is to work with all residents and stakeholders to develop the Age Friendly Melksham Action Plan for the next three years.“
Not only has Age Friendly Melksham got a new co-ordinator, but also it will have a new chairperson. Currently the acting chair is Chris Pickett. Chris said, “Due to pressure of commitments, Jon Hubbard has stepped down from his role as director of Age Friendly Melksham. However, he is still very keen to support the work towards Melksham being an ‘Age Friendly Town’, recognised by the World Health Organisation. To this end, we all are working hard by involving the community to put forward ideas and objectives that will make a difference over the years to come, in our lives, here in this part of Wiltshire. Please support any of the advertised events when you have the opportunity to have your say.”
Mary will be contacting residents and other stakeholders who expressed an interest in getting involved and hopes to call the first meetings of a ‘Residents Forum’ in the coming months. Anyone aged over 55 who would like to be involved, should contact Mary on 07496 440702 or email mary@afmelksham.org.uk.
Melksham Community Support (MCS) is a linked project, providing practical, emotional and social support to isolated and vulnerable people across the community area. Anyone needing support, such as collecting prescriptions, shopping, walking a dog or just regular phone calls, please contact MCS on 01225 809265.
To make MCS work, volunteers are always needed. You could be a call handler who can help arrange support through the network of community volunteers. The role can be done from home at times to suit you.
It is a great opportunity for anyone not currently working but wanting to help the community they live in and having this on a CV.
If you have a few hours to spare in a week please contact Mary – 07496 440702 or email: mary@afmelksham.org.uk
