SWINDON OLDER PEOPLES FORUM (SOPF)
Newsletter (Issue 6)
Hi All! Xmas and 2013 is nearly upon us and it’s time for another update. We hope that the news etc is helpful and informative and as always do not hesitate to get in touch if you want any more information. Meanwhile we wish you all Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.
Updates
-The open meeting AGM held on Tuesday 16 Octoberwas well attended and a note for both plus the main points that emerged from the summary of the round table discussions on combating isolation and loneliness, have been sent as separate attachments. We are proposing to hold the next Open Meeting onTuesday 16 April2013 (venue to be decided).
-The Management Committee are taking forward the guidance from members and for 2013 SOPF will be focusing on (i) continuing to raise awareness of how the Forum can provide a voice for older people in Swindon ,(ii) reviewing the transport provision options for older people across the Borough and (iii) looking at how we can combat isolation and loneliness.
-In relation to the Transport issue mentioned above, Stephanie Burrows is tracking developments. If you would like to contribute, or get involved, then contact her at
-The outcomes of the discussions on combating isolation and loneliness were very helpful and Kathryn Langdown is keen for them to be included in a workshop Swindon Borough Council are considering organising early in the New Year.
-SOPF has taken issue with what we see as an insensitive and unhelpful thrust of the website publicity announcing the “Big Conversation”. We totally agree to the need for dialogue about how we collectively meet the challenges we all face in such difficult times. These conversations need to be truthful but non-threatening andnot divisive. However we feel that it is not a good start to target the older generation and (inadvertently or otherwise) portray them as a burden. We have drawn this to attention of the Leader of the Council and others pointing out that SBC appears to ignore, or is unaware of, the outcomes from the excellent DWP's Ageing Well programme ( ).
-The first version of the SOPF website is up and running and can be found at ( ). It will be revised and updated in early 2013 and if you have any comments/suggestions please e-mail them to Carol Brownlee
Other News
-Lets Get Cooking is an initiative looking to tackle social isolation of older people through practical cooking activities which can be a fun way of improving health, wellbeing, confidence and much more. They want to work with local groups and organisations to provide opportunities for isolated older people to get together to cook and share meals. It could benefit men, for example, who now live alone or have become carers of their partners and need to be able to cook but don’t have the skills. Lets Get Cooking offers groups/organisations/charities full training for 2 volunteers who would like to lead/run these cooking activities. Full resources (including a training pack and recipes booklets), as well as £500 funding to buy ingredients and equipment, are available. Training will take place in January/February with funding being paid directly after it has taken place. The course is a “hands on”practical course with no experience required.Groups interested should contact Natalie Greenslade South West Let’s Get Cooking, Tel: 07795 427750, e-mail
Website:
-The Department of Work and Pensions sponsored “Ageing Well” programme has recently been evaluated and the findings are summarised in the Ageing Well Legacy newsletter (No.2). This can be accessed at and the links lead to a wealth of information on how local authorities and their partners should be relating to the older generation.
-The Psychophysiology and Stress Research Group, University of Westminster, London, are conducting a study investigating well-being and health. They wish to recruit younger and older females to participate in the research and for the older group they need females 65 years and older. The study aims to help with understanding how early life stress in childhood, as well as recent stress, is linked with present well-being and physiology and how this changes across the lifespan. For more information contact the research team Nina Smyth or Matilde Bianchin by email , telephone 02079115000 Ext. 2184 or visit the website
-SOPF is a member of the Swindon Community Infrastructure Partnership (SCIP) led by both Voluntary Action Swindon and the Volunteer Centre. SCIP aims to present a more unified and coherent community and voluntary sector interface within Swindon and has been invited by the Borough Council to organise the next Swindon Strategic Partnership Conference taking place on 28 February at STEAM.
-Welfare Rights Advisers have produced some useful summaries on changes to benefits and their impact. If you would like to know more contact Helen Thompson
Newsletters and organisational contacts
Age UK Swindon (advice and information) Tel: 01793 687018
Age UK Free Odd Job Service Tel: 0845 026 1055
Age UK Engagement newsletter Monthly newsletter.
AGENDA. Newsletter of the English Forum on Ageing. Subscribe by visiting
Mature Times
Pensioners Forum
Pensioners Campaign Forum
Swindon Local Involvement Network (LINK). Contact Jo Osorio. Tel: 01793 497777. Email:
South West Seniors Network.
South West Forum on Ageing
United for All Ages
Wiltshire and Swindon Users Network
Voluntary Action Swindon
Swindon Borough Council Locality Leads:
- North. Kathryn Langdown Older People & Health
- North East – Stratton. Pam Gough and Andrea Barrett (Highworth) Planning; highways; transport & economic development
- North Central. Andy Reeves Arts;culture; leisure & sport
- South. Jackie Moyles Streetsmart
- Town Centre . Mark Walker Community Safety
- West. Paula Harrison Children & Youger People
- East. Nazakat Ali Housing
Swindon Borough Council Locality Facilitators (these support Locality Leads)
- North.Kati Wood 07818 510486.
- North East.Mark Pritchard 07795 256535.
- North Central. Michelle Matthews 07766 368371
- South.Tracy Scott 07769 281805.
- Town Centre. 07769 281735.
- West.Gail Light or 07795 256532.
- East. Chris Smith 07795 256537.
References and Publications
-Ageing Well Legacy
-Strategy for Older People in Swindon 2008-2011
-One Swindon Draft Delivery Plan
-Age UK Website Forum pages
-Improving Later Life. Age UK publication 2011. ISBN 978-0-9568731-1-8
Dates for your diary
-Age UK Winter celebration event. Rodbourne Methodist Church Wednesday 12 December (contact Age UK).
-Swindon Strategic Partnership Conference: Thursday 28 February 2013 (9:30am – 1:00pm) STEAM museum.
-SOPF Open Meeting: Tuesday 16 April 2013
Swindon Older Peoples Forum is currently supported and sponsored byAge UK andCommunity Service Volunteers Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme(CSV/RSVP)
Chair Dave Brown. Tel: 01793 612037. E-mail
Secretary Carol Brownlee Tel: 01793 692636 E-mail: