Old folk take it sitting down as shops tackle loneliness
SHOPKEEPERS are urging the elderly to take a seat in a bid to beat loneliness and social isolation.
The scheme - called Take a Seat is encouraging local businesses on Northmoor Road, Longsight, to provide a spare chair for the elderly and disabled.
Ten businesses, including a hairdressers, estate agents and grocers, have signed up to the campaign, set up by Southway Housing and Age Friendly. It has been supported by Northmoor Community Association and Arawak Walton Housing Association. When any of the businesses displaying an Age Friendly sticker and Take a Seat sign are open, people can walk in and take a seat - no questions asked.
“It’s a great thing to do in the community,” said Stephanie Rowlinson, who works at Pauline’s Hair Salon
“A lot of areas don’t have a sense of community and many people don’t tend to know their neighbours, so it’s nice to see the businesses round here come together to create something that can really help people.”
Susan Thorpe, supervisor at Northmoor Community Association, said one of the reasons the campaign is so important is elderly people might not want to admit to feeling tired and needing help.
“A lot of people can’t walk that far and may have to stop every few yards to get their breath back,” said Susan. “Now, they know they can sit down, take a break and even grab a brew while they unwind for a few minutes.”
Pauline Sergeant, who was on The Age Friendly’s Older People’s Board for seven years, said the campaign was something that needed to be rolled out across Manchester.
“It’s a great idea and so simple for people to recreate in other areas.
“Age Friendly have already done campaigns in Whalley Range and Levenshulme and it’s just incredible to see that there’s such a need for it.”
Fiona Gallagher, from Northmoor
Community Association, helped set up the project in the area. She said: “The response has been really good - it’s starting a conversation. Everyone has been talking about it and has been interested to know what it’s all about.
“It’s a social opportunity too, it’s opening the door and getting people more involved in the community.
“We have a great community spirit here, we all look after each other which is really nice,” said Fiona.