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The past year in the life of Otley Action for Older People
(OAOP) has been as usual tremendously challenging and new developments have included:
The success of a Big Lottery grant meant that Otley Action for Older People has been able to develop a social initiative that will seek to reduce the incidence of social exclusion within the older population in
Otley.
Through funding from Leeds Social Services and the North West PCT, Otley Action for Older People has expanded its operations to cover the area of
Pool-in-Wharfedale & Arthington.
The OAOP minibus continues to aid developing our activities and to support those of various other groups. This has been achieved mainly thanks to the work of a volunteer/committee member undertaking the MIDAS Assessor Training Course.
The recent taking over of the management of the former Otley Community Transport project will further support the development of community transport access for older people.
Social activities remain very popular with regular tea dances, whist drives, bingo sessions, pantomimes, the theatre and thriving a film club. There have been trips and outings, trips to coast, to the Dales, museums, and shopping trips, all highly successful and due mainly to the efforts of the Development Worker and the Volunteer Coordinator.
The Tuesday Luncheon Club has gone from strength to strength, thanks to the efforts of the Development Worker, several volunteer/committee members and of course a team of very willing volunteers.
The Weston Social Group still meets each Monday to provide social opportunities. Volunteer participation to befriend those identified as lonely or threatened by isolation has been growing.
There has been regular telephone contact with those identified as vulnerable or in need of temporary support. Finally, and while not being a membership
organisation, Otley Action for Older People has over a thousand names and addresses on our database, all of whom receive our regular newsletter. |
