Greater Bedminster Older Peoples Forum (GBOPF)

Greater Bedminster Older People’s Forum (GBOPF) Newsletter: Issue 66 GBOPF is a non-party political organization that aims to give Older People (55 plus) living in Bedminster, Southville, Windmill Hill, Ashton Vale and Ashton regular opportunities to:

Meet local service providers such as the police, Bristol Council officers, Councillors, Voluntary providers etc. Express views about how our neighbourhoods can be improved; Be actively engaged in local issues such as park improvements, arts events, street safety and much more Membership is free to older people living in or near BS3. GBOPF is a Neighbourhood version of the Bristol Older People’s Forum.

The next meeting of the Greater Bedminster Older People’s Forum will be on Wednesday 15 th November 2017 at Monica Wills House, West Street, Bedminster. It will run from 10.00 am until 12 noon. If you are walking come in behind Tesco, by the side of Mezzaluna. If you are driving come in at Cromwell Street.

AGENDA

1. Lew Pedlar – Editor of Remember Be’minster

2. Any other business - Important issues and events etc. that members may wish to share with other members

Why not bring a friend or two to the meeting the more the merrier?

More information about our speaker: Lew Pedlar (Editor of Remember Be’minster Many of you will remember that Lew came last year and tried to talk about ‘The New Cut and it’s part in Bedminster Development’ but unfortunately ran out of time, for this reason he is going to be our only speaker as everyone was so interested in what he had to say. So he is going to try again. He intends to cover Coronation Road in particular and how the local Churches responded to a rapid rise in population, he will illustrate with slides. He is going to bring along the latest Remember Be’minster magazine for anyone who wants to buy one. Price £1. Good value for money and very interesting. Lew is also a member of Memories of Be’minster (MOB). They meet on Mondays 1.30pm at The South Bristol Christian Centre, Churchlands Road, (Off West Street), Bedminster. To submit articles and all editorial enquiries please contact Lew Pedlar (Editor), Tel: 01179 837 694, Email: [email protected], Mob: 0775 443 4905

Support for Older People Many older people become unsteady on their feet and are liable to trip and fall, often in their own homes. Care and Repair is working with BS3’s five GP Practices and have a service where they will inspect homes and make changes to make them safer. For more information please contact the following: Address: Waterloo Road, Bristol BS2 0BH, Opening Hours: Mon – Friday 9am-5pm

Phone: 0300 323 0700 email: [email protected] Please pass this information on to others, many thanks.

Contact The Elderly Do you know of someone 75 or over who lives alone, has little contact with friends or family and finds it difficult to get out and about on their own? If so, a change of scenery and regular afternoons of conversation and laughter with friends of all ages could be just what they need. They have small tea party groups across England, Scotland and Wales, made up of guests and volunteers. One Sunday afternoon a month, each group meets for tea, cake and company. Hosts take it in turns to welcome guests and volunteers into their home for a couple of hours. This service is free and transport is provided by local volunteer drivers, If you know of someone who would benefit from coming along to a tea party, or would like more information, please call their freephone number 0800 716 543 or you could visit their website www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk or email them at [email protected]

Marmalade Trust (Christmas Day help-but before hand too!) Every year the Marmalade Trust invites people who are on their own to join us in restaurants around Bristol and South Glos. For many, it’s often the first time that they haven’t been alone on Christmas Day for years. Every guest is made to feel very welcome and part of a big family. Our volunteers do everything from gift wrapping, packing hampers, writing Christmas cards, giving gifts, helping at fundraising events, marketing, general admin., to driving guests to and from our venues on Christmas Day itself. If you would like to help out, contact Natalie Wheeler on 07566 244788.

Book a free Home Fire Safety Visit To book a home fire safety visit for yourself or someone you care about contact Avon & Fire Rescue: Tel. 0117 926 2061, Text: ‘visit’ to 07507 319 694 Email: www.avonfire.gov.uk Facebook AvonFireRescue

Future Dates for next year 2018 are as follows: (Please remember to put them in your 2018 diary and on your 2018 calendar) All meetings are held from 10 am - 12 noon Wednesday January 17th Wednesday March 7th Wednesday May 16th Wednesday July 18th Wednesday September 12th Wednesday November 14th

If you are unable to attend a GBOPF meeting, but would like to receive a newsletter or be involved in the future, contact details are by phone via the LinkAge office on 0117302365 or email [email protected] GBOPF was set up in June 2007.