Sarah supportsFairlight olderpeople’s project

The Friday luncheon and activity club has gone from strength to strength since being started and is meeting a growing demand.

Sarah said: “As someone who has spent a lot of time caring for older people in their homes and hospitals, I knew my day at MOPPs in Fairlight was going to be fun, but nothing prepared me for just how special a project it was.

“Rural isolation can be fatal for people with older bodies and young minds.

“MOPPs is an example of a real community asset - bringing people over 60 years old across the villages in and around Marsham ward together to do genuinely interesting and tiring exercises, eat good fresh food and enjoy even better company.

“With all the cuts to care services being handed down to the area from East Sussex County Council, we should all be supporting the work that the brilliant volunteers at MOPPs do to keep our communities alive and truly kicking.”

Sarah added: “MOPPs survives on the funds it raises from its members, welcome donors and with support from Fairlight Parish Council.

“Its funding barely covers the crucial services it provides.

“It has a growing number of people affected by dementia and East Sussex County Council funds a care worker to support these. However, most of the work is done by dedicated volunteers from the area.

Sylvia Gutsell, one of the founding members of the project, said: “It has grown like topsy since being started and the demand is still growing. It makes a huge difference to older people in the area.

As well as providing regular social interaction and a meal on Fridays, MOPPs often has special days to mark big occasions such as the Queen’s Jubilee and holds Easter and Christmas parties.

The success of MOPPs inspired a similar well supported project at Pett.