I am grateful Lis Solkhon continues to mention the Older People's Council in her column and to highlight some of the issues that affect and interest older people in Brighton and Hove.

I wrote to the Learning and Skills Council to point out learning opportunities for older people that maintain their mental and physical health are as valuable as promoting learning to enhance work skills for younger people, and that many older people have years of accumulated skills, wisdom and experience.

They can, therefore, be an important learning resource and community-based groups should be encouraged to develop these skills.

We are continuing to discuss these matters with Brighton and Hove City Council, which delivers the adult learning plan locally.

I especially welcome Lis's remarks wearing my other hat, as chairwoman of TransAge, which recruits, trains and arranges for older volunteers to go into schools, not only to help children with reading and numeracy but also to pass on other skills such as cooking, sewing and craftwork.

Older people will be greeted enthusiastically by Nicola or Val, TransAge's co-ordinators, on 01273 570732 if they would like to be volunteers in schools.

-Joan Moorhouse, Vice-Chairwoman, Older People's Council, Woodingdean