Expert Elders get Active at strategy launch - January 2008
Yvonne Bland one of our Expert Elders recently attended the launch of the Sheffield Physical Activity Strategy for Older People. Representatives from Activity Sheffield gave presentations and showed us information on how active and inactive we are.
One session was a group discussion to give people the chance to input on how we can move the strategy forward and let older people know what is available.
There were many issues raised at the launch that affect older people and how active they are. Yvonne will continue to attend the group and has agreed to give us updates on developments within the strategy. For more information email activity.Sheffield@sheffield.gov.uk or call 273 4266.
Achieving balanced health strategy launch - December 2007
In March Sheffield Primary Care Trust launched a citywide consultation on how to improve health inequalities across the city, and improve health standards for all.
The feedback from the consultation has been used to develop a five-year strategy for health.
The launch of the strategy took place at the Town Hall, with a number of Expert Elders in attendance.
The vision for the strategy is to make Sheffield one of the healthiest cities in the country, with a greater emphasis on making services fit the needs of the customer.
Sheffield is well placed to achieve the aims of the strategy, due to the effective partnership working of the organisations involved.
This way of working will help improve health services and will have a positive impact on individuals, as well as reducing the health inequalities across Sheffield. You can find out more information at www.sheffieldbalancedhealth.nhs.uk.
Extra Care Housing - An expert view... - November 2007
“On the 18th September a group of us headed up by Ian and Sandra set off for Cambridgeshire to view two Extra Care Schemes. After modern technology (Satellite Navigation) sent us the wrong way we eventually arrived at Baird Lodge in Ely. Upon arrival we were served a much-appreciated lunch before looking around the 35 flats on the scheme.
Baird Lodge is a lovely, spacious, well laid out scheme that enjoys lots of natural light. We met some of the tenants, which included Ruth who was 96 and had been waiting 3 years to get one of the flats. We told her we would return in 4 years to celebrate her 100th if she asked us. Ruth seemed very happy and settled in her new home. We also met Cora who was originally from Hunters Bar and had worked at Mappin & Webbs. Cora enjoyed listening to our Yorkshire accents and kept following us around. All the tenants in the flats were full of praise for the services, which added to the already happy and relaxed atmosphere.
We then went on to Exing Court, passing Ely Cathedral on the way. This scheme had only been opened for 3 months so wasn’t fully occupied. The tenants there were all very happy and didn’t have any complaints. This scheme also had flats for people with dementia and it was noticeable how spacious, light and airy the scheme was.
We left for home 45 minutes behind schedule and not before we had had a photo shoot. We all felt it had been a very constructive and enjoyable day.
On the way home Sandra decided to tax our brains with a quiz mostly related to Sheffield, (She tried to tell us there were 7 rivers in Sheffield). Never the less my partner and I won a box of chocolates and shared them with the rest of the group.
We eventually arrived back in Sheffield at approximately 8pm after a well-organised and enjoyable day.
Thanks to Sandra, Ian and team who looked after us all very well and kept us supplied with tea, coffee and food on the journey to and from Cambridgeshire.”
Yvonne Collins - Expert Elder
For more information about Extra Care schemes in England and your area you can visit the Extra Care Housing website. Alternatively you can call the Housing Independence Team on 0114 20 53319
'This is your life' POPPs team member - November 2007
It’s probably the case that every time you access one of the many council services you only ever see names and hear voices over the telephone. With this in mind we thought it would be a good idea for you to find out a little more about one the people behind the POPPS programme…
Janet Jones – Expert Elder Coordinator
I’ve worked part-time for Sheffield City Council for two and half years and before this I worked as a part-time PA to the Senior Store Manager at Debenhams in Meadowhall. I've also ran a trade association single-handedly for five and a half years.I decided that I was in need of a less hectic end to my working life, so I took on a number of business support roles within the council. I eventually ended up working on the POPPS project, which seemed more ‘hectic’ than ‘relaxed’.I've found the POPPS project a very worthy one, so when I had the chance to become an Expert Elders Coordinator I changed my mind regarding my proposed quiet life and applied for the vacancy.I'm really looking forward to meeting you all and I hope to see you very soon.
For further information on the work Janet is involved with and how to become involved yourself, you can visit our Expert Elders Network page.
Bus passes just got better - November 2007
South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) have announced that from 1st April 2008 all senior citizens and mobility pass holders will be able to travel on buses free of charge. The new pass will provide free travel on buses throughout England from 0930 Monday-Friday; and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
To qualify for the free pass you must be 60 years old and over, and live in South Yorkshire or currently be entitled to a Mobility Pass.
SYPTE have started an awareness campaign and will be writing to all existing pass-holders to invite them to order their new style pass. The new pass will be a plastic photo-card and quite different in appearance to the existing paper product. The new passes will be posted out during March 2008.
If you have not received your letter by the 15th November you can pop into any of the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive Information Centres or call Traveline on 01709 515151.
For more information you can visit the Travel South Yorkshire website.
Expert Elders - Recommend a friend - November 2007
The Expert Elders Network has been running for over a year now with its members becoming more involved with many areas of Health and Social Service Care.
Lewis Atkinson is Chair of the Sheffield Older Peoples Empowerment Network (SOPEN) – “The voice we volunteers are developing is becoming increasingly heard and acted upon by the professionals who realise the contribution we are making. As an Expert Elder I encourage you to offer a portion of your time so that our voice will become even more powerful and respected”.
You can find out more information on how to become a member by looking at our Expert Elders Network page. If you’re already part of the Expert Elders Network why not recommend a friend to join the network. Congratulations to recent winner James Smith who recommended Brenda Smith, both received £20 in Marks and Spencer gift vouchers in our one-off prize draw.
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