Asian old folk getboost in day care

Age Concern Hyndburn has made the "significant expansion" to enable older people from any ethnic minority to access social interaction, personal care, information and advice, community services and leisure activities.

The charity has been working hard with community leaders to make the service appropriate to ethnic elders, who often have trouble accessing care because of cultural and language barriers.

The service is being hosted temporarily in sheltered accommodation at Merlin Court, Merlin Drive, Oswaldtwistle, every Tuesday from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Claire Diack, community care manager at Age Concern Hyndburn, said: "We are very pleased to be able to provide the service.

"I am sure that as it develops and eventually moves into its own premises, the benefits will be felt throughout the minority ethnic communities of Hyndburn.

"The ethnic communities are a difficult group to target because they are such a close-knit community.

"In trying to sort out this kind of service for them, there has been a lot of negotiation and we have had to build up a lot of trust so that we can provide them with the appropriate facilities for their needs."

Coun Allah Dad, of Accrington's Central ward, believes there has been a shortage of provision for older people from the borough's Asian community.

He said: "Many people have been concerned for some time about the lack of these kind of facilities for older people in the Asian communities who find it very hard to get advice. There is always some contribution from the local authority, but I think more can be done.

"Therefore, we welcome this service because it can only benefit the community," he said.

Claire added: "I have been very impressed with how the ethnic community have worked hard to get this service going.

"I would also like to thank social services, all of our partner voluntary organisations and the residents of Merlin Court who have made the service possible."