Natter that Matters

Autumn 2016

Rhymney Tirphill New Deri Brithdir Markham Argoed Oakdale Crumlin Tir-y-Berth Blackwood Penmaen Newbridge Penybryn Cefn Hengoed Argoed Fochriw Abertridwr Waterloo Pontlottyn Fochriw Abertysswg Tirphill Deri Brithdir Machen Bargoed Blackwood Nelson Gilfach Oakdale Crosskeys Crumlin Tir-y-Berth Pengam Cefn Fforest Blackwood Penmaen Newbridge Nelson Gelligaer Hengoed Penybryn Wylie Pontllanfraith Ystrad Mynach Maesycwmmer Abercarn Senghenydd Llanbradach Ynysddu Cwmfelinfach Wattsville Crosskeys Bedwas Abertridwr Trethomas Machen Risca Waterloo Caerphilly Rudry Rhymney Pontlottyn Fochriw Abertysswg Tirphill New Tredegar Deri Brithdir Argoed Markham Bargoed Aberbargoed Gilfach Oakdale Crumlin Tir-y-Berth Pengam Cefn Fforest Blackwood Penmaen Newbridge Nelson Gelligaer Penybryn Hengoed Pontllanfraith Cefn Hengoed Wylie Ystrad Mynach Maesycwmmer Abercarn Senghenydd Ynysddu Wattsville Llanbradach Cwmfelinfach Crosskeys Abertridwr Bedwas Trethomas Machen Waterloo Caerphilly Rudry Caerphilly Rhymney Ystrad Mynach Blackwood Risca New Tredegar Newbridge Rhymney Pontlottyn Fochriw Abertysswg Tirphill New Tredegar Deri Brithdir Markham Bargoed Aberbargoed Argoed Gilfach Oakdale Crumlin Tir-y-Berth Pengam Cefn Fforest Blackwood Penmaen Newbridge Penybryn Cefn Hengoed Gelligaer Hengoed Argoed Pontllanfraith Ystrad Mynach Maesycwmmer Abercarn Senghenydd Llanbradach Machen Cwmfelinfach Wattsville Fochriw Crosskeys Abertridwr Bedwas Trethomas Ynysddu Risca Waterloo Rudry Rhymney Pontlottyn Fochriw Abertysswg New Tredegar Tirphill Deri Brithdir Caerphilly Machen Bargoed Blackwood Nelson Gilfach Oakdale Crosskeys Crumlin Tir-y-Berth Pengam Cefn Fforest Blackwood Penmaen Newbridge Nelson Gelligaer Hengoed Penybryn Cefn Hengoed Wylie Pontllanfraith Ystrad Mynach Maesycwmmer Abercarn Senghenydd Llanbradach Ynysddu Cwmfelinfach Wattsville Crosskeys Bedwas Abertridwr Trethomas Machen Risca Waterloo Caerphilly Rudry Rhymney Pontlottyn Fochriw Abertysswg Tirphill New Tredegar Deri Brithdir Argoed Markham Bargoed Aberbargoed Gilfach Oakdale Crumlin Tir-y-Berth Pengam Cefn Fforest Blackwood Penmaen Newbridge Nelson Gelligaer Penybryn Hengoed Pontllanfraith Cefn Hengoed Wylie Ystrad Mynach Maesycwmmer Abercarn Senghenydd Ynysddu Wattsville Llanbradach Cwmfelinfach Crosskeys Abertridwr Bedwas Trethomas Machen Waterloo Caerphilly Rudry Caerphilly Cwmcarn Rhymney Ystrad Mynach Blackwood Risca New Tredegar Newbridge

www.caerphillyover50.co.uk/ Caerphilly Over 50 1 A note from our Chairman Well, here we are again. Welcome While we are doing our best to represent Bees your interests, we really need you to get to our Autumn 2016 edition of the involved! It can be as simple as sending us Caerphilly forum something to post on our Caerphilly Over 50 Educating 50+ Plus Forum Newsletter. Facebook page or our website; like sharing your favourite recipes or you could tell us Everyone! some of the things you do that prove Age is Members of the Steering Committee Just a number! Or maybe your festive top have been busy on your behalf:- Have you ever wanted to know more about tips and jokes, but keep them clean! bees or even fancy keeping Bees yourself n We have presented a comprehensive You name it we are sure there are other then this may well be for you! ‘I’ll only get response to the Expert Committee people across the borough would like to Honeybee Company‘A has hat an is interactiveall I need bee the established by the Welsh Government about hear about it … go on give it a go; send us benefits of Creating an age friendly hive house in the schoolto keep grounds warm of onYnysddu insulation in winter.’ “housing for an ageing population in Wales.” something to [email protected] Primary School. The hivea winter’s house is day.’ split into n We supported the Review of GP Practices two sections, an interactive working area carried out by the Commissioner for Older Aswhere well aspeople a hat, can wrapping work witha scarf the around bee hives your Insulation is a bit like a thermos – it keeps People by posting on our Facebook page; neckand aand viewing mouth area can helpwhere to peopleprotect canyour sit and warm things warm and cool things cool. So this added a signi cant number of health.watch withoutBreathing having in cold toair wearraises a the bee risk suit. of your home will stay warm in winter and cool in responses to their questionnaire. chest infections and increases blood pressure. summer. You’ll see the benefits all year round. A one hour workshop session for 6 people n One of our committee members sits on would cost approximately £10 per person. the citizen panel that reviews Bee workshop sessions will Workshops can only be run during March, progress of the introduction of The Social take about 1 hour, and include: April, May, June, July, August, September Services and Well-being (Wales) Act. He is ‘A warm ‘I don’t qualify for (For groups is of bad up to 6 people) andany October help with and my are weather dependant. now to become the panel Chairman. Remember your views count and if you had a bedroom little time on your hands the forum gets lots of for my health.’ heating costs.’ n Another of our committee members is consultations sent to us in fact you name it and Why bees are important . . . Everyone attending a workshop will need to helping to establish a revitalised COPA (Cymru we have probably been asked about it! I know bring and wear wellies - this is for safety reasons. Old People’s Alliance), getting charitable it is widely held view that “they never listen” No. 65°F (18°C)About is the pollination ideal temperature . . . TheyContact will your also local need Age to wearCymru trousers, for a as they will Don’t leave for your bedroom to ensure that you are , to find out what status and will be one of their Trustees. but we have found that really isn’t the case. havebenefits to put check a bee suit on over their clothing. warm andAbout well in winter. honey, how it is financial support is available and to yourself in the see if you’re eligible for any help. www.caerphillyover50.co.uk/ Caerphilly Over 50 ‘I’ll only get made and extracted . . . Please contact Lorne East, Sirhowy Valley ‘A hat is all I need the benefits of Honeybee Company at svhchoney@gmail. Creating an age friendly Wales coldto keep warm this on winter insulation in winter.’How to approach a bee a winter’s day.’ com or on 07507 108563 to book a workshop Don't leave yourself in theKeep well cold and warm this during winter the cold hive, wearing‘I only a need bee to suit put . . . or to nd out more‘I’ve about heard the that bee keeping hive house. the heating on for my bedroom window As well as a hat, wrappingweather a scarf with around our your myth-busting Insulation tips. is a bit like a thermos – it keeps n "Do I qualifyneck and mouth for canany help help to protect with your my heatingwarm costs?" things warm and cool things cool. AboutSo life a couplein the ofhive, hours how a open at night is good health. Breathing in cold air raises the risk of your home will stay warm in winter and coolthe in bees daywork to keepand warm.’live . . . for my health.’ Contact yourchest local infections Age and Cymru increases for blood a bene pressure. ts checksummer., to nd You’ll out see the benefits all year round. what nancial support It’s best toHow keep yourto prevent house at a stableswarming, Actually, if you leave your window open is available and to see Visit www.agecymru.org.uk/ temperaturedevelop as sudden new changes colonies can be . . . you’re likely to breathe in cold air which dangerous. Try to keep your main living room lowers body temperature and raises the risk if your're eligible for stw or contact Age Cymru ‘A warm Advice 08000‘I 223 don’t 444 qualify for for at 70°F (21°C)How and to close rear any queen doors on bees. rooms of chest infections, heart attacks and strokes. any help. bedroom is bad more informationany help with my you’re not using. for my health.’ heating costs.’

2 Natter that Matters Autumn 2016 www.caerphillyover50.co.uk/ Caerphilly Over 50 3 No. 65°F (18°C) is the ideal temperature Contact your local Age Cymru for a Don’t leave for your bedroom to ensure that you are benefits check, to find out what warm and well in winter. financial support is available and to yourself in the see if you’re eligible for any help. cold this winter Keep well and warm during the cold ‘I only need to put ‘I’ve heard that keeping weather with our myth-busting tips. the heating on for my bedroom window a couple of hours a open at night is good day to keep warm.’ for my health.’

It’s best to keep your house at a stable Actually, if you leave your window open Visit www.agecymru.org.uk/ temperature as sudden changes can be you’re likely to breathe in cold air which stw or contact Age Cymru dangerous. Try to keep your main living room lowers body temperature and raises the risk Advice 08000 223 444 for at 70°F (21°C) and close any doors on rooms of chest infections, heart attacks and strokes. more information you’re not using. Are you one of the estimated 50% pensioners not claiming between £55 - £82 Attendance Allowance they are entitled to?

Simon Says - Have you made the call? Attendance Allowance Are you one of the estimated 50% pensioners not claiming between £55 - £82 Attendance Allowance they are entitled to? You can claim this if you’re over 65 and need regular help with your personal care. It is We are supporting the latest #Caerphilly 50+ NOT means tested, so you can claim it Positive Action #Simon Says campaign whatever your income or savings. to try to get more people to phone and double check with the DWP Works & Pensions to see whether they Please Don't miss out... Find out! It’s really are entitled to claim Attendance Allowance. easy, simply call 0345 605 6055

Bogus Street Didn't We Do Well! charity collections European E-inclusion Awards: ‘I am part of IT’ by Joy Matthews Before deciding to give charitable One warm day in June the phone kept with digital storytelling with the 50+ one sees on the TV with all the  ags, donations on the street or at the door: ringing. PPI, solar panels, some were forum, so I realised it was genuine. the award ceremony was in the ‘number withheld’ which is either the I was invited to bring a friend so I afternoon in the main auditorium, n Ask to see their licence for Street Collections council or the hospital but several chose Mandy; after all she had got also as seen on TV, impressive décor and House to House Collections from the were ‘International call, out of area’. me into this. the lot. There was even a bu et lunch Local Authority as they should have one. Now I always ignore those but at half where we met the other entrants, n Check that a Landline is included in any past 5 I was a bit fed up so I picked amazing people from all over Europe. material, not just a mobile number. up and snarled ‘Waddya want?’ n If you are concerned you could check I was very pleased to come third in directly with the Charity to see if they A lady with a foreign accent introduced my category. I also got a round of are collecting in your area or with herself as being from the European applause for being the oldest entrant. Caerphilly County Borough Council e-inclusion team telling me that I had What a claim to fame. It was a licensing department. been shortlisted for an award and I wonderful experience but I am still n Any buckets, tins etc for cash donations was invited to an award ceremony not sure what I did to deserve it. should be secure and tamper proof, and in Brussels. I was obviously sceptical Maybe it’s because I have this dream again show the purpose of the collection. but then I remembered Mandy They paid for our  ights and provided that every older person who wishes n If you wish to set up a Direct Debit, we suggest Sprague had suggested I entered the a car and nally we arrived at Brussels to be computer literate should have you don’t do this on the street or on your E inclusion awards, after my success Parliament building, that entrance every encouragement to achieve this. doorstep. Simply contact the Charity directly You can improve your digital skills at your local library with 'Digital Fridays' yourself to make these arrangements.

4 Natter that Matters Autumn 2016 www.caerphillyover50.co.uk/ Caerphilly Over 50 5 Greater Gwent What is the Panel? We think you should know about Citizen’s Panel The Gwent Panel was formed in July 2015 and meets every six weeks. The Panel is made up of representatives of Housing for an ageing population citizen’s organisations from With an increasing number of older across Gwent. Members were The main issues being addressed include: drawn from a wide range people living longer in Wales, the supply Do we have enough of the right of groups, including of suitable and appropriately located homes suitable for older people? Over 50 Forums, Parent’s housing for people over 65 has become Network, People's First, the n Will these homes support people a crucial issue to address. It is an Stroke Association, Disability to live independently for as long Wales and many more organi- important contributory factor to as possible? sations. The Panel regularly invites health and wellbeing for older people. speakers from the broad eld of Social The Welsh Government introduced Services to address key issues, gathers The Welsh Government’s Expert Panel n Is moving a real choice for older the Social Services and Wellbeing citizen’s views and sends representatives to on housing for an ageing population people in Wales & if not, why not? (Wales) Act on 6th April 2016. the Regional Partnership Board. in Wales has consulted widely over the summer and Caerphilly County Borough The Group will conclude its work by the end Welsh Government were keen from the The Panel rotates its meetings around Gwent 50+ Forum has provided support by of the year. A decision about whether to move outset to hear the views of citizens about the to make attendance easier and is keen to “road testing” a questionnaire and by home in later life is never easy but new law and how it is working, so a number attract new members. Any individual can responding to the consultation. there is practical help available. of Citizen’s Panels have been developed. The join if they have experience of using, or role of the Citizen Panel is to collect, collate working with, Health and Social Services. If and pass on the views of people aected you are interested in joining, contact Chris by the Act to the Welsh Government. Hodson (Chair) at [email protected] You should have rights! The United Nations Principles for concerned that human rights are often not seen Older Persons sets out the interests as relevant or applicable by service providers and rights of older people but does and that the rights of too many older people not provide individual older people are diminished as they get older. with actual rights. The Commissioner has therefore committed to Wales has also published a Declaration of Human creating a single piece of legislation for Wales Rights for Older People (http://gov.wales/ to protect older people’s rights and address any topics/health/publications/health/strategies/ gaps that are identi ed. Creating a rights based rights/?lang=en) but that is aspirational and approach in law to public service delivery in has no legal status. Essentially there is no Wales is essential to ensure that the rights of single comprehensive, enforceable human older people can no longer be overlooked or A self-assessment form for people wondering whether or not to move home and seeking rights instrument for older people in Wales. ignored. The ndings of an expert group the information on options has been produced with support from The Housing Corporation Commissioner has set up will be presented to The Commissioner for Older People in Wales is the Welsh Government in Autumn 2016. www.housingcare.org/downloads/kbase/1621.pdf

6 Natter that Matters Autumn 2016 www.caerphillyover50.co.uk/ Caerphilly Over 50 7 SCHOOL INTERGEN CLUBS Caerphilly was the rst Schools also provide borough in Wales to excellent refreshments establish School ranging from afternoon tea to a subsidised cooked dinner. Intergen clubs and they can continue to  ourish and contribute There are currently a total of eleven term time clubs to communities in Caerphilly borough generate mutual covering a range of Primary respect between and Secondary schools. di erent generations. The Caerphilly county borough Intergen A warm welcome is extended to anybody Clubs are school based and are an excellent wishing to attend although it is always opportunity the 50+ and young people to advisable to contact schools beforehand as share skills, socialise and enjoy a range of arrangements sometimes have to change. activities. Such activities include board If you would like to nd out if there is a club games, IT initiatives, reading, cooking, in your area either contact your local school scrabble, bingo, to name but a few. or call 01443 864277

Getting to Know Us As well as telling you about the Forum, the things we have been doing and what we might Do you belong to an organisation, do in the future, we would love to have a society, club or group? discussion about what you would like us to do. If so, would you like us to come along and Hopefully, this would enable us to forge links give a talk about the 50+ Forum in Caerphilly that would continue in the future and enable Borough and how it could be relevant to your you to provide us with feedback and concerns organisation or your individual members? that develop in the future.

We would like to thank Caerphilly 50+ If you would like to advertise to Positive Action for their help and support in producing this newsletter and the Welsh thousands of over 50s in Caerphilly Government who have funded the cost County Borough you can do so by of the printing as part of their Well-being sponsoring the next edition of this engagement work supporting Strategy Newsletter or any of the forums events. for Older People in Wales. Please contact us via the website ‘get in touch’ section or email: [email protected] or call Mandy Sprague on 01443 864277

8 Natter that Matters Autumn 2016