Over 50’s living in Sandwell have their own type of Charlie’s Angels in the form of the three new Agewell Older People’s Champions.

Edna Barker, 73, Maggie Turner, 74 and Karen Owen, 53, all work for Agewell, an organisation whose key principles are to involve people aged 50 and over in decision making about matters which affect their lives.

Funded by Sandwell Primary Care Trust (PCT), Agewell challenges ageism and promotes a positive role for older people in the local community by valuing their contribution and experience.

Maggie said: “This job has provided me with a great challenge as I’m not the sort of person happy to sit at home. We all have a wealth of knowledge and experience of activities and services that exist for older people. Why not give us a try?”

The provision of Older People’s Champions is just one part of Agewell’s work. Other activities include local forum meetings to discuss important issues including health, housing and transport; the promotion of health schemes for older people and the delivery of Midlife Future Planning courses.

The Champions say that amongst their main aims are challenging the attitudes that exist towards older people and acting as role models; offer support and advice and encouraging community and social involvement and to support people from the start to the end of a problem or process.

To meet the champion for your area contact:

Edna Barker, Champion for Smethwick and Oldbury on 07814 540 643 or 0121 569 5335.

Maggie Turner, Champion for Wednesbury and West Bromwich on 07814 262 044 or 0121 569 5287.

Karen Owen, Champion for Rowley Regis and Tipton on 07814 540 651 or 0121 569 5245.