A Redbridge senior citizen was one of a party flying this week en route to Paris to inform a high-powered conference of European heads of social services about the successful delivery of supported care for the elderly in the Borough.

Tenant of Redbridge Council-run Oakfield Lodge, Ilford, Joyce Edmonds, age 80, joined John Powell, Redbridge Chief Community Care Officer, Sylvia Dawson, Service Manager and Nicola Parry, Principal Officer, who are one of just two groups from the UK invited to present to the European Social Services Conference in the French capital this week.

The Redbridge group will, during the three-day conference, stage an interactive workshop on how to provide high quality housing with care for local people.  The title of the workshop is: "rethinking the design of sheltered housing for older citizens, increasing participation and valuing staff".

Mrs Edmonds, who has lived at Oakfield Lodge for 19 years, said: “I’m really looking forward to talking about my experiences at Oakfield Lodge with other people from across Europe.

“I’ll tell them about how important it is to enjoy the wide variety of activities provided, such as cards, bingo, and outings.  It is also possible to be with people or be on my own, depending on how I’m feeling.”

The workshop will focus on the work carried out by Redbridge Council to transform Oakfield Lodge and how it now provides the extra care sheltered housing there with a whole range of services, including activities, healthcare support and facilitating outings.

As the finale of the workshop conference, delegates will be shown a DVD of life at Oakfield Lodge, at Albert Road, Ilford.

John Powell, Chief Community Care Officer said: “It is a great honour to be able to share our experience of improving services for older people living in Oakfield lodge.  The Council has ensured that those who live as tenants within the Lodge do so with independence but knowing that support is at hand if needed.

“We have done excellent work at Oakfield Lodge. There is now a waiting list and it is a very vibrant place to live.

“The workshop will help participants think about what is involved in transforming such a service and help them think about the barriers and benefits of implementing such a service back in their own country.

“This is also a two way process and I am looking forward to learning from my EU colleagues as they consider and reflect on how we have achieved a first class and sought after service here in Redbridge.”