Honorary President:
Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey
Next Meetings: Thursday January 22 and Thursday February 26, both 2.15.
At the January meeting we will sample chair yoga exercise with Joanna Yeung’s team
from the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and have information about other activities
they run. Then a discussion about what activities members would like to see in 2026,
and who can run them.
Feb. 26th will be a social occasion, for us to chat and share refreshments. We will also
ask the British Museum if they can repeat an occasion that Cllr Bevan attended
elsewhere; someone from the museum staff comes with a few objects from the
collection for people to see, handle, and talk about, and they tell us about these
objects. We’ll update you on the Whatsapp group about whether this invitation is
accepted.
Please continue to bring little things to meetings as prizes for the raffle – value up to £3
or so. We sell tickets at £1 each.
SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 2026 ARE NOW DUE – PLEASE PAY £10 ASAP! YOU CAN PAY AT
A MEETING OR BY BANK TRANSFER TO HARINGEY OVER 50S FORUM, SORT
CODE 08 92 99, ACCOUNT NUMBER 65525931
November AGM at Wood Green Library on Saturday 29th November
Our Chair Rebecca announced the death of three members over the last year. A
minute’s silence was held.
The Chair continued by thanking Committee members and our two councillor
members, Cllr John Bevan and Cllr Sean O’Donovan, Reach and Connect, Public Voice
and the Greater London Forum for Older People for their continued support over the
past year. Rebecca referred to the huge work we put into a grant-funded Cost of Living
Project which involved the Forum organising four public meetings. All of the meetings
were extremely well attended although a huge time effort to organise, and the Forum
met all of the targets set out in the grant application.
A second small grant involved offering free subscriptions to members or potential new
members within the pre-1962 borough boundaries of Wood Green who struggled to
pay the annual subscription.
There is a need for advice and support services to be further developed in the borough
and this will form one of the main objectives of the Forum as we go into 2026.
The Chair also emphasised the importance of the Forum’s link with other Groups: the
Age Well Festival, the People’s Day event organised by Sheila Peacock and our work
with the other Pensioners’ Groups , the Joint Partnership Board, the Older People’s
Reference Group and the ICB Ageing Well Board.
Anne Gray, the present Treasurer, opened her presentation by saying that she would
like to step down from the post in the next few months. We urgently need to find
someone to replace her.
At present, our finances are looking reasonable with net assets of around £3680.
Several people gave their services for free to help run the Cost of Living Project. Our
new regular system of raffles has been highly successful, thanks to Beverley. James,
our Vice Chair has spent some time gathering subscriptions by visiting previous
members who had fallen behind. We achieved a once-off boost to funds as some
members switched from an annual to a lifetime subscription. Furthermore, we
received a £90 pound donation. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to access
charity monies. Funders want to see special projects being developed but for small
groups like ours this presents huge problems. It is very difficult to find the resources to
even submit the funding applications and then if successful to follow through on the
development of the projects, particularly as we currently have so few people with the
time to participate in such activity.
Thanks were given to Clara and Dorothy for their participation in ensuring that the
newsletter is produced. It was recognised however that to maintain such activities we
certainly need a bigger committee where tasks can be shared more evenly.
The Vice Chair’s report was read and circulated at the meeting as James Cowling was
abroad. The report covered the Cost of Living events, the development of the Haringey
Older People’s Alliance, the involvement of the Forum with the Greater London Forum
for Older People and the Cinema Club. The Report also mentioned the current
proposal from the GLA that involves a 3 year Project attached to a grant of £2000.00. It
was agreed that this would have to be discussed further by the Committee. James, like
our present treasurer, would like to step down.
Election of Members for the Committee
Rebecca accepted the position of Chair. Pamela Percival (formerly known as Gloria
Omotoso) accepted the post of Secretary and Anne agreed to continue in the post of
Treasurer until a replacement is found. It was also suggested and agreed that the post
should be combined with the Membership post. As a result, Satish is willing to work
with Anne. Clara has agreed to continue supporting the production of the newsletter.
No replacement was found for James as Vice-Chair. The allocation of committee tasks
will be discussed at the first Committee meeting.
Motions passed:
1) To put up the subscription to £10 per year from January 2026
2) To have a social gathering with no speaker for alternate monthly meetings, so there
will be 5 socials of this kind and 5 speaker/discussion meetings every year, plus a picnic
in August and a Christmas lunch in December.
3) To have committee meetings only once every two months, with the possibility of
taking part online to make it easier for those with mobility problems or long journeys.
The committee will decide how it wants to meet.
4) The committee will study the possibility of becoming a charitable incorporated
organisation, the simplest form of charity status.
Talk from Baroness Lola Young
The Baroness raised a number of concerns:
- The importance of bridging the generation gap which seems to be becoming a
serious issue across the country. For her it is important for the young and older
generation to have a positive relationship. - The identity of being British now seems to be problematic. Different ethnic groups
now seem to be pitted against each other. She talked about seeing the world as global
and respecting the fact that there is a history as to why some people are here relating
back to Britain’s history over the centuries. - The vulnerability of the Charity Sector and the lack of funding is problematic,
particularly if we are going to develop an effective advice and support system for those
who are more vulnerable than others and reduce the growing inequalities that exist
within our society. - The importance of lived experience; the examples that she referred to here included
reaching out to those who had experienced the negative impact from modern slavery,
domestic abuse, grooming gangs, wars and other conflicts etc. She stressed the
importance of supporting survivors of such experiences. People’s unique experiences
and anger should be respected and given attention by all concerned. - The current political focus on finance, she said, does not get to the heart of our
present-day problems. Emotional Intelligence, for instance, over the years has not
been explored as much as that of the scientific intellect.
Talking about being a cross-bencher in the House of Lords, Baroness Lola fears the
negative impact of the budget for older people, people with a disability, and carers in
the current political climate.
In discussion people raised the issues of benefits, including the lack of advice and
support services in the borough, and effective access to Adult Social Care Services.
Baroness Lola Young with our
Chair, Rebecca Ellis, at the
AGM on 29 November in
Wood Green Library
Forum Christmas Lunch Party -18th December at Lowry House
Thanks to all who brought food, especially Judith the housing scheme manager, who
really did us proud and hosted us beautifully
Our Christmas lunch brings our community together to share good food, warm conversation,
laughter, comfort, and hope. It reminds us that togetherness, care, and mutual support are the
greatest gifts of all. We celebrate not only Christmas but also the friendships, life experiences, and sense of belonging that make our community so special. Many of us have faced hardship, loneliness, and moments of crisis, yet through these challenges we have found strength, compassion, and understanding in one another, reassuring us that no one has to face difficult times alone. Nimet
World Toilet Day 19th November
At the AGM, The Loos Campaign was presented by John Miles. He referred to the
negative impact of privatisation, the lack of funding at local level and the difficulties
involved in engaging with the political sector.
Supported by Age UK London, several people from
all over the city came for a placard parade at
Turnpike Lane station on a very cold windy day in
November, to highlight the permanent closure of
toilets there. Before that, they went to Seven
Sisters station too. The campaign continues for
better public toilets at both London and Haringey
level, led here by our member John Miles. He,
James and Gordon Peters have at last got the
Council to take notice of this widespread issue. .
International charities need us right now
The world is in a very sad place this New Year, with acute suffering due to wars and
‘natural’ disasters, often thought to be fed by climate change, in many places. To
mention but three here, many members’ relatives and friends are undoubtedly
affected by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. For how to help, see
https://haringey.gov.uk/community-support-safety/hurricane-melissa-0
Anne, your treasurer, has spent a lot of time recently helping a charity which is taking seriously war-wounded children from Gaza to be treated in countries where the hospital system is still intact. See https://gascf.org/, the Ghassan Abu Sittah Children’s Fund. With mosaic artist friends, Anne is making small mosaic pieces for sale to help this charity, from beer-mat size upwards. Ask her for details if you would like one as a present for someone. The Red Cross and UNICEF amongst others are currently collecting for aid to people displaced by civil war in the Sudan, currently thought to be the world’s largest crisis with over 11 million displaced from their homes, many as refugees to Chad, Ethiopia and several other countries nearby, lacking food, shelter and medical resources.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Coffee and Computers Digital Support Sessions
These take place on the 1st and 3rd Weds. of each month at Winkfield
Resource Centre and the 2nd and 4th Weds at Hornsey Library.
All sessions are free of charge and open to everyone. Please book in
online for EACH session you would like to attend.
Next Session: Weds 14 Jan 10:30, Digital Support, Hornsey Library (N8
9JA) Website: coffeecomputers.org Email: info@coffeecomputers.org
Phone/WhatsApp: 07999 042497
Holocaust Memorial Day
On 27th January annually we remember the six million Jewish men, women and
children who were murdered, and the millions more murdered under Nazi
persecution. We also learn and commemorate where persecution has led in
Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust encourages
remembrance in a world scarred by prejudice and systematic, targeted persecution.
HMD is for everyone. See www://hmd.org.uk for how to take part. Or contact Sheila
Peacock, at Sheila.Peacock@haringey.gov.uk or on 07791 018 106.
Kew Gardens visit
We are going to apply for tickets in January for a May visit. The event at Kew Gardens
is accessible to wheelchairs and there is a tram (a fee applies for the tram) that can
take you around if you have mobility issues. Hot and cold drinks are provided for free.
If interested please contact Rebecca.
Improve your social life
Enjoy more social activities including art, dance and exercise classes. The latest
programme of what happens in eight sheltered housing ‘hub’ schemes and various
community centres is here: https://reachandconnect.net/information-and-
advice/hobbies-and-interests/activities. (or phone Reach and Connect on 0203 196
1905). All are for over 50s regardless of where in the borough you live. Many are free.
CHAIR YOGA -Drop in classes
Fridays, 1-2pm in the Gym room at: Hornsey Vale Community Centre, 60 Mayfield Road, Crouch End,
N8 9LP
REST LESS
www.restless.co.uk is an online site for the over 50s offering a wide range of resources and
opportunities, including online discussions and exercise classes, lots of health advice, and holidays.
See the website for more information. Some resources are free, others on subscription.
BERNIE GRANTS ARTS CENTRE
Many of you will be glad to know that the cafe at the centre, behind Tottenham Town Hall, has now
reopened.
ALL GOOD BOOKSHOP
At 35 Turnpike Lane, N8 0EP, an independent bookshop which also holds activities throughout the
week, like art sessions, book clubs, comedy nights and more. For more information and events
calendar see: www.allgoodbookshop.co.uk, or tel : 07443 463 979
Announcements
Natasha Benn is the new Chair of the Joint Partnership Board (JPB).
The JPB and the Reference Groups which feed into it play a vital role in bringing
together residents, carers, and professionals to shape health and social care services in
Haringey through co-production and inclusive partnership working. Anne and Lourdes
are joint chairs of the Older People’s Reference Group (OPRG) so also attend the JPB
meetings. Several other Forum members attend the OPRG.
Important Contact Information for Adult Social Care services
The main number is 020 8489 1400. If residents or carers are aware of their locality,
they can also contact the relevant team directly using the numbers below:
West Locality: 020 8489 1639
East Locality: 020 8489 3408
Central Locality: 020 8489 3814
An important consultation about social care
Alexandra Domingue in the Council’s Adult Social Care Commissioning team, writes:-
We are inviting Haringey residents with experience of home care or reablement
services to join a Focus Group that will influence how these services are delivered in
our borough. Your support will help ensure that resident voices are central to shaping
future services.
Details:
- Voluntary role for Haringey residents
- Commitment: 2–8 hours per month, mostly during working hours
- Meetings: Online with some hybrid/in-person sessions
- Duration: December 2025 – September 2026
- 8 places available
How to apply: - Email Adults.commissiong@haringey.gov.uk to express interest.
- Further details can be found here; haringey.gov.uk/join-focus-group.
Cleaning and Gardening Services Offered
Some of you may remember meeting
Mani at our Christmas Party. Mani is
an experienced Cleaner and Gardener
and would like to offer services to
forum members. Cleaning
£18.50/hour and gardening
£25/hour.
Contact him on 07404 166278