About Us
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HISTORY OF THE PROJECT BLACON FIGURES
In response to these findings three of the mainline Churches in Blacon took the initiative to address these issues amongst older people and by joining with a number of community agencies working in Blacon formed the Blacon Church and community mission with older people. After securing funding from the Tudor Trust, Church Urban Fund and Church and Community Fund, the Project was able to begin employing a part-time worker in January 2009. After collating information of services and activities currently provided for older people in the area and inviting the community to provide suggestions for additional services and events, a gentle exercise group was started, together with the Blacon Silver Screen film club for the over 55s. Preparations also began to introduce an indoor bowls club, reinstate the health walks and develop a healthy eating, intergeneration Project. As well as initiating new activities the project has sought to make known the more established community and Church groups in Blacon groups who provided servicies for the older members of the community. In November 2009, having adopted the new name of "Vintage Blacon" with the strap line ‘a faith based partnership’, the Project held its inaugural AGM when its constitution was agreed and officers appointed. It was recognised as the 7th Partnership under the newly formed Blacon Alliance and became the sub group of the West Cheshire Older People's Network. More detailed reports on the yearly activities of Vintage Blacon can be viewed by clicking on "Annual reports". For more information on the various community and Church groups please click on "Activities". |
The UK now has more people aged 65 than there are children under the age of 16 and within 20 years half of the adult UK population will be over 50. The implications of this for Blacon are enhanced by the findings of the 2001 census which stated that 22% of Blacon residents aged over 60 who lived alone were affected by income deprivation. This was 10% higher than the Chester District average. Health data showed that Blacon scored highest in the region for cases of acute respiratory, cardiovascular and coronary heart disease, lung and cervical cancer and diabetes. The 2001 census also indicated that the standard mortality rate for Blacon was 438 per 100,000 as compared with 297 for the West Cheshire Primary Health Care Trust.
Blacon URC St Theresas RC