Devon Senior Voice, which acts as a mouthpiece for the over 50s in local authority decision-making, has secured its future after a period of uncertainty.

Since 2016, the future of the organisations has been in doubt after funding from NHS, the county council and other community organisations dried up as a result of the Government’s austerity measures.

Now, the organisation has announced it is to continue under the auspices of Devon Communities Together, the community council for Devon.

Devon Senior Voice, which has around 2,000 members, was formally transferred to Devon Communities on May 31. In the wake of this announcement, the head of the Ivybridge branch, David Snelling is calling on the town’s 130 former branch members to make contact with him in order to continue having an influence on issues that affect them.

He said: “The resurgence of one of the most active groups in Ivybridge has to be one of the highlights of this year so far. Over the past years in Ivybridge, through the local branch, a number of ‘speak out’ healthwatch forums have been completed, members have organised and held many events concerning issues around ageing, entertained with stimulating and informative speakers at the monthly meetings, advised on implementation of The Care Act and distributed over 100 newsletters to local older people. Over the next six months, the rejuvenation of the Ivybridge branch will take place.”

County chair of Devon Senior Voice, Carol McCormack said: “We have successfully been the ‘older people’s’ voice’ throughout Devon for 10 years. Our members have represented senior people in every aspect of service delivery, social change, community provision, health and social care. We have spoken up in every committee, forum, information occasion and engagement event, whenever we could influence the decision-makers.”

Chief Executive of Devon Communities Together, Elaine Cook said: “Working with Devon Senior Voice volunteers, we want to grow the network of older people. We will be supporting the existing branches so that they can grow and thrive. We have an ambitious programme to re-establish and set up branches and local groups across the county.”

The idea of creating a mouthpiece for the over 50s was first developed 11 years ago, in response to the Government’s commitment to establish unitary councils across the UK to address the future needs of older people. The Senior Council for Devon was founded in January 2008 with 29 branches initially. It became Devon Senior Voice Ltd in 2010 following a successful conference in Exeter.

Issues considered by Devon Senior Voice include: transport, housing and infrastructure development, and health and social care. The group’s views are placed before County and Government departments for consideration.

Mrs McCormack said: “We were and still are the voice for older people. We have much to be proud of, our reputation is respected throughout Devon. As we stand beside Devon Communities Together and look forward to the challenges ahead, we can only anticipate how much more we can achieve. We will share the work, plan together and look at things from a different angle but we are and always will be the voice of older people.”

Contact David Snelling on 01752 896209 or e-mail [email protected]