BOPF Newsletter Autumn 2018
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The Voice of Older People in the City of Bristol Our aim is that every older person in the city is an equal, valued, participating member of the community who can influence the decisions which affect their lives Autumn 2018, Issue 56 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US! Bristol Older People’s Forum It’s a Party, and you’re invited!! - now and in the future! 25 years! And it don’t seem a day too long. Voice & Influence Partnership (VIP) Yes it really is 25 years since Bristol City Council brought us into being, and we think that’s something to celebrate! I wonder if we still have any original members? If you joined as a youngster of 60 or so, please get in touch! If you have mobility problems, can’t use your bus pass or dial-a-ride or afford a taxi, and would like some transportation to the event, please tell us - In May our grant, which we have had since we’re staffing the office on 6 Sept, between 1993, finally was withdrawn, a victim of the 9am and 2pm with volunteers Ian, Angela, Judith, Val and Julie to take your calls. Ring us Government cuts to councils. We faced the on 0117 9279222! . Bring a raffle prize if you possibility of closing down. We had been can. (Continued on page 6) working with other fora to win the councils business regarding equalities, and I am happy to tell you that after literally months of work, BOPF, LGBT and the Multi Faith Forum joined together under the leadership of the Care Forum, and with a steering group which includes Voscur BME Voice, SARI, and WECIL, did win the bid. Accordingly, we can say we will be here for the next three years, (continued on page 4) Skydive fundraising event on 14 April 2018, pg 18 We wish to thank the Extra Care Charitable Trust for sponsoring this issue of our BOPF To BECOME A BOPF MEMBER newsletter. Editorial on pg 16. If you would see back page like to sponsor a newsletter please email Yolanda, [email protected] To SUPPORT US see page 19 www.bopf.org.uk Registered charity 1162616 CONTENTS Newsletter Editorial Team Open Forum Meetings ......................... 3 Judith Brown (Chair) Yolanda Pot (Finance & Admin Manager) A View From Our Rocking Chair ............ 3 Contributors: Tony Wilson (Trustee) Voice & Influence and BOPF’s work ....... 4 Gillian Seward (Trustee) BOPF Events.......................................... 6 Out & About ....................................... 7 All views expressed are that of the contributors Care & Carers ........................................ 9 and not of BOPF. All event details correct at time of going to press Useful Numbers .................................. 10 Mental & Physical Health .................... 14 Money Matters ................................... 15 If you wish to volunteer at our Open Skydive Fundraising Event ................... 18 Forum meetings with refreshments or the sign-in-registers please contact Yolanda, Support BOPF .................................... 19 [email protected] Membership form ............................... 20 Our aim is that every older person in the city is an equal, valued, participating member of the community who can influence the decisions which affect their lives All older people living in Bristol should: be happy with their quality of life have the goods and services they require be treated equally be listened to by decision makers not feel isolated have the opportunity to participate in the community Bristol’s Manifesto for Older People sets out the priorities in achieving our aim through influencing key providers and decision makers in the city. It outlines how Bristol must recognise diversity and address inequality to become a great place to grow old for everyone. It details outcomes and delivery partners/organisations under: Safety - safeguarding, crime Transport - public transport and other Physical Health - including physical disabilities and impairments Mental health - including loneliness, isolation, and dementia Communications - inclusive, effective, accessible (including digital exclusion) Care - including statutory care provision, carers support Housing and homes - including care homes, independent living Participation - work, volunteer, financial, leisure & activity Leadership and awareness (visibility) Bristol Older People’s Forum CIO, c/o Age UK Bristol, Canningford House, 38 Victoria Street Bristol, BS1 6BY, Registered Charity number: 1162616, Tel: 0117 927 9222 email: [email protected], www.bopf.org.uk 2 News From our Chair A VIEW FROM OUR ‘ROCKING’ CHAIR! Judith Brown, Chair BOPF One hundred years since women got the vote, you’d think the battle for equality was won, but no. Recent reports from the National Pensioners Convention and the Centre for Policy on Ageing both show that when it comes to pensions, women get a raw deal. The UK has a 31% pension gender gap, together with some other forums, read in favour of men; lets hope by the time our more on the front page grandchildren get a pension, if they do, We hope older members will come and help th things have evened out. us celebrate on September 20 , in City Hall All older people of course suffer from the (Council House to you and me) details on the closure of public lavatories, and I’m told front page when among other things you’ll some won’t now leave their home for fair of get a chance to see the video of Tony’s, Zia’s being ‘caught short’. In my local park, I and Ariana’s sky dive to raise money for recently had to beat a swift retreat on a ‘bad BOPF - a magnificent effort! tum’ day, so I know how they feel. At our Hope to see you there. last BOPF meeting , members asked for a Judith Brown, BOPF Chair letter to be written once more expressing our feelings about the toilet closures, and you can see the letter I wrote on page 5, Treasurer needed by Bristol together with extracts from the answers Older Peoples Forum received. BOPF are looking for a keen, Of course , a robot won’t have these toilet enthusiastic and experienced problems, unless it’s having to deal with us Treasurer/Trustee. We are a small pesky humans. A 2.5 million EU funded trial charity with an annual income of less in partnership with the University of than £30,000. As a charity we are Bedfordshire and Advinia Health Care managed by a small friendly group of (wonder if it’s owned by Americans?) will be Trustees who volunteer their time to launched in September to introduce support the organisation, and we are humanoid companions into care homes. looking for someone to offer their The use of technology comes as more care financial skills and expertise as homes are closing due to higher running Treasurer, to support the Finance and costs - and robots don’t need wages, holiday Administration Manager. or time off. See pg9. Finally Bristol Older People’s Forum has been If you would like to apply for this post serving the city for 25 years this year. We please contact Yolanda Pot for an shall continue for the next three years, due application form: Tel: 0117 9279222 to winning a Bristol City Council Contract [email protected] 3 Voice & Influence Partnership (VIP) (continued from font page) computer) mad, are now in operation. If (although the money reduces each year) you have not filled your form in, please ask provided we complete our part of the for a VIP form at the next meeting and do it bargain. then, ticking the BOPF box at the end of the form. This means you are enrolled both And we are getting less than we did before. with VIP and BOPF, and we fulfill the But in Elton John’s famous words “We’re councils requirement that we enroll at least still standing!” 150 people every three months. Yes I know, So what does this mean for our members? it’s a lot, but we have to do it to get the Well for one thing, it means you will money - and it does mean more and more continue to be asked for your opinions and people getting to have their say. views about things that concern you. The new partnership, called “Voice and SPECIAL THANKS Influence Partnership” (VIP) will be inviting Some of you also sent a donation with your you to do just that, telling you about all the returned forms. I cannot tell you what a consultations and council events going on, thrill it was to find a cheque enclosed with so you can have your say. You will still your form. I was not expecting it, but thank receive newsletters, in fact more than you you, thank you, thank you, thank you. did before. The Open Forums may have a I will hope to see you at our Birthday different feel, it’s too early to say, but they Celebration on 20th September at the will still be interesting and informative. Bristol City Council Conference Hall, 2-4pm BAB Participant Network Judith Brown ,BOPF Chair. We’ve also joined forces with Age UK, to set up a network of people who have been or are involved with the Bristol Ageing Better Introducing Ian Quaife programmes, that are funded from the We would like Lottery. This won’t mean much actual to welcome Ian money I’m afraid, but could help with other Quaife, our new practical things. More about that as things Engagement progress. Officer for Voice GDPR and Influence Partnership In the meantime can I thank everyone who (VIP). You will DID send back their forms all filled out after be meeting Ian as he goes around the city. the recent survey. The dreaded General Please get in touch with him if you would Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) that like him to tell you about VIP.