Honorary President: Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey
November AGM
This takes the place of our usual monthly meeting and will be at Wood Green Library on Saturday 29th November from 1.30- 4.30pm. Please try to arrive punctually.
Our Honorary President Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey will be attending. We are hoping to hear about discussions in the Lords and there will be time for questions on topics she has focussed on, including the pensions triple lock, assisted dying, modern slavery, ethical fashion, care leavers and children in care.
Motions to be voted on at the AGM include:-
a) To increase annual subscription to £10,
b) To have 5 meetings per year with speakers, plus 5 mainly social or informal discussions or with activities like music, crafts etc., plus a special Xmas social and also a picnic in August
c) The Forum should apply to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisations with the help of Public Voice staff.
We will also be bringing up our URGENT need for new committee members and for others who are able to take on an active participatory role in supporting the Forum’s work. Details of the individual roles are set out in the September/October Newsletter. Please consider whether you can contribute in any way at all. We will be very happy to hear from you.
Meeting Thursday 25th September – Report by James Cowling
Sharon Grantgave a presentation about Haringey Circle and what it offers in services to the older person. She talked about how public services are now less available in the borough, notwithstanding Haringey Health data show that we have the highest statistic in the country for men suffering from strokes. Haringey Circle was set up to promote ongoing wellbeing, to including social integration and engagement with healthcare as we move into retirement, and beyond. It offers a programme of activities including organised walks, coffee and chat sessions, ceramic and art classes, bowls and Alexander technique sessions. There is also a coffee drop in session every Thursday at a Wood Green restaurant and a regular dining event at Gina’s restaurant. Furthermore, Ms Grant has negotiated an opportunity for members to access Muswell Hill Golf Club. At the end of the presentation, membership forms for Haringey Circle were given out and a significant number of people in attendance completed the latter.
Two police officers Amy and Victor from the Haringey Ward Safer Neighbourhood Team visited and stayed for the whole meeting.
They offered advice on phone thefts including: Awareness of your surroundings before using your phone Always have a strong pin / password Consider the use of a phone strap If you have to use your phone in public try and stand next to someone else Be careful whilst travelling on a bus as thefts are occurring Make sure that you use the find I-phone in settings Report all thefts to the police.
Amy and Victor also discussed SCAMs and heard several members’ experiences of having been targeted.
They stressed the importance of not responding to unknown emails, always checking senders’ addresses and emphasised the importance of never sharing personal information with unknown contacts.
The police officers also explained that at present there is some confusion as to who is responsible for the management of the Lime Bikes that exist now in the borough. These are causing real problems to many members in obstructing the pavements and noise generated when they are used illegally. Members felt that there was a need for clarification with regards to accountability of the contract with the LA.
There also was a lot said about cyclists generally in the borough not observing any of the rules of the road. There was support in the meeting for the idea of a registration systems along with training to be brought in particularly for those now using the more modern bikes. The police felt that they could do very little at present.
Meeting Thursday 23rd October – Report by Anne Gray
We were privileged to discuss the problems of the Adult Social Care Services with Jo Baty (pronounced Bait-y), their director, with some solutions and ongoing actions for improvement.
Jo outlined some difficulties, many of which arise from government under-funding of local councils for this service:-
– People wait too long for assessment for social care – Unpaid carers need more support and better information – Pay for agency homecare workers is too low – The voluntary sector is struggling. Its potential role is important, because residents want choice. But some community centres have closed, reducing opportunities for lunch clubs, social activities etc. – We need to develop respite care (aka short breaks).
The audience added a few more:-
– The policy of ‘discharge’ (from hospital) before assessment’ (for home care visits) means people sometimes get sent home without enough help, especially if they live alone. – Those who live alone or are housebound tend to be without enough family and friends support. – Care packages may not be enough, nor home-care visits long enough, for people with severe needs. They need an advocate to help them through systems and to manage multiple problems. Residents who have problems about their care service are afraid to complain. There is nobody to help them with paperwork about their care. – The cost of care packages is poorly explained and should come earlier in the assessment process. Some people get an assessment, then turn down council arranged care when they find out how much it will cost. – Some people can afford to hire their own carers, but don’t know how to fix it up; they need advice and support to do that, often at very short notice after hospital discharge or a medical emergency. They need a phone service for this; they may be bedbound. – It’s hard to contact Adult Social Care and they are slow at responding to emails.
Solutions and ongoing actions for improvement
– The Carers’ Strategy will start its plans from 19 November. – Jo wants to develop respite care, easier assessment procedures, involvement of residents in co-production of improved services and in training of social workers. – Her improvement plan for adult care will go to the Council Cabinet on 19 November. – Jo would like to provide a regular update about how the plan is going to the Joint Partnership Board for its members to comment and feed back issues. Natasha (its interim chair) plus Lourdes (DAH/Forum Committee) and Vida (Carers Forum) are already involved in the co-production group, discussing how to monitor home care and help clients to do this. – All providers of home care, sheltered /supported housing and residential home places are being re-commissioned.
– Jo had a meeting on 21 October about progressing the idea of making Haringey an Age Friendly Community, with Councillor Das Neves and representatives of the Forum, DAH, the Hornsey Pensioners Action Group, and the Carers Forum as well as Will Maimaris, Director of Public Health. Despite the current shortage of money in the Council, there is now a will to go ahead slowly with this.
– There is a need to focus on prevention, so people get less sick and need less support. The NHS is keen on this now. They want to get more engaged with residents.
Ageing Well Festival, Saturday 20th September – report by Roslyn
Several members attended this year’s festival on 20 September – its second outing at Bruce Castle park and were able to meet and catch up with members of various other groups for older individuals, such as the Crouch End and District u3a. There was a friendly and welcoming atmosphere throughout the various ‘zones’, including physical, creative, lifelong learning, and wellbeing, where one could enjoy yoga or massage to the accompaniment of African drumming.
It was evident just how much people were enjoying themselves, from the many stalls selling items or offering activities. Bruce Castle Museum was open and one member chatted with its curator, Deborah, about the current exhibition on Joyce Butler. Joyce was an MP for Wood Green and Hornsey who was a pioneer in many ways including being appointed the first Chair of Haringey Council when the borough was first formed in the 1970s.
Raffle
We plan to continue with the raffle at each monthly meeting. Please bring little things to meetings as prizes – like non-perishable food, an ornament, a book or a small houseplant. (Although we have enough prizes for the AGM). Nothing of greater value than around £3 for most meetings please. We sell tickets at £1 each. (We’re also looking for volunteers sell the tickets at the meetings).
Upcoming Events
People’s Day on Tuesday 11 November,
12 to 5pm at Tottenham Green Leisure Centre. Stalls with lots of information for older people, speakers, refreshments, entertainment. Please come, look around and if possible, please help staff our stall.
World Toilet Day 19th November – demo at Turnpike Lane tube station from 2.00pm
The London Loo Alliance (LLA) (supported by Age UK and working closely with the British Toilet Association) is planning a series of small demonstrations on World Toilet Day, 19th November. As many of you will be aware James has also had regular meetings with John Miles (of Loos for Haringey) and with the council over the Haringey toilet strategy over some years. Turnpike Lane station is a 24 hour transport exchange which currently does not have the funds to maintain a public toilet. John now sits on the steering group of the LLA and will be leading the Turnpike Lane demo.
Christmas Lunch Club – 3rd December 2025, Hornsey Vale Community Centre 60 Mayfield Road, London, N8 9LP. Arrive at 12.30pm, lunch is served at 1.00pm.
£10 for Christmas dinner with all the trimmings (veggie option available) and a dessert.
Booking opens 6th November and closes 26th November. Booking essential.
To book: please visit the website www.hornseyvale.org or email for info: info@hornseyvale.org Tel: 020 8348 4612
Forum Christmas Lunch – Thursday 18 Decemberat Lowry House, Pembury Road, off Lordship Lane, Tottenham, N17 8LZ (Buses W4 and 123).
12.00 noon – 4.00pm. Full access to kitchen and toilets.
Please bring food to share if you can. We can liaise with each other on Whatsapp to ensure a balanced menu and that not everyone brings the same things.
Opportunities
The Haringey Over 50s Forum has been invited to take part in a new three-year project in partnership with the Greater London Forum for Older People (GLF). The project aims to support older Londoners in accessing the benefits and advice they are entitled to, while improving how services are delivered across London — making them more age-friendly, inclusive, and responsive to real-life experiences. It is funded by Trust for London, and GLF will be working in partnership with Age UK London to deliver specific elements that strengthen the voice of older people across the capital.
GLF will be working with five forums across London, including Haringey (if the Forum agrees to participate), to develop partnerships with the local Council and local organisations to pilot regular “Older People’s Advice & Support Days” in places such as a community hub or the local library. The sessions are planned to be held once or twice a month and would focus on key issues affecting older residents — including benefit entitlements, digital inclusion, cost of living support, wellbeing and whatever services we feel are most needed in Haringey.
Our role would include helping to promote the sessions through GP practices, sheltered housing schemes, faith groups, and via our own networks, to ensure that the sessions reach those who are most in need. Crucially, the Forum would not be expected to deliver advice directly — this will be handled by Council teams and trusted partners. The funding for Forum costs would be £666 per year.
Throughout the project, GLF would work closely with the Forum to ensure that we were not burdened with managing the Hubs, but are instead empowered to provide leadership and ensure effective delivery.
The committee is considering how to respond to this offer. Please support us by coming forward to join the committee at the AGM. We badly need more people.
Help with Heating Bills
We have learned that the WISE group have access to some vouchers to pay for energy for anyone who has real difficulty paying for their heating. See https://portal.thewisegroup.co.uk/heat-referral/ to see what information they need. It includes your National Insurance number. You can’t refer yourself, although the Forum could, so email info@ho50s.org.uk or leave a loud, slow message or better still a text on 07915 477009.
Have your say on the Haringey Draft Local Plan – see details and the online survey on https://haringeynewlocalplan.commonplace.is/ A good chance to have your say about housing, community centres, parks, parking and traffic issues, and the design of shopping centres. It will be a plan for the next 15 years. The consultation is open till 19 December.
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. All are for over 50s regardless of where in the borough you live. Many are free.
Iceland store discounts for over 60s
10% discount every Tuesday. No minimum spend. You’ll need an Iceland Bonus card (sign up in store or online) and photo ID (e.g. bus/ freedom pass/ driver’s licence)
Haringey Council free or discounted (£14.50/ month) gym and leisure centre memberships for over 65s
Haringey Council: Silverfit Every Tuesday Morning at The Hub, Lordship Recreation Ground, from 10.30 am (activities start at 11.00), followed by refreshments and socializing at 12.00-ish. Choose from Nordic Walking (limited to 12 people), silver cheerleading (pom poms provided), yoga or badminton (£1 members, £2.50 other. First session free. Membership £12/ year)
The Memory Café This takes place on the second Friday of every month from 1-3pm at Hilldene Court, 11 Alexandra Park Road, Muswell Hill, N10 2DB. It offers a relaxed,
comfortable social gathering for people experiencing memory loss and their loved ones and carers to connect, socialize over tea, Arts and Crafts and games. For more information contact: Eveleen.Hill@Haringey.gov.uk; 0208 444 0944
Reminders:
In January we will be applying for Kew Gardens tickets – for a May date
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.
NEW VOLUNTEERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS STILL WANTED URGENTLY
Please see details of roles in the September/ October Newsletter, or contact James Cowling, Rebecca Ellis or Anne Gray for further information.
Finally….
If you have any ideas for the Forum or need some advice, please get in touch. We’re always happy to help when we can. You can join our WhatsApp group. It’s very informative with up to date events and information. It can be chatty at times too about various and sundry things.
We like to take the opportunity to wish all those members with birthdays in November and December a very happy birthday.
AGEING WELL FESTIVAL We proudly held our banner at the second annual Ageing Well Festival in Bruce Castle Park, held on September 20 th . A great event; thanks a lot to the Reach and Connect staff for organising this. We had a stall with the Bounds Green Writers Workshop. Let’s hope for another great festival next year!
