DURSLEY-BASED community organisation World Jungle will open a community hub for older people in the area after receiving funding from the county council.

The Hub will be set up in the new year at the Chantry Centre, in Dursley, and will focus on promoting health and wellbeing for older people in the area.

The project was developed from their successful ‘Full of Life’ Community Fair event held earlier in the year which was attended by over 200 people.

World Jungle’s Ben Ward said: “The actual programme will be led by what people tell us they want. We have a list of initial suggestions including fitness classes, green gym, gardening, dance, arts & crafts and tea dances.

“However, one of the main purposes of the project is to establish a group which belongs to and is led by the people who use it.

“We want to help bring a change of culture from providing services for older and vulnerable groups to building their capacity to develop and influence services for themselves.

“We hope that this group will become a strong and active voice in our community, helping to combat issues of loneliness and isolation, and helping people to feel healthier and more indepe

ndent.”

The funding was made available under the ‘Active Together’ stream, with the aim of providing a coordinated and preventative approach to improving the health and wellbeing of older people in the community, as well as developing a model of working which puts older people at the heart of creating their own solutions to their health needs.

Councillor Steve Lydon, who backed the scheme, said: “I am really pleased to be able to support the planned health activities that World Jungle will be undertaking.

"It’s great to see more planned use being made of the Chantry Centre making it a true community hub for young and old. I look forward to the continued success of the centre.”

Organisers are very keen to hear from people who would like to get involved with helping to shape the group and are holding an open coffee morning at The Chantry Centre on Thursday, January 8, at 10am.

The Full of Life Community Hub will then be launched on Thursday, January 29, with a morning of activities including Tai Chi, dance tasters, health & beauty treatments together with the opportunity to have a cup of tea and a chat with friends in a relaxed and friendly environment.

For more information, please contact Ben Ward from World Jungle on 07889 512644, email ben@worldjungle.org.uk or visit www.worldjungle.org.uk.