A local charity has unveiled plans to extend its community engagement scheme across North Tyneside.
Age UK North Tyneside hosts regular events such as line dancing, Zumba classes, craft groups and reading groups across the borough to help older people enjoy their later years. The events are held in key towns such as North Shields and Whitley Bay but residents in more remote parts of the area have expressed an interest in trying out activities closer to their homes.
Age UK North Tyneside has responded by rolling out the scheme to Killingworth, Forrest Hall, Wideopen, Longbenton and other areas so that residents don’t have to travel as far to enjoy their favourite pastimes.
The organisation’s Volunteering and Community team has created an interactive map to help people discover activities held in their area:https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1Ydx5pVpzQORJ62H9M7Aas4pNd1M. Residents can simply go online, click on the various icons and pick an event of their choice. Prices are included, although some of the events are free of charge.
Alma Caldwell, group chief executive at Age UK North Tyneside, said: “Traditionally our events in North Shields and Whitley Bay are really well attended but North Tyneside covers a much larger area and we want to make sure that all of the community can benefit. Sometimes older people struggle to travel too far, perhaps because they have a disability or don’t have any transport.
“The roll-out of our community engagement programme should help to address these issues. To develop the scheme further, we’re looking for feedback on how to improve our events or suggestions for any new activities that people may want to try.”
For more information on Age’s UK’s community engagement programme and the events held around North Tyneside, please visit http://www.ageuk.org.uk/northtyneside/our-services/regular-activities/.