The newsletter provides updates from the Swindon Older Peoples Forum (SOPF), including announcing their next open meeting and annual general meeting on October 22nd. It discusses developments over the past few months, such as a meeting attended by SOPF members on seniors issues. The newsletter also provides information on local initiatives and events relevant to older residents, and congratulates their secretary Carol Brownlee on an award.

1. SWINDON OLDER PEOPLES FORUM (SOPF)
Newsletter (Issue 9: September 2013)
Hi All! I hope that you all had a good summer. News and developments over
the past few months are summarised or reported below. As always do not
hesitate to get in touch if you want any more information on any of the articles
or items of news.
The most important thing to relate is notification of the next SOPF Open
meeting, and 2013 Annual General Meeting (AGM), on Tuesday 22 October
2013 commencing 2:45pm at the Broadgreen Centre. Our constitution
demands that the AGM is the opportunity for members to recommend any
proposed changes to the way we operate and to provide nominations to join
the Management Committee. You are prompted about these below and need
to contact the SOPF Secretary (Carol Brownlee) if you want us discuss these at
the AGM.
Before reading on a plea that, to help keep our running costs down, if you are
willing to receive this newsletter via e-mail then please let me know .
Updates
Next Open Meeting and AGM. This takes place on Tuesday 22 October 2013
commencing 2:45pm at the Broadgreen Centre. Initially there will be short
“business” session to accommodate the AGM. By way of this newsletter the
Swindon Older Peoples Forum (SOPF) membership has received advanced
notice of the date and time of the AGM and seeks members input into the
following:
• Whether there are any proposed changes to the SOPF Constitution (all
members must have 21 days notification of any proposed changes which
are then discussed and voted on at the AGM)
• Whether there are any nominations to join the Management Committee.
The SOPF constitution can be viewed on the SOPF Website or alternatively
hard copies can be provided on request. Following the AGM, the Open
Meeting will have a theme of “Issues and Concerns and Swindon’s older
community: What has changed since 2004?”. This will be a round table
discussion based on data and information from SOPF’s predecessor, the Older
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2. Peoples Coalition, compiled in 2004, the Council’s Stategy for Older People in
Swindon (2008 – 2011) and the outcomes from SOPF’s Open meetings. There
are good transport links to Broadgreen, which has limited parking, but we can
arrange transport for those with mobility problems (contact Carol Brownlee
for more information).
South West Seniors Network (SWSN): A number of members of the
Management Committee attended the SWSN 2013 Assembly 2013 on 29 May
at the Bristol City Academy. The meeting had a central theme of the SWSN
“Home Alone: Tackling Exclusion amongst older people” and there were
discussions and information on work and initiatives for digital engagement;
community Transport and nutrition and well being. At the SWSN AGM that
formed part of the meeting, David Brown was nominated and elected to the
SWSN Management Committee.
Transport, SOPF have been invited to join a Borough Council led group looking
at the options for local bus transport. For more information, or if you have any
input to make, then contact Stephanie Burrows at
brianburrows1@virginmedia.com
-
Healthwatch is a new national initiative that has replaced the Local
Involvement Network (LINk), and aims to give people a powerful voice locally,
regionally and nationally to get the best out of health and care services.
Healthwatch Swindon is an independent organisation being developed by
Parkwood Healthcare Ltd. who have a contract from Swindon Borough Council
for this work. For more information and to subscribe to the regular e-bulletin
contact Healthwatch Swindon Wat Tyler House, Beckhampton Street, Swindon,
SN1 2GH Tel: 01793 497777 www.healthwatchswindon.org.uk
Freeview TV and new mobile 4G services: The arrival of new 4G mobile phone
services in the Swindon area may cause problems with Freeview TV services.
“at800” is the organisation created to make sure UK viewers can still watch
Freeview when 4G services are launched and will write to households that may
be affected. Some households will also receive an at800 filter - free of charge.
This connects between the TV aerial and the TV, set-top box or signal booster.
In many cases, viewers will be able to connect the filters themselves but
at800 will provide extra support to those aged 75 or older, registered disabled,
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3. registered blind or partially sighted and those who have lived in a care home
for six months or more. This includes a home visit scheme when a
professional and CRB-checked engineer or volunteer will install the at800 filter
free of charge. For more information call at800 on 0333 31 31 800 or visit
www.at800.tv
SOPF website (http://www.sopf.btck.co.uk ) This is regularly updated but if
you have any suggestions for further improvements please e-mail them to
Carol Brownlee safetycollege@ntlworld.com
Suggested Regular Reading There are many newsletters and sources of
information relevant to older people that are produced and circulated at
intervals more frequent than the SOPF newsletter. For those of you who have
access to the internet our recommendations for regular reading are the
following:
- AGEnda. Newsletter of the English Forum on Ageing. Subscribe by
visiting http://www.agenda-efa.org.uk
- Age Action Alliance http://ageactionalliance.org
- Later Life Newsletter to subscribe contact
simon.wilkinson1@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
- Mature Times http://www.maturetimes.co.uk
- South West Seniors Network and South West Forum on Ageing.
http://www.seniorsnet.org.uk.
Other News
• Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service are doing free home fire safety visits.
To arrange one call 0800 389 7849 or visit the website
www.wiltsfire.gov.uk.
• The Wiltshire and Swindon Bobby Van Trust aims to protect the elderly,
vulnerable and disadvantaged and will offer free home security
assessments for the over 60’s For more information contact
www.wiltshirebobbyvan.org.ukor Tel: 01225 794652.
• Community Service Volunteers (CSV) has recently produced a booklet entitled “Volunteering in retirement: new beginnings”. Visit
http://www.csv.org.uk/volunteeror call 0800 374 991.
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4. • 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 http://www.local.gov.uk/ageing-well and the links lead to a
wealth of information on how local authorities and their partners should
be relating to the older generation.
• Age UK are running an ITea and Biscuits week from 16 September to
offer people in later life the chance to learn how to make the most of
digital technology and the internet. Organisations can sign up to run
simple and fun taster sessions that help tackle fears about technology
and introduce older people to the everyday benefits access to IT can
offer. Events can come in all shapes and sizes and help to demonstrate a
variety of technology – from computers and laptops to tablets, mobile
phones, digital cameras, e-Readers and more! Age UK has a range of
useful tools and resources to help you plan, promote and run your
event. For more information go to www.ageuk.org.uk/itea-and-biscuits
or email campaigns@ageuk.org.uk
• A film was launched in March by Wiltshire County Council called
“Wiltshire Voices” which lasts for 25 minutes and provides an insight
into the lives, hopes and challenges faced by a range of different people.
The words are their own but the issues are shared by many. Together we
can make a difference’. The link is: http://truevisiontv.com/blind-audio-
description
• A recent factpack produced by the International Longevity Centre-UK in
July 2013 provides an excellent summary of statistics on “Ageing,
longevity and demographic change”. To access this go to
http://www.ilcuk.org.uk
• New Philanthropy Capital and the International Longevity Centre–UK
(ILC-UK) have recently announced a “Commission on Ageing and the
Voluntary Sector” to provide long-term, strategic thinking about the
implications of an ageing population for the voluntary sector. The
Commission is funded by The Big Lottery Fund and Prudential and will
draw together existing research, engage and consult the sector through
a series of events, work with voluntary organisations to develop answers
as to how the sector can lead the way in adapting to an ageing
population, and publish a final report with recommendations for the
future.
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5. • 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 H_Thompson4@sky.com
Newsletters and organisational links
• Age UK Swindon (advice and information) Tel: 01793 687018 .
• Age Action Alliance http://ageactionalliance.org
• AGEnda. Newsletter of the English Forum on Ageing. Subscribe by
visiting http://www.agenda-efa.org.uk
• Beth Johnson Foundation: A charity championing positive ageing
http://www.bjf.org.uk
• Elders Council http://elderscouncil.org.uk
• Healthwatch Swindon: The local presence of a national network who
exist to make sure the publics’ views on local health and social care
services are heard. http://www.healthwatchswindon.org.uk
• International Longevity Centre-UK. An independent, non-partisan think
tank dedicated to addressing issues of longevity,ageing and population
change http://www.ilcuk.org.uk
• Later Life Newsletter: simon.wilkinson1@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
• Mature Times http://www.maturetimes.co.uk
• Pensioners Forum http://www.pensionersforum.co.uk
• Pensioners Campaign Forum http://www.pensionerscampaignuk.org.uk
• Swindon Local Involvement Network (LINK). Contact Jo Osorio. Tel:
01793 497777. Email: josorio@swindon.gov.uk
• South West Seniors Network and South West Forum on Ageing.
http://www.seniorsnet.org.uk.
• Swindon Citizens Advice Bureau www.swindoncab.org.uk E-mail:
advice@swindon.cabnet.org.uk or Tel: 08444994114
• Swindon Health Walks www.walkingforhealth.org.uk To locate a walk
near you visit www.challengeswindon.org.uk
• United for All Ages http://www.unitedforallages.com
• Wiltshire and Swindon Users Network http://www.wsun.co.uk
• Voluntary Action Swindon http://www.vas-swindon.org
References and Publications
• Ageing Well Legacy http://www.local.gov.uk/ageing-well
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6. • Strategy for Older People in Swindon 2008-2011
• One Swindon Draft Delivery Plan
http://www.swindonsp.org.uk/draft_del_plan_app_2_-_cab_report_-_27.5.pdf.
• Age UK Website Forum pages http://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-
involved/older-peoples-forums
• Improving Later Life. Age UK publication 2011. ISBN 978-0-9568731-1-8
• Ageing, longevity and demographic change. A factpack of statistics from
the International Longevity Centre-UK. July 2013. (http://www.ilc-
uk.org.uk)
Dates for your diary
• International Older Peoples Day 1 October 2013. More information at
http://olderpeoplesday.co.uk
• Swindon Older Peoples Forum Open meeting and 2013 AGM, Tuesday
22 October 2013 (2:30 – 5:00pm) Broadgreen Centre. Meeting theme
“Issues and Concerns and Swindon’s older community: What has
changed since 2004?”
• National Ageing Society Conference 2013 “Improving the Wellbeing and
Lives of Older People”.Central London on Tuesday 24th
September 2013
http://www.insidegovernment.co.uk/events-
details/ageing/184/#agenda
Congratulations
Finally I am sure you will join me in congratulating our Secretary (Carol
Brownlee) who has received an award from Swindon Borough Council in
recognition of the voluntary work she carries out within her local community.
Swindon Older Peoples Forum is currently supported and sponsored by Age UK and Community
Service Volunteers Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (CSV/RSVP)
Chair Dave Brown. Tel: 01793 612037. E-mail dave.abrown@btinternet.com
Secretary Carol Brownlee Tel: 01793 692636 E-mail: safetycollege@hotmail.co.uk
SOPF Website (http://www.sopf.btck.co.uk )
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7. • Strategy for Older People in Swindon 2008-2011
• One Swindon Draft Delivery Plan
http://www.swindonsp.org.uk/draft_del_plan_app_2_-_cab_report_-_27.5.pdf.
• Age UK Website Forum pages http://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-
involved/older-peoples-forums
• Improving Later Life. Age UK publication 2011. ISBN 978-0-9568731-1-8
• Ageing, longevity and demographic change. A factpack of statistics from
the International Longevity Centre-UK. July 2013. (http://www.ilc-
uk.org.uk)
Dates for your diary
• International Older Peoples Day 1 October 2013. More information at
http://olderpeoplesday.co.uk
• Swindon Older Peoples Forum Open meeting and 2013 AGM, Tuesday
22 October 2013 (2:30 – 5:00pm) Broadgreen Centre. Meeting theme
“Issues and Concerns and Swindon’s older community: What has
changed since 2004?”
• National Ageing Society Conference 2013 “Improving the Wellbeing and
Lives of Older People”.Central London on Tuesday 24th
September 2013
http://www.insidegovernment.co.uk/events-
details/ageing/184/#agenda
Congratulations
Finally I am sure you will join me in congratulating our Secretary (Carol
Brownlee) who has received an award from Swindon Borough Council in
recognition of the voluntary work she carries out within her local community.
Swindon Older Peoples Forum is currently supported and sponsored by Age UK and Community
Service Volunteers Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (CSV/RSVP)
Chair Dave Brown. Tel: 01793 612037. E-mail dave.abrown@btinternet.com
Secretary Carol Brownlee Tel: 01793 692636 E-mail: safetycollege@hotmail.co.uk
SOPF Website (http://www.sopf.btck.co.uk )
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