A PILOT project which has gained national recognition is growing in stature and gathering support from the Bolton community.

The Bolton pilot of Better Government for Older People is being led by the council with support from Wigan and Bolton Health Authority, Anchor Trust, Age Concern, the Asian Elders Initiative, Bolton Community Healthcare Trust and Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust.

The project was singled out by the Government as a scheme leading the way in the biggest ever drive to modernise Britain's public services.

"We are very pleased by the Government's recognition," said project leader Angela Gannon.

"The important thing is to raise the profile of older people and by that we mean aged 50-plus and increase support for the project.

"It's currently estimated that 33pc of our population is over the age of 50, this is set to rise to 40pc and we need to make sure there's equitable access to employment and services for these people."

The pilot is already working on progressing the aims of the partnership and has highlighted a series of priorities. Organisations and companies across Bolton have already signed up in support of the Better Government pilot and in coming weeks the scheme is set to feature in a series of awareness raising events.

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