Older People’s Forums are coming of age
By Jayne Warren - 15/09/2008
Older People’s Forums are finally coming of age, providing many thousands not only with a voice, but also with the means to influence things in their local communities. And as they grow in strength across the UK, supported by regional Help the Aged development workers and small grants, they look set to become a serious force for the future - with the potential to shape policies at a national level.
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£130m grant scheme opens to small local voluntary and community groups
The Government declared its £130 million "Grassroots Grants" scheme open for business last week - and is urging small local voluntary and community groups to come forward and "get their hands" on essential funding. Whether you are a local club needing new kit, coaching new volunteers or simply giving the village hall a fresh lick of paint, Grassroots Grants aim to make a real difference to the work of any small and local community groups with annual incomes below £20,000.
Book your places now for the U3A AGM
This year the University of the Third Age (U3A) will celebrate the diversity and inclusiveness of the U3A movement at its AGM and National Conference, to be held at Swansea University Campus on 6th - 9th September 2008. Organized by National U3A who will arrange the speakers and formal sessions, delegates from around the UK will be given a warm Welsh welcome and an excellent entertainment programme.
Banstead U3A celebrate Odette Ellicott Day.
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16th July 2008 saw members of Banstead U3A come together to celebrate Odette Ellicott Day.
Solo Seniors meet up in Cardiff
Have you ever wished you had more friends? Someone to meet for dinner, or an evening out? Sometimes it’s quite difficult to meet people when you are on your own, especially once you retire. If this sounds like you, and you live in Cardiff, then here's news of a new club that aims to bring older people together.
The NHS Retirement Fellowship - still going strong after 30 years
Do you, or did you work for the NHS? If so, The NHS Retirement Fellowship has lots to offer - and with 200 branches nationwide, there's probably one near you.
Friendship Centres on the move
Until a couple of years ago, The Association of Retired and Persons Over 50 (ARP/050) had 120,000 members, making it one of the largest social networks in the country. A change of ownership saw membership decline severely. But now a new national organisation is arising, phoenix-like, out of the ashes: the “Federation of Friendship Centres”. Mature Times editor Tony Watts reports.
Save Britain's waders!
The Countryside Alliance has launched a 'Save the Wader' campaign to protect wading birds in the UK in response to a report revealing their sharp decline in numbers - and the failure of anyone in the conservation establishment to do anything decisive about it.
Launch of new Friendship Centre Federation marks a "Retirement Club Revolution"
The time was when the local ‘Over Sixties Club’ offered little more than a few verses of ‘Daisy! Daisy!’, a cup of tea and a chat from the local vicar. No more. Now it is organised holidays, dinner parties and a host of other activities from computing to caravanning.
Giving back to elders in the community
By combining resources of every kind, local people and businesses across Powys are reaching out to elders using a new and unique community-building website.
News from Chiltern U3A
Chiltern U3A recently announced the launch of a new local U3A group. Over 200 people attended the launch meeting at the Drake Hall, Amersham on 11th September, with a further 70 keen to join but unable to attend.
The Friendship Centre Federation embrace special interest groups
Have you got a Special Interest? If so, find out about what the Federation has to offer you.
Cream Tea Special for U3A Roseland and District
The University of the Third Age Roseland and District has a lot to offer residents of the Roseland in Cornwall and its surrounding district; and now they're offering cream teas in order to raise much needed funds.
Community Choir is improving people's lives
A new community choir for the over 50s organised by Age Concern Exeter as one of their Link 2 projects has been helping many older people who live in Exeter to grow in confidence and have fun.
Join the Weyhill Electronic Organ Society and enjoy music for everyone!
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Back in the Sixties and Seventies, electronic organ music started to become a hugely popular form of entertainment, with BBC Radio 2 producing a weekly one-hour broadcast, 'The Organist Entertains'. And it was this programme which inspired the formation of the Weyhill Electronic Organ Society.
