Social Services

Blaenau Gwent has a population of approximately 69,000 and out of this number approximately 25,000 are aged 50 and over.

The Older People’s Strategy focuses on identifying the needs of older people and encourages the ongoing involvement of older people to express their views and have an influence on the ways that services are improved.  Under previous ‘involvement arrangements’ a number of residents of Blaenau Gwent aged 50 and over contributed information, that was incorporated into Blaenau Gwent’s revised Older People’s Strategy, complimenting and adding to more formal “needs analysis” information.

One example of this was the need for the development of an ‘Information Handbook’ to provide clear, accessible information that would help improve access to services for people aged 50+.  Under 50+ Network partnership arrangements the following organisations provided financial support which enabled the production of a 50+ Information Handbook – Western Power Distribution, Blaenau Gwent Council – Community Safety, Community Services and Communities First Partnerships.

The Information Handbook was launched at the above event in the presence of Ruth Marks, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales who was thanked for her support by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Des Hillman – Chair of the Older People 50+ Network.

> 50+ Handbook