Older People's Strategy - Newcastle City Council

47Where we are nowThe Quality of Life Partnership has responded to the need forinformation by developing Information NOW (Newcastle OlderPeople’s Website). This comprehensive information resourceis being developed with older people and is written from theirperspective. Information NOW is linked to a range of local andnational websites, providing a comprehensive informationnetwork. Data on how Information NOW is being used is alreadyproving useful in providing information about key areas ofconcern for older people. This is being shared with serviceproviders to inform service development.Information NOW acknowledges that not all older people haveaccess to a computer and is working with an extensive networkof front-line staff from services such as advice and information,libraries, health and social care to ensure that they assist olderpeople in accessing the information they need. Work is alsobeing done to engage community workers from black andminority ethnic communities in this work to ensure that they areable to pass information on to older people in their communities.Mainstream services are also changing the way in which theyprovide information and advice. For example, Newcastle CityCouncil is developing Customer Service Centres where thegeneral public can access a range of services and informationfrom the council and other public services under one roof.Your Homes Newcastle is expanding its advice and informationservice to include a hospital discharge service and to graduallybroaden its service to cover all tenures. Your Homes Newcastle’schoice-based lettings service (Your Choice Homes) offersbetter access to information about rented housing, includingsome Registered Social Landlord property.