A CAMPAIGN to promote and develop Hambleton as an age friendly community is being launched with a special meeting to find out what works and what doesn’t and how an improved environment can be created.

The meeting at Northallerton Forum on Wednesday May 14 aims to sew the seeds for a new approach in the district.

Hambleton Over Fifties Forum is working with Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington and North Yorkshire County Council to coordinate the setting up of the new group.

They are calling on people to fill in a questionnaire asking what in Hambleton works in terms of age friendliness, what is not working and what could be done to improve any issues.

A spokesperson for Hambleton Over Fifties Forum said at the meeting they’ll be asking the same questions in relation to specific issues including outdoor spaces and buildings; housing; transportation; social participation; respect and social inclusion; civil participation and employment; communication and information and community and health services.

The spokesperson said: "This is an opportunity for people to have their say at the start of a process that must be led by older people and should result in an improved environment for us all to age, in an age friendly community.

"Feedback from the event will help us plan for the future.

"It’s open to anyone over 50 and to representatives of organisations that provide services, help or advice to older people. All local organisations voluntary, commercial or charitable who have an interest in making Hambleton a better place for young and old need to get involved.

"This is an opportunity for people to have their say at the start of a process which should result in an improved environment for us all to age gracefully in a more caring community."

County Councillor Caroline Dickinson, Executive Member for Public Health said: "We are living longer than ever before, so we are keen to hear people’s views about what makes our county a great place to grow old in now, and what we could do together to make it even better.

"It’s so important that older people’s voices are heard, so we want as many as possible to come along to this planning event.

Feedback from the questionnaires and the meeting will be used to set a baseline on what people want to see happening with an action plan for the future.

To attend call 01609 535750 or email HASBusinessSupport@northyorks.gov.uk, or call Hambleton Over Fifties Forum on 01609 771624