Store of goodwill to help the elderly

SEATED . . . The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Oldham Council leader Councillor Jean Stretton at Launchpad in Glodwick

A NEW age-friendly scheme has been launched in Oldham as part of plans to make Greater Manchester more inclusive and accessible to all generations.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham joined forces with Oldham Council leader Councillor Jean Stretton to roll out the Take A Seat project.

The scheme, set up by housing providers, aims to help older people feel more confident about leaving their homes.

Greater Manchester Housing Providers Group (GMHP) is urging businesses to make seats, toilets and a drink of water available to those who may need them.

Businesses are also encouraged to display clear signs, store items within easy reach and keep floors free of clutter.

Take A Seat, which launched at Glodwick's Pakistani Community Centre yesterday, falls in line with wider plans to make Greater Manchester's shops and town centres more accessible to all.

Mr Burnham said: "This scheme has the potential to make a huge difference to people's lives. More people will feel able to leave their homes, socialise and interact with others, and lead a much better quality of life.

"I'm determined for Greater Manchester to become the first age-friendly city region in the UK, and simple schemes like this are just the start."

Mr Burnham and Councillor Stretton met with members of the Fatima Women's Association (FWA) over-50s group, residents from Failsworth and other groups to speak with them about their experiences and hear their views on Take A Seat.

Farzana Aziz, translating for the FWA group, said: "The women think it is really important to have facilities where they can sit down because sometimes they are queuing and feel exhausted. Some of them are on medication and need access to water or have diabetes which can make them feel dizzy."

Another association member Kharait Begum (71) said: "Some of us feel quite socially isolated so it is really good to have this centre where we can meet with others."

While Nasreen Shabir (50), former chairman, said: "I have always had really bad health and suffer with liver problems, so it would be good to have chairs provided at places like post offices or shops."

Failsworth community stalwart Grace Barnett, who also attended the event, called for more support to tackle social isolation.

She said: "It is very difficult to make friends when you are old. When you stop working or your husband dies, you can become very isolated, so it is important to help residents get out and mix with people again.

"People need to have purpose in life."

Take A Seat was initially delivered in south Manchester by Southway Housing and is now being rolled out across the region by GMHP.

A total of 25 housing providers have agreed to imitate the scheme in their area.

Councillor Jean Stretton, who is Greater Manchester Combined Authority's lead for fairness, equality and inclusion, said: "I really welcome the launch of Take A Seat.

"Facilities that offer people the ability to stay independent and at ease in getting out and about in their communities are really important.

"Barriers to this must be broken down to help with inclusion as they affect many people, particularly older people or people with a disability."

The Greater Manchester Ageing Hub is leading work to support the mayor's plans to make Greater Manchester the first age-friendly city region in the UK.