Springboard Housing Association, Age Concern Newham, West Ham & Plaistow New Deal for Communities (NDC) and Newham Primary Care Trust have all joined forces to provide a health, support and activity clinic for older people in Newham.

The clinic, which will be known as 'All About You', will allow older members of the Newham community to have access to a range of services such as regular health checks, exercise and activities, healthy eating and information and advice.

The overall aim of the clinics, which will be held once a month, will be to promote physical, emotional and mental health and wellbeing and to encourage and help older people to remain physically and mentally active.

The clinics will be held at Stephens Court on Hermit Rd, a Springboard supported housing scheme.

Maggie Duffy, Springboard Supported Housing Manager said; "We are really pleased to be working with Age Concern and NDC on this exciting initiative. All About You will operate as a 'one-stop shop', providing older people with a place to come to in order to gain advice on a whole range of issues varying from healthy eating to mental health.

The clinic will also be a place where people can come to meet and make new friends, which is an important factor in an individual's overall wellbeing."

Sue McCarthy, Chief Executive, Age Concern Newham said; "This innovative scheme is one that is much needed in the Newham area and arises from our work with older people in the area. Anyone from the age of 50 will be able to come along to participate in the sessions and to seek support and advice from the experienced staff who will be working here. This is a fine example of partnership working that greatly benefits the local community."

For more information on 'All About You' and details on dates and times please call 0207 511 1794.

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For more information please contact:

Jayne Williams
Marketing, Press & PR Officer
Genesis Housing Group
0208 150 4178
jayne.williams@ghg.org.uk

Photo

Eileen Alford, a Springboard tenant and one of the first people to benefit from the service.

Notes to editors

Springboard Housing Association provides high quality housing and support services to over 10,000 people in east London, Essex and Hertfordshire.

Genesis Housing Group provides homes and services to tens of thousands of people across London and the south east. The Group consists of PCHA, Sutherland, Pathmeads and Springboard housing associations. We also have in our group a charitable foundation, Genesis Community. We are one of the largest and most successful housing groups in the UK, owning and/or managing more than 45,000 homes. Our overiding aim is to put customers first and provide excellent service to all.

Age Concern Newham is one of over 400 local groups and organisations which make up the Age Concern federation in England. Age Concern Newham is an independent charity which raises funds, campaigns and provides a range of services to help older people in Newham live healthy, active, informed and independent lives.

West Ham and Plaistow NDC is a £55 million regeneration initiative running over a ten year period from 2000. The local community is at the heart of the NDC programme and plays a leading role in how the money is spent. The aim of the programme is to turn the West Ham and Plaistow area into "one of Newham's neighbourhoods that is seen as being exceptional as opposed to a place that is the focus of social stigma and acute deprivation."