Newsletters come out every two months, around the 10th-12th. Members expecting postal copies will receive them within a few days afterwards. E-mails go out sooner. It’s very helpful if you can tell us your e-mail address, if you have one, so that we can save postage.
Members’ contributions to the newsletter are welcome – photos, news about events and classes you like to go to, poems or stories. Please contact info@ho50s.org.uk or leave a message on 07915 477009 to discuss what you would like to offer. We can also accept announcements from other organisations (e.g. NHS, TfL, council departments) with relevant services to offer or consultations they want to publicise. For commercial advertising, we’ll ask for a modest contribution to our costs
To download the latest newsletter as a pdf with pictures, click here .
March to April 2024
Pages 1-2: Forthcoming and
recent meetings and new venue; subscriptions now due for 2024
Pages 3-4: Arts, films and dance; members’ writing; London Mayor and
GLA elections
Pages 4-6: Important changes to the benefits system; bereavement
support; join a research project;
Pages 7-8: Calendar of events for late March to early May
NEXT FORUM MONTHLY MEETING TUESDAY MARCH 26TH 2PM
Please note new venue – the Epione Centre, 383 Wightman Road,
corner of Denmark Road, N8 0DZ. It’s a short walk from the 41/144 bus
stop for Wightman Road. For step free access go about 20 feet past the
main entrance in Denmark Road.
We’ll be able to discuss the current state of social care services in
Haringey with Councillor Lucia Das Neves, the Cabinet member
responsible for social care. This is a most important opportunity – please
think of questions you’d like to ask her. Let’s discuss them on the Whatsapp
group, or you can text 07915 477009 and ask for a callback if you wish.
Forum meeting Tuesday April 23rd, 2pm
The April speaker will be Paul Allen. He’s employed by the NHS but works a
lot with Haringey Council, and spends a lot of time on health prevention
issues in Haringey. Paul has been developing a ‘toolkit’ to assess your own
state of health in relation to ageing, which hopefully will make it easier for
you to present issues to your GP and for your GP to know how you are
doing. He wants to try it out on us and get some feedback. There will no
doubt be a chance to discuss other health service issues too.
SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW OVERDUE
Thanks to all who already paid. If you haven’t yet paid £8 for calendar
year 2024, please do so as soon as possible. Cash can be taken at
meetings. Cheques please to the address on the top of the page –
remember to put Haringey over 50s Forum c/o Public Voice… Bank
transfers to Haringey over 50s Forum, sort code 08 92 99, account no. 65525931
Standing orders are great; please make sure it’s going to Haringey over 50s Forum not to Haringey Forum for Older People, which won’t get anywhere since we changed the account name.
About our new venue – the Epione Wellbeing Centre
Formerly the Greek Cypriot Women’s Centre, its objectives are similar to
ours and not just for Cypriot ladies, for everyone. They have a Wednesday
lunch club, just had a 3 day trip to the Isle of Wight, and they organise New
Year, Christmas and other parties – as our partnership with them develops,
hopefully we’ll be able to join in their activities too. See their Facebook page
for photos; https://www.facebook.com/epionewellbeingcentre/
Report of Forum Meeting January
Andy Jeffreys gave us a very useful talk on how to use the NHS app and
other aspects of the NHS online. If you missed it, check out Coffee and
Computers regular sessions and classes, on www.coffeeandcomputers.org.
Ashley Grey put forward plans for a summer festival in Bruce Castle Park
where seniors will celebrate life and have fun – dance, music, food, art, a bit
of a party in the park. Reach and Connect are planning this and inviting our
ideas.
Report of Forum Meeting February
We had four presentations. Polly Frayne of Reach and Connect talked a bit
more about the summer Ageing Well Festival. To avoid competing with
various other local events, the date has now been moved from June to
Saturday 20th July.
Volunteers are requested for hosting and general support to the organisers, and will be
offered a comfy chill-out zone with free tea, coffee and food all afternoon. You can offer to
do this up to 3 weeks before the event, so plenty of time to decide. We could plan to
have a Forum stall to showcase members’ art and craft work, and maybe their writing.
We have members who make jewellery, crochet rugs, knit toys, paint and draw pictures,
write poetry, grow pot plants. We could sell a few things to make money and recruit some
new members. Thoughts anyone?
Secondly, Emily Rayner told us about a new screening test for cancer which
is being trialled – it involves a blood test from a finger-prick. She’s looking for
people aged 55-77. If eligible and interested you can still contact her on 07759 630278
or 020 3137 8199 (her company is called Claremont).
Thirdly, Zara Ghods from the Greater London Forum for Older People
sought feedback about London’s policing. Members expressed concern about the
lack of sufficient resources to follow up crime reports. They lamented the lack of police
on the streets now, and feeling unsafe when walking about after dark. Lack of trust in the
police was also mentioned, particularly amongst young black people who often feel put
upon. Zara will take these comments on board at London level.
Fourth, John Miles updated us on the work he and James have been doing
on the Council’s Toilet Strategy. After much lobbying, the Council are now
committed to developing a strategy for these important facilities in our
shopping centres and parks. Thanks to John and James for their hard work
on this issue. We need to watch this space and make sure the work goes forward. We
often take up toilets in the Older People’s Reference Group, because the Parks
Department are keen for seniors to make more use of parks. We’re making sure there
will be good facilities at the Ageing Well Festival in July, including for wheelchair users.
Bruce Castle exhibition and talk; Land of laundries
During March and April, Bruce Castle Museum are showing an exhibition of Haringey
artist Al Johnson’s artworks about women and laundries. Her sculpture references recent
history and the interplay between politics, power and the collective memory. Also
including embroidered textiles, her art highlights overlooked stories and voices of women
and their labours.
Artist’s talk (free); 21 March, 2.30pm. Book on https://www.brucecastle.org/curators-pick
Free Persian Festival at Lauderdale House
Exhibition by several Iranian artists on till 1 April. Several other free events to celebrate
Newroz, the Persian New Year; see https://www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk/whats-on/freeactivities
Rajes is publishing another novel!
Congratulations to Forum committee member Rajes Bala, who is publishing
another novel! ‘Journey to Jaffna’ will be out very soon and Rajes will no
doubt invite us to the book launch party when it’s got a firm date.
This moving and unforgettable novel, Journey to Jaffna, is a powerful exploration of the
conflicting ties of family and the heart. Set in London, Russia and Sri Lanka, this book
will find its way into your own heart.
Param grew up in a strict Tamil family in Sri Lanka, but broke away from them to study in
London. Even the violence facing Tamils back home could not affect the new life he built
for himself with his English wife, Mary, and their daughter. By 1979, his father is dying
and it is Param’s duty to make the journey back to Jaffna.
As Param learns of the horrors his family and his ex-girlfirend Karthiga have endured, he
faces his own struggle. Does he owe it to them to come back to Sri Lanka, or should his
loyalties now lie with his English family? Or does Liz, the English/American woman he
met on his long disruptive journey, offer him a way out?
New cinema club at Crouch End Picture House
James’ neighbour Michele Daniels is starting what we’re calling a sister
Cinema Club this month at the Picture House, Crouch End. It will run the third
Thursday of every month, starting March 21. Like the club at the Finsbury Park
Picture House, times will vary and the film will be announced about a week
before the screening. You have to ask for a free membership card for the
Picturehouse Silver Screen Over 60s club if you don’t already have one for
Finsbury Park. There will be an informal discussion about the film, for about an
hour, in the Community Room of the Picture House, after each screening (lift
access, members’ bar). Contact James to get on the mailing list.
Crouch End Art House
The other cinema in Crouch End, the Art House, offers 25% discounts on
tickets and café purchases if you buy membership at £11.25 per year– a
temporary bargain offer for over 60s! A great option for film lovers, with a
different selection from the Picture House chain and occasionally ‘live
streaming’ of theatre performances too.
Reggae Friday: A great success and completely free!
About a dozen of us went to Simmer Down at the South Bank Centre on Friday
23 February. It was great fun, a combination of reggae and jazz.There were
about 300 people there, mostly pensioners. There’s an outdoor food market
there too with loads of variety, good lunch for around £10. We decided to go
again on Friday 26 April. We’ll catch the 243 bus in Tottenham High Road,
meeting at 11a.m., at the Tottenham Town Hall stop just opposite the Dominos
Pizza on Philip Lane. Then we can lunch together and dance all afternoon from
1.30 in the South Bank Centre’s hall. You can meet us there too if you prefer.
Community gardening
If you’re thinking about more exercise and fresh air now spring is coming,
Harmony Gardens on the Broadwater Farm estate are looking for
volunteers. Volunteer sessions Tuesdays and Fridays, 11am – 2.30pm
(winter) and longer in summer. Lots of raised beds and potting shed work,
so you won’t necessarily need the strength for digging.
London elections – Mayor and Greater London Assembly, May 2nd
No borough council elections in London this year, but we WILL be electing
the Mayor of London and the GLA members on May 2nd
Remember new rules require you to take a photo ID to the polling
station when you vote. Your Freedom Pass is fine. If the photo is so old you
might be someone different (like Anne, who went grey and got more wrinkles since then!)
take your passport as well just in case. You can also apply in advance to vote by post
(with no ID) – go to https://new.haringey.gov.uk/council-elections/elections-voting/votingby-post-by-proxy
Age UK London invite older Londoners, their groups and organisations, to
attend the London Mayoral election hustings on the afternoon of
Monday 25th March. The event will take place at Canary Wharf, starting
with sandwiches at 1.15, then speeches 2 to 4.
Book your opportunity to hear the mayoral candidates from the Conservatives, Greens,
Labour and Liberal Democrat parties make their pitch to London and answer your
questions. They will debate the issues that matter most to older Londoners and respond
to Age UK London’s manifesto.
Register your details to attend on https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/2024-london-mayoralelection-hustings-for-older-londoners-tickets-836439070777?aff=oddtdtcreator Spaces
to the event are limited and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis, so register
as soon as possible! You can add your dietary requirements when you register. You can
also submit a question that you would like to put to the candidates when registering to
attend, though there may not be time for all questions.
Benefits changes
This is not about pensions. But it may affect members who are still below
pension age, or people members look after. Six old benefits will be scrapped
gradually between now and 2028. You can get Universal Credit (UC)
instead, but you need to make a new claim for it in the next few months. If
you don’t do that, you’ll lose your old money in due course and you won’t
get UC to replace it automatically. Look out for a letter from the DWP if you or yours
currently get any of the following six benefits. When you get your letter, you will have 3
months to apply for UC. For most people, the letter will come between now and the end
of March 2025. For those on ESA it may take longer.
The benefits that are ending, are: Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
(ESA), Income Support, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Incomebased Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
The DWP are calling this process of change ‘managed migration’ – migration meaning
from old benefits to Universal Credit (UC).
Don’t worry, you WILL get other money instead BUT you have to make a claim for it.
If it turns out you would normally get less money on UC than on the old benefits, you will
get what DWP calls ‘transitional protection’. That means your old benefit will reduce
gradually as UC rates for everyone rise year by year. So you won’t lose out; they will just
take a bit off what’s left of your old benefits so your money remains the same as it would
have been before the system changed.
Catch 22 is that UC applications generally have to be made online. If that’s scarey, seek
advice from Reach and Connect on 020 3196 1905, or the (rather overloaded!) Citizen’s
Advice helpline, 0800 144 8444. If you’re still stuck, text the Forum number 07915
477009 and we may be able to put you in touch with other voluntary organisations that
can help.
Note that if the person claiming UC or transitional protection earns some money, or
comes off UC and goes back again, the rules get more complicated. A useful article in
the Daily Mirror has explained this; see https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/dwp-confirmsuniversal-credit-top-32178105 or get someone to show or print it for you.
An invitation to join a research study
CARE (Community Ageing Research across Ethnicities) Network Study
A research team from Kings College London are inviting members to take
part in an interesting survey. It only takes twenty minutes to complete online
at: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/kings/care-network-baseline-studysurvey-v3
The CARE Network (Community Ageing Research across Ethnicities Network) is
examining the impacts and key issues relating to mental health and wellbeing in older
adults across all ethnic communities and faith groups. The survey will help to shape
future research areas addressing key needs of all our diverse communities and will be
exploring key factors related to older adults’ responses from the COVID-19 pandemic.
There will also be the opportunity to hear about and discuss ongoing dementia research.
It’s getting warmer – time to cheer up with a walk in the park and appreciate the
cherry trees. There are some beauties in Tottenham Cemetery – but it’s too wet to
go photograph them today so how about these ones in Osaka, Japan:-
Are you experiencing bereavement?
Reach and Connect are running a Peer Support Group for Haringey
residents over 50 who are living with loss and could benefit from peer
support.
Come and find support and friendship! Grief is so much more complex than
just feeling sad. It is OK to not be OK
When: Every Tues 11am – 1pm
Where: Chestnuts Community Centre, 280 St Ann’s Road, London N15 5BN
(Bus Routes: 67, 341 (5 min walk), 259 (10 min walk)
Contact: Alessandra Santos. Email: alessandra@reachandconnect.net
Mobile: 07485 393587
The group will aim to create a friendly setting to encourage the community to come
together, to support each other by sharing ways to cope with bereavement and the
change and loss it can bring. The group can NOT offer therapeutic or specialised
intervention. It’s there to help reduce the isolation and loneliness that comes with loss,
and promote new connections. It will offer a safe space to share and listen to one
another’s experiences, support each other and agree weekly activities and themes.
The Bereavement Peer Support Group aims to:
- Provide light touch social and wellbeing support for older adults in Haringey who
are living with bereavement - The group will support members to access more specialised or therapeutic
bereavement support, if needed
Weekly Drop-in Sessions will involve: conversation, reflection, refreshments, activities
promoting well-being, informal information and advice, opportunity to meet new people.
Our Calendar this time features selections from a new programme of activities in
the sheltered housing schemes. Do check out the art classes. They’ve produced
an impressive exhibition in Wood Green Library, in a little side room close to the
entrance. Congratulations to the artists!