Page 38 - Phonebox Magazine October 2009

Older Persons Forum highlights Council’s deficiencies
The consultation event run by Milton Keynes Older Persons Forum in May 2009 was a resounding success and identified a wide range of issues. The event was opened by the Mayor and Mayoress, Cllrs Euan and Irene Henderson, they both stayed on and played an active part in the event. Ann Lark from Age Concern Milton Keynes set the scene for the afternoon with a thought provoking speech about the quality of life and how each one of us sees this in a different way.
Older people’s views were sought on Community Transport, Housing, Benefits, Rural Affairs, Leisure and Health and Wellbeing. During the course of the afternoon about 85 separate issues were raised and discussed with officers from both Milton Keynes Council and Age Concern Milton Keynes.
Cllr David Rumens, Chairman Milton Keynes Older Persons Forum.
information, across a range of subjects, is provided to older people and how it can be made more readily available. Also, considerable concern was expressed about the Community Transport service because of the waiting list that has developed in recent times. It is important that Milton Keynes Council maintains investment levels in this service. With a growing population of older people in the Borough, it would be regrettable if the service were unable to meet the demand of the less able older people.
A paper summarizing the many issues raised is being prepared and will be presented to the Social Care and Housing Policy Development Committee later this year.
On the 1st October Age Concern Milton Keynes is running an event to celebrate International Day of the Milton Keynes Theatre Foyer between 1.30pm
“Our main objective was to allow the older people of Milton Keynes plenty of time to voice their concerns. This was most definitely achieved.” said Cllr David Rumens, Chairman of the MK Older Persons Forum. “From the information we gathered, two issues arose above any other: the need to give much more thought to how
Olney Art Group
Olney Art Group are holding their Autumn Exhibition at The Olney Centre on Thursday 29th and Friday 30th October from 10-5 and Saturday 31st Ocober from 10-3. All welcome. No entry charge.
Older Persons in
and 3.30 pm. Please ring Age Concern Milton Keynes on 01908 558700 to let them know you are coming. The Milton Keynes Older Persons Forum will have a stand at this event. So come along in the afternoon and enjoy yourself and find out more about what we do.
38 Phonebox Magazine