Press Release

5th February 2008

Fareham Focus on Older People in February

This February Fareham Borough Council is celebrating the older people of the Borough. On Friday (1st February) it launched the Borough Council’s Strategy for Older People – a new plan highlighting how we will encourage and help older residents to enjoy their lives.

 

February also sees the launch of a new service for older residents in the borough, when the Telecare system comes into operation. Telecare is a wide range of alarms and sensors that can enable people to live safely and independently for as long as possible. The system offers pendant alarms, falls detectors, bed sensors and smoke detectors to older people in the Borough.

 

The sensors are generally connected to a community alarm response centre through a base unit. If this goes off, a trained officer will contact the person to check how they are. Depending on the circumstances they will then contact either a family member, friend, neighbour or the emergency services. Residents can find out more from our website: www.fareham.gov.uk.

 

A series of eight healthy walks is also taking place across the Borough during the month. These begin on Wednesday 6th February with a one hour walk starting at 10:30am at Thatcher’s Coppice in Titchfield. The final walk in February takes place  on Wednesday 27th February with a 90 minute ‘Discover North Fareham Walk’. Again, more details can be found on the website.

 

Those looking for slightly less active events should look no further than the February shows at Ferneham Hall. On Saturday 9th February, they can relax to the sounds of the Havant Chamber Orchestra.

 

This is closely followed by a Valentine’s evening special show from The Drifters, and on Saturday 16th February older residents can relive the glamour of the swing era with music from Antony Ferraro and his Moon dance Swing Band. The Moscow Ballet La Classique takes to the stage on Thursday 28th February for a one night performance of Swan Lake.

 

Executive Member for Service Performance and Improvement, Councillor Trevor Cartwright, said: “Statistics suggest that almost twenty per cent of our residents are over the age of 65 and that a further quarter will reach retirement age in the next twenty years. As a result we’re looking to ensure that being an older resident of Fareham is an excellent experience – with services and activities that will be of interest to everyone living here.

 

“We have looked to ensure that this February we focus on the services and events that will interest our older residents. Information about these can be found on our website, but if you don’t have access to a computer at home, you can ether visit the libraries in the borough or come in to the Civic Offices where a Customer Service Adviser will be happy to help.”

 

Ends

 

For further information contact:

Mel McKeown, Head of Communications, tel: 01329 824507

fax: 01329 821518, e-mail: publicity@fareham.gov.uk