Rochdale - Top of the "POPPS" for Older People!

12.00.00am GMT Fri 8th Dec 2006

Top of the Popps - Councillor Angela Coric

Rochdale - Top of the "POPPS" for Older People!

Pensioner's Groups in Rochdale are celebrating after the Council received over £1 MILLION in funding for services for older people. The money was received after a Council bid from the Partnerships for Older People Projects (POPPS). The money will be spent on projects for Older People (Over 50's) and will increase accessibility to services including travel and IT, support businesses who provide services to the over 50's age group and improve other services.

Councillor Angela Coric, the Lead Member for Older People said, "This is wonderful news for older residents in the borough. The bid which was put together involved close partnership with health services and local groups representing older people. We are seeking new ways to improve the health and quality of life of older people, putting them more in control of their health and promoting independence."

Angela continued, "This year, Rochdale Borough Council has put a real emphasis on improving services for older people and this will be a real boost. There are many people who don't currently access all the services available to older people and it is our intention to make them aware that the Council is much more than just emptying bins. I would like to pay special tribute to Council staff who were involved, especially Rowena Vickridge, and to acknowledge the tremendous work of Eddie Coan and Pauline Fardon of the Carers' Association, and Vera Hirst from the Older People's Action Forum."

Leader of Rochdale Council - Councillor Alan Taylor said, "This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by many people, hard work that will start to make a real difference to the services this Council provides for the over 50s! We have been criticised by the Opposition for instigating a Cabinet Post for Older People. We now feel vindicated as make no mistake - the fact that we showed such a commitment to providing services for Older People was a key factor in the success of the bid. The creation of this Cabinet Post and the success of this bid is no coincidence."