08 February 2012Swanley residents aged 50 and older are being urged to get involved in setting up and running a new forum to give themselves a greater voice and influence over local decisions that affect them.
A public event is being organised in Swanley to help set up the older people's forum between 10.30am and 12.30pm on Tuesday 23 March at the Alexandra Suite, St Mary's Road, Swanley BR8 7BU. This is one of three events being held for older people across the District.
Older people's forums are run by older people for older people. They have been running across the UK since the 1990s and give a collective voice to the over 50s who want to influence decisions that affect their lives and have a say about how local services and plans are developed for them. There are over 50 forums in the South East with new ones being set up across west Kent.
Interested residents can come to the free event for a coffee and find out about their local services and facilities and how to get involved. There will also be a market place of information and advice stalls and guest speakers from key organisations.
Cllr Pat Bosley, Sevenoaks District Council's Cabinet member with responsibility for older people, says: "Older people have a lot to offer and the Forum will be seeking to tackle some of the issues that are important to this group of people as well as providing opportunities to socialise and use their wealth of knowledge and understanding to discuss real problems facing them and their communities."
Sevenoaks District Council in partnership with Age Concern, Help the Aged, Voluntary Action West Kent, Sevenoaks District Council, and Kent County Council and West Kent Housing Association, is organising the three launch events.
Once up-and-running, the forum will run by older people and will be totally independent and impartial.
For further information or help with transport to the launch events, please contact Fiona Watkins on 01732 454785 or e-mail diane.aslett@helptheaged.org.uk
