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Powhatan County highlights Community Matters program for residents 55 and older
Summary
At the June 22 Board of Supervisors meeting, Community Matters staff described a volunteer-driven program of classes, wellness activities and outreach for residents 55+, citing growing demand, staffing limits and rising participation; the board discussed ways to increase promotion and resources.
Jane Lloyd, program coordinator for Community Matters, told the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors on June 22 that the county program provides classes, fitness, social activities and outreach for adults 55 and older and relies heavily on volunteers to operate.
"I am the program coordinator for Community Matters," Lloyd said, describing volunteer‑led offerings that include lifelong‑learning lectures, balance and strength classes, Tai chi, cognitive health workshops, and community service projects. She highlighted a volunteer participant, Betty Ashmore, who created a mountain‑dulcimer lending program and organizes a player group that performs outreach.
Lloyd said the program’s mission is to reduce isolation, promote healthy aging, and connect older residents with county resources. She also cited a county strategic planning survey projection that by 2033 adults 55 and older will represent roughly 42.6% of the county population, up from about 35% today, and gave recent participation counts: April unduplicated registrations 341 with 422 total sign‑ins; May unduplicated registrations 257 with 294 sign‑ins.
Board members and staff focused on two persistent constraints: staffing and promotion. Lloyd said one staff member coordinates the program and that volunteers “do the heavy lifting.” She asked for help publicizing the calendar; a board member suggested the public information officer the county plans to hire could assist with regular outreach and better use of county channels.
Lloyd also invited supervisors to consider a coordinated tour of the Chesterfield County Lifelong Learning Institute to see a different program model. The presentation closed with board appreciation for the program’s rapid growth and a recognition that additional staffing or marketing could expand reach.
Next steps: Lloyd will continue to coordinate programming and the board suggested connecting Community Matters to the county’s planned communications resources; no formal funding action was taken at the meeting.
