New project providing activities and social opportunities for older people in Calderdale

Older people have been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with lost opportunities for friendship and conversation, as their social clubs and activity groups closed.

Local not-for-profit organisation Calderdale Forum 50 Plus, are aiming to help people aged over 50 to restore their lost connections and find new social groups and clubs to join; while getting back out into their communities, doing the things they love best, making new friends and improving their mental health.

With funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, Calderdale Forum 50 Plus are building an online directory called “In Touch” on their popular website, for local over-50 groups and clubs to promote themselves to older people in Calderdale. The directory will also feature groups that have been running successfully online over the last year.

Calderdale Forum 50 Plus’s Chairman Malcolm Kielty MBE said: “By creating “In Touch” we hope to encourage people who are cautious about leaving their homes and meeting people, to get involved again with their favourite groups, make new friends or try something new, but in a safe way.

“The online directory on the Calderdale Forum 50 Plus website also aims to encourage volunteers who are unsure or lack the confidence to restart their groups, to give it a go.

“If your group, club or organisation would like to be featured on “In Touch”, please get in touch with us at [email protected] or via a form on our website.”

To visit “In Touch” look for the In Touch button on the Calderdale Forum 50 Plus website at calderdaleforum50plus.com.

To submit your group’s details to the directory visit https://calderdaleforum50plus.com/in-touch/in-touch-add-your-group-to-our-listings/.