Access to shops and services

Responding to figures released today by YouGov that reveal almost 1 in3 of Welsh over-55s feel isolated or have a friend or loved who does because of difficulty accessing local shops and services,  Victoria Lloyd, Age Cymru’s Director of Influencing and Programme Development says:

“These figures are a great concern for Age Cymru.

“Communities which meet the needs of everyone who lives within them are vital to ensure that older people across Wales can retain their independence and live a good quality of life.

“The decline in local services over the past few decades, characterised by closures of banks, post offices, pubs and local stores has caused real problems for many older people, particularly those who face additional barriers of declining mobility, poor health, low incomes and limited social contacts.

“Age Cymru is calling on the Welsh Assembly Government, local authorities, local health boards and local businesses to work together to ensure that everyone has access to basic services such as money, healthcare and food shops within a reasonable distance of their home.”