Service shake-up to offer better deal for pensioners

New teams are part of an overhaul of Age Concern Teesside, which will see two major branches of the charity moved.

The Stockton office in Green Dragon Yard is being moved to a bigger premises in Finkle Street, where a Computers For All project will be expanded.

Computers for All gives elderly people basic lessons in logging on and surfing the net, but more volunteers are needed for it.

A spokesman said: "Volunteers to staff and use the centre are urgently required, and will provide the focal point for a much wider involvement in the local community."

The Consumer Advice Centre, run by Age Concern and based in Middlesbrough bus station, will also close, with the charity's work being centred at the resource centre and head office in Borough Road.

The spokesman said: "With the increasing number of activities available, and car parking facilities, this move will consolidate activities on one site.

"The opening of two health centres in Borough Road, including a pharmacy, means that Age Concern Teesside's Resource Centre is becoming increasingly accessible to residents without having to move.

"A community safety project for central Middlesbrough, which is organised by Safe In Teesside, will also be based at the centre."

In an effort to get better facilities for pensioners throughout Teesside, Age Concern is hoping to increase its campaigning work in the area.

Community teams will be set up in the next few months, to work with pensioners' groups in the area.

The idea is for elderly people's groups, which have been set up for a variety of reasons, to work together to improve provision for the aged.

Speaking about all the changes at Age Concern Teesside, chief executive Dave Punshon said: "I hope regular users of the service will bear with us until all the changes settle down and staff and volunteers get used to the new processes.

"The overall aim is to provide more effective service to all older people in Teesside."