Activities and achievements
What are we doing?
Aims
We will:
continue to tackle resident's issues and concerns, bringing them to the relevant authorities or providing relevant information.
widen the range of activities and opportunities that we offer.
extend our 'Understanding Technology' support to cover digital photography, internet shopping and digital music.
continue to listen to our memberships concerns or interests and provide opportunities to meet and interact with the appropriate people.
Achievements
Our Open Forums have discussed and addressed 'Crime and the Fear of Crime', Transport, Independent Living, 'Health and Well being', and The University of the 3rd Age (U3A). We are currently helping to set up a U3A in the area, hopefully to serve the entire area of our membership
The Derbyshire Forum recently put questions to the 'Pensions Minister' about relevant issues raised by our members.
We produce our own full colour newsletter about relevant issues in the area. We have helped to secure free use of library learning/technology suites across the county.
We are recognised and have strong links with the Police, Amber Valley CVS, Community Transport, Alfreton Shop Mobility, The Primary Care Trust, Derbyshire Older Persons Advisory Group, Derbyshire Coalition for Inclusive Living, Amber Valley Housing, Spirita, Age UK etc.
Members are trained mentors and offer courses in gentle movement exercise. We also offer help with mobile phone and computer usage.
We have representatives on Alfreton Shop Mobility, Derbyshire Older Peoples Advisory Group and LINk as well as lay members on the various Primary Care Trust boards.
We have successfully applied for grants from Age UK, Awards for All and Amber Valley CVS to equip and run the group. We have also been supported by many local shops, businesses and supermarkets.
The Primary Care Trust has forum members on its health panels as advocates for people in retirement and nursing homes as well as hospitals.
We surveyed local people on the issue of 'Crime and the Fear of Crime' and the results formed the basis of our first two Open Forums.
We successfully resolved a fly tipping issue for a member.
We presented a petition by members to the county council about the alteration of a bus route leading to isolation of a community.