Helping You Age Well In Merton
Local support to keep people living in their community
Merton residents will be supported to live in their communities for as long as possible after the launch of a joint programme between Merton Council and the voluntary sector.
The preventative Ageing Well programme was launched by Merton Council leader Councillor Stephen Alambritis and cabinet member for adult social care and health, Councillor Linda Kirby. They were joined by guest speakers including Shadow Minister for Civil Society, Gareth Thomas MP and Sue Goss, Director of Office Public Management.
Some of the organisations participating in the programme spoke about how they will deliver services to residents. Wimbledon Guild, Merton Community Transport, Age UK and Carers Support Merton informed guest about initiatives such as a volunteer drivers scheme, supporting people to manage their incontinence, and coaching people and carers through crises and difficult times.
Shadow Minister Gareth Thomas MP said he was pleased to be part of the launch (right) and applauded Merton for retaining its annual £1million grant funding for the voluntary sector.
Councillor Linda Kirby said: "We recognise that older people these days want a different type of service to what has been offered in the past. The population is ageing so it is important for us to recognise what will help people stay people stay independent. Working in partnership to achieve better outcomes will hopefully mean more people will be able to live in their own homes for as long as possible."
Chris Frost, Chief Executive at MVSC, was delighted to welcome so many people representing a wide range of local public and voluntary sector organisations last week, and said: "Once again partnership working in Merton is gaining national interest and we are confident that this exciting preventative programme will prove its worth".
May 8, 2013