Newsletter ACTION for OLDER PEOPLE June 2013 Registered Charity Number 1150684 Company Number 88224902

Company Limited by Guarantee

As of April 2013 Otley Action for Older People became a company limited by guarantee. As a charitable company we are now accountable to the Charity Commission and Companies’ House. This does not affect any of the services that we provide, but means that we are governed by a board of directors as opposed to a management committee. Many thanks to the Law Clinic at York University who helped us through this process to gain our new legal status.

 Pool resident and The Memory Lane Cafe Otley Action member Did you know that in February we celebrated our second Hilda shares some of her memories. birthday at the Memory Lane Café? Over the past two years we have enjoyed 24 wonderful events, with entertainment such as the Otley Handbell Ringers, In 1910 Hilda Yates’s Golden Girls Tap Dancers, Table Top Gardening, the parents emigrated from Jabadao Tea Dance and the dulcet tones of David Apfel, England to work in the USA. They took their six- a wonderful singer, plus the many other great performers, month-old son Rowland with them and later, in of whom there are too many to list! Lowell, Massachusetts, Owen and Hilda were born. Their mother was not happy in America so in August 1914, when Hilda was six months old, the family returned to England on-board the ‘Mauretania’. They settled in Halifax and Hilda recalls hearing that a visit to her father’s relatives in Goole was cut short because Zeppelins went over on the first night.

Hilda, who recently celebrated her 99th birthday, recalled visits to Shibden Park and Ogden Water and her time working in the local weaving sheds which is where she met her future husband. The couple lived and worked in following their marriage and after her husband died at 72, Hilda stayed there for a further nine years before mov- ing to Pool in 1991. Hilda has lived there ever since and has been a member of Otley Action since it was founded. Hilda used to go on a lot of the trips but is now happy attending the Lunch Club each Wednesday and various functions throughout the year. She enjoyed the recent East- Mabel Casling and Gladys Emsley with their creations er Party at Pool Village Hall which was organised by Otley Action volunteers who also provided In March Jenny Stacey came along and did a paper flower transport. making demonstration for us which was really fun, everyone had a go! The Memory Lane Café was I enjoyed meeting Hilda. When asked to sum up developed as a social event for people with memory her time in Pool and as a member of Otley Action; she replied: “I’ve been very lucky because problems and their carers in the main, however we also everybody is so friendly, I couldn’t be in a better extend an invitation to anyone requiring a bit more place.” excitement and entertainment in their lives! We really do have a wonderful time! If you would like to feature in our newsletter then please call the office on 01943 463 965. Refreshments and a raffle are included in the £2 entry cost. Please call the Jayne Gordon, social work student office for more information on 01943 463965. Transport is available on request. Drive With Confidence Have you lost confidence in your driving ability? Did you know that half of drivers registered with the AA say that they would benefit from refresher training? More than 600,000 people say they have been away from the wheel for so long they are not sure they would remember how to drive. The AA is offering a free two hour ‘Drive Confident’ course, which is taught by an AA driving instructor. The course is aimed at nervous, rusty or lapsed drivers. You can do the training in your own car or in an AA instructors car, and there is no test at the end. You can apply online at www.theaa.com or you can come into the Otley Action office with your driving licence and we can apply for you.

A Warm Welcome to Our New Volunteers Welfare Rights We would like to welcome our new volunteers. Did you know that The Welfare Rights Unit based Peter and Cathy Medd recently moved from in Leeds can give advice and information on a Spain to Otley, and they have been variety of welfare benefits and appropriate volunteering with us since February. Cathy is services and schemes. They can also assist you enjoying her role as befriender. Peter drives to complete claim forms and can offer guidance the minibus and has assisted members to and support. If you would like to speak to a access trips and activities. Peter has been Welfare Rights Worker you can call the advice instrumental in preparing the new allotment at Ings Lane. Arifa Chakera also joined us in line on 0113 3760452. February, Arifa was brought up in Kenya and moved to the UK when she was 16. Arifa lives Upcoming Events locally and enjoys working in the community. Arifa has supported with lunch clubs, trips and Otley Museum Coffee Morning at the Methodist has assisted members to access the Church - Friday 14th June, 9:30am community. We also welcome Samuel Hogston, Isabel Evans and Sharon Garrahy AGM - Friday 14th June at the Bridge Church 2pm who have been assisting with transport and also befriending people who are socially Otley Carnival - Saturday 15th June isolated. Leeds City Credit Union Sainsbury’s Charity of the year. A new Credit Union information point is opening in Otley One Stop Centre which is situated in Otley Many thanks to Sainsbury’s for raising over £6,000 for us in less Library. Leeds City Credit Union is a financial than a year. As Sainsbury’s charity of the year we have received cooperative that provides straightforward, support from staff at groups and at fundraising events. The money affordable financial services to anyone who lives or will be allocated to our gardening project and will provide a real works in Leeds. boost to this service. They provide affordable loans at fair rates of interest to meet everyday needs and even for larger Poetry Corner Thank you! purchases. The services available include help to open a new Generation Gap We would like to send a huge account, support with loan applications and by Delphia Frazier Smith OAOP thank you to JPS transferring savings across accounts. Limited of Otley for printing our A lad wished he were older, new leaflets free of charge. A really grown-up man; Sight Loss Information Bus He'd go to work each day- We really appreciate all the Do things his daddy can. support that we have had from Action for Blind People have a mobile sight loss local companies including information bus which tours the country. It has Dad looked so wistfully Sainsburys, Newstead and previously visited Leeds town centre, and in 2013 it At Grandpa in the shade Walker, Asda, Waitrose and is aiming to visit some of Leeds more outlying And wished he could retire; Houldsworths. districts. The bus contains a wealth of information on Grandpa sure had it made! sight loss. We really do rely on the The bus will be visiting Otley on Wednesday July 3rd Grandpa was just thinking, goodwill of others to support 2013 and will be in the Market Square between As he looked for his cane, our important work. If you How he'd like to travel back would like to make a donation 10am and 3pm. Otley Action will be providing And be a boy again. to OAOP then please contact support and transport for anyone interested in the office visiting the bus throughout the day. For more infor- mation please telephone the office. Advice, Information and Support Green Doctor Age Proof Your Home

Are you concerned about rising utility bills? Making a few alterations to your home at the right time can You may be entitled to money saving grants help you to stay there for longer and avoid an expensive from Green Doctor, a registered charity working move to alternative accommodation. If you think you could to support and improve local communities, benefit from having a bath or shower seat, stair lift or specialising in sustainability. kitchen trolley then contact Otley Action for Older People Green Doctor can visit you at and we can support you to access an assessment from home to assess your needs. Adult Social Care or if you wish to purchase equipment Please call 0113 238 0601 for then we can assist you to find the best supplier for your more information. needs. If you would like to learn more about this then please call the office on 01943 463965.

Green Deal: energy saving improvements for your home

Did you know that you can make energy-saving improvements to your home or business without having to pay all the costs up front through the Green Deal. Energy-saving improvements include:

 insulation - eg loft or cavity wall insulation  heating  draught-proofing  double glazing renewable energy technologies - eg solar panels or wind turbines. All you need to do is call the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234 and request an assessment to see what improvements could be made and how much you can save on your monthly bills.

Lasting Power of Attorney Leeds Library At Home Service

While you have mental capacity, you can set up a This is a free service offered to anyone who is Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) to give someone unable to visit their local library and who does not the authority to make decisions on your behalf. This have anyone who can visit on their behalf. person is known as an attorney, while the person who makes the LPA is called the donor. Visits are done three weekly. Large print books, talking books and DVD’s/CD’s are all available. There are two types of LPA. Visit www.leeds.gov.uk/libraryathome to find out more or contact 01133952330 or  A Property and Financial Affairs LPA covers email: [email protected] decisions about the donor’s property and money.  A Personal Welfare LPA covers decisions about the donor’s healthcare and personal welfare.

You could also set up an Ordinary Power of Attorney, which gives someone else the power to handle your financial affairs for you. If you are interested in buying mobility equipment and are not sure where to turn then you can have It's only valid while you have mental capacity to an assessment at the William Merritt Centre which make decisions about your finances, so you can keep an eye on what the attorney is doing. The role is based at St Mary’s Hospital in Leeds. They can of attorney involves a great deal of power and assist you to decide what equipment is right for responsibility, so make sure you think carefully you. You will be able to spend dedicated time with about who you choose. You must be able to trust an occupational therapist trying things out and them to make decisions in your best interests. If you deciding what it is that you need. If you would like would like support to find a solicitor to arrange this an assessment then please call 0113 3055332. for you then please contact the office. OTLEY ACTION for OLDER Please note we will not take bookings until PEOPLE Monday 3rd June 2013. Suite 2, Bay Horse Court, 2 Boroughgate, Places on trips and outings are limited. Otley, LS21 1SB Telephone No: 01943 463965 Telephone 01943 463965 [email protected] Trips, Outings & Events

DATE DAY/PICK-UP EVENT DETAILS ENTRANCE TRANSPORT TIME FEE COST

Saturday Pick up from Harlow Carr Gardens - North Yorkshire £6.70 £4 8th June 11:00am Bring sandwiches or lunch is available in Bettys Tearoom

Friday Pick up from Otley Action for Older People Annual General Meeting - £2 14th June 12:30pm Bridge Church Otley

Wednesday Pick up from Le Bistrot Pierre Restaurant - £10.50 for 2 £4 26th June 11:00am courses

Friday Pick up from The Honey House in Stainburn - The home of Braythorne Bees Cost of food £3 12th July 11am

Friday Pick up from Millstones—Midsummer Madness £14.25 £5 19th July 10am

Sunday Pick up from Golcar Brass Band in Wharfemeadows Park Otley Free £2 21st July 1pm

Thursday Pick up from Summer Fun Day at Otley Rugby Club £3 £2 1st August 10:30am Stalls, BBQ,

Friday Pick up from Skipton on Market Day £5 16th August 11am

Friday Pick up from Lunch at the Noble Comb and Roberts Park at Cost of food £5 23rd August 10:30am 2 for £10

Friday Pick up from Shopping Trip—Owlcotes Pudsey £5 6th September 11am (Asda, and Marks and Spencer)

Wednesday Pick up from Shopping Trip—The White Rose Centre £6 18th September 10:30am (Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, Thorntons, BHS and Sainsburys)

Please note that full payment is required for tickets bought in advance i.e. theatre tickets and coach bookings. If you have to cancel your place then we will try to find someone else to take it, in which case we can refund your money.

Please check out our website at www.otleyactionforolderpeople.org.uk Or e-mail us: [email protected]