EAST Hampshire District Council held its last Community Forum at Liphook’s Millennium Centre, last month.

The final roadshow featured care services and speakers from various organisations, tackling issues affecting the elderly and their carers.

Taking part were Diabetes UK, Arthritis Research UK, Connect to Support Hampshire, the Alzheimer’s Society, Methodist Homes for the Aged, East Hill House, Radian Lifelink and Havant and East Hants Mind.

Alzheimer’s Society representative Sean Deegan explained the different diseases which come under the Dementia umbrella, of which Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia, after Alzheimer’s disease, affecting around 150,000 people in the UK.

Senior engagement officer, Louise Fagan represented Connect to Support Hampshire, which provides different services of respite, assists families with carer’s and council tax allowances, offers information and advice on all aspects of adult social care and support.

It also finds community groups and local activities nearby and helps to find care at home providers or care homes in Hampshire.

Development manager Clare McEvoy introduced a new service to the area, Methodist Homes for the Aged (MHA), offering support and friendship to older people living in their own homes, as well as helping to maintain independent living, improve well being and reduce isolation.

The scheme runs a different selection of activities and at home support.

Versus Arthritis’ Becky Shipley announced that services are due to start in East Hampshire in January 2019, offering a free confidential helpline, sessions for adults, children and families and information and fact sheets.

They can be accessed through GP referrals.

Community Development worker Clare Coxwell from Community First spoke about a new project in the Whitehill and Bordon area called “Timebank”, where somebody gives just an hour of their time.

The initiative is aimed at stopping loneliness, bringing people together, create friendships and monthly social groups by making small individual gestures.

They also offer a bookable door-to-door service with wheelchair access for anyone in East Hampshire whose transport needs are not met by public bus services.