OUR NEXT MEETING ON NOVEMBER 28TH WILL BE OUR AGM
SCROLL DOWN FOR NEWS ABOUT OUR CINEMA CLUB, PUB/COFFEE OUTINGS AND CHRISTMAS SOCIAL
Come to the Winkfield Resource Centre, Winkfield Road, N22, 2 to 4pm on Tuesday 28 November for a most important meeting – our AGM!
A chance to meet other members, discuss and make plans for our meetings over the next few months. And other activities like social gatherings and outings. What would members like to see? How can we work together to make it happen? See some ideas below – and let’s have yours too!
We will also be electing a new committee. James and Anne have been in post for a long time and need to step down after no more than a further 12 months. Some other members of the existing committee have sadly fallen sick and are unable to carry on. So we need new committee members!
If you’d like to join the committee, some ideas about roles we need to fill are below. Please consider what you could do. Ask a friend to propose you and another to second you. And please ask other people you think would be up for it to come forward for you to propose. Phone Anne or James, or message on the Whatsapp group, if you’d like to have a chat about what becoming a committee member involves.
Ideas for future meetings and activities
We have ten meetings a year (not counting December, which is our seasonal social, and August, when we have a picnic). Let’s try to plan ahead. The committee so far came up with the suggestions below. Good or not? What else?
• A Christmas social for which members are encouraged to each bring a dish or a little something to share
• ‘Issues’ discussions with relevant officials or councillors, raising issues of concern to members and getting feedback from decision-makers, holding them to account. We could plan a series of these and call for members to come together in small working groups, each to prepare for a meeting on a certain issue through developing questions and evidence
• Speaker on Age Friendly Cities (if you went to the Loneliness conference in the summer, you may remember the speaker on this. It would be good to get a dialogue between someone from Barnet Council which has done it, and Haringey Council which we would like to formally adopt the AFC agenda)
• Polly Frayne of Haringey Circle would like to come talk about loneliness, following up the summer conference
• Members presenting their writing, art or crafts
• Cost of living and energy saving
• Talks from interesting people about their lives and work
• Outings? We had a great time at the Sky Garden last year. Where else could we go?
Committee roles
We need people to help with several tasks to run the Forum well:-
• Newsletter production and mailout – we are doing a newsletter every 2 months now. Help wanted with writing articles, typing, layout, getting photocopies, and stuffing envelopes. The mailout could be a nice occasion to get together for coffee and chat too
• Support for membership admin, e.g. collecting subs especially at meetings, updating and checking records, sending out membership cards
• Social events and catering
• Fund-raising and grant applications
• Organising outings
• Representing the Forum on external bodies like the Older People’s Reference Group, NHS consultation groups, the Greater London Forum for Older People
• General meeting logistics – getting refreshment supplies, serving teas, tidying up, room booking
• Communicating with our two web site volunteers, telling them what to change and update, maybe learning a bit about how to do it
What else is coming up ?
Cinema club
On the second Tuesday of every month (7th November, 5th December, etc.) we meet for a matinee film at the over 60s club session at the Finsbury Park Picture House. Membership of the over 60s club is free to anyone of age. Tickets at around £7 include free coffee/tea and biscuits. Join us after the film for drinks and chat in the members’ room.
E-mail info@ho50s.org.uk for a message a few days in advance when the cinema tells us what films are on and at what time.
Pub meetup for coffee, or something more or stronger
The second Wednesday of every month, starting December 13th, we’ll gather for drinks, and lunch for those who want, at the Wetherspoons at the top of Wood Green High St, near the tube. Drop in from 1.30 to 3.30 to meet and chat with other members. Coffee with free refills is good value, as well as the usual pub drinks and a wide range of dishes including vegetarian options. Look for us in the dining area at the rear.
Christmas social
We’re planning a Christmas ‘bring and share’ meal on Tuesday December 19th from 1.30 to 3.30pm. This time it will be in a sheltered housing common room at Bracknell Close, N22. This is very close to the Winkfield Centre where we often meet – just go up the hill a bit and turn left. We will put up signs to tell you where to enter the building and where then to go. Please bring a little food and/or drink to share if you can
Post-Christmas social
We will gather in the Capital Restaurant, in Wood Green High Road just downhill from Morrisons, on Saturday 30th December for a Turkish meal. All welcome. You can just have a soup or a starter if you don’t want a big lunch. Please arrive between 1.30 and 2pm. If possible please e-mail or phone us to say you’re coming, to be sure we can reserve enough tables.
Whatsapp group
Chat channel for members – e-mail info@ho50s.org.uk or phone 07815 477009 to ask to join.
Haringey Supported Housing Lounge Activities – open to all
Broadway Brunch is back! The Broadway Brunch team from Jacksons Lane are beginning their new programme of ‘Cabaret’ events and social lunches in Haringey’s supportedhousing schemes. Broadway Brunch offers a feast of entertainment from globally renownedcircus performers, singers, dancers & drag queens! Open to non-residents, booking is required. Contact shactivities@haringey.gov.uk or telephone 07794257 914 to book.
19th September 2-4pm at Cranley Dene Court, 152 Muswell Hill Road, N10 3JH. Cost: £2
17th October 11.45am – 2.30pm at The Lindales, Grassmere Road, N17 0HE. Cost: £5
21st November 2.00pm Sophia House 19 Antill Road N15 4A. Cost £2
Other activities are continuing – see below – but we have not received the autumn programme so please do check at beforehand on the contact number above.
Art Classes
Mondays 10am -12pm at Palace Gates 24 – 94 Braemar Avenue N22 7BY
2-4pm at Bedale House, 23 Boyton Road N8 7AZ
Thursdays 10am-12pm at Cranley Dene Court, Muswell Hill Road, N10 3JH
2-4pm at Brookside House, 195 Lordship Lane, N17 6LZ
Fridays 10am -12pm at Spanswick Lodge, Waldeck Road, N15 3EN
2-4pm at Sophia House, 19 Antill Road, N15 4AQ
Wellbeing Workshop (includes a light lunch)
Wednesdays 11am -1.30pm at Latimer House, 2-32 Latimer Road, N15 6NW
Fridays 11am-2pm at Bedale House, 23 Boyton Road N8 7AZ
Walk & Talk Mondays 10-12pm at Bedale House, 23 Boyton Road N8 7AZ
2-4pm at Ferry Lane Estate Office Armadale Close, N17 9RJ
Tuesdays 11-12pm at Latimer House, 2-32 Latimer Road, N15 6NW
11-12pm at Hilldene Court, 11 Alexandra Park Road, N22 2DD
Wednesdays 2-3pm at Albert Findley, Meads Road, N22 6SJ
2.30-3.30pm at William Atkinson, Beaufoy Road, N17 8AE
Fridays 11-12pm at Lowry House, 26 Pembury Road, N17 8LZ
Chair Exercise Mondays 2-3pm at Sophia House, 19 Antill Road, N15 4AQ
Fridays 1.30-2.30pm at 57-117 Summerhill Road, Summerhill Village, N15 4HR
Light Reggaectivity Wednesdays 10-11am at Coombes House, Bromley Road N17 0AR
Stretch & Tone Thursdays 12-30-1.30pm at Latimer House, 2-32 Latimer Road, N15 6NW
Craft & woodwork Social Workshop
Fridays 11-1pm at Campbell Court, Campbell Road, N17 0AU
Haringey Men’s Explorer’s Club
Fridays 1-4pm at Harmony Hall 35 Bigbury Close, N17 8JQ
October: Black History Month
October marks Black History month. Each Thursday in October, Wood Green Library will be
screening a different film themed around Black History. Come and enjoy an enlightening
experience in the comfort of the Library’s screening room!
For more information contact libraries@haringey.gov.uk or call in and speak to library staff.
Start and finish times: 6.30 to 8.30pm
Bernie Grant Arts Centre – Windrush 75th Anniversary.
The Bernie Grant Arts Centre welcomes an artwork by artist Elsa James, titled ‘Ode to David
Lammy MP’, a piece inspired by an emotive speech by the Tottenham MP in 2018
responding to the Windrush scandal.
The artwork will be on display in the Art Centre’s window gallery until 30th October 2023.
Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham Green, N15 4RX
Wednesday 4th October
Hornsey Vale Community Centre Monthly Lunch Club & gentle exercise to music
Hornsey Vale Community Centre, 60 Mayfield Road, London N8 9LP
Arrive from 12.15 for prompt start at 12.30 for gentle exercise to music with Val.
Lunch served 1pm and consists of two courses followed by tea and coffee. It’s a great
opportunity to meet and chat to new people over a tasty meal.
Hornsey Vale Community Centre
Cost: £5 on the door (cash or card). Bookings are essential.
To book a place, please email info@hornseyvale.org or call / leave a message for Emma on
020 8348 4612, by the Wednesday of the week prior.
Generation Exchange are hosting a Pop-Up Lunch Club
Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month 1.30pm – 3.00pm
Venue: The Antwerp Arms Community Pub, 168-170 Church Lane N17 8AS
Booking required – see attached flyer for details
Seniors Coffee Morning
Lordship Community Hub, taking place every Thursday from 11.00 – 2.00pm
Lordship Hub, Lordship Rec – Off Higham Road, Tottenham, London, N17 6NU
Go along to meet new people in this lively group, have a chat and enjoy some free refreshments together.
All welcome – just drop in!
How to get there: The building is accessible by foot through nearby park entrances (nearest one Higham Road N17 6NU; the W4 stops on Higham Road close to the entrance to the park). You can also take any bus along Lordship Lane (123,243) and get off at Walthoef Avenue and follow the path through the park, over the river and you will see the Hub beyond the trees.
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Call for Committee Members!
Would you like to get more involved in the Forum and in shaping our activities?
Do you have design/IT/admin skills that you’d like to put to use?
Or would you like to learn these skills ‘on the job’?
Would you like to be part of a telephone tree keeping other members up-to-date?
Can you write for our newsletter? Staff a stall at events? Find interesting speakers?
All help, however little time you can spare, is appreciated – get in touch and tell us what you can do.
Our Annual General Meeting will be held in November so let us know if you would like to be part of our Committee and share your talents, skills and experience with us for the next year. The more help we have the more we can do to champion older voices and make Haringey an Age Friendly Borough!
‘Loos for Haringey’ campaign update
As members will know, our co-Secretary James has been very involved in this campaign to raise awareness about the lack of decent public toilet provision in our borough. As a result of the campaign the Council recognises that the provision of toilets is an important public health issue that can impact on our wellbeing and ability to feel comfortable getting out and about. As part of the Loos for Haringey campaign, the Over 50s Forum helped set up ameeting with managers of the Tottenham Hale Shopping Centre. John Miles of Loos for Haringey and Cllr Sean O’Donovan attended. John stressed that a lack of toilets is a serious public health concern and it particularly disadvantages older people and those with health conditions requiring more frequent visits to the toilet.
Haringey residents sometimes avoid leaving their home as much as they would like because they are not confident they will be able to access a toilet if they need to. Others say they don’t drink much to avoid being ‘caught short’. And this can cause serious problems with dehydration. Lack of availability of public toilets has made social isolation worse in Haringey and indeed throughout London.
It was emphasised that toilets within stores such as Lidls, whilst useful, does not lessen the need for public toilets readily open to all and not just the stores’ customers.
The meeting discussed the possibility of a toilet in the Shopping Centre, as well as in Tottenham Hale train station, the bus station or the proposed development next to the shopping centre.
We have also been lobbying for public toilets elsewhere including at the refurbished Seven Sisters Latin market which is scheduled to reopen later this year.
Digital Skills Classes
Coffee & Computers free digital sessions are open to anyone wanting help with using smartphones, tablets or computers and accessing online services. Please register on the links below if you would like to participate.
•General Digital Support:
WINKFIELD CENTRE (N22 5RP), WEDS 20 SEPT, 14:00 – 15:30, REGISTER
•General Digital Support:
HORNSEY LIBRARY (N8 9JA), WEDS 27 SEPT, 10:30 – 12:00, REGISTER
•General Digital Support
WINKFIELD CENTRE (N22 5RP), WEDS 04 OCT, 14:00 – 15:30, REGISTER
COMING SOON – Digital Training Classes – Starting September
DATES/LOCATION TBC, REGISTER
(New instructor led series of guided workshops/lessons focussing on different digital topic each week)
More locations & sessions coming soon – please check back for updates!
If you would like to join us at any of our sessions, please visit the Coffee & Computers website https://coffeecomputers.org/ or send an Email to info@coffeecomputers.org or Call/WhatsApp message us on 07999 042497
Reminder – Join the Haringey Over 50s Forum WhatsApp Group
If you have a mobile phone join our WhatsApp Group to get information updates and to keep in touch with other members. It’s a useful and supportive resource for members to ask questions and hopefully receive some useful answers, tips or recommendations.
Join by using this link:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/IXwugWAZqEX5vuPOo2h8Zk or email info@ho50s.org.uk or call our mobile number 07915 477 009 andwe will add you to the group
Please note that you will need to have a mobile phone number. Only members can join and anyone else will be deleted.
Do we need Age UK Services in Haringey?
HO50s Chair, Joyce, is working on a project with four Age UKs in neighbouring north London boroughs to ask just that question. As members will know, Haringey’s own Age UK charity closed in 2016 and since then our borough has been the only one in north London without a dedicated, specialist older people’s advice service.
The Age UKs in Barnet, Enfield Islington and Haringey have come together in a partnership to look at the potential to provide some services to Haringey residents, but they need to know from us if services are needed and what those services might be.
Please do have your say and participate in the survey and a follow-up focus groups (small discussion group). Survey forms will be available at our next HO50s meeting, or you can complete it online by following this link https://forms.office.com/e/xV6RY59KGd
The responses will be anonymous unless you indicate that you want to be included in the Prize Draw with a chance to win a £50 gift voucher, or if you want to take part in a focus group. The more responses we get the stronger our voice will be to help secure better services for Haringey’s over 50s. Please contact Joyce for more information at joyce.sullivan@ageukbarnet.org.uk or telephone 07940 163986 to complete a survey form by phone.
Paying your sub:-
You can pay in cash at any meeting. Or via our bank account Or send a cheque to Haringey over 50s Forum, c/o Public Voice, Tottenham Town Hall, N15 4RX. It’s £8 for the whole year. If you had a letter in the New Year to say you have paid for some months of 2023 already, you’re due less.
Bank details: Coop Bank, account name: Haringey over 50s Forum (use full name). Sort code: 08 92 99. Account number: 65525931
Any difficulties or queries – tell us by text or phone to 07915 477009.
If you meet anyone who says ‘why no newsletter’ please gently ask them if they paid their sub! We are now stopping newsletters to those who haven’t paid, though we may send them e-mails (which obviously don’t cost) to encourage them to re-join if they want.
Forum web site
Peter Conlan, our new web site helper, came to the June meeting and received a few comments about our web site. Do have a look and see if you have any more feedback to offer him. Is it clear? Does it have the right things on it that you would like to see? What about the arrangement of items on different pages? We have made lots of changes lately with Peter’s help – it’s more up to date and has been simplified. The more we can use our web site to tell you things, the more we can provide up to date information. So your ideas please!
Cinema Club
Continues at Finsbury Park Picturehouse on the first Tuesday afternoon in every month. See Diary page.