People in Eden will have an opportunity this Friday (29 August) to give local MP David Maclean their ideas on how care and support services for the elderly should look in the future.
The event, at Age Concern's Riverside Centre in Appleby, is linked to Cumbria County Council and Government consultation, and is part of a major new Age Concern campaign called 'The Big Q' - a challenge to politicians to give a commitment to improved the quality of life for older people.
The Big Q sets out five building blocks for the foundation of a new quality care system in its recent report, 'Quality not Inequality':
•respecting people’s dignity
•enabling people to maintain their independence •ensuring fairness for all who need care •giving clarity about getting the support you need •increasing the amount of money available to provide quality care
Invitations have been sent out to adults from across Eden, and the conclusions from the discussion day in Appleby will form part of a countywide report to the county council's Adult and Cultural Services. Invited audiences have already met in Carlisle - with Eric Martlew, MP - and in Workington, where Tony Cunningham was on hand to listen to what local people had to say. More meetings are planned over the next few months.
Across the UK, there will be 50 debating sessions in total, of which Cumbria is hosting 6.
It will also feed into a nationwide consultation the Government is currently carrying out on these issues before it puts forward new proposals for the future of care services next year.
End
Please note: Cumbria County Council's media team telephone numbers have now changed.
Media enquiries to Alison Lister, Media Officer on 01228 226335