09/213, 24 September
Older people's champion
Older people in West Lancashire now have their
own champion on the Council: Councillor May Blake.
Cllr Blake has been appointed as the
Council’s first Older People’s Champion and her role will be to
help advise the Council on issues that support and encourage
active, independent and healthy lives for older people.
She will also work to raise the profile of
older people and their needs in all areas of Council activity.
Cllr Blake said: “I am honoured to be
appointed the first Older People’s Champion on West Lancs Borough
Council. I believe passionately that this is a hugely
important role and it will be my aim to serve the older people of
West Lancs wisely and well. As an older person myself, I will be
particularly keen to promote positive images in order to combat
stereotyping and age discrimination.”
Some of Cllr Blake’s priorities will include
maintaining links locally with older people’s networks and
preparing an annual programme of work.
The appointment of an Older People’s Champion
follows recommendations from the Audit Commission and will ensure
that older people are always considered in West Lancashire
Council’s activity. Many other councils in the North West have
already made similar appointments and Cllr Blake will represent
West Lancashire at the North West Network of local authority older
people’s champions.
Council Leader, Ian Grant said: “Councillor
Blake is an active member of the West Lancashire Older People
Partnership Board and has a keen focus on the broader agenda of
change for older people. I believe her contribution will greatly
assist this Council, particularly given the demographic changes in
this area.”
One of the first important days following Cllr
Blake’s appointment is 1 October 2009, which is UK Older
People’s Day and under the banner of ‘Full of Life’, events will be
held in local communities across the UK around this date.
‘Full of Life’ is a celebration of the
opportunities, achievements and aspirations of older people and
their contribution to our society and economy.
To mark Older People’s Day, Cllr Blake will be
visiting a number of the Council’s sheltered housing schemes,
joining events and talking with residents.
Related information