Sowerby Bridge News

Over 3500 Helped By Partnership for Older People ’s Projects

Calderdale Council and partner organisations are working better together to provide a range of services for people over 50. The Council’s Health and Social Care Scrutiny Panel will discuss the latest report charting the success of the Calderdale Partnership for Older People ’s Projects (POPPs) when it meets next Wednesday (June 3).

Since the programme was set up two years ago with funding from the Department of Health, it has helped more than 3,500 people to be active and independent.

The report to Scrutiny Panel says feedback from people over 50 has been so positive that it is one of the reasons which led to the decision to the Council and NHS Calderdale to continue funding all of the projects in the programme.

There are six projects in the scheme:

• The Home from Hospital Service
• The Falls Prevention Service
• Health and Well-being of carers
• Handyperson Service
• Halifax Neighbourhood Scheme
• Todmorden Neighbourhood Scheme

Under the programme, the Council and a number of partner organisations in the health, community and voluntary sectors have been working together closely to provide a wide range of services.

“The POPPs Programme has enhanced partnership working with the Voluntary and Community Sector organisations involved,” says the report.

“The joint working with the Statutory and VCS organisations has laid a solid foundation for future commissioning and development.”

Calderdale’s Health and Social Care Scrutiny Panel Chair, Cllr. Bob Metcalfe, says the POPPs programme has made a real difference to people’s lives.

“From helping carers to cope better with their commitments, to making sure that people are able to get out of the house by making a range of activities available, POPPs has been a lifeline for many people over the age of 50.

“By continuing to fund the projects, the Council and NHS Calderdale have recognised that there is a real need for these kinds of services.

“These projects have received recognition from a variety of sources at local, regional and national level and it is to be hoped that they will go on from strength to strength, helping more people over 50 to lead independent, active and fulfilled lives.”