MELKSHAM seniors group has produced their report for October, looking back at successful meetings and events, and discussed issues within their community.
Brian Warwick, chair of Melksham Seniors said, “Once again the seniors had incredible support for last week’s workshop with the county council adult services and the film show. The film ‘Going in Style,’ with Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin was a real winner with the seniors. In the next issue of the Melksham News we shall publish our winter film programme, we shall also update it on our website www.melkshamsenior.co.uk
“The successful workshop with adult services provided some really excellent feedback, which is now being analysed at county level. We shall publish the feedback later in the year on our webpage.
“Your management committee is striving hard to produce a more dynamic programme for 2018 and with more support and help from volunteers, we believe we could be able to hold weekly meetings. Discussions are taking place on the most suitable venue at a price we can afford, for funding is a real issue as we receive no revenue funding from Wiltshire Council or the area board.
“We are having further discussions on this subject for we believe that there needs to be greater equity of funding with youth services. Our view is by increasing the range of activities for seniors we shall improve their quality of life and health. Loneliness and social isolation are real killers, so the more we can help to tackle those issues, the greater the benefits that will be achieved, including financial savings for the NHS hospital and care services.
“Loneliness, social isolation and falls’ cost is one of the greatest costs on the NHS, yet so little support is being focused on what can be achieved at grassroots to reduce those heavy costs.
“Personally, I do not believe that the local CCGs nor Public Health have accepted sufficient responsibility in tackling the loneliness, social isolation and fall prevention issues especially around older people, though some younger people also fit into that category.
This in turn is putting more pressures on local authorities’ adult services and our care and hospital services. It is estimated that by providing greater support for voluntary organisation activities at grassroots for every pound invested there is more than a ten-fold benefit.
As an age-friendly community we need to concentrate on improving the quality of life for all our citizens. I will keep you updated on our discussions.”
Above: Melksham seniors during their last workshop.
