Information given on a wide range of services and activities run by Age Concern Wirral which exist to respond to a whole spectrum of needs and interests for the residents of Wirral who are aged 50 and over.

Pat Lloyd, Information Officer from Age Concern, attended to provide an update on the services offered by their organisation.  They provided services on Wirral for people age 50 and over.  They were also dealing with people in their 90’s and the fastest growing age group in Wirral is the over 80’s age group.  Services have grown rapidly in the last few years. 

The Information and Advice Service provided information and advice to older people and helped to maximize people’s income.  They worked closely with health professionals and received referrals from GPs, community nurses etc.  One of latest projects was Bereavement Support funded by NHS Wirral.  There were numerous care services run from Devonshire Centre, Park Road North, including a Dementia Centre.  Wirral was one of the worst areas for Early Onset Dementia.  The Centre is very much activity based and provided support and respite to carers.  Other services were luncheon clubs and day care for people who are socially isolated and a Befriending Services was recently launched.  This included both visiting and phone-line befriending services. 

There were currently 80 paid staff and 350 volunteers.  HQ was based in Market Street, with offices also in the Lauries Centre, Pensall House, Harvest Court and outreach surgeries throughout the Borough including GP practices and One Stop Shops.  Age Concern also run a busy home visiting service

Income generation was through insurance/charity shops and many fund raising activities.  This enabled them to run other free services such as positive ageing activities like Tai Chi, Dance classes, art etc.

Questions/Comments from the Forum:

Councillor Harry Smith asked whether Age Concern were putting pressure on the Government to get Attendance Allowance to also include mobility.

Pat confirmed they had, however the proposals in the new Green Paper were to abandon Attendance Allowance. 

Councillor McLachlan took the opportunity to thank Age Concern for the range of services they provided.  As a ward councilllor she had signposted people who come to surgeries, who had feedback that they had been able to access whatever service they had been trying to get.  Also Elder Abuse campaign has been a very good campaign.  Age Concern provided an excellent service in Wirral.

A member of the public asked about the national increase in early onset dementia.  He felt the biggest way of improving it was by socializing, which Age Concern were helping people to do.  Was there any data as to why Wirral was a hotspot.  Work was being done on this.  It could be that we have better services to detect and identify people with dementia.  Wirral does have a slightly higher percentage of older population.

The Chair asked where Age Concern got all their volunteers from and Pat confirmed it was largely word of mouth.

A member of the audience asked whether they had a problem reaching some groups such as ethnic minorities?  Pat confirmed they have worked with Wirral Change and BME leaders.  They were being reached, however it was harder.

Minute Decision

Resolved:  To thank the Pat Lloyd from Age Concern for her update.