Agenda item - Secretary's Update

SECRETARIAL REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2015

• Brighton & Hove Mental Health Strategy & Happiness - went to event held on the 26th August with a range of stalls & information re:  services including support for dementia.

• Older Peoples Day - liaised & met with Age UK & Brighton University and organised rooms for joint panel on the 1st October at St Johns at 11.00 and Patching Lodge at 3.00 to discuss care issues for older people.

• Local Action Team - London Road - attended meeting of local group which had reports on local crime and discussed a range of local issues. Concerns about funding for the future raised.

• Age Friendly City Steering Group - represented OPC at meeting on 2^nd September about Active Ageing. Presentations about the need to keep active and events across the City circulated. & older adults any amount of physical activity has some health benefits. Good practice can be everyday activities such as shopping, housework & gardening. Information circulated.

• Closure of Doctors surgeries - Goodwood Court - went with Vice Chair to a meeting with the CCG on the 3rd September to discuss the impact of closure on older patients and how this should be avoided in the future.

• Age Friendly City Forum - meeting held on 7th September. Annie Alexander spoke about the future of AFC work as a strategic approach to make services inclusive and the Council strategy on Health & Well Being that is under discussion. Harriet Knights spoke about the sugar debate across the City and how sugar reduction could be achieved.

• Review of Bus Services funded by BHCC OPC has been asked for views on current supported services and we need to respond Have spoken to the co-ordinator and they are keen for responses on current services which cover 16/16A/66/37/37B/47/52/56/57/72/74/75/76/76A/91/95/95A &

77/78/79. These services are well used by bus pass users.

• Meeting with Leader of Council - needs to be rescheduled

• Annual Report - Thanks to the Chair for all his work on this – OPC members contributed but he pulled it all together

• Safeguarding Adults - Harry Steer was representative on this and OPC need to appoint a new representative. MB to check if FT would be able to take on this role.

• National Pensioners Convention - Parliamentary Lobby on Care & Pensions on 4th November.

• City Wide Connect - East was held on 9th September and Lynne was

attending. The North/Central is on the 23rd September & West is 30^th September.

• Community Transport - Lynne contacted and they are happy to provide a presentation to OPC. Currently negotiating Easylink shopping service with BHCC for older people with mobility problems

• Hedgcock Fund - Chair has submitted a bid on officer advice

• OPC members Report from Lynn Shields about activities undertaken for the OPC - to be included in the minutes.

• New Community Equipment Service - OPC members were concerned about the changes to the NHS equipment service. We have been invited to visit the new service located in Hove and I have confirmed that we would like to find out about the service and its accessibility. We await a date.

• Shaping the research agenda for older people as self funders:

insights from collaborative research - OPC members have been invited to an event on Wednesday 28th October at 9.30 at Brighthelm. Members should confirm to E.Ward@brighton.ac.uk by 30th September if they areable to attend.

Invitations to a range of events

• Bereavement support group for people 50+ - being run at St Johns on

Fridays 1.30 to 3.00 for 6 weeks contact 01273-729603

• Age UK - 50th Anniversary - 2nd September at Emporium London Road

• Mayors charity event on 10th September at Carousel Kings Arches at £25.

• Strike a Light - Arts & Heritage events in September & Oct. Project manager at Fabrica

• Proposed Closure of Crown Post Office - Brunswick - OPC member/s supported campaign against closure

• LAT - Portslade - minutes of meeting & notice of 21st September meeting

• Theatre Royal - Information re group discounts - for groups 10+

• Contemporary Dance Classes - for 60+ years 12.45 to 2.15 Thursdays at Marina Studios, 11 Mermaid Walk, Brighton. It is £90 for 12 sessions (discount for pension credit) 07780-708864

• Falls Prevention Needs Assessment Workshop on 14th October at 9.30 to 1pm at Brighthelm

Newsletters

• Age Action Alliance - Age Action Alliance Money Matters Working group want to promote awareness of Pensioner Credit & increase take up

• Later Life - reported on Age UK report that eligible pensioners have £3.7 billion unclaimed in Pensioner Credit & Housing Benefit

• Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce - various events across the

City

• Fabrica - Daytime events including visit to the Keep