More funding for older people’s project

A pilot project helping older people in the borough stay healthy and independent has secured funding for a further year.

At its Stakeholder Day on 8 July, Rochdale Borough’s Partnerships for Older People Project (PoPPs) will announce plans for a new service for people suffering the early symptoms of dementia and a new befriending service for people living alone who have little contact with relatives and friends.

It also plans to build membership from 2500 to 3500 by March 2010.

The PoPPs project was initially one of 28 in the country to successfully bid for two years Government funding. Since then it has built up a range of services for older people including: transport, carers support, falls prevention and advocacy.

The Stakeholder Day will be the scene for unveiling plans to take the service forward and secure its future funding.

Rochdale Council’s cabinet member for health and social care, Councillor Dale Mulgrew, said: “The PoPPs pilot project has already had a big impact on the health and well-being of older people in the borough. It really has lifted a veil on the social exclusion of our older people.

“Now we want it to build on this success by extending its services for vulnerable older people and targetting more vulnerable older people such as people suffering the early stages of dementia, carers looking after older relatives and friends, and people who are not taking up the services they need.”

“The hallmark of PoPPs in its first two years has been its ability to think big by bringing many services together and work local by delivering services for older people close to home and within the community. By sticking to these principles it’s guaranteed a glowing future.”

Older people’s and carers’ representatives will join the Mayor and Mayoress on the 8 July to celebrate the success of the PoPPs pilot as well as welcoming and discussing its plans its future.