Sandra Blades - Growing Older Coordinator

How does your role support people across South Tees?

I decided to become a Community Champion to promote positive ageing for the 50 plus age group in the Redcar and Cleveland area.

The objective of the GO Project (Growing Older in Redcar and Cleveland) is to enable people aged 50 and over to access services and work towards improving the quality of life by enhancing health and wellbeing opportunities. The Growing Older Project aims to capture the views of older people on social care and other issues in the area and ensure follow up action is taken whenever possible.

By becoming a Community Champion, there is the opportunity to work with other stakeholders in the area to develop local services.  Being a Community Champion enables me to be part of the wider multi-disciplinary team of health and social care professionals, and engage with members of the public and other stakeholders to identify gaps in existing service provision and develop new responses and initiatives that benefit the local communities. 

Why did you decide to become a Community Champion?

The principle aim of the Growing Older in Redcar project is to enable as many people as possible, over the age of 50 and living in the area, to have a voice, the opportunity and confidence to influence service delivery and thereby improve their quality of life. 

My role is to,

• identify the location and needs of older people in the area and the range or scope of existing services, and 
• coordinate service provision for the best outcome of clients to ensure a positive and inclusive approach to ageing.

I will be starting new discussion and focus groups, local community meetings and social gatherings. At the core of this project, there will be a focus group comprised of local residents who will work collaboratively to identify areas of priority and need. 

The project is open to all residents in the Redcar and Cleveland area who are aged 50+. Members will receive a regular newsletter with information about local services, support services, awareness campaigns and local events and gatherings.

There will be opportunities to become members of the focus group, or volunteer to help in other project roles. The level of involvement is up to the individual member. Volunteers may be involved in identifying gaps in service provision or promote new initiatives (ideas being considered include a health and wellbeing drop-in and an IT group). GO project members can sign up to receive a copy of the quarterly newsletter.

I would love to hear from all members of the 50+ community regarding the local issues relating to positive ageing and I am available on the telephone number below or you can drop me an email.  I look forward to hearing from you. 

If you would like to learn more about the GO Project or become a member, then please contact me (details below).