Over 50s Research Project

National interest in research project to provide services for Over 50s. Bridport Age Concern has been given a helping hand with its Lottery-funded research to develop a new range of activities and services for the over 50s.

Researcher Ruth Gaunt, who leads the project, was invited to the January meeting of Bridport & District University of the Third Age (U3A) to explain why more needs to be done for younger and active retired people and more use made of the excellent facilities at Chancery House, the day and social centre, in Bridport. Many of the 100 members who attended completed her questionnaire.

She also wants to see how they can help those members of the baby boomer generation who are faced with the dual responsibility of looking after elderly parents and acting as child minders of their grandchildren.  As well as support for carers, the views of the public are being sought on areas such as IT and computer training, exercise classes and services including Internet café and tax information.

Age Concern, which is being partnered in the project by Age UK, will ensure that the services complement rather than duplicate those already being run by existing groups. It is hoped to complete the research by the end of February and analyse the findings in March. Many other Age Concern centres across the UK have asked to be informed of the results of this survey so that they can use them to improve the services they provide.

“The help we have had from groups and the public in the Bridport, Beaminster and Lyme Regis area in carrying out our research has been fantastic. I hope we can work together in the future to develop the findings of the survey.”

For more information contact Ruth Gaunt on 07972 465068 or 01305 458742 or via email: ruth-gaunt@tiscali.co.uk