The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales has praised work going on across Caerphilly County Borough to support older people living in the area.
Over the past year, the commissioner, Sarah Rochira, and her team have met with hundreds of people as part of the Commissioner’s Engagement Roadshow, a series of visits to learn about inspirational projects and initiatives.
Three of the visits have been to the White Rose Community Centre in New Tredegar, where the Commissioner’s team joined a number of classes aimed at keeping older people active and engaged. These included an older people’s choir, a knit and natter group and a special exercise class, which instructor Gareth Jones runs for 60 to 90-year-olds in locations around the Local Authority.
The commissioner’s team also joined groups run by the Coal Industry and Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO) in Pontlottyn, Newbridge and Aber Valley. CISWO operates in former mining areas where the pits were once the glue that held communities together, offering former industry workers and their wives the chance to socialise, reminisce, gain support, advice and go on regular excursions together.
There have also been visits to meet older people’s group who have raised thousands of pounds for charities in their area- the Crown and Abercarn Support Group has raised over £8,000 from its weekly coffee mornings over the last four years, while Gelligaer Mother’s Union donates hundreds of pounds a year, raised at its coffee mornings, luncheon clubs and skittles evenings.
The team also attended a session of an intergenerational choir, that is helping to bring schoolchildren and older people together at Lewis School Pengam, and attended a Living and Living Well event for older people at Gelligaer Community Centre.
Sarah Rochira said: “My team and I have spent a lot of time in Caerphilly over the last year and have been incredibly impressed with much of the work happening to make the Local Authority area a better place to grow older.”