Older People’s Day: celebrating the work of Market Drayton Community Enterprise

To mark Older People’s Day this week (Sunday 1 October 2017), we are continuing to raise the profile of active senior residents in Shropshire’s communities.

Older People’s Day is part of the annual United Nations ‘International Day of Older Persons’ and is dedicated to commemorating the achievements of elderly people in our communities.

Market Drayton’s Senior Citizens holding cheque for Community Bus project

This year’s theme is “Stepping into the Future: Tapping the Talents, Contributions and Participation of Older Persons in Society”, and today’s story is from Market Drayton Community Enterprise (formerly known as Market Drayton Senior Citizens Enterprise).

A Market Drayton’s senior enterprise goes from strength to strength

A group of proactive senior citizens in Market Drayton keen to contribute to the health and well-being of their peers, have successfully transformed into a community enterprise.

Market Drayton Community Enterprise was set up to ensure that any adverse community impact, particularly on vulnerable elderly residents, will be identified and, whenever possible, minimised.

The community enterprise group played a key role in the launch of a Ring-/Text-a-Ride Community Bus in August 2016, which now regularly serves all towns and villages along Shropshire’s northern corridor.  (Read their story here in Shropshire’s Local Account https://www.shropshirechoices.org.uk/media/20664/local-account-2015-2016.pdf). 

Determined to continue to improve the health and well-being of their less-advantaged peers in their community, the group hosted their second Festival of Health & Well-being at the Festival Drayton Centre in May this year, which proved to be a hit with exhibitors and visitors, with numbers reaching 230. 

Market Drayton Community Enterprise at the Festival of Health & Well-being event

Market Drayton Community Enterprise at the Festival of Health & Wellbeing event

Following the huge success of the Festival of Health & Well-being, two further events will be held on 11 April 2018 and 10 October 2018.

The health and well-being festival has also attracted the attention of the Neighbourhood Safety Policing Team (NSPT) and as a result, the community enterprise group were asked to host a Cyber Crime & Scam Awareness event in September this year. The NSPT have stated that it is a ‘must’ for 2018.

Eric Davis, Secretary of Market Drayton Community Enterprise, said:

“Promoting social inclusion to improve health and well-being is at the heart of our work. Our team is represented at many influential meetings, enabling us to bring about change on the most pressing issues brought to our attention: currently transport and health.

“Over the past few years our work has now grown to the point where we need to reflect the wider work that we do in the community, hence changing our name to Market Drayton Community Enterprise.”

Meanwhile, the community enterprise has been pleased to be selected by University Centre Shrewsbury campus’ SSE Project Co-ordinator as a Senior Social Entrepreneur Broker. This showcases examples of ‘best practice’ provided by organisations founded by seniors and based in Shropshire to other European countries.

Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, adult social care and housing, added:

“We want to celebrate the contribution older people make in society and within the Shropshire community in particular.

“Many of Shropshire’s senior residents, like those members of Market Drayton Community Enterprise, are taking the lead in their local communities to help improve the health and well-being of our most vulnerable residents.

“We hope that raising the profile of older people’s contributions throughout this week, will inspire and encourage those who may not be involved in their local community, to join others.

Market Drayton Community Enterprise’s success is down to the dedication and hard work of local volunteers.  If you have some spare time on your hands the team are always on the lookout for volunteers of all ages, genders and backgrounds.

Can you commit to 12 mornings a year?  That’s just one morning a month of your free time to make a difference in your community. Volunteering with us gives you the opportunity to:

• Help make a difference in your community
• Have your say on local services and make sure others can have their say too
• Meet new people and learn new skills

We offer all our volunteers a full induction, as well as ongoing training and support to expand your knowledge on local services and organisations.

For more information about Market Drayton Community Enterprise, its work and how you can volunteer, please contact Eric Davis, at ericatriverside@btinternet.com

Advice and information to help you remain independent for longer

Supporting older people and looking after their needs is key to ensuring their well-being and integration into our communities.

For those seniors or their families with access to a computer, there’s a host of information and advice on our Shropshire Choices website to help you remain independent for longer. Visit www.shropshirechoices.org.uk.