News In The Hebden Bridge List

Top Award For Older People’s Partnerships

Helping older people in Calderdale to enjoy life to the full has brought a top national award to the Council and its partners. The LGC (Local Government Chronicle) Awards highlight the very best in local government and recognise the excellent service councils deliver to the communities they serve. The awards celebrate the most innovative and passionate councils in the UK.

And Halifax Neighbourhood Scheme and Oak, based in Todmorden, have been highly commended in the Community Involvement Category of the awards for 2009.

The schemes were set up through the Partnership for Older People Programme (POPPs), funded by the Department of Health and established in partnership with Calderdale Council.

Run by a partnership of eight organisations and local individuals over the age of 50, the programme offers a range of schemes:

• Health and wellbeing of carers
• Home from Hospital Service
• Handyperson service
• Falls prevention service

In addition, there are two neighbourhood schemes.

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member, Health and Social Care, Cllr. Graham Reason, says:

“This is great news for the Council and for the two schemes. The Community Involvement Awards are central to the activities of local authorities, acting as a link between the council and its citizens.

“They often show councils at their best as they work hand in hand with local people, with imagination and enthusiasm, to meet local needs.”

Since it was set up by Voluntary Action Calderdale with funding provided by the Council through POPPs, Oak has gone on to offer a whole range of activities in Todmorden for people aged 50 and over, including: line dancing; dancing in chairs; classes in how to use mobile ‘phones; a feelgood singing group; tai-chi; a flower club and gentle exercise to music.

Some of the Halifax Neighbourhood Scheme’s activities, also run with the support of Voluntary Action Calderdale, include: Two Healthy Living Clubs, a table tennis group; with its own team in the league. Tai-chi, computer mobile ‘phone workshops and sculpture and pottery. There is also a successful Intergenerational project with Ryburn School who host a film club once a month.

Beth Maiden from Oak says: “Getting national recognition for these projects has made me feel really proud.

“Pilot neighbourhood schemes show that if people are actively involved in things, they feel like they are contributing to the life of their communities and have control of what happens there. This is exactly the sort of thing the Council must do more of if they want to improve the general quality of life for the people that they serve.”

Comment from Kath Hodgson a volunteer for the Halifax Neighbourhood Scheme and Voluntary Action Calderdale says :

“The activities have given me a new lease of life. I enjoy doing these as they are what we asked for. I am able to socialise as we have a growing community of over 50s who give a warm welcome to all members old and new.

“Volunteering gives me great satisfaction in being able to help other people. I very much enjoy what I am doing, I have a sense of belonging to something. Well done to the schemes on your recognised success; you deserve it.”

Click Here To Visit The Oak Website