Elderly members of the Asian community in Great Horton, Bradford, are being recruited as volunteers to help people improve their health and home safety.
The volunteer scheme is part of a project called Community Empowerment, organised by the Council for Mosques, which sees volunteers co-ordinating a range of projects helping people living in the area.
The elderly volunteers are working with Bradford's Health Promotion Unit on a range of advice sessions. There are health checks including blood pressure and screening for diabetes.
Benefits advice, help with language skills, and accident prevention is also offered.
The scheme is aimed at getting elderly people out of their homes and into a social environment. Advice sessions are being held at the Council for Mosques community centre in Great Horton Road and a new luncheon club starts tomorrow, after £3,500 lottery grant was awarded.
"Elderly people in particular are often very isolated in the home," said Council for Mosques manager Saleem Khan.
"Falling in the home is a big problem for the elderly and this project offers advice on how it can be prevented. The group looks at potential reasons for falling and offers simple advice on things like not leaving wires out which can be tripped over.
"The volunteers co-ordinate sessions, while members of health and social agencies come to offer their expertise.
"We provide a familiar environment with people from their own community. They can come for advice or just have lunch and a chat.
"Hopefully, coming to the lunch club will encourage people to join some of our other classes, such as art and fitness."
Community Empowerment recruits volunteers of all ages and is aimed at increasing employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
Recruitment is done through schools, colleges and posters in shops and libraries. Volunteers are trained by a variety of agencies, then co-ordinate advice sessions on things like food hygiene, immigration advice, and health and fitness. Day trips are also organised.
"There's a high rate of unemployment in this area so we're giving people chance to train and get some work experience," said Mr Khan. "Travel and childcare costs are paid."
Separate advice sessions are held for men and women from Monday to Thursday at the Council for Mosques.
Sajawal Hussain, advice development officer for the men's sessions, said about 25 people attended every day.
"Some of the people who come along have health problems. Staying in the home often makes them feel even worse, because they're bored as well. They benefit from a change of scene and some socialising," he said.
"Women are given a valuable opportunity to get out of the home for a couple of hours and learn something new," said Nazia Bashir, who organises women's sessions.
For more information ring (01274) 521792.
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