With BSCKE funding and the Universities of Sussex and Brighton as partners with Meridian Forum, this project aimed to gain a better understanding of transport and social care needs of older people in the Meridian area and inform the development of services.

Project Outline

Meridian Mature Citizens’ Forum is one of six that have been established with the help of East Sussex County Council as part of its Older People’s Involvement Strategy (ESCC 2007). The establishment of senior forums nationwide is part of a more general prioritisation of improved participation of citizens in policy and decision-making and partnership with diverse civil society organisations. The Meridian Forum covers the towns of Peacehaven, Newhaven and Telscombe Cliffs and East Saltdean as well as some of the rural parishes up the Ouse Valley. It aims to promote the interests and welfare of older people in the Meridian area; to provide a platform for matters of concern for older people and to act as an umbrella organisation in making representation to public and other bodies.

With BSCKE funding and the Universities of Sussex and Brighton as partners with Meridian Forum, this project aimed to gain a better understanding of transport and social care needs of older people in the Meridian area and inform the development of services.

Unlike previous projects of this nature carried out in the UK, the research was carried out by Forum members together with University students. A limited amount of research has been carried out by older people themselves, although there is increasing recognition of the potential of such research for consultation processes. The innovative methods used by this project will contribute not only to the development of better service provision for older people, but to an understanding of the strengths of participatory research involving them.

Project Partners •Meridian and Coast and Downs Mature Citizen’s Forum •University of Sussex •University of Brighton, School of Applied Social Science