AGE Concern Swindon is offering funding for lunch clubs or other new organisations catering for older people.

Lunch club grants for 2002-2203 are now available and application forms have been sent to all known lunch clubs in the borough.

Grants of up to £500 are also available for older people's organisations that want to develop activities or start something new.

The grants are made possible by Swindon Council and Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation.

Jo Osorio, spokesman for Age Concern Swindon, said: "We hope to hear from organisations with some exciting new proposals. We know there are lots of ingenious people with a wealth of ideas which could be helped into action with a grant like this."

And Age Concern Swindon, which is in its golden anniversary year, is also on the look-out for a new chairman, as Mike Brougham finishes his term of office this summer.

Bags of energy and initiative are essential for the post, as is relevant experience.

New board members are inducted into the work and the role of the charity but training is provided.

Mr Osorio said: "Our aim, encouraging older people to make more of life, is simple. Achieving it takes time."

The position involves leading the board of trustees from July 2002. Valuing the time all volunteers give, Age Concern Swindon meets out of pocket expenses.

"We are looking for someone to help us do our job effectively during our golden anniversary year," Mr Osorio added.

For more information contact Jo Osorio on Swindon 692166.