Champions work hard to promote the elderly voice
11:24am Wednesday 23rd April 2008
In response to the article by the Skipper of April 16, I feel I should thank him for the unsolicited publicity he has given to the launch of the Carrick Older Persons' Forum. However, facts would have been more acceptable than fiction.
The government's definition of an elder is one who has reached the age of 50, so too Age Concern, Help the Aged, PCT, Saga to name a few - not my idea.
The county council offered support for the Forum as did Carrick district council and several other interested agencies. The announcement did not in effect come from the council but was facilitated by them.
The champion for older and vulnerable people is one of four in Cornwall and one of over 400 in the UK.
Champions are all working to promote the voice of older people directly, rather than being mediated through other bodies.
The forums are run by local people who formulate their own agendas according to local needs and draw up their own constitutions.
The next meeting is in the town hall in Penryn is on April 25.
The time of noon to 3pm was chosen to make attendance more acceptable to the older generation and those who may be younger but with their own special needs.
How fortunate you are, Skipper, to be able to work and how sad that you are so short-sighted - some might say even selfish.
Councillor Judith Whiteley Carrick champion for the elderly and vulnerable