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We finally did it! We weaned ourselves off the Carrick Council Chamber. Somewhere around 30 people presented themselves at the Carlton Hotel in Truro in anticipation of a more comfortable setting and good food and we were not disappointed. The only possible thing we could complain about was that it was too hot! Everyone had one of the Community Energy Plus temperature charts and it was soon spotted we had moved into the “HOT – REDUCE HEAT” section. We did and all was well.
Talking of energy saving everyone who so wished went off clutching e.on powerdown sets for their televisions and computers. Literally one or two for televisions left – plenty for computers. Ask if you want one.
As it was also the AGM of the Forum, we began with that. New Members to the Committee were elected, the revised Constitution was passed; the Treasurer’s Annual Report was passed – thank you to David Wheeler – and generally speaking we are in good health. After questions and answers it appeared there was little to say for the main Forum meeting so we swiftly moved on to more interesting things.
We had two really amazing speakers. Julie Green, a senior commissioner in the Primary Care Trust gave a lively talk on what in her view was currently happening in the world of the NHS and PCT. Obviously there were lots of questions, many of which she could answer and many imponderables. She emphasised that what she said today would probably be out of date tomorrow!
Our next speaker was Jill Young from the Pension Service. She told us so much about which we were probably unaware and also offered Members the chance to have referrals for home visits, please contact Judith if you would like a referral. Contact numbers for public use can be found later in the newsletter.
We are going forward with huge optimism into this next financial year. We have already received a grant from South West Foundation and been
invited to put in an invoice to Cornwall Council for a further grant. Obviously we are grateful to both.
The last few weeks have been more than extraordinary. Summer before Easter; a Royal Wedding which was a beacon of light in a world full of death and destruction; a referendum - perhaps we should not go there.
Anyway there is a very big change coming to the Carrick Over-50’s Forum and I am desperately in need of as much support as I can get. Read on later in this newsletter.
Have a fabulous summer - see you next time in Falmouth.
JudithWhiteley
Carrick Champion for the Elderly and Vulnerable
HEALTH MATTERS - DR DOMMETT
The current political debate about the NHS appears to be in a state of turmoil. The Royal College of GPs has pitched in with other health professional groups in expressing opposition to the proposals: they state that competition between services might be bad and disruptive.
The trouble is that in rural areas such as ours we suffer from the opposite problem, namely a lack of choice. Patients get what they are given, regardless of quality or convenience. We have started some constructive dialogue with local hospitals about
what we feel needs to change: some will listen, and improvements will occur. But with some services, if there is no desire to change, and no threat that contracts will go elsewhere, I cannot see any leverage that can be applied.
We are holding meetings with MPs, and Cornish doctors willgotoa conference in
June to thrash out these issues. Watch this space!
FORUM COMMITTEE
The new committee was approved at the last Forum Meeting
The meetings are held once a month in Circuit House (old Planning Department of Carrick District Council), Truro and anyone who would like to come along and take part in discussions is very welcome.
Carrick Over-50’s Forum Constitution
The up-to-date version of the constitution is now available for anyone who would like a copy. Just let one of us know.
THE FORUM COMMITTEE
Mrs Marjorie Cooke
Swanpool
Mrs Barbara Coumbe
Mylor Bridge
Mr Brian Coumbe
Mylor Bridge
Mr Nigel Hudson
Tregony
Mrs Val Jewell
Truro
Mr Neil Slade
Falmouth
Mrs Margaret Smitheram
Perranwell Station
David Wheeler
Falmouth
Judith Whiteley
Mylor Bridge
HOMELESSNESS IN CORNWALL
Homelessness affects the whole community, not just the young but vulnerable and elderly too. Figures for Rough Sleepers collected across the country have focussed particularly on Cornwall, which has been identified as the worst area with the problem outside London.
The Churches Homeless Network Group will be highlighting the issue over the weekend of the Spring Bank Holiday on Sunday 29th and Monday 30th May.
There will be a sleepout in front of the Cathedral on the night of Sunday/ Monday between 8.00pm and 7.00am. On Monday there will be a
range of activities between 10.00 and 12.00 and an Interdenominational Service in the Cathedral at 1.00.
Changes to Housing benefit regulations, 40% council cuts are all making life intolerable for those who are trying to help the most vulnerable.
If you don't like the idea of sleeping outside - could be quite an interesting experience for a short while! - then it would be great if people showed an interest during Monday morning, if only to be supportive.
We MUST show our support in whatever small way we can.
TOILET TALK
Following a meeting of the management committee the Forum sent the following letter to Cornwall Council, Primary Care Trust and others.
Since the Public Health Act of 1848, the provision of toilets has been seen by all subsequent governments and local authorities as essential for the social and environmental well-being of its citizens.
Public toilets matter to everybody, regardless of their age, class, ethnic origin, gender, mental or physical ability. But, they are even more important to certain sections of our society, including older people, disabled people, families with young children and tourists.
To give any credence to the possible launch of a Sat Lav service (a toilet texting service) in Cornwall is ludicrous. For those who know how to text and want to pay 25p for the privilege of finding a loo to spend a penny all well and good but I suspect many in Cornwall, tourists included, wouldn’t know where to begin!
The fact that to manage 220 toilets costs £2.8 million sounds a lot but compare that with the physical and mental well-being of the community. Surely health is a matter of paramount concern. Ageing is something to which we all have to look forward and this very process brings with it many failings including incontinence, the need for water pills, to name but two. The knowledge that toilets are
available makes the difference between a trip out and staying at home, lonely.
As we all know it is against the law to urinate or defecate in a public place. Surely it is, or should be, against the law to remove or close down existing facilities which would force people to go to these extremes. I suspect dog doodle will be taking a back seat if we lose our toilets!
Just two first-hand examples. An elderly gentleman visiting Godrevy needed to use the toilet found it locked and to his total embarrassment had to “expose himself” behind the toilets. His comment was it was clear he was not the first person to do that. The second example, an elderly lady in a wheelchair, crying because “I can’t wait any longer” outside a locked toilet. Two totally degrading experiences and in which instance would the use of a Sat Lav have been the slightest use?
We are in the 21st century and appear to be, lavatorially, retreating to the 1800’s.
We need more public conveniences not fewer.
Councillor Julian German (Environment Portfolio holder) gave us this response:
Cornwall Council recognises the value of public toilets to both the residents of, and visitors to, Cornwall. This is why Cornwall Council is working hard to keep its 223 public toilets open.
Whilst many Councils are closing their public toilets, Cornwall Council is reviewing how we operate them, how we can save money on rates, water and electricity bills and how we can work in partnership with other bodies that recognise the value of public toilets. Town and Parish Councils have been consulted with and we are working with a number of them to provide savings at the same time as a high quality provision.
Parish Councils have not been told that they must take over the running of
public toilets or that they will close. This is simply untrue.
Cornwall Council has recently opened new public toilets at St Austell town centre, the Wadebridge end of the Camel Trail and at Summerleaze beach, Bude. This shows our commitment to a good provision of public toilets around Cornwall for the benefit of one and all.
SOUTH WEST SENIORS’ NETWORK
We are now active members of this august body of 59 Forums throughout the south-west which represents around 40,000 older people and with a seat on the Committee. One Member of the Committee attends Ministerial meetings to put forward our collective thinking.
As a result of a meeting in March 2011 where the ”Only Connect” project was launched the SWSN in partnership with Tony Watts and supported by Age UK
The project aims to
ensure that forums, as far as possible, are linked to the internet and able to access the SWSN website
upgrade the SWSN website and make it an “interactive platform” that will facilitate the sharing of experience, expertise and concerns across the full spectrum of forums through the region.
In phase 1 of this project, Carrick Over -50’s Forum, Dorset Fiftyplus,
Bridgewater Senior Citizens Forum were the three Forums chosen.
We have talked about a website for so long but dismissed it for various reasons. A meeting of the 3 pilot forums is in the planning stage and I think will probably take place later in May.
Meanwhile Guy Patterson from Age UK and Tony Watts, journalist and writer are coming to join us at our next Forum meeting in June to try to explain our roll and to discuss just what is involved at this stage.
I have an ‘orrible feeling that my shortcomings will be well exposed! I can’t twitter, blog, use a blackberry, an i-phone and so on and so forth and now I hear from a friend he has a Kindle. Wow – sounds impressive but do I need one?
We will see. As many as can, please turn up for this meeting because between us we may understand more than we think and I need all the help or support I can get.
A mini grumble!
One of our Members mentioned to me that she was fed up with being called by her Christian name by total strangers and in particular MP’s wanting her vote. I wholeheartedly agree with her which has prompted me to see what the rest of the over-50’s think.
Here are my reasons:- using a Christian name is a
privilege to be earned and not assumed and, in my view, it is a family thing not a general public thing
I cringe when I go into hospital and nursing homes and hear elderly people being called by their Christian names – what happened to respect?
I phone up the County Council and make the mistake of saying I am Judith Whiteley – “oh hello Judith” I have long given up asking if I know the person on the other end – they always say they do not – as they are the telephonist, receptionist or whatever. Further outrage.
IhopeIhavenotgotinuredtoit– I still put up the occasional wimpish fight but perhaps I have been a bit too intimidated to protest too much
I detest getting Party Political papers which now all begin with Dear Judith – how dare they? They have never met me and are, with luck never going to.
If the younger generation think it is “cool” for everyone to call them by their Christian name, that is their choice
SUPPORTING & CAMPAIGNING FOR THE OVER-50’S
BUT as far as the older generation is concerned, I don’t think we want to be part of a “Big Society” which embraces the destruction of values with which we all grew up. Many of us DO NOT LIKE LIBERTIES BEING TAKEN WITH OUR NAMES.
Would really like some feedback on this one – even Ann Robinson mentioned it on one of her programmes. Of course, we could call for a referendum on the subject!
Pension Service Advice
We have a referral system for Members of the Forum for visits to the home – phone Judith on 01326 374279
Contact numbers for members of the public Pension Credit/State Pension 08456 060265 or text phone 0800 1690133
Attendance Allowance/Disability Living Allowance 08457 123456 or text phone 0800 243355
Carers Allowance 0845 6084321 or text phone 0845 6045312
For further details about the pensions service check the website www.direct.gov.uk/pensions
UPCOMING MEETINGS
BI-MONTHLY FORUM MEETINGS
The bi-monthly meetings all take place on a THURSDAY from 12.00 noon until 3.00.pm.
2ND JUNE: Green Lawns Hotel, Falmouth
4TH AUGUST: Carlton Hotel, Truro
6TH OCTOBER: Carlton Hotel, Truro
1ST DECEMBER: Green Lawns Hotel, Falmouth
Speakers at 2nd June meeting will be: Lindsey Haydock Clemo, Equalities Advisor at Disability Cornwall Guy Patterson from Age UK together with Tony Watts, Journalist and Editor
Transport can be arranged for those who really need it, but you will be asked to make a nominal contribution of £4.00 for your door to door service.
Lunch prior to the meeting is £5.00 per head. Please book your lunch with Judith or David.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Meetings of the Management Committee will take place monthly in the Planning meeting room at Circuit House at 10:30am on the second Wednesday of the month.
11TH MAY
8TH JUNE
13TH JULY
10TH AUGUST
14TH SEPTEMBER
12TH OCTOBER
9TH NOVEMBER
14TH DECEMBER
DIARY DATES
10TH SEPTEMBER Princess Pavillion Garden Party, Falmouth, please speak to Marjorie if you can give her some help.
27TH SEPTEMBER David is hoping to have a presence at Penryn Fair Day. Please contact him if you would like to help him.
CONTACT THE FORUM
JUDITH WHITELEY (CHAIRMAN) DAVID WHEELER (TREASURER)
EMAIL: jwhiteley@cornwall.gov.uk TELEPHONE: 01326 315305 TELEPHONE: 01326 374279
WRITE TO:
Mrs J Whiteley 17 Church Road Mylor Bridge. TR11 5NL
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