newsletter for the One in 5 people in Southwark who are 50 or older

JUNE / JULY 2014 www.southwarkpensioners.org.uk

Inside this Issue GRAND RELAUNCH! From the Chair 2 Advice and Employment 3 SPAG & Affiliated Groups 3 SPC Party 5 Health and Wellbeing 5 Holidays & Day Trips 6 SPC Projects 6 Community Noticeboard 7 Dates for your Diary 8

One in 5 Newsletter is produced and (Lto R) Harriet Harman MP, Neil White, Dora, Bill Skelly, Simon Hughs MP published by Southwark Pensioners Centre (SPC), in partnership with On Wednesday 9th April we relaunched our newly decorated and Southwark Pensioners Forum (SPF) refurbished Centre. and Southwark Pensioners Action Group (SPAG). It was a wonderful morning – the sun shone and the Centre was Views expressed in One in 5 are not filled to capacity. necessarily those of SPC. Tessa Jowell MP, who was on the day lecturing at Harvard How to get One in 5 University, USA, sent a message of goodwill in which she said: All members of SPC receive the “I’m so sorry I can’t be with you to celebrate the opening of your newsletter every two months. refurbished Centre. You will have my full support in the exciting Affiliated groups receive ten copies. plans to move to a bigger and more accessible space over the Membership fees for 2014: road to allow for more activities and services. The work done by • Individual £5 the Centre continues to be a lifeline for so many older people • Affiliated groups £25 right across Southwark and it has always been a great source of (joint membership for all three personal pride to serve as your patron! Good luck!” groups) Simon Hughes MP, Justice Minister, spoke about the importance To become a member please of the Centre in breaking down social isolation amongst older contact us at: people. He reminisced about the twenty-five plus years that he 305-307 Camberwell Road, has been involved with working with SPC and its members and SE5 0HQ promised to continue to support us. Telephone: 020 7708 4556 ...continued on page 6 From the chair

Welcome to the summer edition of One in 5. We have a number of new classes starting this summer and some old classes with a new twist! We have the Contemporary Jewellery making class, the Inspirational Choir group and Movement and Relaxation classes starting. If you want to come along, please either ring us to register or pop into the Centre. Our holidays and day trips are as usual proving very popular. If you haven’t already done so, please register to go on one of these outings – this summer get out there and make new friends. Please keep the date Friday 25th July free because starting from 12 noon we will be holding our Pensioners Party in the Park themed on recognising the service of the men and women in the armed forces. The event will include a free drink, pie and mash lunch, music and dancing. If you want to come along please ring up to put your name down or pop in to the Centre and collect your ‘ration book’ as this will be used as the ticket for entry to our marquee. We are planning a fund-raising event for SPC based on the popular Strawberry Tea held two years ago. The date will be announced in the next issue of the newsletter but will be either late August or early September. If you’d like to help organise or have any ideas to share then please contact the admin team. As you know we are always trying to improve our service by listening to what the members want. And having listened to what members want we are re-introducing fixed appointments for those who need to get advice on welfare benefits, housing, debt counselling or just need signposting to other agencies. You will be seen at a set time so less hanging around. To make an appointment please phone the Centre and speak to our Admin team who will be happy to help you. However, we also realise that not everyone is able to physically come into the Centre so we are developing more outreach work – taking all the good work that we do at the Centre out into the heart of all parts of our community – watch this space! By the time you read this article Southwark Pensioners Forum will have held another Pensioners Parliament, hosted by Simon Hughes MP. That along with SPAG’s election hustings last month is another example of the pensioners of Southwark holding both local and national politicians to account. You can read more about this from Mary Phillips elsewhere in the newsletter. This month we say goodbye to Sabrina Kerr, our popular, hardworking and talented Health and Wellbeing Officer. She has secured a senior role with another charity in North . We wish her all the best and hope that her experience in the last two years working for SPC will stand her in good stead. Have a happy and active summer holiday – wherever you go and whatever you decide to do!

Dora Dixon-Fyle, MBE Chair of Trustees

SPC STAFF AND TRUSTEES SPC STAFF Director - Neil White SPC TRUSTEES Finance Officer - Giovanna Cerron Dora Dixon-Fyle (Chair); Kurban Haji (Vice Chair); Health and Wellbeing Officer - Sabrina Kerr Neil White (Company Secretary); Revd. David Aplin; Marketing & Information Officer - Javier Escuder Tony Evans; Leah Jones; Stephen Lancashire; Administrative Assistant - Lorna Sampson Otutuola Dupe Majekodunmi; Vicky Naish; Denise Advice Workers - Lorraine Beecham & Carmen Perez Nicholls; Richard Rees; Carol Vincent; Thomas Learning Support Worker - Jason Green White Information, Advice & Advocacy Manager - Janine Warner-White SPC RECEPTION VOLUNTEERS Centre Administrator - Maggie Handscomb Brenda Bewick; Nafisa Mirza; Carol MANY THANKS to all contributors, and a special 2 Finnerty; Madeleine Kekwick; Rex thanks to Mary Phillips for her continued support with McConochie; Audrey Heron; Sheila Nichols proofreading this edition of One in 5. ADVICE & EMPLOYMENT

To book your appointment please phone 020 7708 IMPROVEMENT TO THE 4556 and ask for Lorna, Javier or Giovanna. Please advice SERVICES be aware that you will be asked for personal details when requesting an appointment. Southwark Pensioners Centre will now be offering more opportunities for members to receive free quality advice: VOLUNTEER GARDENER WANTED! Booked appointments: Monday to Friday SPC is looking for a volunteer to look after our between 9:30am and 12.30pm. garden at the back of the centre. Interested? Please Drop-in service: Tuesday to Thursday between contact Lorna Sampson at SPC on 020 7708 4556, 2.00pm and 4.00pm. [email protected]. Both services are available to people aged 50 years and over, who live or work in Southwark. The advice service provides help with issues related to welfare benefits, housing and debt advice.

SPAG & AFFILIATED GROUPS

The issue of free school meals which Labour brought SPAG Meeting in led to a healthy debate. The Liberal Democrat admitted that although he had been against it at The Southwark Pensioners Action Group held an first he has now changed his mind. It is now being th election hustings on Wednesday 14 May. Only rolled out around the country. Peter John pointed two of the candidates turned up, David Noakes, out the dangers of means testing, which can lead to shadow cabinet member for Adult Social Care and some people not getting what they should. Peter John, Labour leader of the council. They gave a good account of themselves. Both candidates agreed that the council should have an ethical investment policy and there was a The chair (Mary) started the meeting by pointing out debate about whether this country really needs a that the state pension is below the poverty level, deterrent such as Trident and whether the council although we have paid out for it all our working should make sure it does not invest in tobacco lives. So we need the freedom pass and the winter companies or armaments manufacturers. fuel allowance just to get by. Some tenants are having trouble with waste The question of the Heygate Estate was raised. The collection. Sometimes people are not told in new flats are already being advertised in Singapore advance when the collection day is changed, for and we are not convinced that those who have example when there are bank holidays. been decanted are being properly rehoused. It was felt that many residents who have housing The council say they are paying a fair price to care benefit for their accommodation do not look after home providers. So why is it fair if people who their properties! It was suggested that council have homes worth over £23 thousand have to pay tenants should be reminded in these instances several hundred pounds more per week for the that they have to maintain standards, maybe with same services? Southwark council should insist a warning letter! that the same fees should apply to all Southwark residents who have to pay to go into a care home! It was certainly worth while holding the meeting and people now have more of an idea of the policies of Norma raised the issue of lack of toilets! There are the two main parties on Southwark Council. no facilities now, even in the Elephant & Castle station unless you can find someone to let you in. Mary Philips 3 camberwell gardens guild spring flower show I attended the Camberwell Gardens Guild spring flower show held recently at Clubland in the Walworth Road. The hall was full of exhibits of beautiful spring flowers, pot plants, textiles, and lots of enticing homemade cakes and jams as well as lots of friendly and knowledgeable CGG members. The displays were gorgeous – just take a look at the photographs. The judging panel were led by the president Jean Sackur, who said that each year their job gets harder as the standard of the exhibits gets even higher. There are many different categories to enter including even a category for young people. I’d like to thank the president, chair and the entire committee for their warm and generous welcome to me and for their hard work in putting on a successful event. SPC wishes them much future success as they look forward to celebrating a happy 89th birthday next year. To join the CGG costs £5 per year and membership details can be obtained from Pat Farrugia or Jean Finlay by telephoning 020 7639 3850. Their website is www.camberwellgardensguild.org.uk Dora Dixon-Fyle

On speaking to the chair, Jean Finlay, I learnt that as well as their Spring and Autumn shows the Guild organises social activities including outings to various places; for example in July they are going to visit Hyde Hall in Essex, a Royal Horticultural Society Garden, and in September Hinton Ampner in Alresford a National Trust property.

Dora and Pauline Fitchett, with her certificate for First Prize Southwark pensioners forum Meetings of Southwark Pensioners Forum now alternate with Southwark Pensioners Parliament. This means that each year there will be three Forums (at InSpire, Liverpool Grove), and three Parliaments (at Portcullis House). George Clerk has been appointed by Southwark Pensioners Centre to provide support, and the Forum sub-committee will be meeting with him regularly to plan future events. In recent months meetings have been very well attended. There have been some excellent speakers, and discussion has been interesting and thought provoking. The Forum gives us invaluable opportunities to relate to our local councillors and members of 4 parliament, so we can put forward the interests of older people and influence policy at all levels. Denise Nicholls SPC PARTY IN THE PARK “IN HONOUR OF THOSE WHO SERVED” free pie & mash lunch and entertainment FRIDAY 25TH JULY from 12 NOON - Camberwell green park To register, please collect your ration book from the Centre or phone Javier at SPC

I still meet up with my friends from those national in honour of service days to reminisce and share a toast to those those who served who are no longer with us. I am pleased that SPC are holding an event to This summer marks the 100th year of the Great War mark the centenary of the Great War and the D-Day and the 70th anniversary of D-Day, which was the landings and most appropriately on Camberwell beginning of the end of the Second World War. Green where there is a memorial bench to Corporal In the First World War my father served on the Sidney Bates. He was a local lad born in SE5 who Somme and was gassed. Men like him, who were served in the and was lucky enough to return home from that dreadful posthumously awarded a , the highest experience, rarely worked again. And indeed from military honour for bravery, when he was killed on 1918 to 1939 my father never did work again until the battlefield in aged just 23. he joined the Northumberland Fusiliers to serve his I am looking forward to having a good old chat and country in the Second World War. singing a few songs from those days with all my In 1916 his brother (my uncle) was killed in Belgium SPC friends and fellow veterans. and is buried in Ypres. I myself did two years national Bill Skelly, former Mayor of Southwark, service and six years in the reserves. SPC and SPAG member HEALTH AND WELLBEING research study There has been increased interest in the health Podiatrist of older adults and their carers. We have held a We are coming up to a year of holding the number of research projects at SPC in conjunction Wellbeing Clinics at Southwark Pensioners Centre. with King’s College London, Channel 4, ITV, They have been really well received as they offer and London Southbank University. For further our members an amazing, professional service information on this, please contact the Centre. for nearly half the price of a usual appointment. To take advantage of this great service, please five ways to wellbeing – contact Lorna or Javier. Remaining dates for 2014 be active and take note are as follows from 10am to 4pm: The weather looks gorgeous recently. Why not Monday 9th June improve your mental health and wellbeing by Monday 7th July Being Active and Taking Notice at the same time? Monday 11th August Join us for our weekly walking group through Monday 1st September Burgess Park, John Ruskin Park and sometimes Monday 6th October even Brockwell Park. For more information please Monday 3rd November 5 contact Jason at the centre on 0207 708 4556. Monday 1st December HOLIDAYS & DAYTRIPS Day trip schedule holiday schedule th Brighton - 18 June Hotel Ambassador in th Southend - 29 July £13! Llandudno th Eastbourne - 8 September 14th - 18th July £245 Winchester Christmas Market - 20th November Southbank Christmas Market - TBC December Parkbury Hotel in Isle of Wight 22nd - 26th September £269 Clarence House Hotel in Tenby 20th - 24th October £205 Prices include: return coach, excursions, entertainment, en-suite accommodation and half board. To book your place on one of these wonderful Ask for Lorna or Javier to book your day trip. getaways please ask at the reception for Lorna, Tel. 020 7708 4556 who will be happy to help you. Southwark Pensioners Centre projects Spc grand relaunch Silver ambassadors ...continued from front page Thank you to the many individuals and Harriet Harman MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour organisations who have supported our work so far. Party, spoke about the ‘fantastic and feisty We have been meeting in sheltered housing units, pensioners of Southwark’ and said SPC was nursing homes, arts organisations and community needed now more than ever and congratulated Neil centres all over the borough. White, Centre Director, and Dora and the Trustees Our next meeting is on: on the creative and innovative way the Centre was Wednesday 25th June at 10.30am-12.30pm responding to the needs of the older community. at London Bubble Theatre, 5 Elephant Lane, SE16 Thank you so much to the very many SPC members 4JD who came out to support the Centre. Thank you Transport - Tube: Canada Water or Bermondsey to all our partners from the Council including the (Jubilee Line); Overground: Rotherhithe Deputy Leader of the Council, Peabody Housing Buses: 381, C10, 188, 47, P12 Association, DWP, Mears, the police, other charities We will be treated to a short taster workshop of and well-wishers from right across the borough. their work with older people. For those of you wanting to help us plan events for Older People’s Day and Black History Month with older people in sheltered housing, nursing homes Eye to eye and arts organisations, please join our meeting at th A big thank you to all the staff, members of the InSpire on Friday 27 June at InSpire, St Peter’s Eye to Eye Group and other SPC members for a Church, Liverpool Grove, SE17 2HH, at 10am. fantastic afternoon, funded by the Heritage Lottery You can follow us on twitter @silverthinking or Fund, sharing recorded histories on subjects from contact us at silver [email protected] Wartime reflections, Working in the Unigate Dairy Silver Ambassadors is run in partnership with and Growing up in Brook Drive! Southwark Arts Forum funded by Awards 4 All. the Walworth story put it on the map Date and time to be confirmed Join our Put It On the Map events during the A visit Southwark Local History Library and Archive, summer, where you can share your memories, 211 Borough High Street, London SE1 1JA. explore history and suggest your ideas for names of the new streets, blocks and open spaces at Learn about The Cuming Family; learn how Lend Lease’s Elephant Park site. to research the history of the area, sources, If you do not have access to the internet, please documents, photographs and maps; bring your ask someone to assist you to book for events. For own photos along. more information, go to: www.putitonthemap.org You must book for this event [email protected] the elephant’s story talk Monday 16th June 5.30pm Upstairs at Tesco, Unit 326-328 1st Floor, Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre (opposite the Elephant & Castle) Local historian, Stephen Humphrey gives a talk about The Elephant and Castle. A chance to: buy his book; take your picture against an Elephant & Castle backdrop; bring your own photos to share. You must book for this event info@creationtrust. org 020 7703 8923

COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD Walworth heritage day the elephant’s story talk Saturday 7th June An African and Caribbean Elephant and Join the The Walworth Heritage Walks leaving Walworth Tour th from La Boguedita Restaurant at Elephant & Saturday 28 June 2pm Castle, SE1 6TE - meet at 9.30am for 10am. Meet outside The Metropolitan Tabernacle, Elephant & Castle, SE1 6SD Come and see a marvellous exhibition of the Researcher and writer, SI Martin will lead a walk Walworth Road tell your stories of the area at focusing on Black History in Elephant & Castle our Listening Post at, see some old images of and Walworth. You must book for this event info@ Walworth from Southwark’s Local History Library creationtrust.org 020 7703 8923 and Archive collection, at St Peter’s Church, Liverpool Grove SE17 2HH - 11am - 3pm No booking required. talk time phone clubs Do you enjoy discussing books, films and chatting bubble tea breaks with others of a similar age? Then you might just love our FREE Talk Time Tea Break Theatre is a new group for all ages who phone clubs – monthly telephone conversation would like to take part in tea, chat and a gentle groups for people over 60. workshop. Contact [email protected] Join a small group over the telephone to discuss a book, film or topic of interest from the comfort the world at the elephant of your own home. It’s completely free – we even Wednesday 18th June 12.30pm supply the books and the DVDs, with large print Rockingham Community Centre, Falmouth Road, and audio versions available too! It’s a great way SE1 6RQ. to enjoy the company of others while you get to Come and see an exhibition of Bangladeshi have fun and stimulating conversations. History in the area. Enjoy a curry with the Bengali To join or to find out more, call Harjinder on Women's Group (£1 donation - men welcome too!) 020 7605 4267 or Rosalind on 020 You must book for this event info@creationtrust. 7605 4232 or email harjinder.jhaj@ 7 org 020 7703 8923. independentage.org DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Date and Time Activity and Place

Tuesday 27th May Richard Norman on “The History of Cinemas in Camberwell” 2pm to 4pm Southwark Pensioners Centre, SE5 0HQ

Tuesday 10th June Fiona Subotsky on “Dr Paul and the Camberwell House Asylum” 2pm - 4pm Southwark Pensioners Centre, SE5 0HQ

Wednesday 11th June SPAG Meeting 10.30am Southwark Pensioners Centre, SE5 0HQ

Saturday 21st June Demonstration “ No more austerity” People’s Assembly 1pm BBC Building, Portland Place, W1

Tuesday 24th June Jennie Howells on “Biscuits, Chocolates and Jam” 2pm - 4pm Southwark Pensioners Centre, SE5 0HQ

Wednesday 28th June Silver Ambassadors 10.30am to 12.30pm London Bubble, 5 Elephant Lane, SE16 4JD

Tuesday 8th July John Maloney on “Community Archaeology on a Southwark mosque site” 2pm - 4pm Southwark Pensioners Centre, SE5 0HQ

Tuesday 22nd July A walk round Grove Hill and Dr. Lettsom’s estate 2pm - 4pm Meet at Southwark Pensioners Centre, SE5 0HQ

Wednesday 23rd July Southwark Pensioners Forum, The Future for Pensioners 10.30pm - 1pm Inspire, Liverpool Grove SE17 2HH (register at 10.30am)

Friday 25th July SPC Party in the Park “In Honour of Those Who Served” from 12 noon Camberwell Green Park

One in 5 - it’s your newsletter To submit an article, poem, photo or something else of your choosing to One in 5, see contact details below. Submissions by email preferred, but also accepted by post and delivered by hand to the Centre. Editorial Committee - Members of SPC are welcome to join the One in 5 Editorial Committee, which provides feedback on the latest issue and discusses content for the upcoming one. Contact - tel: 020 7708 4556 email: [email protected]

Southwark Pensioners Centre is a community resource centre working to promote choice, opportunity and quality of life for people 50+. The services and activities programme aims to keep old people independent and active into a healthy old age. Through its community development work, the Centre supports clubs and groups working with older people across the London Borough of Southwark.

305-307 Camberwell Road, SE5 0HQ T: 020 7708 4556 E: [email protected] W: www.southwarkpensioners.org.uk Southwark Pensioners Centre is a Registered Charity (299416) and a Limited Company (2161913).