A PROJECT which supports the elderly has enjoyed another successful year.
The Huddersfield Deanery Project for Older People aims to improve the quality of life of ageing members of the community.
The project, supported by the Catholic Care charity, is now in its eighth year and has just published its ann- ual report for 2002.
Part of the project involves the Bridge the Gap scheme.
The scheme was formed in 2001 and runs every week at All Saints' High School, Bradley Bar.
Older people meet students on Monday afternoons for chats and a variety of activities.
The group has also linked up with Bradford Road supermarket Asda which gives people the chance to do their shopping and take part in an activity of the day.
This year sessions have involved a bakery tour, cream cake filling and tasting session and a trip to the fire station.
Other projects which the Deanery has run throughout the year have included Friday Friends, a weekly lunch and social group, Friendly Faces, which provides volunteer visitors, Winter Warmers, which helps keep old people safe, warm and well during the winter, bereavement counselling and home safety advice.
In his chairman's report Fr Robert Owens said the HDP aimed to ensure vulnerable older people were not forgotten.
He said: "It is all too easy to relegate older people to the sidelines of society. They are in fact one of its richest resources - their wisdom and experience is available to succeeding generations.
"As carers, volunteers and informal teachers they are invaluable to many families, churches and communities."
