THE VOICE OF THE OVER-50s IN DEVON

A GROUP working to improve the lives of the over-50s in Devon is to sharpen its message by changing its name.

The Senior Council for Devon, an independent voluntary forum with more than 2,000 members plus associate members in 19 branches across the county, is to be known as Devon Senior Voice from Friday 16th March 2012.

The change is being made to remove any misunderstanding in the minds of the public about what the forum does.

Gillie Newcombe, chairman of Devon Senior Voice, said: 'We are a strong voice for the over-50s that is listened to by policymakers, but all too often we have to explain to people that we are nothing to do with any local council.

'We are not responsible for emptying their dustbins or setting their council tax, but given our name the confusion is understandable.

'In fact, we use our collective voice to speak up for older people across Devon about those issues that affect their quality of life, from transport, health and social care to leisure, rural services and social isolation.

'We have thought long and hard about the name change, especially as we are known as the Senior Council by the official partners with whom we work. But we are a grass-roots membership organisation that depends on a constant influx of new members to flourish.

'Anything that helps us reach out better to the general public has to be welcomed.'

The forum's legal name will remain the Senior Council for Devon. It was started in 2008, with funding from Devon County Council and NHS Devon. Membership of Devon Senior Voice is free and open to Devon

residents aged 50 and over. Organisations for older people can also become associate members. For further information contact Devon Senior Voice at PO Box 210, Harberton, Totnes, Devon TQ9 9DA or email info@scfd.org.uk or phone 01803 732678 or visit the website www.seniorcouncildevon.org.uk