Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations

The ageing of our society is well-documented; nearly one in four people in Wales are now over 60.

Did you know?

one in four students in Higher Education is over 50;
one third of over-65s are very concerned about the environment;
the value of childcare provided by grandparents in Wales is £259million;
the value of volunteering by older people in Wales is £469million.

From this page you can access information on local issues affecting over 50's and both national & local events and forums.

Would you like to be nifty over 50, slick at 60 or sporty over 70?

If so, Bridgend County Borough Council would like to hear from you! The council is seeking the views of older residents about what sort of physical activities they would like to see more of in the county borough.

The Bridgend Never Too Old Action team is organising consultation events to find out what can be done to encourage older people to become more active in later life. The feedback received will be used to run free healthy community based sessions, such as armchair aerobics, football, walking, fishing, Pilates, netball or even ballroom dancing at different locations throughout the county borough. The activities offer a great opportunity to meet new friends, improve your health and try out a new activity.

A series of drop in events have been planned for various locations around the county borough, so don’t miss out, pop along and have your say on the kind of activities you would like to do:

Friday 4 June	Trinity Church	Porthcawl	10am – 12.30pm
Monday 7 June	Garw Valley Lets	Pontycymmer	10am – 12.30pm
Wednesday 9 June	Pyle Life Centre	Pyle	10am - 12.30pm
Tuesday 15 June	Sarn Life Centre	Sarn	10am – 12.30pm
Friday 18 June	Ogmore Life Centre	Ogmore Vale	3pm – 5.30pm
Monday 21 June	Evergreen Hall	Bridgend	1.30pm – 4.30pm
Wednesday 23 June	Pencoed Minors Welfare Hall	Pencoed	10am – 12.30pm
Wednesday 30 June	Maesteg Market	Llynfi valley	1.30pm – 4.30pm

Alternatively, if you are a member of a group and would like to find out more, individual presentations can be made,contact Stuart.Burge-Jones@bridgend.gov.uk or phone (01656) 643529 to arrange. The project is sponsored by Bridgend Local Area Partnership Agreement.

For more information, contact Fay Morley or Kate Bridge on (01656) 643663. Email: fay.morley@bridgend.gov.uk Website: www.bridgend.gov.uk

The Strategy for Older People in Wales 2008-2013

There is no quick fix to the challenges and opportunities presented by an ageing population. There must be sustained and serious effort over at least a 10-year period if we are to tackle the broad ranging and often inter-dependent issues where change is needed to benefit older people now and in the future.

The Welsh Assembly Government has established a ten-year action plan to deal with the things that matter most in the lives of older people in Wales.

Local authorities, the voluntary sector, and older people themselves are all involved in the strategy to improve quality of life. There are four themes for the focus of the Strategy, These are:

Valuing Older People - Maintaining and Developing Engagement

Promote positive images of ageing and ensure that the over 50's are able to participate as fully as they wish in their communities, giving them a stronger sense of engagement and influence.

Changing Society - The Economic Status and Contribution of Older People

Develop policies to increase the capacity of the over 50's to continue to work, learn, volunteer and care, making an acitive contribution for as long as they wish, and ensure that older people do not live in poverty.

Well Being and Independence

Improve the health and well being of older people through initiatives to promote health, as well as high quality, responsive and appropriately regulated health, social care and housing services. These will enable older people to live as actively and independently as possible in a suitable and safe environment of their choice.

Making it happen -The Implementation of the Strategy

Implement the Strategy for Older People with support funding to ensure that it is a catalyst for change and innovation across all sectors, improving services for older people, providing the basis for effective planning for an ageing population, and reflecting the concerns of older people.

A Guide to Adult Social Care

The guide, which has been recently developed, is designed to provide information about all services available through Adult Social Care.

Download the English version and the Welsh version.

Never too old...in Bridgend County

Ageing Well in Bridgend - a handy guide designed for older people, their families and carers provides information and advice about services available throughout the Borough.

A good website to visit for local information is the Never too old website.

SHOUT Bridgend

SHOUT is an independent non party political organisation that was set up with BAVO's support as part of the Strategy For Older People in Wales. The aim of Strategy is to empower people to take control of their own lives by putting people over the age of 50 at the centre of all decisions made that would concern them. SHOUT were set up as part of the response made by partners in Bridgend.

SHOUT is a county wide initiative that was set up with the support of a variety of local statutory and voluntary agencies. Its membership is made up entirely of people over 50 and its main aim is to raise any issue of concern that is brought to its attention via forums or other means. Ultimately the aim is to influence positive change at a local, regional and/or national level.

SHOUT is also currently developing its role amongst local planning teams, so are endeavoring to ensure that the views of older people are aired in a variety of different areas including the development of services and planning.

If you are interested in joining one of the local forums or signing up for mailings, email: Mo Williams, Shout Support Worker at BAVO on 01656 810400

Download the latest SHOUT newsletter here.

Local Contacts

To add your group to this page, please contact Pat Lindsay on 01656 810400. There are a number of OAP and luncheon club organisations on BAVO's database. If you are looking for local community groups of this nature, give us a ring!

Age Concern

Help the Aged

Care and Repair Bridgend

Bridgend Carers Centre

Bridgend County Borough Council's Older Peoples Strategy Coordinator, email Stuart Burge-Jones