A new community-led commission is working to improve quality of life for older people in Hammersmith & Fulham.
The independent H&F Older People’s Commission is made up of residents, volunteers, charities and healthcare experts.
It will focus on the three main areas older people say most concern them:
- Loneliness and isolation
- Poverty and deprivation
- Access to services
The first step is to gather more detailed information, beginning with a survey about how lonely and isolated older people feel. The survey is aimed at people aged 65 and over. The commission is chaired by Bryan Naylor who is the President of the Older People’s Consultative Forum and a trustee of H&F Age UK.
Bryan said: “Older people in H&F must be more involved in shaping the services and opportunities that affect them. I’m delighted the council has asked us to help make this happen.
“We hope our eventual recommendations will help improve older people’s lives in our borough, as well as inform the national debate about our ageing population.”
Cllr Ben Coleman, H&F Cabinet Member for Health & Adult Social Care, said: “By looking at loneliness, poverty and services, the commission is tackling some of the big issues for our borough’s older residents.
“Combating loneliness and isolation in H&F is a priority for the council and our health partners. I hope lots of people will give evidence and I look forward to the commission’s recommendations.”
The commission will issue interim recommendations to the council in the spring.
Survey
The commission is asking older H&F residents aged 65 and over to give their views on loneliness and isolation in the borough and what can be done.
You can complete the online survey here, Isolation and loneliness amongst H&F older residents.
If you’d like to find out more, please contact Julien Danero Iglesias at Julien.Danero-Iglesias@lbhf.gov.uk or on 020 8753 5711, or visit the Older People's Commission webpage.
Making Christmas day special for H&F’s older people
We’re planning a fantastic Christmas day lunch at Hammersmith Town Hall for 350 older residents who’d otherwise be on their own. To find out more including how to donate to help pay for food and gifts, visit Christmas Day lunch.
H&F’s resident-led commissions
The Older People’s Commission is part of H&F commitment to do things with residents, rather than to them, and involve residents directly in shaping services and opportunities in H&F.
More than 60 residents have worked in eight resident-led commissions to come up with powerful and imaginative ideas and recommendations for improving life in our borough.
Many hundreds more residents, along with community groups, have given evidence to the commissions. This was the first time the council had given most of them the chance to shape policy directly. Visit the resident-led commissions webpage for details.
