MELKSHAM has moved a step closer to becoming an age-friendly community following a successful public meeting held at the Town Hall last week.
Melksham Seniors initiated the idea of working towards an age-friendly community for the town and has had a great response from local groups who support the idea.
Chair of Melksham & District Seniors’ 55+ Forum, Brian Warwick said, “A huge thank you to all who attended the age- friendly meeting.
“It was a fantastic success and we were most grateful to the town council and all the allied services in our town and beyond who also supported the meeting and for the enthusiasm shown for having an age-friendly project here in Melksham
“Jessica Entwistle from the Centre for Ageing Better and our other speaker, Tony Watts OBE, the chair of the South West Forum on Ageing, both gave a very detailed presentation and answered many questions. Tony Watts has also offered his services and expertise to help launch the next stage and continue to support the project. Jessica will also continue to advise us along the way.
“The unanimous decision of the meeting to now go ahead with the project and the offers to be directly involved in the next stages in the planning process and preparing an action plan, is appreciated.
“We are extremely keen to ensure that all sectors and ages within the community are involved, including the retailers, Chambers of Commerce and Trade, supermarkets and of course the full public sector including our surgeries, NHS and care providers.
“The very detailed planning and in-depth work in preparing a three and five year action plan and business case is going to need the support of us all.
“We now need keen volunteers to come forward with the enthusiasm to make a great success of the project and provide so many of the different skills and knowledge, to ensure we achieve those desirable objective.
“The hard work starts now, there will be a further meeting of volunteers and enthusiasts in late September, along with an update in the local media nearer the time.”
To get in touch, email melkshamseniors55@outlook. com or write to Melksham Seniors via Melksham TIC, 32 Church Street, Melksham, SN12 6LS.
