Over 100 delegates come together in Wandsworth to turn voices and partnership into action on healthy ageing
Wandsworth Older People’s Forum brings older residents, local leaders, health professionals and community organisations together to discuss the future of healthy ageing
Well over 100 delegates came together at the Wandsworth Older People’s Forum Annual Conference on Tuesday 13 October to discuss how Wandsworth can become an even better place in which to grow older.
Held at St Peter’s Church, Battersea, the conference explored “The Future of Healthy Ageing: Voices, Partnership and Action”, with a strong emphasis on ensuring that older people themselves have a meaningful voice in the decisions, services and communities that affect their lives.
The conference was opened by Deputy Mayor Cllr Kirsten Botting, while Robert Morritt, Leader of Wandsworth Council, also joined delegates and spoke about some of the issues facing the borough and its residents.
Speakers and panellists brought together perspectives from research, health, adult social care, public health, local government and the voluntary and community sector. They included Jeremy DeSouza, Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Public Health, alongside representatives from the NHS, Age UK and other local organisations.
The afternoon panel discussion put older people themselves at the heart of the conversation, giving delegates an opportunity to ask questions directly of local organisations and decision-makers and to raise issues that mattered to them.
One of the potential areas for further discussion emerging from the conference was the possibility of Wandsworth becoming an Age Friendly Borough, bringing together older people, the Council, Age UK and other local organisations to explore what this could mean for the borough. The conversation is at an early stage and no proposal has yet been agreed.
Syeda Islam MBE, Chair of Wandsworth Older People’s Forum, said:
“It was wonderful to see well over 100 people come together for the conference and to hear so many different voices throughout the day.
“What made the day special was not simply the quality of our speakers and panellists, but the willingness of people to listen to one another and talk honestly about what would make Wandsworth a better place in which to grow older.
“Our theme was Voices, Partnership and Action. Older people must have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their lives, but being heard is only the start. Our job now is to build on the partnerships strengthened through the conference and turn those conversations into practical action.”
The conference also gave delegates an opportunity to meet local organisations, learn about services and activities available to older people and make new connections.
Wandsworth Older People’s Forum will now build on the ideas, questions and feedback raised during the day and consider the practical actions that can be taken forward with partners.
