Community groups in Otley believe a new day centre could be the solution to the town's shortfall in help for the elderly.

The centre, part of Otley Action for Older People's plan to improve day care, will be proposed at a meeting organised by Otley's Social Care Steering Group on Friday, from 10am to 12 noon.

OAOP's project manager, Neil McClellan, said the aim of the meeting was to find ways of financing a new day centre providing services for at least 25 people.

Mr McClellan said: "We are particularly targeting older people who need support to get out of the house. There are probably a lot of people in Otley who are housebound, so transport will be provided to take them to the day centre and back."

He said people will also be encouraged to join a 'befriend an older person' scheme, which would include a weekly one-hour visit to an elderly person's home and involve trips out.

He added: "At the moment there is only one other day care centre in Otley, run by Social Services at the Civic Centre. This is clearly not sufficient, especially as it's only open one day a week.

"We hope to introduce half-day opening hours at the new centre so people have the choice of coming in the morning or afternoon."

He said the project was not yet fully off the ground because of a lack of funding, but the meeting would hopefully help to identify possible financial sponsors.

"We shall be approaching Social Services and a number of registered charities and trusts with the aim of getting the financial backing to carry out the proposed development," said Mr McClellan.

OAOP and the steering group are confident they can put forward a strong case in trying to secure the funds required to set up the day care centre, and feel a "great need to do something for the older generation in Otley".

The meeting will also see the launch of a questionnaire to give elderly people the chance to say what provisions they would like to see in Otley. A further survey will be geared towards those already caring for or working with the elderly.

Councillor John Eveleigh, chairman of OAOP, said he was sure that by building on the existing provision within the town and working together as a community, the lack of facilities could be remedied.

He said: "I hope that anyone interested in improving social day care for older people will come along to this open meeting and share their ideas."

For further information call Mr McClellan on (01943) 463965.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.