Redundant and retired over-50s can get help from new project

People over 50 in the Ellesmere Port area who have been made redundant or had to retire can now benefit from a pilot project being run by MHA’s Ellesmere Port & Neston Live at Home Scheme.

The ‘Not Ready Yet’ project is being set up this month to bring people in their mid-50s to early 60s together to reduce loneliness and help them move forward.  The project is offering financial, legal and careers advice, retraining for those who want to get another job and volunteering opportunities and social activities for those who don’t.  These include a green gym, cookery classes, dining clubs and walking groups.

The project is being funded with £19,700 of Big Lottery money awarded through Brightlife, a partnership led by Age UK Cheshire to improve the lives of older people in Cheshire West and Chester.  It will run for at least a year before being analysed and used to develop future services.  Brightlife will also provide business support and training during the project.  Anyone who would like to get involved can call Scheme Manager David Foulds on 0151 3573873 or email david.foulds@mha.org.uk.

David said, “As we are seeing with the 650 redundancies at the Vauxhall motor plant in Ellesmere Port, people in their 50s or early 60s are finding it harder to gain new employment and can suddenly find they are in forced retirement.  This can bring on social isolation leading to depression so there is a great need for the type of innovative support services we are developing.”