A Hertfordshire collaboration for the over-60s is a product of Jewish Care's strategy of encouraging local communities to provide for their own social care needs.

The charity and the Herts Community Care Forum - whose members include representatives from virtually all the area's synagogues - are launching Young in Herts to cater for the growing number of active senior citizens in the county.

Potential will be gauged at the first meeting at Elstree's Liberal Synagogue, where prospective members will discuss the recreational activities they would like. Volunteers will also be sought to help run activities.

Jewish Care community development head Sonia Douek says the initiative is "an opportunity for Jewish Care not to be seen exclusively as a care provider but as an organisation which will work with the community to enable local people to set something up for themselves."

Forum member Brian Hillman of St Albans Masorti Synagogue added: "We have long felt that there was a need for a group of this kind in Hertfordshire."