Esther steps up to tackle older people’s housing and support issues

Esther Rantzen CBE is pledging her support to championing older people’s quality housing and support to meet the needs of an ageing population.

TV presenter and campaigner Esther Rantzen CBE is well-known for her passion for older people’s issues and is reaffirming this as she steps into the role of patron for erosh, the national consortium of older people’s housing and support providers.

In this role, Esther will work with erosh and its members to ensure that the need for greater quality housing and support for a growing older population is met.

With the Silver Line – a helpline for older people, which aims to reduce isolation and offer companionship – due to launch nationally later this year, Esther is committed to ensuring issues affecting older people are at the forefront of the Government’s agenda.

Esther said: “I am delighted to pledge my support to erosh by becoming its patron. The work that the organisation carries out with the support of its members is incredibly vital to ensure that the housing and support needs of older people are met.

“As we look to launch the Silver Line nationally this year, I am experiencing first-hand the needs of our ageing population. I have seen how vital quality housing options for older people are to help people retain independence and to stay living in their own home.”

Erosh works with more than 200 member organisations across England, Walesand Northern Ireland to champion the need for older people’s quality housing and support and continues to lobby nationally on key issues affecting the sector. Erosh’s local networks and resource based website provide platforms for members to champion and share good practice in the sector.

Rebecca Mollart, chief executive of erosh, said: “Erosh is delighted that Esther has accepted our invitation to become erosh patron. Esther kindly presented our Innovation and Good Practice Awards earlier this year and it was clear that she shares our commitment to improving the quality of life for older people.

“Esther’s passion for helping people overcome isolation and loneliness has of course manifested itself through her development of the Silver Line, a helpline which signposts older people to other services, as well as providing befriending services.”

Jon Head, chair of erosh, added: “Esther’s support as our patron will not only help us with our key activities of campaigning for quality housing and support for older people and providing a range of policy and practice resources to support members, but it will also give us the opportunity to help raise the profile of the Silver Line through our existing networks.”

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