Who we are
What we aim to do
Health
Life-long learning
Transport
Communications
How you can reach us

Are you aged 50 or over? Do you feel apprehensive about the future? Do you feel that your future is considered unimportant in the eyes of many in the community? Do you feel people of similar age enjoy better facilities in other areas of the country? Here is an opportunity to voice your views and influence the quality of your future life.

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 WHO WE ARE

In November 1998, 200 of us here in Warwick District began an action group now called the Senior People's Forum. Warwick District Council is one of only 28 UK pilot authorities selected by government to trial the Better Government for Older People programme, seeking to improve services and policies for people over 50 by working with them.

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 OUR AIMS

We are concerned about issues which all older people are concerned about and so we act through smaller working groups. The following are our general aims:

• We seek to enhance the life of all those who are elderly as we are, and show that they matter and are an essential part of the local community.
• The Forum will act as watchdog, researcher, communicator and pressure group of older people acting on behalf of older people.
• We intend to embrace all groups in society; link up with users and carers, health professionals and social services
• We will present to local and national government our concerns on inequalities of service and facilities for older people.

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 HEALTH

We are raising issues regarding all aspects of health pertinent to our age group.

We seek better local provision and facilities including long-term care and a national strategy for carers.

We believe that the quality of life and maintaining independence is central to good health.

 LEISURE AND LEARNING

We believe that education isn't just for the young but for life and should be available to ALL. Older people are just as capable of learning as young people - and it is well-known that learning new skills and keeping active is a lot cheaper than funding Residential Homes for the frail and the bored!

To this end we publish a Leisure and Learning guide of activities for older people throughout Warwick District - available through Public Libraries.

We are developing a creative writing project "the Times of Our Lives" for residents of retirement and shelter homes, and also reviewing what learning and leisure facilities are available in Warwick District retirement homes and sheltered accommodation, and what their needs are.

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 TRANSPORT

As older people cease to drive cars they depend more on public transport, especially in rural areas. We aim to:-

• ask for improved public transport, especially to local hospitals on Sundays where applicable.
• ask for a fairer system of concessions for all people over 60.

 COMMUNICATIONS

We aim to:-

• inform the housebound elderly and all over 50's of our existence, aims and activities through advertising, leaflet distribution and public meetings throughout the district.
• where possible, encourage contacts with us and with other senior people via modern computer-based means

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 NEWSLETTER

We aim to publish our Newsletter 'VOX' twice yearly, to provide a 'voice' for the over-50's and keep everyone 'up-to-date'.

 TO FIND OUT MORE

We, the Forum, invite YOU to come and contribute to decision-making and community activities. If you are interested in making a constructive contribution, please get in touch with us through:

For more links to sites, go to Age Concern England.

Web-design and publication by The Leamington Elders on behalf of the Senior Peoples Forum.

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Updated 21th November, 2000