ISOLATED and neglected are two words that should never be used to describe the elderly in modern day Britain. At least that is the viewpoint of Grey Matters, which is a new community initiative under way in Great Dunmow. The aim is to bring all of the cur

ISOLATED and neglected are two words that should never be used to describe the elderly in modern day Britain.

At least that is the viewpoint of Grey Matters, which is a new community initiative under way in Great Dunmow.

The aim is to bring all of the current organisations in and around Great Dunmow together under one banner to fight for the rights of elderly people in order to stop them becoming isolated from mainstream community life.

One of the people at the forefront of the idea is Tom McQuirk. He said: "We want to start this idea off locally, encouraging all aspects from the community such as businesses, papers and organisations to group together under one banner."

Grey Matters is part of the Dunmow and District Community Fund and Mr McQuirk has high hopes that the town can create a framework, which can be copied and applied to communities across the country.

"We want to start a chain reaction from community to community with this project and we already have tremendous backing for it," he said.

Grey Matters aims to help elderly people in all aspects of life such as going into care, sheltered accommodation or even being hospitalised says Mr McQuirk.

"These things all too often alienate older people from the community. The very exisitance of a project like ours would help to maintain a respectable level of dignity and respect."

Organisations such as The Round Table, Inner Wheel, Rotary Club, and Women's institute will be present at an official launch party on Monday.

"These organisations have in the past fought for a lot of people's rights as a single entity, this is our chance to establish one voice for a much greater impact," added Mr McQuirk.

All of the organisations in the area have been invited to volunteer one member to take a seat on a Grey Matters panel for 12 months establishing a communication between groups relaying ideas for raising funds and awareness.

The number of senior citizens is growing across the country so something needs to be done sooner rather than later said Mr McQuirk.

"We think Grey Matters provides the means for individual communities as a whole to be given the opportunity to take responsibility for the welfare of senior citizens."

The Grey Matter Launch Party will take place at 2pm on Monday December 17 at the Dunmow Day Centre and is by ticket only.

Tickets, which are free, can be obtained from the Broadcast's office on Angel Lane on Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 9am until 5.30pm.