HUNDREDS of Bromsgrove’s elderly community flocked to Bradley Thomas MP’s first Pensioner’s Fair today (Friday, November 15) to learn about the support and advice on offer for them.
The event – originally launched by Bromsgrove’s former MP Sajid Javid a few year ago – boasted over 40 stalls from clubs, societies and charities to care homes, companies and the emergency services.
Among them were Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest, The Talking Newspaper, Probus, U3A Bromsgrove, Better Together, Volunteer Centre Bromsgrove, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, West Mercia Police and more.
Bradley Thomas MP said he was thrilled to have organised and hosted his first Pensioner’s Fair, following in the footsteps of his predecessor.
He told the Standard: “I’m overwhelmed that so many organisations have wanted to get behind this.
“It’s a great chance to showcase the very best of Bromsgrove and the villages and make sure local people get access to support and services.”
To keep visitors refreshed, The Gables care home provided tea and coffee accompanied by Wiltshire Farm Foods’ cake offerings.
Margaret Mountford and Hedley Brook-Carter, both trustees of The Bromsgrove and Redditch Talking Newspapers spoke about positive conversations had on the day which will help make their service accessible for more people through care home collaboration.
The Talking Newspaper offers a recorded audio show of the latest news from around the county for those who, for whatever reason, cannot read physical papers.
Working with care homes will allow them to make their shows accessible to large groups of pensioner’s at the same time.
Hedley, chair of The Talking Newspaper, told the Standard: “It’s wonderful, we know we’re providing a worthwhile service. The kick we all get out of it is marvelous.”
The fire services prevention and engagement team were on hand to share with pensioner’s the services they offer to help ensure residents’ homes and appliances are safe.
Prevention and engagement officer, Robin Douglas, told the Standard: “Pensioners can be most at risk and sometimes unaware of the services we offer.
“Knowing we’ve walked away from a home which is now safer than when we arrived is brilliant.”
The North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership (NWCSP), run by Redditch Borough Council, were also present to share their new scheme aimed at tackling rogue traders and cold callers to prevent pensioner’s becoming victims of such scams.
Richard Waterhouse, project officer for NWCSP, told the Standard: “Pensioner’s are particularly vulnerable. The more people we can protect from scammers, the better.
“The effects on victims are massive, so prevention is better than the cure.”
Sponsoring the event was the North Worcestershire branch of Right at Home, an at-home care provider.
Mark Appleton, Right at Home managing director for the local branch told the Standard: “We’re very excited to be part of this whole event and to see all the different services here today.
“We see it as a very good initiative.”
