POPPS Funding Confirmed For Next Three Years by Council

Rochdale Council has confirmed that funding will be available for its Partnerships for Older People Project (POPPs) over the next three years. The proposals were put forward by the Liberal Democrats and were voted through despite opposition from Conservative councillors.

Rochdale's POPPs model has recently received national recognition for its achievements in reaching out to older people who are struggling to stay independent and has been selected as the model by which other POPPs projects will be compared against.

Cabinet Member for Older People, Councillor Pauline Maguire said: "The Council has agreed to fund the POPPs project as submitted in the investment option proposals. This funding, which represents 50% of the total, is secure. We are looking for match funding from the PCT, and will know whether this is confirmed by next month ie: during March. When we know the full extent of joint funding, we will draw up an implementation plan which will set out the intended projects and outcomes for the service, in line with the investment options report. At the very least this will include the continuation of the POPPs outreach service which has now visited and supported over 2,400 older people in the borough."

Councillor Maguire continued: "I am absolutely delighted with the success of POPPs so far and since August we have commissioned 31 new services including IT classes, carer's supports groups and a volunteer driver scheme. Now that this funding has been passed through council we will look into developing POPPs even further over the next few years.