MELKSHAM Seniors is launching a new scheme that will help combat loneliness and isolation in the older community and help support small local businesses in the town centre.
The scheme involves the local group issuing an ID card to members of the community over the age of 55. Local businesses participating in the scheme will offer a discount on their products or services to anyone who has the Seniors ID card.
Chair of Melksham Seniors, Jim Law, told Melksham News, “Since the Seniors started, one of the main aims of the group has been to combat loneliness and isolation in the community. We believe that this scheme could encourage people to leave their homes and visit the town, whilst at the same time helping to support the town centre.
“We all love Melksham and want to keep it going. This could help save the town centre from dying. We are not asking for big discounts, the amount of discount is at the discretion of the business.”
The new scheme coincides with a pilot scheme launched by the Seniors this month to reach out to older people in the surrounding villages. Last week the group visited Atworth to share information about their regular meetings and how people in the villages can take part. The Seniors will also be visiting Shaw in February and Beanacre in March.
Jim said, “We want to get people out and about enjoying themselves at our various activities. But also we want to encourage them to come into the town and be more involved in the wider community. Hopefully the new ID card with its discount incentives will boost visits to the town and to our meetings.”
To enquire about the new ID scheme, contact Jim on 07845 430035 or email: lawfj@sky.com
