& Older People’s Council Annual Report 2016-17

The Annual Report of the OPC is the report of elected members of the Older People’s Council. The Older People’s Council does not form part of Brighton & Hove City Council and the report is not a report of Brighton & Hove City Council The Older People’s Council Chair’s Foreword We are an elected body set up and supported by Brighton Colin Vincent ( / and & Hove City Council (BHCC) in terms of provision of meeting Moulescoomb / ) space and other administrative support. In 2012 The Older People’s Council (OPC) The Older People’s Council (OPC) was Our members, all of whom work on a proposed that Brighton & Hove City established to inform the policy and voluntary unpaid basis, represent wards Council (BHCC) apply to the World Health decision making of Brighton & Hove across the City. We attend relevant Organisation to work towards, and be recognised City Council, including services and council and health related public as, an Age Friendly City. The application was given unanimous resources that impact on the quality meetings. Unfortunately this year BHCC cross-party endorsement at a meeting the same year. of life and opportunities available for has decided to discontinue support for older people in the city. This need will the OPC. During this difficult period we The process of achieving the required dress the effect of disenfranchising continue whatever the future form of have continued to actively promote the objectives is still a work in progress. 38,000 over 65s in the city without representation takes for older people interests of older people and our report This work is being undertaken by any prior attempt to ascertain their in the city. outlines our activities during the year. the BHCC Age Friendly City (AFC) views. OPC members attended the Steering Group with input from the committee meeting and attempted to AFC Forum (which is open to all). It contest the recommendation, but the is to be hoped that current financial same political party alliance that was limitations and key staff changes do involved in the original proposal voted Our Purpose not halt or hinder this process. it through. As the council are fully supportive of While considering our options and • We listen to and represent the views of older people an Age Friendly City it is given the threat to our continued in Brighton & Hove to influence change. particularly distressing that existence, the OPC will this year the OPC were continue to promote • We challenge disadvantage experienced by older informed by the council and defend the collective people and promote their human and civil rights. that the administrative interests and welfare of support it provides will older citizens in the city • We scrutinise and actively promote the needs of older be withdrawn in 2018 (according its constitution) people to achieve good quality public services. and in addition they will on a range of issues no longer fund future including; health and social OPC elections. services, transport, housing, • We promote dignity and we support the aspirations safeguarding, dementia care This recommendation of older people wherever they live in the City and support. went before the Policy, Resources & Growth Committee devoid of any In conclusion, we will endeavour as a • We publicise our work through networking, public acknowledgement of the work done democratic non-political organisation meetings, ward events and local media. for the city’s older citizens by past and to work with other voluntary present OPC volunteer members. A organisations, both locally and second report (an Equalities Impact nationally, who have the interests of Assessment) failed to adequately ad- the elderly as their core objective.

2 3 Dementia - OPC members Safeguarding - Graham Bartlett, Secretary’s Report participated in Dementia Alliance the Chair of the Brighton & Hove Penny Morley (Hanover & Elm Grove, Preston Park and events, some having had personal Safeguarding Adults Board, presented St Peter’s & ) involvement in this issue and others a range of information to the with experience of care homes January OPC meeting. There were a It has been an extremely busy year for the providing services. Dementia services concerning number (1,064 last year) OPC. We have had a number of changes with are a growing issue of concern. of safeguarding enquiries regarding Nick Goslett ( & Knoll & ) They need greater resourcing and older people. The OPC offered to help leaving and John Cook () and Michael Whitty to be made a focus for the future, the Board with building community (Westdean) joining the OPC. with over 3,500 people in the city awareness which was welcomed by diagnosed with dementia. Graham. See www.brighton-hove. Many thanks to Nick for his Fairness Commission - we pressed gov.uk/keeping-people-safe for more contributions and to Mike Bojczuk for greater accessibility for older information. who stood down as Chair in October people across the city and met with 2016. I have also been grateful Possability People to jointly put the The council’s budget and for the support of all of the OPC case to the council. Subsequently its impact on older people members during the year. The OPC they wrote to Councillor Daniel is also grateful to the council officers supporting the OPC priorities relating The OPC worked hard, especially who have provided support for many to social isolation, more progress on from December 2016 to February years, and in particular to Karen becoming an Age-friendly City and a 2017, to lobby the council about Amsden in recent times. greater recognition that digital only the budget cuts which would impact on older people. Full details of the access excludes many older residents. Health - There has been a wide range The OPC activities letters, briefings and press articles are Elder Abuse - met with the Elder of issues relating to health. The OPC to be found on our website in 2016/17 Abuse Recovery Service to discuss had an update on the Brighton Citizens www.olderpeoplescouncil.org The Older People’s Festival - OPC and highlight this growing issue Health Survey from Dr Carl Walker in members participated in an inter- of concern for older people and November. This survey also went to We wrote to all generational debate with Dorothy to identify where they can get the Health & Wellbeing Board of the three political Stringer pupils as to whether the support and help. To contact email: council. We continued to raise concerns parties outlining older and younger generations have [email protected] or call including the closure of GP surgeries our concerns about far more in common than is often 0208 8359280. in Brighton, the debacle about Patient the budget cuts to suggested by the media. Transport with Coperforma, NHS Adult Social Care and objecting to the Residential & Home Care - funding and structural changes. Students proposed swingeing cuts to the Youth discussions were held with the from the University of observed Service. We had a public meeting in relevant council officer regarding the our meeting in November as part of their December where James Hengeveld from new home care contract which is studies. Colin Vincent represents the BHCC Finance explained the basis of the jointly held by BHCC & the Clinical OPC on the council’s Health & Overview council budget. Commissioning Group for five years. Scrutiny Committee and has been In January 2017 we met with the The OPC members raised questions instrumental in raising a range of issues council Leader Councillor Morgan. re; monitoring, costs, quality of care about services that impact on older We raised issues about the proposed and the need for a follow up plan people throughout the year. on monitoring. cuts to the Health & Adult Social Care

4 5 budget would impact on a range copies for distribution - thanks to Lynn Shields At the ‘Big Health & Care Conversation’ of services including occupational Mike and John for the work on this. in the Brighton Dome I was delighted (East Brighton and therapy, community equipment We continue to participate in Grey to learn that the excellent presentations Queen’s Park) service, Tower House, community Matters Productions, a 55 minute radio from various health workers involved in transport, health improvement, programme for older people on Radio This year has ‘Caring Together’ were being taken on dementia facilities, public transport Reverb. proved challenging the road to inform and support those and public toilets. Subsequently, a for everyone most in need. Knowledge is power. number of changes were made to involved in providing support to With our GP situation in Brighton & the final budget plans and we believe those most in need in our society. To Hove being so precarious, it is essential that our lobbying contributed to paraphrase Churchill “never in the that those most in need understand this outcome. We liaised with other history of the welfare state have so how to get the best from the system. community groups as part of this many owed so much to so few”. I The Citywide Connect Hubs which I process, in particular Community am extremely grateful to those who attend continue to provide an excellent Works. dedicate their lives to public service at a conduit for information and sharing time when they are pushed to do more best practice and they are enabling our and more with less and less funding. OPC Communications various organisations to work more This is not only true of the council and We held public meetings in December, Speakers from the Husting effectively together. event at Brighthelm NHS workers but of those who work March & June with speakers discussing for the third sector organisations. Community Works continues to the council’s budget, Health & Adult Due the to the snap General Election harness the power of our voluntary My voluntary activities include being a Social Care services and Healthwatch. called in 2017 we agreed that older workers. Please do take up a voluntary member of the Age Friendly Steering We also discussed the future of the people in the city should have the role if you can. It is good for you and Group and The Age Friendly City OPC given the withdrawal of support opportunity to question candidates good for those you help. from the council. An options paper from all the main political parties Forum. At a time when many of our residents for the future will be presented to the about how their policies would I have been working with a very active, are facing difficulties we have to hope 2017 AGM. The Chair & Secretary impact on older people. A meeting council led, Falls Prevention Group who that the dedication and effectiveness of appeared on Latest TV to discuss was held at the Brighthelm, chaired are imparting invaluable information to the few is enough to meet the needs of the council by Frank Le Duc of Brighton & Hove a wide range of, NHS, council and third the many. budget and the News and representatives from all the sector service providers on limiting the proposals for main political parties were invited. physical and mental consequences of a Useful links the OPC. Many attendees confirmed that they fall. Now the message needs to reach a www.mylifebh.org.uk/ - a directory appreciated the event. This year we wider audience. of useful services in the city including health, social care and housing produced an Future of the OPC I am a voluntary member of the OPC information Healthwatch Enter and View Team www.brightonandhoveccg.nhs.uk/ leaflet thanks to The Chair has covered our views who work with hospitals, GP surgeries publications/plans-priorities-and- the work of Mike on this issue in his report. Decisions and special clinics to ensure standards progress/plans/caring-together Bojczuk. Printed about the future of the OPC and are met and maintained. It is all about bhcommunityworks.org.uk/ copies were circulated at meetings to whether current members wish to identifying best practice and suggesting ensure a wider understanding of our continue under completely changed priorities to achieve positive outcomes www.healthwatchbrightonand role, aims and objectives. John Cook circumstances have yet to be for all concerned. hove.co.uk/ co-ordinated the printing of 3,000 resolved.

6 7 John Cook Our sister company Grey Matters – a community events, and am a volunteer I am also a member of a research radio production company – is now speaker for Prostate Cancer UK. group run jointly by Brighton (Patcham) more active than ever in producing University and Age UK. The latest We had a long campaign against The OPC identified programmes of interest to older project is to look at the self-funding adult care budget cuts, and I am the need to people in our communities across of Adult Social Care. The method is pleased that Tower House is now in create a greater Brighton & Hove. We have now to interview self-funders and collect use again by the SVP charity as a awareness to established a weekly programme evidence. It is still at an early stage day centre. reach out to schedule that all can listen to via but I believe this will be a valuable the lonely and socially isolated in “RadioReverb” on 97.2 VHF/FM in I continue to work for an age friendly piece of work. the Patcham community. So an Brighton & Hove and also on the city, maintaining the OPC website and I attend Blue Plaque events and application for funding was granted Internet at www.radioreverb.com/ following housing and care issues. recently we exhibited panels on the by Brighton & Hove City Council My work on older people’s issues also If you feel you have an interesting Great War at the Jubilee Library. to produce a new four page Local includes membership of the South story that you think would be of Action Team (LAT) newsletter that East Forum on Ageing and in Finally, I am a member of the Patients interest to your peers see: www. was shared with the LAT. my spare time I’m a happy member Participation Group at the Pavilion olderpeoplescouncil.org/ Loneliness is a killer, and it takes but of the Brighton & Hove Walking Surgery. Our current aim is to put on GMContact.htm just a few moments to introduce Football Club. an exhibition on promoting Health anyone suffering from isolation Eating. to many of the great social events Mike Bojczuk happening daily in our communities. Francis Tonks (Central Hove and John Eyles Our great city is very blessed with ( Westbourne) some very proactive groups that Coastal and (Brunswick / reach out to help the lonely and I relinquished my ) Adelaide and socially isolated. Just to mention position as Chair of Goldsmid / We have had a one outstanding group: Time to Talk the OPC a year ago so Regency) year in which we & Befriending Services – I would I could concentrate on helping others have struggled Another year willingly guide anyone looking to in a more personal and practical way. fill a few hours with interesting to maintain and continue the Older of change with election fever and companionship to their website I am a volunteer ‘digital champion’ People’s Council. It has also been a results having their effect on both the www.timetotalkbefriending.org.uk and have been to many senior year of referendums and elections, all national and local scene. The council housing schemes to help residents having an impact on the lives of older has continued with its reforms to engage with digital technology. We people. premises and committees which have still have a majority of over 75s who resulted in the use of a variety of I have attended the Pensioners have no knowledge of the internet, venues after vacating Kings House. Association regularly. It meets and even the over 65s who use monthly at Patching Lodge. I also go I am continuing to monitor the digital tablets and phones still need a to the Society. I belong procedures and decisions of the lot of help. to a Singing for Better Health groups. Environment, Sustainability and This city is also one of the poorest in Most of us are elderly. At such weekly Transport committee while keeping early diagnosis of cancer, so I volunteer sessions we have half of hour of in touch with the Hove Station with the Albion in the Community team simple exercises, followed by an hour Neighbourhood Forum. on cancer awareness activities at local of singing.

8 9 A prime area of concern is that of which is a study of the issues facing Local Action Team (LAT with the Patcham LAT to form the air quality and the impacts on the those who through means testing Coordination across the City Withdean and Patcham Network health of the local population. There have to fund their own social care. The LAT Chair’s Forum which I co- (WPN) producing a newsletter with are proposals to improve traffic flow contributions from the Fire Service, The second, under the auspices chair has received presentations from through ‘hot spots’ such as North Police and local clergy to reach of Cicely Saunders Institute, is Katy Bourne (the & Street, Rottingdean and Lewes Road out to each household in the areas developing new provision for Crime Commissioner), Judith Fields in an attempt to improve pollution of Withdean, Brought to you by the Withdean and , and the Patcham Local Action Teams palliative care for those suffering (Citizens on line), Tracey Maitland The Withdean & Patcham The Withdean and Patcham Spring levels. Controlled parking zones are Westdene, Patcham 2017 chronic rather than acute illnesses. (Possability People) and Sean Podesta being implemented in Queens Hill, and Networkinside (Neighbourhood Befriending). This this issue Can we help you? There are estimated to be 37,000 elderly people in and many are lonely or vulnerable. The numbers are Hollingbury and and other Thirdly, I am on a group at the Royal and find the people expected to increase to 51,000 by 2030. The biggest difficulty is finding the forum is attended by ward LAT chairs, people in need who are isolated, coordinating hub we can ensure the 2 vulnerable who want assistance. Thus available resources are directed to the people in need with the help of the East Latest - Police the Withdean and Patcham Network was formed by Withdean and Westdene Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and consultations are under way. Sussex County Hospital which reviews in need. We have Community and Patcham Local Action Teams with other linked groups. and Support the aim of identifying aged, lonely and Officers vulnerable people in our community. councillors, the police and council Local Action Teams are ward-based and overseen by the council’s communities proposals for research from medics and equalities team. delivered 10,000 Residents are encouraged to attend the LAT meetings to raise community officers from across the city. concerns with police and local In a move to improve the beach litter councillors. Their contact details are Brought to you by the Withdean and3 Westdene, andlisted the along Patcham with some Local groups Action that Teamscan help those in need. Many organisations Love thy which brings a lay perspective to bear copies of exist to provide friendship and offer The city’s elderly population is set to rise neighbour help. We have befriending groups, Circulation lunch clubs, energy saving advisors, SummerThis newsletter enables the reader to 2017 10,000+ Withdeansenior’s and housing Patcham schemes, public seek assistance if feeling lonely, isolated problem additional bins are to be or struggling on a daily basis to eat health services, carers for dementia, to name but a few. By contacting each regularly, keep warm, battle memory loss on the presentation. Westdene Barn Campaign household and giving the resident the or the difficulties of caring for their partner. the first option to ask for help, we can mobilise the huge amount of help available. Help us to help you or your neighbour. Tell us and we will send help. installed by Cityclean and 23 extra 4 In the first year of this campaign we inside hope to reach every household in Keep well, take care and contact the NetworkESFRS - Free Withdean, Westdene, Patcham and group that wants to help you. this issue issue and Arrangehome safety a homeHollingbury. The vision is then to A campaign to save the Westdene visits spread the outreach across the city via Michael Whitty the Local Action Teams. Acting as a Chairman Withdean & Patcham people are to support beach cleaning, In addition to my role on OPC I am safety visit today Network You may well recognise the historic building of 1 Preston Circus Fire Station covering Patcham & Rescue Service the second and Withdean areas. But do you know about all Fire Barn, was commenced following the 2 the community work local fire crews do? To promote our visits and education Chair of the local branch of the Tackling elder As well as responding to incidents, particularly after events and holiday messages, our firefighters visit schools, exploitation each day our firefighters are out raising awareness and promoting vital and open up Preston Circus Fire Station prevention messages. Firefighters visit for our summer Open Day. Each issue has just people’s homes, fitting alarms and crew also focuses on a specific area of council decision not to maintain the offering a range of home safety advice. community engagement, for example linking in with Mosques, getting involved periods. National Pensioners Convention. in Pride, or visiting older residents to promote health and wellbeing. 3 Preston Circus Station Manager Chris launched. Baker said: “Our local crews are part building, which resulted in the local Identifying a of our community, here to help keep scam phone call everyone safe. Kitchen fires remain one I also serve on the committee of of the main risks in our city. We would Thank you to like to remind everyone not to get our Volunteers! distracted when cooking, and of course Further discussions are in process ESFRS Home Safety Visit make sure you have working smoke This is active alarms. We wish everyone a fantastic Anyone can arrange a visit but crews community leasing the property for and safe summer.” are particularly keen to reach people Community Transport (Brighton, who are vulnerable and isolated, older people, disabled people, and anyone in Summer safety advice need of specific advice about safety in At this time of year we remind people their home. with the Hove Gardens developers achievement, of our Summer safety advice. This a five year period. A refurbishment A lot of referrals for these visits come includes never leaving cooking or BBQs 4 from our partner agencies who know unattended and keeping them away Hove & Area), who are the currently people who will benefit from our from items which can catch fire easily Elim church service, but we also invite carers and e.g. long dry grass, and not smoking or celebrates family members to tell people about using candles in tents. Harvest our visits and get in touch. and the District Valuer regarding the effective and 1 searching for a new home pending programme was started to bring Festival amount of affordable housing to measured. development of Preston Barracks. the Barn up to standard for use by be provided after the Hove Station I am also a member of the Park the local community as a business As a co-ordinating hub we are able to proposals were refused planning Crescent Patient Participation Group. venture. Thanks to donations and bring together voluntary, charitable consent. Some development has grants the campaign has been and council funded groups. Forty one commenced on the north of the successful and the Barn is now a percent of the population in Brighton railway track with some closures on Michael Whitty going concern, open for hire use & Hove are living alone (and this the Sackville Industrial Estate prior to by local groups and organisations. number is set to increase) compared development. All-in-all, a time of new (co-opted Member - One of the ventures undertaken is to to a national average of 31%. It is no area planning and neighbourhood Westdene) provide a lunch club for older people surprise that loneliness is a powerful involvement. During the past as well as music events, summer fairs predictor of whether or not one will 12 months, I have and other activities for local people. be alive in 10 years’ time. This is worked voluntarily in Jack Westdene and Withdean Local where the OPC, the LAT’s, the council the community for the OPC and the Hazelgrove Action Team (WWLAT) Action and other groups can come together Withdean and Westdene Local Action on social isolation. to be efficient and effective. (co-opted Team (WWLAT) helping local residents In September 2016, we set up a Member) and communities to understand the The partnership enjoyed between the facilities, opportunities and services network to identify the aged, lonely council and the OPC has a proven I have been available from the council, charitable and vulnerable in the city because no record of achievement and this involved in several and voluntary organisations in other group was doing this (except should continue. research projects this year, the first of Brighton & Hove. in a piecemeal fashion). We joined

10 11 has been issued across the has beenissuedacross the includes anewleafletthat has beenundertaken.This communications campaign this reduction anda communication about up. We pressed forbetter action toimprove take Pension Credit seeking facility byolderpeopleon the lowtakeupofthis and Freedom Leisure The OPCraisedwithBHCC get a40%discountwiththeBrighton&HoveLeisure Card. Older PeopleonPensionCredit orAttendanceAllowancecan Keeping healthy &getting active 12

transmission, use of the studio and transmission, useofthestudioand are volunteers.Fundingtowards the and broadcast six times.Alltheteam Programmes are made everyfortnight programmes are onthe OPCwebsite. at www.radioreverb.com Archived Tuesdays oronlineatthesetimes at 8amonSundays,11am broadcast onRadioReverb[97.2VHF] made by, and for, olderpeople.Itis programme, ‘AtHomethisMorning’, to provide a55minuteradio Grey Matters Productions continues Productions Grey Matters if you have ideas for programmes. if youhaveideasfor programmes. from thecitycouncil.Contact theOPC business costswasobtained byagrant

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