A SUPPORT scheme providing activities for elderly people living at home in Blackheath and Halesowen is appealing for a new choir leader to guide its concert programme.

Joint leaders Hazel Taylor and Joyce Leah have recently retired from the Live at Home choir which rehearses once a week and performs at venues throughout the area.

Scheme manager Peter King said 40 to 50 over 60s sing in the choir with the eldest member still hitting the high notes at 92.

He said: “They love doing it. The whole ethos of the organisation is get isolated older people into daytime activities so they are not sat at home watching daytime TV frittering away.”

The choir meets on Mondays at the Central Methodist Church, High Street, Blackheath, one of its regular concert venues.

Mr King said the leader should have some sort of musical background, a retired music teacher being the ideal.

The Blackheath Live at Home scheme has been providing support and services for people aged over 60 and living independently in the area for 12 years and is run by a small staff team assisted by volunteers.

Different activities are held every day of the week either at the Central Methodist Church or Hurst Green Methodist Church, Narrow Lane, Halesowen.

Activities include tea dances, trips, befriending and lunch clubs on Thursdays at the Hurst Green church and Fridays at the Central church Mr King added: “We place a strong emphasis on socialisation and having fun, wanting everyone to come along and enjoy their time with us.”

Anyone interested in the choir leader’s role, or in joining the lunch clubs or other activities should contact him on 0121 559 6111.