SERVICES and care for older people in East Hampshire look set to improve after key organisations met to share ideas.

A one-day conference, named The Older Persons’ Summit, was held at East Hampshire District Council’s (EHDC) offices in Penns Place, Petersfield, and attracted community organisations and charities to see how they can work together to improve the lives of older people in the district.

More than 80 people from more than 20 charities, community groups and care organisations attended the summit for a day of workshops, presentations and networking.

The organisations shared best practice, explored the initiatives that are already in place across East Hampshire, and spotted where there are gaps and how they can all work together to improve the care for the older people of the district.

The event, organised by EHDC, also highlighted the main issues that older people face living in East Hampshire and discussions took place to see how these issues can be overcome.

There were presentations from a variety of organisations, including Methodist Homes for the Aged, Alzheimer’s Society, Blue Lamp/Bobby Trust, Trading Standards, Age Concern Petersfield, Artscape, Call and Go, EHDC Revenues and Benefits, Hampshire Bowel Cancer Screening, Hitting the Cold Spot, Headway Portsmouth & South East Hants, Home Library Service, Horndean Community Association, MIND Andover, Open Sight, Radian Lifelink, Stroke Associations, Citizen’s Advice, and The Help.

District councillor Adam Carew, who helped to organise the event, said: “The summit has been a phenomenal success.

“The event was the first of its kind in East Hampshire and was a great opportunity for the organisations that care for older people to network and join EHDC in showcasing what we are doing to support them.

“I would like to thank everyone who attended. We have had some excellent feedback on how useful the day was and how great it was to meet other like-minded groups.

“I would also like to thank Yvonne Parker Smith, Keith Budden and (district council) chairman Lynn Evans for their help on the day, as well as EHDC community officer Rebecca Probert for organising the event.

“This event underlines EHDC’s commitment to the welfare agenda and, in particular, its support for older people as a vital part of our local community.”

Yvonne Parker Smith said: “The day was packed with useful information and interesting subjects and we have had great feedback from attendees.

“I also found an organisation that I am going to give some of my councillor funding to and learned a lot from the eyesight table as I have been blind in my right eye for nearly two years.

“Mr Carew’s talk about being a carer for his mother was both moving and amusing. All in all, a most successful day.”

It is planned that the lessons learned at the summit will be cascaded through East Hampshire District Council’s community forums, which will allow the public to learn more about what services are available for older people in East Hampshire.

The first of these forums will be the south of Butser forum, which is due to take place on Wednesday, July 4.