Biography

Vera Bolter

Since retiring as Chief Officer of a Community Health Council, involvement in health issues has continued through work as a tutor for the Look After Yourself programme, and also leading a Senior Citizens Health Action Group.  When Newcastle became a pilot area for the Better Government for Older People programme, Vera was active nationally, regionally and locally in supporting the recognition of older people’s contribution to influencing the development of services, and as active citizens with useful experience and skills. 

As a founder member of the Elders Council of Newcastle, which succeeded the B.G.O.P. initiative, there are more opportunities than ever to champion the interests of older people, not solely in health and social care, but in all other services which influence their quality of life.  Currently Vera leads a Working Group which has audited facilities in Newcastle City Centre for ‘older person friendliness’, and will be moving on to examine the use of parks and recreation areas. 

Housing issues are another area of interest, resulting in membership of HOPDEV (Housing and Older People Development Group) at national level, as well as involvement in developing housing strategies at regional and local level.  The Elders Council is now working closely with the City Council in a Quality of Life Partnership programme for older people and is currently involved in developing Newcastle’s Strategy for and Ageing Population.  While a member of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) Older Peoples Programme, Vera was involved in several research projects which focussed on the real lives and experiences of older people.

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