Friday 18 December 2009

Keep Warm, Keep Well


The first big snowstorms of the winter have hit the UK, and the Met Office promises worse to come. Older people are especially vulnerable in this weather: icy pavements can lead to falls and broken hips. Arctic winds and plummeting temperatures can cause frostbite, and cold weather combined with lack of proper heating can exacerbate health conditions.

To help, the government has published a booklet titled 'Keep Warm, Keep Well', full of tips to keep healthy and safe during cold weather. Tips include:

  • Have regular hot drinks and at least one hot meal a day - if possible, eating regularly helps to keep energy levels up during winter
  • Wear several light layers of warm clothes
  • Keep as active as possible
  • Remember to wrap up warm if you need to go outside on cold days

You can learn more from their website by clicking here.

photo by bron from www. sxc.hu.

Monday 14 December 2009

Your holiday messages, keeping spirits bright


Earlier this year, we sent out an appeal on behalf of all of the older people who are lonely over the holidays. Included was a Christmas bauble printed on card with a blank space on the back for people to fill in with their own messages.

Well, you responded. We received baubles in the hundreds, all full of inspiring words of seasonal cheer, and passed them on to people who really appreciate them. At Randell House, one of Independent Age's care homes, some of the residents decorated a tree with them--and one lady even turned a pair into festive earrings!

For the rest of the week, we will be posting some of these messages on twitter. Why not follow us and share these holiday wishes?


Friday 11 December 2009

Carols for Christmas


The Annual Carol Concert, which took place December 10th, was a great success. Beneficiaries, staff and friends of Independent Age gathered at St. Michael's Church in Chester Square, London, for an evening of Carol singing and readings of the Christmas story, followed by mince pies and wine. Seasonal flowers were provided by the London and Overseas branch of the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS), which added to the festive mood.

This year's choral accompaniment was provided by the Tabard Singers, a group who formed at St. Andrews University in the 1970s. They have made two records and appeared on Radio 4 and BBC Local Radio, and performed in venues as diverse as the Purcell Room and the top of
Glastonbury Tor.



Tuesday 10 November 2009

Independent Age runners triumph in Newcastle's great north run


Congratulations to Estelle Jackson (left) and Naomi White for completing the BUPA Great North Run on behalf of Independent Age. Estelle is a friend of North East and Cumbria Area Manager Kay White and Naomi is Kay’s daughter. For both, this half marathon was quite an undertaking, as neither has run competitively in such an event before.

Estelle took to her training with enthusiasm and dedication. Juggling the roles of wife and mother with her work in HR for the Home Group in Newcastle, she worked tirelessly in her sponsorship collection and received support from work colleagues, friends and family in the North East, The Midlands and London.

Naomi’s training followed a different pattern, slotting in between studies and exams. Naomi is a student at Dame Allan’s School's Sixth Form in Newcastle. She ran in memory of her grandpa Max Thomas who died in August. Max was a volunteer for Independent Age in the South West at the age of 82!

20th September, race day, was beautiful and sunny. Rock star Sting fired the gun to start the race and the sea of competitors began their toil to South Shields. It was a day full of emotion, particularly at the finish where the months of training and that great sense of achievement hit home.

“I am so proud of them both, what a true achievement”, said Kay White.

Estelle & Naomi raised a tremendous £515 for Independent Age – well done and a big thank you.

Wednesday 21 October 2009

Stay warm and healthy over winter


Keep Warm Keep Well, a national government campaign targeting the reduction of cold-related illnesses and deaths during winter, offers tips and advice on keeping you warm and well this winter.

The campaign offers a variety of practical help and tips such as how to keep your house effectively insulated so as to reduce heat loss and how to stay healthy and fit during cold spells.

You can also find information on financial assistance, such as grants and benefits, that are available to you to help make your home warmer or simply to assist you in meeting the financial demands of your heating bills.

Keep Warm Keep Well produces informative leaflets that are available for those who want further information on how to stay warm and well through the cold winter months. Look out for them in your local supermarket, GP’s surgery, local pharmacy or Council offices. You can also view all the information online at http://campaigns.direct.gov.uk/keepwarmkeepwell.

For advice and information on the grants that are available call or visit:


Monday 12 October 2009

It's a bird...it's a plane...it's Maggie, the 90-year-old skydiver!








by Simon Bottery, Director of Fundraising, Policy and Communications

I drove up to Northants on Sunday to witness the remarkable Maggie White leap out of a plane at 12000 feet to celebrate her 90th birthday (and raise money for Independent Age and another charity).

She was inspired to do it, said her relatives, because a friend in her 70s had done it. That's the thing about older people, easily influenced... Thank you Maggie.

You can read more about Maggie's skydive from the Hereford Times.

Tuesday 6 October 2009

Perverse incentives


by Simon Bottery, Director of Fundraising, Policy and Communications for Independent Age

I have now been to three fringe meetings in two days at the Conservative party conference where speakers talked about 'perverse incentives'. This means accidentally encouraging people to do something other than what you intended and is being discussed in relation to the new Conservative proposal on social care.

Basically, this involves people paying £8000 when they are 65 and in return having the cost of any residential care covered. Since typically most people don't need to go into a care home, and only stay a couple of years on average if they do, the scheme will pay for itself, say the Conservatives. That seems fine, say the critics, but in reality people who pay the guarantee are more likely to expect to need care and will be more likely to go in earlier if they do- after all, they've already 'paid' for it. So the scheme creates a perverse incentive to use a home.

This and other issues like it are bound to be debated for some time, which is great as we do need social care to be high up on the party political agenda. But it does occur to me that currently for many people the incentive, perverse or not, is to stay at home if at all possible. An older person with care needs will not have to sell their home to pay those costs if they are living in it but may have to if they have moved out. Of course that's fine if they do want to stay at home (as most people say they do). But what about those who want to move into a home? The urge to safeguard the family home, perhaps to pass on to children, may create a determination to stay put no matter what the cost to themselves and their welfare.

Monday 5 October 2009

Cheer on our runners in the Royal Parks Half Marathon


This Sunday, October 11, is time for the Brakes Royal Parks Half Marathon. The race starts at 9:30 am in Hyde Park and should take 2-3 hours to complete.

We have seven runners in the race this year, who are all training hard and raising money for Independent Age. Six of them have sponsorship pages on justgiving.com; to sponsor them, click on their names: Julie Alderson, Bernard Bailey, Dawn Sonnemann, Michelle Tierney, Gemma Cook and Sug Sahadevan. Email Harriet Steele if you would like to come along and cheer them on.

Let's hope the weather will be nice, and good luck to all of our runners.

Thursday 1 October 2009

How The Clash are helping are helping raise money for older people


by Simon Bottery, Director of Policy and Communications for Independent Age

Clash lead singer Joe Strummer may have died young but he is helping me complete a sponsored ‘virtual’ bike ride to Paris to raise money for Independent Age. The deal is that all five members of the management team here take turns on an exercise bike to clock up the 213 miles needed to get us to Paris. That means around 10 miles a day each. For those of us not used to cycling (that’s me) this is fairly hard work but I have discovered that the best way of putting in the miles is to listen to something stimulating on an iPod. I’ve experimented with various types of music and can exclusively reveal that loud and fast music from the late 70s and early 80s is easily the best to cycle to. I may however switch over as we get closer to our destination. Somewhere on my iPod I have a compilation of French songs from the 40s and 50s so I will give up punk for Piaf as I ‘reach’ the outskirts of Paris at the end of the week. You can support me at www.justgiving.com/simon-bottery

Friday 25 September 2009

The potential battle over meals on wheels


by Simon Bottery, Director of Fundraising, Policy and Communications for Independent Age

By coincidence, I heard this week from the chief exec of the organisation that invented meals on wheels and, the next day, from a council that has just scrapped them. WRVS is one of those charities that emerged from government just before the second world war and is now seem as something of a national institution. Its impressive chief executive, Lynne Berry, is busily completing the transformation of the organisation from a vast conglomerate of disparate services to a more focused, directed body. But they still deliver millions of meals on wheels to elderly people each year.

Sue Warr is an (also impressive) manager in Dorset County Council, tackling social exclusion among older people. Dorset has a lot of older people: over 700,000 - well over one quarter of its population (apparently in Christchurch there is a saying that people retire to Christchurch to die and then forget what they came for). Only 189 of them use meals on wheels so the council has a new ‘access to food and nutrition’ project that aims to help more people. Those currently getting meals on wheels will get individual help to identify other ways of getting food and meals.

Dorset clearly takes older people’s issues seriously and Sue described some brilliant work to prevent and deal with social exclusion and loneliness among older people. So Dorset may well be right to think that there are better ways of providing food and nutrition to older people in the county. But I can’t help wondering whether at least some of the 189 people getting meals on wheels were actually very happy with what they were getting and wanted it to continue. It would be reassuring to know that they are happy with the new arrangements. More worryingly, will we see other councils scrapping services such as these to save money, without going to quite the lengths of Dorset to see that the existing service users get a good alternative?

Wednesday 23 September 2009

Can we have personalised care in an age of spending cuts?


by Claire Nurden, Research and Policy Officer for Independent Age

I managed to grab myself a seat at one of the most popular fringes at the Liberal Democrat conference relating to older people - “Personalising care: the choices we face”. As a key concept dominating the social care agenda, the subject of personalisation proved popular, with a large number of individuals and organisations flocking in, keen to get involved in the debate.

Concerns about brokerage dominated discussions, with those involved stressing that any right to “choice” must be accompanied by a right not to choose. All agreed that those receiving social care must be given the right amount of support to make the most of the options available to them. The debate also highlighted that any new system will need an increase in funding to ensure the sustainability of a new market place, and to finally make personalisation an effective reality – an interesting prospect given the current political clambering to make spending cuts.

Changing your search engine can raise money for Independent Age


We are now registered with Everyclick. This is a website that has a search engine (similar to Google) and other features. Whenever anyone uses the search or other features (if they are registered with the site) their chosen charity will receive money for every click. It is a really easy way for us to raise money! In fact we have already made £173.25.

It only takes a minute to register and earn us money, follow the link below, click on start fundraising and enter your details. You can then set the Everyclick page as a homepage or add the search item to your tool bar.

http://www.everyclick.com/independentage

All you need to do then is to use the site regularly and the money should come pouring in!

Tuesday 22 September 2009

Social care: an opportunity for politicians to improve their image?


by Simon Bottery, Director of Fundraising, Policy and Communications for Independent Age

Yesterday I was at the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth for a fringe meeting on social care. Several charities are running these at all the party conferences as part of a bid to make social care a major issue at the next election. It will not be, of course, and most of the speakers seemed resigned to that. It will be health and education - it always is, said Helen Coombs from Ipsos Mori. It will be unemployment, said Baroness Barker, the Lib Dem health spokesperson in the Lords. Social care might just sneak onto the agenda if we work very hard, but if it does not then what happens given that no one can be bothered to put up even the flimsiest defence for the current system? Is it too much to hope that politicians might be prepared to put aside differences and reach a solution, a compromise if necessary, that carries all-party support? Baroness Barker said she hoped there could be an all party 'settlement'. Perhaps there would be few votes in it, but such a show of acting in the national interest would at least win some plaudits from a public with a rather jaded view of politicians. I can't help wondering, though, whether the need to cut public spending generally might mean that reform of social care returns to the back burner simply because there are unlikely to be any savings in it. Quite the opposite. With Help the Aged and Age Concern saying that another £1bn-£2bn needs to be invested but parties of all sides sharpening their knives it may be the worst possible timing to achieve reform.

Monday 21 September 2009

Thrifty Kitchen News

The Thrifty Kitchen Website is now up and running! Find out more about our cookbook, with recipes from friends, beneficiaries, and celebrity chefs, and a modern take on wartime cooking. There are some sample recipes to try as well.

For updates on the competition, and more recipes, check our Thrifty Kitchen Blog. We've received some recipes already, so please try them and leave a comment.

Tuesday 15 September 2009

Why desperation can be a great motivator

Simon Bottery, Director of Fundraising, Policy and Communications for Independent Age writes:

I spent a day last week running two discussion groups in Eastbourne for a dozen or so of the older people we work with. We run the groups to have a better understanding of the issues facing older people, partly so that we can design our services to help them and partly so that we can try to influence the policies that affect older people.

The idea is that we run one discussion group in the morning and one in the afternoon, with both groups having lunch together. This means that as well as helping us understand issues, people get something out of it themselves. They usually say that they enjoy the events as an opportunity to meet and talk with other people. Sometimes participants end up swapping telephone numbers with people they’ve got on particularly well with.

The two groups we ran last week were about health and social activities. Most older people will have health conditions affecting their lives to a greater or lesser extent. However three of the participants, two of whom came with their spouses, had suffered sudden dramatic health. These changed their lives virtually overnight. They went from being active people looking forward to their retirement to struggling to even leave their homes. Like thousands of others they had sought out help where they could – from the health service, local authorities, charities, user groups. The described a lack of joined-up action, particularly in the gap between hospital and home care. One described a four-year struggle to get Attendance Allowance. There are no easy solutions in these circumstances but (another benefit of these sorts of groups) one participant could help another – in this case, signposting someone to a pain clinic they did not know existed.
Another participant described her frustration at being refused a disabled parking badge (after 13 years of having one) because East Sussex County Council had instigated new guidelines to crack-down on abuse of the previous system. Because this participant had honestly said she could walk 50 metres unaided (though not without a lot of pain) she could no longer have a badge. Again others in the group were able to suggest solutions – in this case applying via the GP to be classified as registered disabled and receiving a badge through this route.

The afternoon groups talked about social activities. For those who lived alone it was a real difficulty to find enjoyable ways of staying socially active. They feared, and sometimes experienced, days of being by themselves with no one to talk to. They described the cost of social activities like going to theatre as being beyond them (the discounts they receive are too small to make much difference), though they appreciated what they got for free, such as swimming and bus travel. But for many it was not just the cost but the idea of doing things alone that was so daunting (as it would be for someone of any age). I asked one woman what motivated her to get out by herself and go places. “Desperation,” she said. “If I don’t, I might not see anyone at all.”

Monday 7 September 2009

New Christmas Cards at our Online Shop

Our online shop is now up and running. We can now accept credit and debit card payments by PayPal, which ensures that your transactions are secure. If you would like to buy charity Christmas cards in support of Independent Age, or a copy of the Thrifty Kitchen cookbook (below), click here.

We have several new designs for our charity Christmas cards this year, including two that feature art by some of our talented beneficiaries, including the image above, Church In Snow, by Stephen Collett. Keep checking in, because over the next few weeks we will be adding some more items that we have selected to complement the Thrifty Kitchen cookbook. All proceeds will go to benefit Independent Age.

Wednesday 2 September 2009

The Thrifty Kitchen: Wartime Lessons for the Modern Cook


Independent Age presents a new cookbook full of recipes, which show that you can successfully apply the principles of wartime cookery to create dishes that will delight the modern palate. The book features recipes from Independent Age beneficiaries, volunteers, supporters, friends and a selection of celebrity chefs including Peter Gordon, Delia Smith, Darina Allen, Mark Hix and many more.

To order the book, phone +44 (0) 20 7605 4200 or email thrifty.kitchen@independentage.org.uk.

Tuesday 1 September 2009

London Triathlon


On 1 August, Dominic Collins (1 hr 29) and Kevin Sharkey (1 hr 18), both pictured above, and Rachid Samaoune (1 hr 44), took part in the London Triathlon in support of Independent Age. They swam, cycled and ran their way around Docklands to raise an amazing £2695 between them.


If you fancy trying to match or better their times in the London Triathlon 2010 or are interested in any other sporting event, please contact Harriet Steele on: 020 7605 4288 or email events@independentage.org.uk.

Thursday 27 August 2009

London to Paris cycle for Independent Age



Congratulations to Care Services Manager Victoria Richards, who has cycled 200 miles from London to Paris to raise funds for Independent Age.
Over five days, she overcame steep hills, strong headwinds, a late ferry to cross the English Channel, and knee pain to finally reach her goal.
As you can see from these pictures, she made it to Paris--and she reached her fundraising target of £1300.

Thanks to everyone who sponsored Victoria on her own Tour de France and helped Independent Age!

Monday 24 August 2009

A blog we like


Sarah Reed (above) is an expert on older people's issues who has worked with the charities Contact the Elderly and Independent Age for the last fifteen years. She is one of Independent Age's trustees, and keeps a blog, The Age Page, where she writes essays examining how older people are treated in British society. Her blog is sharp, thoughtful and entertaining, and well worth a read.

Sarah also has had an over 35-year career in media communications, and she applies these skills to Many Happy Returns, a project designed to bring older and younger generations together through reminiscence and conversation. To find out more about this project, you can visit her website, http://www.manyhappyreturns.org/.


Monday 17 August 2009

Less than a week left to enter the Age, Snapped photo competition



Age, Snapped is a photography competition run by the Department of Work and Pensions in time for National Older People's Day. The competition aims to challenge stereotypical representations of older people.
To enter you will need to submit photographs in a high resolution jpeg format and provide a 100 word summary of your image. The closing date for all entries is Monday 24th August 2009.
For more information or to request at application form please email: fulloflife@uk.grayling.com or 020 7255 1100.

Private Tour of Clarence House


Wednesday 9 September 2009 from 4.30pm – 5.45pm

Built between 1825 and 1827 to the design of John Nash, Clarence House takes its name from its first occupant, the Duke of Clarence, later William IV.The rooms remain arranged much as they were in the time of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, with important works from Her Majesty’s collection. An expert guide will show visitors around the five rooms on the ground floor. The tour will end with a glass of champagne and a gift of a copy of the official guidebook.

The tour is restricted to 20 people and there are only a small number of places remaining. Tickets are £50. For more information, or to buy tickets, please contact Sarah Kneafsey on 07989 975033 or email Sarah.kneafsey@independentage.org.uk.

Tuesday 11 August 2009

Bus pass means testing? We say no

Free bus passes for over-60s have made travel easier for many older people in the UK, and helped them to stay independent. But now the Local Government Association (LGA) has published a report suggesting that free bus passes should no longer be free to all, but subject to means-testing. Independent Age disagreees, and has issued the following statement:

“Our research tells us that the free bus pass has been of great benefit to the vast proportion of our beneficiaries across the UK. Making public transport easy and accessible is vital to addressing and preventing social isolation often felt by older people, and we must be careful not to underestimate its importance. Receiving the bus pass is seen by many as one of the few perks of getting older and introducing an element of means testing to this could instead be inhibiting to some.

At Independent Age we are already aware that means testing and the stigma attached to this can deter older people from claiming their entitlements. We strongly hope that this will not become the case with the bus pass, particularly as its use is so publicly visible.”

What do you think? Do you use a free bus pass, and should the service continue for all? Leave a comment below and have your say.

Tuesday 4 August 2009

Run the Royal Parks Half Marathon for us!


Would you like to run 13.1 miles through some of London's most attractive parks, while raising funds for Independent Age? We have places available for this year's Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday 11 October. If you would like to take part, please email Harriet Steele, or phone her on 020 7605 4288.

Wednesday 29 July 2009

October 1 is UK Older People's Day


Under the Full of Life Banner, the Government and other supporting groups are undertaking a wide programme of activity centred around UK Older People's Day on October 1.

Older People's day aims to raise the profile of the issues surrounding older people and our ageing society with a focus on highlighting and celebrating the contribution older people make to our society and economy. It aims to tackle negative attitudes and stereotypes by bringing different generations together to promote a more positive view of later life.

Independent Age is supporting Older People's day and encouraging volunteers to get involved. To find out how to go about organising your own event, visit the Older People's Day website at www.direct.gov.uk/fulloflife. There are inspirational ideas on events and themes and if you're not able to organise an event yourself you can check out other events near you that you may wish to attend.


Tuesday 28 July 2009

Patrick Gale Reading


On 13 July, author Patrick Gale gave a reading from his latest book, The Whole Day Through, to raise funds for Independent Age. Patrick is the author of 16 books, including the Richard and Judy book club selection, Notes From An Exhibition. This, his most recent book, features a character who cares for her ageing mother, a still-brilliant professor who is now coping with the physical limitations of osteoporosis.
The event was held at Tea, a contemporary tea room near St. Paul's Cathedral, and raised over £600 for the charity.

Monday 27 July 2009

Coffee morning and plant sale

Special thanks go to Volunteer Olivia Howe, who expertly organised this coffee morning and plant sale in Bandon, County Cork. The June 29 event raised over €665 for the charity, and a lovely time was had by all.
Volunteer Alison Gash, shown above, sold flowers.
Here are some of the homemade cakes and sweet treats which were on offer.
If you would like to host a similar event for Independent Age, perhaps as part of our forthcoming Action Week (28 September - 4 October 2009), we can help. Please contact your local Area Manager, or Independent Age Head Office.



Dame Diana Brittan appointed Chairman of Independent Age


Dame Diana Brittan has extensive experience in both public and voluntary sectors. Previously she was chairman of the Community Fund (formerly the National Lottery Charities Board) for five years until 2004. She is currently Chairman of the Connection at St. Martin's and Chairman of the London and South Regional Committee of the British Lung Foundation. In addition to her voluntary appointments, she serves as Justice of the Peace in the City of London. Of her appointment as Chairman of Independent Age, Dame Diana said: "I am thrilled to be joining an organisation with an established legacy of improving the lives of people so that they can enjoy an independent old age. The charity has successfully helped older people for over 140 years. As we move forward, our focus will be on how best we can meet the needs and aspirations of today's older people and, importantly, help them in increasing numbers to lead independent and fulfilling lives."

Enter the 'Age, Snapped' photo competition



'Age, Snapped' is a photography contest and exhibition designed to challenge stereotypes about what 'old age' really means. It is part of the 'Full of Life' campaign by the Department of Work and Pensions to celebrate UK Older People's Day 2009, on 1 October, which coincides with Independent Age's Action Week. Visit the 'Full of Life' website by clicking the logo above to learn more about this campaign. Winning entries from the 'Age, Snapped' competition will be displayed at the London College of Communications in the Upper Street Gallery, and may be used in publicity campaigns by the DWP, promoting the contributions made by older people. If you would like to submit any of your photographs, click here for further information, or visit the Age, Snapped website.

105th Birthday Celebration


Miss Blanche Playdon, a resident at Randell House, celebrated her 105th birthday on 2 July. Blanche is a very sprightly lady who dislikes fuss and does not see her great age as anything special, but we decorated the house in her honour and arranged a small surprise tea party with the other residents, which she very much enjoyed. Her niece, Mrs Ann Arlington, was able to come, and our student, Harriet Southgate, helped Blanche to blow out the candles on her cake. We had bought 'sparkler' candles, and they were reluctant to go out, so Blanche eventually wafted them out with her card from the Queen. After a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' and a toast, Blanche stood up and made a short speech to thank everyone for her surprise.

Beneficiary awarded an MBE




Congratulations to 91-year-old Gwen Barry, who has been made an MBE for her extensive and ongoing services to charity. She is the leader of the Sheffield Fundraising group of PDSA which she started 21 years ago. Her work started as a tribute to her late husband, who asked for mourners to donate to the charity instead of having flowers at his funeral.Gwen is pictured here with her Volunteer Visitor, Andrea Groves.

'Real Help Now for Over 60s' booklet launch




When times are tough it is important that people know where to turn to get all of the help and advice they need. That is why the Government has launched a new booklet today for pensioners and those over 60, pulling together all the help that is available to them. The 40-page booklet, 'Real Help Now for Over 60s' provides information on the range of Government schemes available to help them through these difficult economic times and where to access them. You can read the booklet here or order a copy from http://www.realhelpnow.gov.uk/.

Cross Country results announced


Congratulations to all who took part in the Open Cross Country event in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire on 28 May. For a list of results, click here. Photographs were taken by Shaw Shot photography, and they can be seen by clicking here.