Anna Dixon visits Age UK Bradford District

 

Last week Anna Dixon for Shipley visited Age UK Bradford District for a Q&A session with Joanne Volpe, Age UK Bradford District Trustee.

 

Age UK is inviting newly elected MPs to discuss issues affecting older people in their local community over a cup of tea. The charity is also asking MPs to stand up for the needs of their older constituents in both their constituency and in Parliament and committing to improving the lives of older people in the UK.

 

Age UK Bradford District offers vital services to older people in the area including information, help & support, advice & casework and activities & group. Anna Dixon met with local Age UK Bradford District staff who deliver some of these services and the older people who benefit from the support, as well as answering questions covering the various issues facing older people locally, nationally and globally, whilst drinking tea in Age UK’s living room set.

 

Older people in the Shipley area continuously raise concerns about social housing, provisions for dementia care, the winter fuel allowance and making Shipley Town centre more age friendly. The voluntary sector plays a huge role in delivering local services to support those who need it most, but many local Age UKs are concerned about their ability to continue providing essential support for older people in their area.

 

Mark Rounding, Chief Executive at Age UK Bradford District, said: “Age UK Bradford District works to put older people first and give them a voice ensuring their experiences and issues are understood. We were really pleased that Shipley’s MP Anna Dixon took the time to meet with the older people we support, listened to them and discussed the various issues they are facing.”

 

Joanne Volpe, Age UK Bradford District Trustee and Chair, said: "At Age UK Bradford we pride ourselves on offering a listening ear for older people at all our community hubs. On Friday we were delighted to give Anna Dixon, MP for Shipley, the opportunity to be the one listening to older people about the issues important to them and ask how she could offer her support to ensure older people in Shipley live their best lives."

 

Anna Dixon, MP for Shipley, said: “I would like to thank Age UK Bradford District for inviting me to today’s Q&A session in Wrose.

 

“I’ve spent the majority of my professional career working in health and social care and on improving outcomes for older people. It was great to get the chance today to discuss what I’ve been doing in parliament to continue that work, including my role in increasing the carers allowance.

 

“Engaging with and listening to residents in the Shipley constituency is the aspect of being an MP that I cherish the most. It was wonderful to meet the incredible staff and volunteers at the Age UK store and to answer questions from those in attendance regarding both local and national concerns.”