Nearly 1,000 older people have enjoyed a successful open day organised to help them live life to the full.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and its partners are proud of the County Borough’s large – and growing – population of those aged fifty and over.
As such, they organised the 50+ Life is What You Make It event to ensure older residents have the information, support and confidence they need to live fulfilled, healthy and independent lives.
Held at Llantrisant Leisure Centre, the event welcomed nearly 1,000 visitors throughout the day, who arrived to find out more about health checks, benefits advice, maximising their income, support available to live independently, adult education and social and leisure activities.
Visitors were treated to an interesting and engaging day where they could find out more about the many different things that are on offer for them.
The success of the day was down to the partnership approach, with staff from scores of different Council departments and other partner agencies and organisations, including South Wales Police, Cwm Taf Local Health Board and the voluntary sector, taking part to offer as much information as possible.
Marking a popular end to a popular day was the tea dance in the main hall, which saw hundreds of people enjoy traditional entertainment.
Cllr Mike Forey, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing and the Council’s Older Person’s Champion, also attended the event and was delighted with its success.
He said: “Rhondda Cynon Taf is home to a large 50+ population which is continuing to grow. We are proud of this fact but also recognise the challenges it can present.
“That is why it is so important for us to ensure older residents have the information and support they need to remain healthy and independent.
“We recognise that people within this very diverse 50+ age bracket require different levels of service and intervention to enable them to be independent. Each person will therefore probably use their own unique combination of Council services.
“We will continue to provide targeted services to people who need them whilst encouraging others to help themselves so that they are not reliant on health and social services. The key priority is that we want a large, older population that is living life to the full.
“The 50+ Life Is What You Make it event enabled us to showcase the many events, activities and opportunities on offer to older residents and I hope they had a great day, and left feeling informed and empowered.
“The day was a success because of the huge amount of work and effort from the Council’s partner agencies, including the 50+ Forums and the Older Persons’ Advisory Group, and my thanks to everyone involved.”
