hillingdon older people
Opening up the borough for older residents Cllr Ray Puddifot hands over the minibus to HCT
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lder residents will soon be transported around the borough in a new minibus, thanks to a grant from the Leader of the Council’s Older People’s Initiative. Hillingdon Community Transport (HCT) requested the funding from Cllr Ray Puddifoot, who is Leader of the Council and Older People’s Champion, to buy a 16-seat Citroen Relay. HCT uses its fleet of vehicles to take older people on trips, including to the seaside and theatre, and also helps them get to hospital appointments and visit local shops. The minibus is fully accessible and has a passenger lift and removable seats.
The bus was handed over during the July Older People’s Assembly on 2 July. Cllr Ray Puddifoot, Leader of the Council and Older People’s Champion, said: “I am glad that Hillingdon Council is able to support Hillingdon Community Transport’s sterling work through the Leader’s Initiative for Older People. “Their excursions are a lifeline for older residents, living in the London Borough of Hillingdon, who find it hard to get around and who feel isolated. “Investing in a much-needed minibus is sure to benefit the oldest members of our community, giving them the freedom to visit places and meet friends, a pleasure many of us take for granted.”
Helping people with dementia stay safe
The council has joined forces with the Alzheimer’s Society to set up a safer walking programme, which will help people with dementia keep their independence while providing them and their family or carer with peace of mind while they are out and about. People signed up to the programme will be given a special watch that uses GPS technology. If they get lost or disorientated when out, they can press a specific button on the watch and it will connect them to a monitoring centre or relative or carer who can talk to them through the watch and help them. It can also be set up to alert family or carers if they travel away from usual routes, meaning the wearer can be found if they get lost. The programme is not intended to replace appropriate care for people with Alzheimer’s, but is an additional support for sufferers and their carers. Contact your local Alzheimer’s Society office on 01923 823999 or email harrowandhillingdon@ alzheimers.org.uk.
Celebrating the Coronation Community groups across the borough marked the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation with events and activities for their members, with support from the Leader of the Council’s Older People’s Initiative. Groups were invited to submit bids for funding to hold events, including a fish and chip supper, a party with Pearly Kings and Queens, a Commonwealth quiz and a tea party. Leader of the Council and Older People’s Champion, hillingdon people magazine
July/August 2013
Cllr Ray Puddifoot, said: “We know that our residents celebrated the Queen’s Jubilee last year in their hundreds, and we wanted to make sure her coronation was marked this year too. I hope the events being organised are successful and enable our older residents to re-live the excitement of the day, which was one of national celebration.” Photos and more information about the events will be in a future edition of Hillingdon People.
contacts
To find out more about how the council helps older people, visit www.hillingdon. gov.uk/olderpeople.
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