Inventing our future Collective action for a sustainable economy

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Chapter 3 – Effective interventions
Case study 21
Social activities for older people
In partnership with Age Concern Hertfordshire and Adult Care Services, Welwyn Hatfield District Council
has set up an Asian Elders Lunch Club.
By providing free door-to-door transport the club enables older Asian residents to meet once a week, enjoy
a meal together and get support from an Asian community worker. Members of the group are able to join
in with activities and socialise with other service users.
Another partnership between the council and Age Concern provides computer training to older people and
the facilities for them to use the internet in a purpose-built computer suite in a local community centre.
The council also runs a popular Shopper Hopper scheme which helps older people who find using public
transport difficult remain independent by taking them to the local supermarket once a week and providing
help with carrying the bags of shopping to the front door. Wheelchair accessible buses take people from
the surrounding villages to the main towns and the trip becomes a social occasion as well as a means of
stocking up on essentials. This service has recently been extended to include support for older people to
visit relatives in local hospitals.