What is Age of Opportunities?
The Age of Opportunities programme is a programme of activity aimed at promoting health and wellbeing to the residents of Bury aged 50 and above to help improve people’s quality of life and their experience of healthy ageing. It reflects the need of a growing population and promotes the health and wellbeing of our 50+ community. Not only is the campaign about awareness, but we are creating long lasting changes along with our partners so that our 50+ residents get a service that meets the needs of the times.
So why are we targeting the 50+ age group?
Worldwide awareness of the implications of an ageing population is not new. The White Paper: Our Health, Our Care, Our Say: a new direction for community services, published in January 2006, lays out a lasting and ambitious vision to reform and improve our community services to create health and social care services that genuinely focus on prevention and promote health and well-being.
With the increased pressure on resources and desire to improve quality of life, there is a need to move to a more prevention-type focus, rather than relying on costly specialist interventions. Population projections for Bury reveal that by the year 2022 the over 65 age range in Bury will increase by 29% compared to the population in 2005, and the over 85 age range will increase by 54%. These projections show a real need to promote healthy ageing
As part of the Age of Opportunities initiative launched by Bury Council in February 2007, Bury Libraries and Adult Learning Services are offering a number of incentives to encourage the residents of Bury, aged 50 and above to, give Adult Education a try.
These initiatives include Learning Vouchers, Update for Employment, and Lunch and Learn.
Courses are on offer across the borough, from Ramsbottom through to Prestwich.
Schemes:
Age to Age
Bridging age gaps through social reminiscence.
Public library service brought to the doorstep.
Learning Vouchers
Providing a financial contribution to learning.
Lunch and Learn
Take part in a short course where lunch will be provided.
Update for Employment
Assistance to gain and develop skills for employment.
For further information on all these projects please contact Angie Stephens:
Tel: 0161 253 5455
email: siu@bury.gov.uk
