Shropshire’s seniors celebrate Older People’s Day by proving how to enjoy an independent and active lifestyle
To mark Older People’s Day (Sunday 1 October 2017), senior residents across Shropshire are showing how, regardless of age, it’s never too late to be active in your local community.
To illustrate this we’ll be posting a series of stories throughout the week from older people and organisations across the county.
Older People’s Day is part of the annual United Nations ‘International Day of Older Persons’ and is dedicated to commemorating the achievements of elderly people in our communities.
This year’s theme is “Stepping into the Future: Tapping the Talents, Contributions and Participation of Older Persons in Society” and today’s story comes from Shropshire’s outdoor partnership.
Shropshire outdoor partnership – outdoor volunteering in the community
Parish Paths Partnership (P3) group – Hadnall
One of the 73 Parish Paths Partnership groups is in Hadnall, a parish with a great community spirit with many local groups, including a regular Walking for Health scheme. Indeed, it was the Walking for Health group that identified the need to keep paths around Hadnall open, so they had a variety of routes to use. The group’s aim is to keep the footpaths in the parish open and passable during the summer months and address repairs and improvements during the winter months.
The first work day went ahead in May 2016 where a section of the Shropshire Way was becoming particularly overgrown. The Shropshire Way passes through the village and is very popular with walkers and dog-walkers from the village as well as those from further afield, and is regarded as a priority by the group.
Nine volunteers worked hard in the sun to cut the hawthorn hedge back, remove the debris and also strim the path to improve access. It seems their efforts did not go unnoticed and just as they were finishing a lady from the house down the lane turned up with cake and cold drinks for them, such a thoughtful and kind gesture and left everyone on a real high! By the end of 2016/17 the group had contributed 64 volunteer hours between them on the P3 scheme.
Parish Paths Partnerships
Eardington Local Nature Reserve (near Bridgnorth)
Over the past few months the volunteers and Community Payback Team have been working hard on a number of projects.
The volunteers built a Minibeast hotel out of wooden pallets and items found around the site. They held an open day, which was very well attended. There were lots of stalls and guided walks around the site and a chance to meet the volunteers and talk about their work. They laid new paths through the woods and cleared an area ready for the installation of a bird hide. The bird hide has now been installed and is proving to be a very popular addition to the site giving visitors a chance to get good view of the bird life. The bird hide was paid for thanks to a successful grant application completed by the volunteers. In autumn 2016 the meadows were grazed for the first time thanks to partnership working with a local smallholder, the volunteer group and Outdoor Partnership Staff. This has proved to be very successful and it is hoped to repeat this again this year.
Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, adult social care and housing, said:-
“We want to celebrate the contribution older people make in society and within the Shropshire community in particular.
“Many of our older people are already active volunteers like those in Shropshire’s Parish Paths Partnership groups, and many continue to enjoy sport and leisure activities, or continue studying for example. We hope that raising the profile of older people’s talents throughout this week will encourage participation from those who may not be involved in anything, and inspire them to join others.”
To get involved or to find out more, contact the outdoor partnerships team: 01743 255957 email: outdoor.recreation@shropshire.gov.uk, or visit the website http://www.shropshiresgreatoutdoors.co.uk/
Advice and information to help you remain independent for longer
Supporting older people and looking after their needs is key to ensuring their well-being and integration into our communities.
For those seniors or their families with access to a computer, there’s a host of information and advice on our Shropshire Choices website to help you remain independent for longer. Visit www.shropshirechoices.org.uk.
