Worcestershire County Council is encouraging support groups for older people to bid for money to develop community-based activities within their local area.

A new scheme, called WiNN, which is a partnership involving the county council, South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, the city council, the voluntary sector and the local community, has been set up in Worcester to improve services for older people.

The aim is to support a range of services for older people to help them remain in their homes and their own communities for as long as possible.

The initiative targets people aged 55 and above living within Warndon, Tolladine, Brickfields, Ronkswood, the city centre, Wyld's Lane, Barbourne and Rainbow Hill.

The Community Investment Fund invites groups to apply for money to help with their projects or activities.

Two community development workers will also be available to support local people who wish to set up new groups and activities. Victoria Cooper, the county council's WiNN community development worker, said: "WiNN is a new project that sets out to improve prevention services for older people that will have a long-term effect on their health and well-being.

"By encouraging groups of older people to come together and socialise, and enjoy new activities that are of interest to them, we feel this will have a really positive influence on their quality of life.

Anyone interested in applying for funding will need to request an application form from Victoria Cooper.

For more information, please contact Victoria on 01905 756449.