A special interactive Melksham area board meeting for older members of the community took place recently.
Around 70 representatives from the local community and local groups attended the meeting which was held in the afternoon specifically to encourage older people to attend.
Those there were asked to give their views on services available to them and what they would like to see provided in the local area.
Discussions were also held on what people felt the barriers were for them accessing services and taking part in activities. This included issues such as transport and awareness of activities and services available. Those who attended were also asked to nominate an older peoples champion and a champion for carers – these individuals will represent older people and carers at area board meetings and other meetings with council officers. Nominations should be submitted to the community area manager, Rhys Schell at rhys. schell@wiltshire.gov.uk in time for the next area board meeting which is on Wednesday 9th September.
A full report will be produced following this meeting with the key outcomes, and this will be submitted at the next Melksham Area Board for consideration.
Melksham Area Board chairman Jonathon Seed said, “I’d like to thank everyone for attending this special meeting and making such worthwhile contributions. We had some really constructive discussions and they have certainly given us some food for thought.
“We want the views of older people in our community to be represented and these types of meetings, and the plans we have going forward, will certainly help with that.”
