On the UN Day for Older Persons, their letter says many old people suffer from other’s outdated attitudes that prevent them living life to the full.

18 councillors have also signed the letter, as well as council leaders and people who work in health and social care.

They state: “Even seemingly casual ageism is deeply damaging both to individuals and to our communities, with recent research suggesting that a quarter of people over 50 have felt discriminated against whilst doing everyday tasks or accessing services. Even seemingly positive phrases like ‘you look young for your age’ can reinforce damaging stereotypes.

“If we are to make real progress towards age equality, we must all work to root out ageism in our own communities and organisations. We will challenge ageism wherever we see it, whether it’s in public or in private, and ensure that the voices of older people are at the heart of our local decision-making.

“As well as making this commitment, we’re asking everyone to join us: we can all re-think our own prejudices, think more carefully about the impact our words can have on others, and be part of a movement to end ageism once and for all.”

Louise Morse from Pilgrim’s Friends Society, and author of What’s Age Got To Do With It? told Premier this is a problem within churches as well.

“In churches older people are not often engaged in church meetings or in…

Canon Keith Ineson has been given the Points of Light award which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others

He’s been highlighted for his work setting up the Gay Farmer Helpline which supports men in isolated rural communities struggling with their sexuality.

Despite himself realising he was gay at the age of 14, he only felt able to come out at the age of 50.

After founding Cheshire’s Agricultural Chaplaincy Team, he began working with gay farmers and realised how many people across the country in the same situation must also be hiding their sexuality and consequently facing enormous pressures on their mental health and wellbeing.

In a personal letter to Keith, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “I know you do this with no thought of praise or reward, but allow me to offer my own recognition of how you are using your unique, confidential helpline service to support men across the country who are living in isolated rural communities and are struggling with their sexuality and wellbeing.”

Speaking about the award, Keith said: “Since starting the helpline for gay farmers we have helped nearly 500 farmers, some of who were suicidal, so I am extremely pleased that this work has been recognised in this way.”

Keith is the 1251st winner of the Points of Light award.

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Taylor was taken to an intensive care unit after an 8am service at the Hills campus site in Sydney on 18th August it was discovered she had a brain aneurysm, a bulge in a blood vessel that can cause sudden agonising headaches, a stiff neck, sickness and pain when looking at light.

Chelsea Taylor had neck and back pain, making moving around difficult and also had surgery on her brain.

Her friend and fellow singer Emma Fellers wrote on Instagram on 23rd September that she can now walk, talk and drive.

She still needs physiotherapy and recovery time at home but was allowed to leave the High Dependency Unit.

Emma Fellers wrote on Instagram: “COMING HOOOOOOOOMMMEEEE!!!!!!!! 100% healed, able to walk, talk, DRIVE ?? (still needing recovery time at home and continued physiotherapy obviously), but PRAISE GOD, He is FAITHFUL!!!!! LOVE YOU GIRL!!!!!”

 

In a text message screenshotted, Chelsea wrote that she was “reminding my heart that everything is in the Lord’s perfect timing”.

Ten days earlier, Emma had visited her and posted afterwards: “Her sense of humour hasn’t changed one bit, her speech is perfect, almost as though nothing has happened, she can get up and move around (with a bit of help from nurses).”

Others who visited her in the last fortnight acknowledged how she had returned more to her usual character, with Tony Crocker from Hillsong in Sydney writing on…

The Vatican listed the audience with Father James Martin among the pope’s activities, in a sign that Francis wanted it publicised.

Since only some of Francis’ private meetings are announced, the implicit message was a public vote of confidence in Fr Martin’s ministry.

Fr Martin, author of Building A Bridge, a book about how the Catholic Church should reach out more to the LGBT community, has had several talks cancelled in the United States because of pressure from conservative groups who oppose his advocacy.

The Vatican under Francis has welcomed him, however, appointing him as a communications consultant, giving him a speaking slot at a 2018 Vatican-sponsored family rally, and now, a private papal audience.

In a tweet on Monday, Fr Martin said that during the 30-minute meeting, he shared with Francis “the joys and hopes, and the griefs and anxieties, of LGBT Catholics and LGBT people worldwide”.

In a telephone interview, Fr Martin said Francis listened intently to his presentation, delivered in Spanish, about the struggles of LGBT Catholics “and how many of them still feel marginalised” by the church.

“I felt encouraged, consoled and inspired by our meeting,” he said.

“It was like talking to the most compassionate parish priest you can imagine.”

Official church teaching calls for gay men and lesbians to be respected and loved, but considers homosexual activity…