THERE was plenty of help, support and advice on offer at MP Sajid Javid’s Bromsgrove Pensioners Fair at Parkside Hall and the town’s library last Friday.
The event – the fifth of its kind to be organised by Mr Javid – boasted 48 stalls from clubs, societies and charities to care homes, companies and the emergency services.
Among them were Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest, Talking Newspapers, Mercian Nordic Walking, Bromsgrove Flower Club, Bromsgrove Ramblers Club, The Stroke Association, Probus, Acorns, Rotary and more.
Jo Jacobs from Care Force said: “It’s good from our point of view as it gives us chance to show what we offer, but also the other agencies and what they deliver for elderly people in Bromsgrove.
“It provides open conversation and that’s definitely something we need more of.”
Bromsgrove Flower Club said at the last event it had managed to get more members which helped as numbers had dwindled since Covid but the group was looking strong again.
Margaret Mountford from The Redditch and Bromsgrove Talking Newspaper said: “It’s a great way to spread the word about what we do.
“It’s important for everyone, including older people, to be able to keep up-to-date with their local news – we have a good listenership but are always looking for more.
“It was also good to network with others working in the same areas.”
And Ian Northcott from Mercian Nordic Walking said: “We were very busy up until Covid but then it went really quiet and we’re starting to recover.
“Nordic Walking is great for people of all ages and we also do outdoor circuit training sessions for older people.”
Age UK BRWF CEO Amanda Allen said: “The event was very well-attended – it’s been going for a few years now so plenty of people are aware of it.”
Roger Custance, the charity’s chair, added: “It gives us good access to the people we know we can help.
“There are some older people who have problems they don’t know how to solve and we can fix them pretty easily if we are aware that support is needed.”
Mr Javid said: “When I saw the weather and how bad the rain was, I was worried about the turn-out but it’s clear that the senior citizens of Bromsgrove are made of sterner stuff.
“One lady asked me why I hadn’t stopped the rain but then thanked me for holding the event – we’ve had some really positive feedback.”
The MP also thanked this year’s event sponsors – Hamberley Care Homes, Phoenix Group, CareForce, and Bromsgrove Golf Centre.
Entertainment was provided by Mercian Fitness, Nordic Walking and singer Helen Pearson.
