1. SWINDON OLDER PEOPLES FORUM (SOPF)
Newsletter (Issue 8: May 2013)
Hi All! At last Spring is with us (not before time!!). That also means another
SOPF newsletter. This will be the last before late summer. As always do not
hesitate to get in touch if you want any more information on any of the articles
or items of news. Again a plea, to help keep our running costs down, that if
you are willing to receive this newsletter via e-mail then please let me know .
Notes of the recent Open meeting are enclosed. Our next Open meeting, and
2013 Annual General Meeting (AGM), is scheduled for Tuesday 22 October
2013 commencing 2:30pm at the Broadgreen Centre.
Updates
• The next Open Meeting and AGM is on Tuesday 22 October 2013
commencing 2:30pm at the Broadgreen Centre. The theme will be
“Impacts of the recent welfare and benefit reforms”. More information
will be available in late summer.
• The Management Committee continues to focus on taking forward our
SOPF priorities for 2013 namely (i) continuing to raise awareness of how
the Forum can provide a voice for older people in Swindon ,(ii) reviewing
the transport provision options for older people across the Borough and
(iii) looking at how we can combat isolation and loneliness.
• On Transport, SOPF have been invited to join a Borough Council led
group looking at the options for local bus transport. For more
information, or if you have any input to make, then contact Stephanie
Burrows at brianburrows1@virginmedia.com
• The South West Seniors Network (SWSN) Assembly 2013 is taking place
on 29 May at the Bristol City Academy. This meeting will include the
SWSN AGM and a conference entitled “Home Alone: Tackling Exclusion
amongst older people”. There will be discussions and information on
work and initiatives for digital engagement; community Transport and
nutrition and well being. SOPF will be sending 2 delegates to participate
in the formal sessions but anyone can attend the open sessions. If you

2. wish to attend, or obtain further information, then contact Jill Rogers at
South West Foundation. Tel: 01761 471104 or e-mail
info@southwestfoundation.org.uk
• The Local Safeguarding Adults Service User Forum is a new group, that
has been set up to listen to people who use health and social care
services in Swindon. The main interest of the forum will be how to
ensure those using health and social care services can be protected from
abuse and how well people are supported when reporting abuse. The
new Chairperson of the forum is Martin Kelly who is also a member of
the main Local Safeguarding Adults Board so can take comments and
opinions directly to the people who make decisions. If you are
interested in joining the forum you can contact Martin directly on 07870
643734.
• Healthwatch is a new national initiative that has replaced the Local
Involvement Network (LINk), and aims to give people a powerful voice
locally, regionally and nationally to get the best out of health and care
services. Healthwatch Swindon is an independent organisation but it is
being developed by Parkwood Healthcare Ltd. who have a contract from
Swindon Borough Council for this work. For more information and to
subscribe to the regular e-bulletin contact Healthwatch Swindon Wat
Tyler House, Beckhampton Street, Swindon, SN1 2GH Tel: 01793
497777 www.healthwatchswindon.org.uk
• There are now 10 Swindon Health Walks www.walkingforhealth.org.uk
aimed at encouraging greater use of parks and open spaces. The group
walks usually last for 40 – 60 minutes with refreshments offered at the
end. For more information and to locate a walk near you visit
www.challengeswindon.org.uk
• Our desire to continue to raise awareness of SOPF’s role and activities
continues. If you can help with publicity or would like us to attend any
meetings or groups, then let us. Any suggestions for widening
engagement and involvement of older people across the Borough are
welcome.
• The SOPF website (http://www.sopf.btck.co.uk ) has been updated and
if you have any suggestions for further improvements please e-mail
them to Carol Brownlee safetycollege@ntlworld.com
Other News
• Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service are doing free home fire safety visits.
To arrange one call 0800 389 7849 or visit the website www.wiltsfire.gov.uk.

3. • The Wiltshire and Swindon Bobby Van Trust aims to protect the elderly,
vulnerable and disadvantaged and will offer free home security
assessments for the over 60’s For more information contact
www.wiltshirebobbyvan.org.ukor Tel: 01225 794652.
• Community Service Volunteers (CSV) has recently produced a booklet
entitled “Volunteering in retirement: new beginnings”. Visit http://www.csv.org.uk/volunteeror call 0800
374 991.
• The Department of Work and Pensions sponsored “Ageing Well”
programme has recently been evaluated and the findings are
summarised in the Ageing Well Legacy newsletter (No.2). This can be
accessed at http://www.local.gov.uk/ageing-well and the links lead to a
wealth of information on how local authorities and their partners should
be relating to the older generation.
• Voluntary Action Swindon (VAS) are offering Free IT courses to the
elderly starting 1 April 2013. VAS is a fully accredited and funded centre
for UK online. Training can be provided at VAS or at groups premises
and is free of charge. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first
come first serve basis. Register your interest early by emailing
manuelboissiere@vas-swindon.org or calling VAS. The course can also
be accessed at www.learnmyway.co.uk. Use centre code 6169 if you
want to register and check the course before introducing it to others.
• Swindon is one of the areas where Age UK run the HandyVan service.
This provides an odd job service such as changing light bulbs, fitting
smoke alarms and door chains, fitting adaptations such as grab rails or
sticking down a fraying carpet. In addition the HandyVan team can
provide free advice and support aimed at helping to reduce energy bills.
For more information contact the local Age UK (see below), call 0845
026 1055, email handyvan@ageuk.co.uk , or visit
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/handyvan
• A film was launched in March by Wiltshire County Council called
“Wiltshire Voices” which lasts for 25 minutes and provides an insight
into the lives, hopes and challenges faced by a range of different people.
The words are their own but the issues are shared by many. Together we
can make a difference’. The link is: http://truevisiontv.com/blind-audio-
description
• Welfare Rights Advisers have produced some useful summaries on
changes to benefits and their impact. If you would like to know more
contact Helen Thompson H_Thompson4@sky.com

4. Newsletters and organisational contacts
Age UK Swindon (advice and information) Tel: 01793 687018 . Free Odd Job
(HandyVan) Service Tel: 0845 026 1055 or email handyvan@ageuk.co.uk
Age Action Alliance http://ageactionalliance.org
AGEnda. Newsletter of the English Forum on Ageing. Subscribe by visiting
http://www.agenda-efa-org.uk
Elders Council http://elderscouncil.org.uk
Later Life Newsletter to subscribe contact simon.wilkinson1@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
Mature Times http://www.maturetimes.co.uk
Pensioners Forum http://www.pensionersforum.co.uk
Pensioners Campaign Forum http://www.pensionerscampaignuk.org.uk
Swindon Local Involvement Network (LINK). Contact Jo Osorio. Tel: 01793
497777. Email: josorio@swindon.gov.uk
South West Seniors Network. http://www.seniorsnet.org.uk.
South West Forum on Ageing http://seniorsnet.org.uk
Swindon Citizens Advice Bureau www.swindoncab.org.uk E-mail:
advice@swindon.cabnet.org.uk or Tel: 08444994114
Swindon Health Walks www.walkingforhealth.org.uk To locate a walk near you
visit www.challengeswindon.org.uk
United for All Ages http://www.unitedforallages.com
Wiltshire and Swindon Users Network http://www.wsun.co.uk
Voluntary Action Swindon http://www.vas-swindon.org
References and Publications
- Ageing Well Legacy http://www.local.gov.uk/ageing-well
- Strategy for Older People in Swindon 2008-2011
- One Swindon Draft Delivery Plan
http://www.swindonsp.org.uk/draft_del_plan_app_2_-_cab_report_-_27.5.pdf.
- Age UK Website Forum pages http://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-
involved/older-peoples-forums
- Improving Later Life. Age UK publication 2011. ISBN 978-0-9568731-1-8
Dates for your diary
- South West Seniors Assembly (plus South West Seniors Network AGM
2013) Wed 29 May Bristol City Academy Bristol BS5 9JH. For more
information contact Jill Rogers at South West Foundation Tel: 01761
471104 or e-mail info@southwestfoundation.org.uk
- Pensioners Parliament 2013 Tues 18 – Thurs 20 June at the Winter
Gardens Blackpool. Visit www.manchestertuc.org/events
- International Older Peoples Day 1 October 2013. More information at
http://olderpeoplesday.co.uk

5. Swindon Older Peoples Forum is currently supported and sponsored by Age UK and Community
Service Volunteers Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (CSV/RSVP)
Chair Dave Brown. Tel: 01793 612037. E-mail dave.abrown@btinternet.com
Secretary Carol Brownlee Tel: 01793 692636 E-mail: safetycollege@ntlworld.com

6. Swindon Older Peoples Forum is currently supported and sponsored by Age UK and Community
Service Volunteers Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (CSV/RSVP)
Chair Dave Brown. Tel: 01793 612037. E-mail dave.abrown@btinternet.com
Secretary Carol Brownlee Tel: 01793 692636 E-mail: safetycollege@ntlworld.com