Older People's Strategy - Newcastle City Council

56It is important to work with agencies that have specialistknowledge of particular client groups (e.g. people who aredeaf/deafblind; people with dementia or sight loss, lesbian,gay, bi-sexual and transgender [LGBT] groups or differentethnic groups) to ensure that their client groups are able toaccess leisure, educational and cultural resources, eitherin specialist settings or as part of general provision.Having a spiritual life is very important to some older people.Religious networks often play a very significant role in olderpeople’s lives and are also a hub for wider community activityand support.Agencies that are in contact with older people (e.g. GP practices,sheltered housing, care homes) have a responsibility toencourage, motivate and signpost older people to localactivities or to provide activity within housing or care settings.Where we are nowThere is a good infrastructure which promotes and supportsolder people to adopt healthy lifestyles. For example: The Quality of Life Partnership’s Active Ageing Group, whichsupports a broad range of activity and has piloted a numberof successful initiatives to encourage older people to adopthealthier lifestyles. The Well-being and Health Partnership and the HealthImprovement Strategy. The Elders Council Learning and Culture Group, which hasa particular interest in ensuring that older people continueto have access to a wide range of learning opportunitiesand ways to engage in the cultural life of the city.