Centre for Ageing Research Regional Launch
Over seventy older people and representatives from the statutory, public, private and third sectors across the North West attended the official regional launch of the Centre for Ageing Research (C4AR) on Friday June 18th 2010. Presentations on policy and the changing healthcare needs of an ageing population by guest speakers Mike Hill (Executive Chair of 5050 Vision) and Prof Douglas Mitchell (Associate Medical Director (R&D) & Consultant Neurologist, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), set the scene for a series of ‘bite-sized briefings’ delivered by academics from across the University. The diverse range of briefings offered a fascinating insight into the strength and vibrancy of research activities around ageing at Lancaster. Janet Ross-Mills, Chair of the Older Learners Group, concluded the event by reflecting on how Universities can best work with older people to meet their needs. The event was web streamed live for those unable to attend in person.
Located in the School of Health and Medicine and directed by Prof Christine Milligan, the Centre for Ageing Research is an exciting new initiative which brings together researchers working in ageing research from Biomedical and Life Sciences, Health Research and Medicine. In addition colleagues from across the University who are involved in research around ageing, older people and age-related disease are able to contribute to this truly cross-disciplinary research activity.
Supported by external advisory groups consisting of key agencies from the statutory, private and third sectors, that have an interest in ageing and older people, as well as older people themselves, the Centre establishes Lancaster University as a leading regional, national and international centre of excellence for ageing research.
Anyone with an interest in issues of ageing and older people is welcome to review the C4AR site (http://www.lancs.ac.uk/shm/research/C4AR/).