**Apologies for cross posting:**

 

You are invited to a free seminar about Age Friendly Rural Areas. 19th December 2018 1pm – 4pm. The event begins at 1pm with a free networking lunch.

 

The rural population is generally healthier than the urban population due to the migration of more prosperous people who wish to live in a greener environment. However 13% of rural pensioners live in relative poverty and there is a breakdown of rural social networks due to a mixture of complex factors including demographic change, a lack of public spaces, the loss of venues and community facilities and the increasing use of on-line services. This photography project aimed to explore and document what people over 60 in the Upper Calder Valley think is important in creating age friendly rural communities

 

Participants were trained in photography and research methods and took photographs which represented aspects of their local surroundings that were, or were not, age friendly. They continued with the project as co-researchers and analysed the data, identifying 12 themes, which covered the ageing process, local characteristics of the Calder Valley, social connections, and services and amenities. Dissemination of the project to local people and local and regional policy-makers was through a series of photographic exhibitions and an illustrated report.

 

Our recommendations included the following: all bodies should involve older people in local decision-making about provision of services including health and social care; planning regulations relating to access should be enforced; new development should reflect the nature of the area; bus services serving hilltop communities should be maintained; local groups and activities should take into account the needs of older people and their wide range of interests; and further research should be commissioned on the needs of people over 60 in rural areas.

 

This presentation will give an overview of the project and its findings with contributions from some of the participants who were involved.

 

This seminar will take place on 19^th December 13:00-16:00 in  the Martin Harris Centre.

 

We would request that interested parties register in advance of the seminar https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/age-friendly-rural-areas-tickets-49887716503

 

 

 

 

 

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