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HEALTHY, WEALTHY & WISE PROJECT
A 50 + organisation based in Ely at Bishopston road in the old Trelai library building The programme was originally funded largely by central Government under it's "Good Old Age Initiative" the Healthy Wealthy and Wise Project ( HWW) has attempted to demonstrate to local authorities and others that many older people could live longer, healthier more active lifestyles. The consequential reduction in demands made by this age group on expensive and increasingly scarce Health and Social Services resources are an obvious advantage of the programme. Experience has shown that such a programme needs to targeted properly and delivered in interesting and exciting ways.
HWW has for many years provided an astonishing variety of activities and services for 50 + people in Ely. some of these activities including weekly talks by leading movers and shakers across many sectors of contemporary life. from politicians to policemen, architects to zoo keepers, pit mangers to bus company executives and of course puppeteers to policy makers.
Other arts activities are very popular as well as music and dance, Caribbean steel pans, line dancing & tea dances as well as decotage and puppetry, participation in carnival float construction and many other creative activities build up a picture of an active and lively citizenship in the area. Many HWW members participate in the annual Ely Festival as audience and performers as well has helping stage events in local venues. The travel club has helped older residents of the area organise trips overseas expanding more horizons.Many more events and activities take place and an intergenerational awareness has been identified as an important aspect of life in Ely. The puppet project and Genration X has met some of this need but other initiatives exist such as the over 50's participants being involved in reading schemes with children in local schools. Not olny does there exist a sense of mistrust and even fear of young people by pensioners in the estate but there is also a great feeling of care and concern expressed in these intergenerational exchanges.
So what is the future for HWW?
It is hoped that a transformation process will be successfully negotiated and The Healthy Living and Positive Ageing Centre established within the first few years of this new Millennium.It's function will develop the existing strengths and positive experience of the HWW project and synergise these with: