The Parish of Havenstreet and Ashey Age Friendly Communities Report
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The Parish of Havenstreet and Ashey Age Friendly Communities Report Spring 2018 2. The Parish of Havenstreet and Ashey Age Friendly Communities Report As the older population on the Isle of Wight The report also assesses the Parish increases, Age UK IW’s Age Friendly Island of Havenstreet and Ashey’s age project funded by the Big Lottery is friendliness against the Ageing Better seeking to ensure that the Isle of Wight is Programme ‘Age Friendly Island’ four an age friendly place to live, work and grow outcomes of: old. This report reviews the age friendliness of the Parish of Havenstreet and Ashey and 1. Older people will feel they have is based on the World Health Organisation’s1 improved connections within their local community and reduced eight Age Friendly Communities domains isolation. of housing, outdoor spaces and building, 2. Older people will feel empowered transport and mobility, civic participation to co-produce local policies and and employment, community support services which become more and health services, communication and responsive to their needs, now information and respect and social and in the future. inclusion, social participation. 3. Older people will feel the Island is age friendly; those under 50 years will see older people as an asset, recognising their contribution to the community. 4. Older people will feel an increased Havenstreet sense of health, wellbeing and and Ashey quality of life. Parish Council The Parish of Havenstreet and Ashey The Parish of Havenstreet and Ashey is a adult population of Havenstreet and Ashey rural parish consisting of the villages of is approximately 800, it is estimated over Havenstreet and Ashey and is situated 60% are over the age of 50 years. south west of Ryde surrounded by open countryside, farm land and forestry commission land. Havenstreet and Ashey Parish Council has appointed an Age Friendly Champion to promote the interests of older people. The The Parish of Havenstreet and Ashey Age Friendly Communities Report 3.3. Executive Overview Recommendations • Site a defibrillator at Havenstreet Community Centre • Seek funding for the further development of Havenstreet Community Centre (roof repairs) • With other stakeholders, seek support for a bus service through Havenstreet. • Seek funding for outdoor gym equipment Outdoor Spaces & Buildings The recreation ground is very much valued This domain is important because: by the community and has received praise • Around 50% of people aged 65 and over for its up keep. Whilst there is childrens’ play face problems getting outdoors. equipment there is no outdoor gym equipment for older people, or any pathways • People living in care homes or sheltered to the benches. accommodation are more than 3 times less likely to get outdoors for more Roads and lighting than 5 hours a week than people living The main road through Havenstreet has limited in their own homes. pavements necessitating older people to walk • Those living within 10 minutes’ walk of in the road and around parked cars. This can a local open space are twice as likely be dangerous, as speed limits are not always adhered to. to be satisfied with life compared with those whose open space is further away There are no pedestrian crossings in • Access to natural environments and, Havenstreet and Ashey. The Parish Council particularly, green spaces, directly has investigated the possibility in the past, correlates with improved sense of but because of safety concerns it has not well-being and quality of life. been possible to install a crossing. • Uneven road and pavement surfaces The availability of street lighting is important can inhibit access for older people, for older people to feel safe to go out in the particularly those who use wheelchairs, dark to access services and activities. There and can contribute to falls, fear of is street lighting in some roads of Havenstreet 3 falls and social isolation . but none in Ashey. The crime rates in Havenstreet and Ashey are Outdoor Spaces - Outdoor Safety low, and are monitored by the Parish Council and a police community support officer Active older people in Havenstreet and Ashey (PSCO) works within the Parish. have access to pleasant open countryside with far reaching views, paths and bridleways, for walks, Older people benefit from a range of benches rambling and equestrian pursuits. However, access in Havenstreet where they can rest and enjoy to the countryside for those of reduced mobility is outdoor spaces. The benches are maintained limited. by the Parish Council including the bench in the churchyard. Within the parish there are well kept open spaces which encourage older people to get out and about. Havenstreet takes pride in the village and won the Best Kept Village award in 2016. 4. The Parish of Havenstreet and Ashey Age Friendly Communities Report Outdoor Spaces - Community Assets and Buildings Havenstreet Community Centre is well used Case Study by older people with a range of activities taking place there. There is some on street There are no public toilets in Havenstreet parking but otherwise parking is limited. and Ashey however, the toilet in St Peter’s church is available when the church is The White Hart pub is centrally located open. St Peter’s Church is open during the and is popular with older people offering day and provides regular services as well traditional pub food and occasional as baptisms, marriages and funerals. quizzes and has some parking with on street parking available. Northbrooke House Nursing Home value the links with the parish and not only offers The Village has a ‘Library’ in the bus shelter residential care, but fetes and other social which is very popular and maintained by a activities location as a venue. local volunteer. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is a community asset, with its steam railway, A privately owned war memorial which is toilets, cafes, gift shop, museum and the responsibility of the Fleming family is open space for events. The Steam Railway important to the community for honouring attracts tourists and local older people those lost during wars. alike. Outdoor Spaces - Shops and Services There are some limited services in Havenstreet and Case Study Ashey, but the nearest grocery store is approximately two miles away and for older people without Although there are few shops and transport this can be difficult. service in Havenstreet and Ashey, a popular monthly market is held at the Very much valued by older people, milk and dairy Community Centre where older people products can be purchased from the (self service) can purchase essentials such as milk, Milk Shed situated at the top of Main Road, cream, eggs, bread, cakes, plants, Havenstreet. A local dairy offers milk delivery which books, jewellery, greeting cards, gifts, is used by some older people. preserves and curios. An older person voluntarily collects newpapers from Ryde and distributes them. For older people There are no post office services or with wood burners or open fires there is a local log banks in Havenstreet and Ashey and supplier in the parish who delivers. no post boxes in Ashey making it difficult for older people without the There are two local garages both of whom sell fuel Internet and Internet banking to which is of value to older people who do not drive access services. far. The Parish of Havenstreet and Ashey Age Friendly Communities Report 5. Transportation and Mobility This domain is important because: As an alternative, the Parish Council is funding Haven Taxis to operate a community taxi • As people grow older, their service twice a week, by running to Ryde town; reliance on both walking and public transport increases. Tesco’s, once a month and also to Newport. Passengers make a £2 contribution per • Older people find their mobility, each-way journey. and the regular distances they travel from their home, decreases with age. In addition the local taxi company is supportive and helpful. The taxi service is a lifeline for • Two thirds of all trips made by many older people to access shopping and older people are restricted to the medical appointments. local neighbourhood. • Older people are at greater risk of Older villagers can also access both Age UK’s serious and fatal injury from traffic Good Neighbour Scheme and Community than any other generational group. Action IW’s Optio Voluntary Car service, which offer an alternative to public transport for • Fear of falling is a major barrier preventing older people from getting older people (with the exception of those who outdoors. use wheelchairs). This service welcomes new members who would benefit. • Social participation is in many situations dependent on access to appropriate transport3. Many older people drive, but we know that as people grow older, they are less likely to drive and report not wanting to drive in the dark. The rural nature of Havenstreet and Ashey Therefore to socially participate alternative and lack of public transport, means that older forms of transport are important. people can be isolated if they do not have access to a private vehicle, impacting There are no public car parks in Havenstreet negatively on social participation, health and and Ashey although there is very limited wellbeing. on-street parking available. Some older people cycle as alternative form of Although Havenstreet has steam trains and transport or for leisure. Cycle routes through a train station this is operated as a tourist Havenstreet and Ashey are promoted to cycle attraction and not used for daily commuting or users. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway has an travel for social purposes. However, residents electric charging point for cycles which are can get a deal on the fares to enjoy the steam powered by electricity and Northbrooke House train experience.