In this week’s news article we are celebrating the £5.6k investments into Isle of Man mobile library. We will also be debating the calls for urgent action to tackle the ‘biggest health crisis of our time and taking a look at Bristol’s No Limits exhibition celebrating older athletes.
£5.6k boost for Isle of Man mobile library
Last month, the Mobile Library local to the Isle of Man received the promise of a £5.6k donation from the Manx Lottery. Manager Sally Hardman has described this donation as ‘wonderful’ and has explained that this financial boost would allow for doubling their audiobook budget.
With weekly visits around the island and one-on-one visits from staff to more vulnerable residents, this Mobile Library stands out for its commitment to the public. They reach out to over 130 residents via monthly home visits, some of whom are unable to leave their homes.
With funding from Manx Lottery, the project aims to combat loneliness and isolation through books, poetry, photographs and “memory boxes”. Funds will go towards purchasing more memory boxes and books, as well as paying for basics such as vehicle running costs and promotional materials.
Leading cause of deaths in England and Wales: Alzheimer’s and dementia
With a new Prime Minister in power, it is time to look at the statistics of the biggest health crisis’ of our time. Experts have said that dementia is the biggest health crisis currently, with statistics showing the condition was the primary cause of death in England and Wales last year.
Almost one in eight people died from Alzheimer’s disease in 2018. There were 541,589 deaths registered in England and Wales last year, the highest total since 1999. And finally, the proportion is increasing for the fourth consecutive year – up from 12.7% to 12.8%.
With the new PM in power, Johnson has vowed to solve the UK’s social care crisis, protecting the elderly from the fear of selling their homes to afford additional care. Will we soon be seeing a decline in these discussed rates?
Bristol exhibition No Limits to celebrate older athletes
Finally, something creative and exciting! A new exhibition has opened in Bristol, celebrating athletes aged from 55 to 103. The photographic exhibition, No Limits, features 35 images and is running on College Green until August 28.
The work of the organisers and photographers has been said to be in hope of challenging perceptions and attitudes towards the elderly. Alex Rotas, one of the contributing artists, explains how she was aiming to show the other story of elderly people which isn’t visible, not depressing images of people slumped on chairs.
The world record for a 100m run by women in the age group of 80-84: 16.81 seconds
The women’s 100m world record set by American Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988, aged 38: 10.49 seconds
