A BOURNEMOUTH councillor is leading calls to launch a dedicated programme to ensure older members of the community can continue to keep in contact with their faith.

Phil Stanley-Watts, who represents Boscombe West, said religion plays an important role in a lot of residents’ lives, but it can often become more difficult for people to maintain this as they age and become less mobile.

The Conservative representative is pushing for a county-wide initiative that will see faith leaders dedicating time on a regular basis to care and nursing homes.

Cllr Stanley-Watts said he plans to raise the matter at a meeting of the council’s health and adult social care overview and scrutiny panel next month.

“I think it is important for a lot of elderly people,” Cllr Stanley-Watts said.

“People are living longer and this is a great way to help support them. I’m calling for a programme to set up regular visits from churches to care homes across Dorset.”

Several churches in Bournemouth have already established partnerships with local care homes.

Alistair Doxat-Purser, of Faithworks Wessex, said isolation was a growing concern, He said: “Unfortunately some people within care homes are very lonely and despite the setting of a care home they still feel isolated.” He highlighted the work of Hope in Community, which seeks to regenerate communities to develop the involvement of the faith sector.

“The more we can build that network and links with local care homes that will have a big impact,” he added. “We are encouraging churches to come and join the Hope in the Community set up.”