PRESS RELEASE - Invitation to "Tweet the Commissioner"

2nd August 2010

31st July 2010                                                         

"Tweet" the Commissioner

Care & Repair is inviting visits to its stand at the National Eisteddfod to "tweet" the Older People's Commissioner and tell her their thoughts on housing in Wales.

Ruth Marks, the Older People's Commissioner for Wales will also be visiting the Care & Repair stand on Wednesday 4th August (3.30pm) to hear for herself what older people think about housing and housing services in Wales.

During her visit to the stand the Commissioner will also be launching new national telephone number for Care & Repair - 0300 111 3333.  This new number will geographically route the caller to their local Care & Repair Agency in Wales.

Chris Jones, Managing Director of Care & Repair Cymru said "The houses we live in, our homes, are very important to us all, what ever our age.  Wales is part of an ageing society with more of us living longer.  Listening to the housing issues and concerns of older people is something the Older People's Commissioner is keen to hear. 

"We want all older people in Wales to live in warm, safe secure homes.  We hope collecting the view of older people for the Commissioner will help her role as the voice of older people, and so influence and improve the housing options available in Wales."

Ruth Marks, Older People's Commissioner for Wales said "The importance of supporting older people to remain in their own home for as long as is practical is a message I have heard repeatedly from older people, their relatives and those that work with and for them across Wales.  This includes helping to maintain independence and provide continued access to social networks and valuable community resources.  All of this has a positive impact on people's health and well being and can reduce the demand on local health and social services.

"This is why the work of Care and Repair is so important.  At a local level, this means facilitating renovations to older people's homes to make them safe, secure and appropriate to their needs or carrying out benefits checks and providing information and advice.  At a national level, they provide information and advice to the Welsh Assembly and work to develop government policy.

"The launch of the new national Care and Repair telephone line will help older people across Wales to easily access the information and support they need to ensure their homes are safe, secure and appropriate to their needs."

For more information please contact:

Vera Brinkworth, Care & Repair Cymru

Tel: 029 20576286       Mobile: 07776 307116