An £18,000 shot in the arm could be on its way to an activity group for Basildon's over 55s.

The one-off grant looks set to push the Active Life Programme in a new direction for older people in the district.

The programme was relaunched in 1995 to provide physical and recreational activities for the over 55s.

It is seen as improving health and quality of life for those taking part.

Now the group is preparing to join forces with Laindon Day Centre to benefit from its huge success.

Councillors will decide at a meeting of the community and leisure committee tomorrow whether to grant the £18,000 windfall to help the move along.

The programme is seen as an extension of the wide-ranging activities which take place in Basildon Council's three day centres.

Many of the tutors who lead classes at the day centres are also tutors for the Active Life Programme.

They have set up a day centre user committee to monitor and plan the operation of the centres.

The membership at Laindon Day Centre alone is 1,500, which provides the need for 45 classes and activities each week.

The Active Life Programme, however, holds just 28 classes a week.

It is now hoped the committee will take the Active Life Programme under its wing as an outreach of the day centres.

Councillors have been recommended to approve the one-off grant of £18,000 for the Laindon Day Centre user committee to be paid in two six-monthly instalments.

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