WESTBURY women have featured in a new DVD, which puts the spotlight on issues that are faced by older people.
Westbury Area Board has been helping focus on the views of people whose voices are often not heard, as part of the countywide Wiltshire Voices project. The completed film, which had its preview launch on Tuesday 5th March, looks at a wide range of issues around growing old. They range from coping on a tight budget to keeping fit and well. It also looks at social isolation, issues around getting out and about and life in the local community.
Individuals interviewed for the film range up to the age of 94, and talk candidly on camera about their lives, challenges and concerns. Peggy Hastings, Pat Stevens and Gwen Hird from Westbury added their contributions to the film. Gwen, 86, recalls working in the Westbury cloth mills as a teenager while Pat, 76, explains her ways of keeping healthy and happy – with tips ranging from a session on her exercise bike to regular outings and keeping up with friends and family.
The area board worked in partnership with Age UK and a range of voluntary and statutory organisations to not only identify the issues relevant to older people, but to try and come up with ideas and community solutions to help.
Research for the film content was carried out through discussions with more than 100 older people in the community, from individuals in their own homes to sheltered housing, lunch clubs and residents groups.
The idea for Wiltshire Voices came about following the review of Wiltshire Council’s area boards. The films were put together by BAFTA award winning filmmakers, True Vision, and was funded from a government grant. The project worked with a whole range of groups across the county from the boating community and forces families, through to gypsies and travellers, stroke sufferers and people with learning disabilities. Now the short films will be used in group situations to stimulate discussion and action by schools, service providers, organisations and local decision makers. Area boards throughout Wiltshire will be using the films to better inform decision-making.
Chris Williams, portfolio holder for area boards said, “Wiltshire Voices has become an excellent tool for turning the spotlight on the individuals and groups whose voices are not readily heard in our communities, and in turn helping us to act on the issues they raise. This latest production gives us some valuable insights into the sorts of issues we may all encounter as we grow older.”
