An Age Concern scheme to provide local information booklets for elderly and vulnerable people moved a step nearer this week when Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for Copeland agreed to contribute £1500 pounds to the project.
Age Concern North West Cumbria has developed the project to produce and distribute "Really Useful Guides" to older people across West Cumbria. The information booklets will contain vital information on the support, services, organisations and activities available to older people in their local community.
It is intended to distribute the Really Useful Guides through as many channels as possible including GP’s, social services, and age concern themselves.
County Councillor Ronnie Calvin, Chairman of Copeland Committee said:
"Cumbria County Council is committed to improving the quality of life for elderly and vulnerable people across the county. There is a lot of support available to elderly people to help them maintain their health and their independence so it’s important that older people are aware of them and how to access them.
I would like to congratulate Age Concern on their hard work on this scheme and I am delighted that our local committee has been able to make this contribution."
At the same meeting Copeland Local Committee awarded £2,000 to the West Cumbria Samaritans to help them purchase an upgraded internal CCTV system to be installed following their impending move to new premesis.
In 2002 Copleand Local Committee provided financial support for the existing system at the Samaritan's existing premesis in Whitehaven. This system proved succesful, enhancing safety for both visitors and volunteers and giving volunteers extra confidence and security to provide the best support possible.
No sound is transmitted through the CCTV to maintain confidentiality.
County Councillor Ronnie Calvin, Chairman of Copeland Committee said:
"The Samaritans do some excellent work in Copeland and across the county and offer crucial support to people at difficult times in their lives. They wouldn't be ablt to do this if they couldn't safeguard the safety of their volunteers and their visitors. Copeland Local Committee has backed the West Cumbria Samaritans in the past and I am very please we are able to do so again