In the Autumn I met with Churches Together and the Staffordshire County Council to think about the future challenges of the growing numbers of elderly people in the community. Churches Together recognised that by working with their congregations and communities they can play a really important role in seeing what help people need, and working out how it might be delivered.
I am delighted to hear that Churches together have moved on with this idea and are actively working on the first stage, which is about seeing what provision already exists. They are currently working to produce a booklet, summarising church organised activities for the retired in Stafford and the surrounding villages.
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The representative of Churches together says “David Kidney, MP and Paula Furnival, District Director for Staffordshire County Council Social Care and Health met with representatives from Stafford and District Churches Together recently to review the issues faced by Government regarding future provision of care for retired people in the community. "
"We discussed a number of changes which have occurred in recent years and trends which will tend to increase the pressure on the NHS and on social care. As churches together in the Stafford area we need to ask ourselves-how can we help? "
"We know that there are already a lot of activities run by churches for retired people. Activities that reduce the sense of isolation help people to live independent lives in their homes and maintain healthy lifestyles."
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"We thought it would be useful to identify the things that we are already doing. This will help us see whether there are any things that aren't provided or are only available it some parts of the town. It will also help the County Council in their planning for service provision and in provision of grants and training.
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I think it is important that we should all become more aware of the challenges that an ageing population will inevitable bring to our communities. I really welcome that Churches Together are taking a lead in seeing how we can all rise to these challenges.
There are many other organisations also providing valuable services to keep elderly people active and independent. If you know of any other groups playing an important role it would be useful to have this information.
You can pass on information using this survey.
If you have any views on how we could do more to support the elderly in the community please contact me,
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Churches Together. Finding the ways to support the elderly in the community. 
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