The year so far ... in words.
We reformed in late 2010 and launched our first ‘Open Day' on the 19th January. In February we mounted a display in Crediton library and a repeat event is planned for March 2012. This was followed by a dual function on 16th March comprising an Open Meeting, when a talk was given by Kevin Yarnley on "Transport in the Community" followed by a General Meeting, for the purpose of adopting a Constitution leading to the election of a new Committee.
On the 18th May, our open Meeting was addressed by Dr. David Jenner, Chair of the Mid Devon Consortium, on "The New N.H.S - Risk or Opportunity". A little later we contributed with other branches in the manning of a stand at the Devon County Show Following a meeting on Tuesday 24th May between a local Youth Club, local branch members of the Senior Council and members of the Intergenerational Group of the Senior Council, it was agreed to go ahead with an Inter-generational event. This will take place on Saturday 12th November. Details of this will be published following finalisation of the programme.
On the 7th July we, with Tiverton and Culm Valley branches and other voluntary organisations, arranged a Dementia Awareness Day. Our next Open Meeting occurred on 19th July when Judith Nichols, manager of the local CAB talked about the CAB services available to the community. Interestingly, it emerged from the talk that Crediton CAB was one of the first to be opened way back in 1939! On the 23rd July, again with Tiverton and Culm Valley branches, we mounted a stand at the Mid Devon Show.
Nothing in August but on 20th September at our Open Meeting we have Alan Quick from the local newspaper, the Crediton Country Courier talking to us. However, before that meeting we are mounting a stand at the Crediton Farmers Market on Friday 19th August. This will be repeated at a similar venue on Saturday 3rd September. This will be dual manned with members of a local Youth Club, in an attempt to publicise the upcoming Intergenerational event in November.
We have one final "Open Meeting" planned for the year on the 7th December. This meeting will not have a speaker in response to members who expressed a preference for such at our meeting in March.
A feature of our open Meetings has been the collection of feedback on two issues and eight concerns, namely:
- Are you concerned about the proposed NHS changes?
- Are there other health issues which are of concern to you?
- Age & Youth
- Health & Wellbeing + Disability
- Housing + Co-housing
- Leisure
- Rural Services + Transport
- Social Care
- Social Gatherings
- Social Isolation
Interestingly, following the presentation by Dr Jenner in May, 96% of the feedback expressed concern about changes to the NHS and 74% were concerned about other health issues. In July the returns for those issues had changed to 73% and 53%5 respectively
Feedback for the remaining eight concerns had to be resolved into two sets, one for those who had completed the feedback form as requested, i.e. chose three of the eight issues and rated them in order of priority 1, 2 and 3 whilst the second chose but didn't rate. In May these were rated in order of Health & Wellbeing + Disability, Rural Services + Transport and finally Social Care and the unrated returns followed the same order. In July the preferences had changed whereby the rated order had reversed but the third had remained. The unrated position however remained as before but the third choice changed from Social Care to Social Isolation
Our ‘Open Meetings' are generally held at the Boniface Centre, Church Lane, Crediton, EX17 2AH from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and there is ample parking in the car park at the end of the lane. Five dates have already been booked for next year, and details regarding these will be released shortly.
Committee meetings are normally held monthly and those for the rest of this year are: 10th August, 14th September, 12th October, 9th November and 14th December.
The Crediton Branch have an exhibition about their group and the Senior Council in their local library ...
The photograph shows from left to right: Cecily Easden (Branch Secretary), Ron Cuthbertson (Membership and Publicity), Gerry Murphy (Branch Chairman) and Pauline Thomas (Vice-person).
THE Crediton branch of the Senior Council for Devon was started last year, to provide a voice for the over-50s in the district that is listened to by policy makers at Devon County Council and NHS Devon.
The exhibition will run at Crediton public library in Belle Parade until Monday 28 February. For more information, contact Ron Cuthbertson on 07974 924717 or ring the Senior Council office on 01803 732678, email info@scfd.org.uk.
A NEW FORUM FOR OLDER PEOPLE IN CREDITON AND DISTRICT
A NEW Senior Council branch started in the Crediton area on Wednesday 25 August.
This follows a well-attended public meeting held in Crediton by the Senior Council for Devon to explain its role, and how the creation of a local group could benefit those aged 50+ in the district.
More than 30 people - including representatives from the Royal British Legion, the Community Transport Association, Age Concern and the Disabled Access Group - heard a presentation from David P. Snelling, of the council's Ivybridge branch, about its work on the important issues facing older people, including health and social care, transport and leisure, rural services and age/youth relations.
Following a vigorous question-and-answer session, a sizeable number of people agreed to the formation of a Senior Council branch to cover the Crediton area.
Crediton Senior Council member Neil Easden, of Alexandra Way, said: ‘It was a very interesting meeting, with an impressive number of people there. I'm pleased that we can now proceed with developing the group.'
His wife, Cecily, added: ‘This will give us a good channel for reaching the higher echelons of government with our concerns.'
The first meeting of the Crediton area branch of the Senior Council took place on Wednesday 25 August in the Community Transport Association offices in Market Street, Crediton, starting at 10.30am. Membership of the council is free, and the meeting was open to anyone wishing to join.
For further information please call the Senior Council's office on 01803 732678 or email info@scfd.org.uk.
A MEETING of the Crediton area branch of the Senior Council for Devon will take place on Wednesday 29th September, starting at 10.30 am in the Community Transport Association offices at 10 Market Street, Crediton.
Membership of the council is free, and the meeting is open to anyone wishing to join. The Senior Council was created with funding from Devon County Council and NHS Devon to ensure that the concerns of people aged 50+ are heard and acted upon by policy makers.
For further information please telephone 01803 732678 or email info@scfd.org.uk. To read the Agenda for this meeting click here.
