Dear Reader: I REMEMBER WHEN… ...how often, I wonder, do we each say that ??? Well in

this Spring edition we have several articles where I am sure many of us will be

prompted to ‘remember when’. In the 130th anniversary year of the first local

hospital here in Southend we look back to 1886 recalling the generosity of

Lord Iveagh, the building of the Southend Victoria Hospital and the journey

to the development of our Southend Hospital in Prittlewell Chase of today.

Derek Iles also continues his journey of ‘I Remember When’ and tells us about

what happened when he arrived in British Guyana as a young raw army

recruit with the Black Watch regiment. We also feature an article from our

friends at the Alzheimer's Society in Southend and this too relates to

’ I remember when but sadly cant always remember now.’ Please do take a

look and if it relates to you, a member of your family or someone you know

please act on the information and advice given.

Our March Public Meeting on Wednesday 16th ( please note the revised time

of 2.00 pm for this meeting) whilst including the annual review and finance

report for the year along with election of committee also features a

presentation by Simon Leftley - Director of Department for People at

Southend Council . Simon will tell us about how the council is implementing the strategy for

delivering Older People’s Services, what services are available and in light of the recently announced

budget for 2016 he will tell us how this will affect those services and what if any shortfall/reduction

in service we can expect. There will of course be as usual an opportunity for members and guests to

ask questions of Simon and so I would encourage, all who are able, to come along and listen to what

Simon has to say and speak out about your concerns and issues. Remember if you have a question

but you don't want to speak in public just let us know and we will raise it on your behalf.

We also have our friends from Wells Legal joining us, Andrew will be updating us on legal matters

relating to care planning, writing and amending a will, power of attorney and on other legal

Issues we oldies need to address. The meeting will close with a brief presentation by Wendy from

Zumba Fitness and she will be telling us about the physical benefits of Zumba and how it can help

with co-ordination, balance and memory.

Finally I want ask you to please, please read my short article on page 12. We continue to have a

great and urgent need for new/additional committee members and others who can support the work

of your OPA. Your committee is actively working hard to ensure that

your voice is heard and we do need more help particularly with

administration, IT and publicity. So if you or someone you know

can help please, please do consider joining us - without your support

there is a very real possibly that the OPA will flounder. Application

forms can be found on our website or just speak to one of the team.

THE ACTIVE VOICE OF THE OVER 55’S - “TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH MORE”.

Please come to the public meeting & show support for your Assembly

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

I Remember Page 2

Council Budget Page 3

Brian’s Book Review Page 4

Worried About

Memory Loss? Page 5

Funeral Planning Page 6

130 Years of

Hospital In Southend Page 7

Town Centre of the

Future Page 8

Cooks Corner Page 9

Keep Safe - Be Smart Page 10

‘Pensioner’

Energy Tariff Page 11

Your OPA Needs YOU Page 12

Established 2007

Issue 27 Spring 2016

The Assembly Times

Newsletter of the Older People’s Assembly

NEXT PUBLIC MEETING

16th MARCH 2016 - 2.00 pm

CIVIC CENTRE - COUNCIL

CHAMBER

The Active Voice of The Over 55’s

Last edition we introduced ‘I Remember’, a series of articles where our members recall times and events

of bygone years. Our first article featured Derek's tale of Up, Up and Away and now he continues the

story of his journey as a raw army recruit with the airplane landing in Georgetown …....

Having spent the best part of two days in the air flying from London Airport to Georgetown in, as it was in

1954, British Guyana a sense of reality began to set in. The first thing I noticed was the heat and high

humidity plus the strong smell of tropical vegetation. Not an unpleasant aroma, quite the contrary, almost

sensuous, and the sound of nature was amazing and was something that we had not had the experience of

back in England. Bird song and other sounds filled the air from the surrounding vegetation near to the airport

building which was not much more than a two story structure built during the Second World War.

First thing to remember is that the airport, (Atkinson Field) was situated some miles inland from the coast set

in quite thick rain forest. Once our kitbags etcetera were loaded onto a small convoy of 3 tonne army trucks

we set off for the capital Georgetown. The road fell far short of any country road in the UK, in fact some farm

tracks would have qualified for A1 status by comparison!! Progress to the capital was relatively slow and

often quite hair-raising when crossing the many creeks that flowed into the Demerara river, the banks of

which the road closely followed. The bridges were not much more than two large tree trunks embedded in the

banks with planks nailed across them.

The lorries swayed precariously from side to side as we crossed and quite a

few white knuckles could be seen clutching the sides of the lorry. My

thought was if we should topple into the water would we be consumed by

shoals of Piranha fish before we could get out. A few miles outside the

capital the dirt track gave way to a tarmac road, which ran through small

villages made up of small wooden houses with corrugated roofs built up on

stilts which we later learned served a useful purpose. The journey had taken

the best part of an hour and a half and passed the biggest wooden church I

had ever seen , I later learned it was the largest of its type in the world. The

trucks eventually pulled into the Army compound consisting of three

barrack blocks, and Officers and NCO’s block and most important a Cook House to which we were

directed to having arrived in time for lunch. The less said of that the better!!! But at least it subdued the

feeling of hunger.

The heat and humidity was now quite oppressive, it being midday and our tropical uniforms hung on most of

us like wet rags, everyone was feeling quite miserable as we sat in the barrack room we had been put into

whilst the powers that be decided what was to become of us…….

We soon found out when 2 Officers and the Regimental Sergeant Major

came in and informed us that we would now be undergoing 12 weeks of

jungle training !!!! beginning

the next morning. Oh! what joy

I thought,………….. my luck

was about to change though

when another NCO appeared at

the end of the room and called

my name and asked me to

accompany him to the Band

Block ; he informed me as I was to become a member of the

Regimental Military Band. This was for the next six years, probably

the most formative and memorable six years of my life.

More of life in the Band and Guyana possibly for the next issue.

Have you an ‘I Remember’ to share with our members - send it to us: southendopa@yahoo.co.uk

P a g e 2 I s s u e 2 7 S p r i n g 2 0 1 6

T h e a s s e m b l y t i m e s P a g e 3

Several of your OPA committee, as representatives of our organisation, were invited to attend the

briefing on 19th January by Cllr Woodley, Leader of the Council, Rob Tinlin, Chief Executive and Joe

Chesterton Head of Finance about the Councils proposed Draft Budget for 2016/2017 and although

much has already been written in the press and aired on the radio about both Government funding cuts

to councils and the local picture here in Southend we thought members might appreciate some easy

read outline of the report from us. Some of the content will be taken directly from the meeting handouts

and some our comments and observations. So ...

≫ Southend Council needs to find departmental service savings of £10.467m from April 2016 plus a further

£1.3m to deal with service ‘pressures’ which mainly reflect the costs of caring for an ageing population.

That's us folks and the growing number of residents over the age of 65 - currently 33,600 residents aged 65+

rising to 46,200 by 2030 and is/will be reflected in an increase in age-related conditions.

≫ Council Tax up 1.99% - equates to 44p per week for a Band D property. Existing local council

powers permit a council tax rise by 2% without recourse to a vote.

≫ Social Care precept also added to the council tax of 2% (as permitted by government )- equates to 45p per

week for Band D property (with the 1.99% that’s 44p PLUS 45p rise for band D council tax ) & the 2% raises

£1.3m but government £1.1m adult social care grant is deleted plus a need to find additional £1m to deal with

the increased demand for social care services. What changes will this mean for service and access criteria??

≫ Further reduction in staff numbers – 59.6 Full time equivalent posts to go. Staff already under pressure and

more restructuring proposed..

≫ Potential closure of the Southend Marine Activity Centre.

≫ Cease production of Outlook, the council’s resident magazine – The Council will seek other forms of external

communication to keep residents informed about services – Council Website, Social Media, local press. Your

OPA is seeking support for our own Assembly Times to include Outlook relevant information and an increase

in the circulation.

≫ £925,000 saving through new Waste Collection Contract.

≫ Ground maintenance service brought back in-house saving £294,000.

≫ £300,000 savings through leisure management contract.

≫ £2m savings through adult social care system review. We are seeking further info on this “major review” .

Please note Simon Leftley Director for Department of People and who has responsibility for Adult Social

Care which includes services for us older people will be speaking on this very subject at our AGM Meeting on

16th March so if you are able do come along and have your say too.

≫ Invest to Save – LED street light replacement programme (net saving of £440,000).

≫ Continued investment in culture/leisure provision and green spaces inc: Three Shells Lagoon, Palace Theatre,

Southchurch Park & Central Museum. What of the issues with shared space??

≫ Continued capital investment in Secondary Schools (£8m in addition to the £10m already identified).

≫ Capital investment in the Pier, Cliffs upkeep and Belton Hill steps.

≫ Continued capital investment in highways and footpaths (£4m over 4 years in addition to the £2.8m already

identified).

≫ Capital funding to continue the completion of the Decent Homes programme in 2019/20 (£8m).

≫ Investing in energy efficiency/green projects inc: Southend Energy Company, installing solar panels on some

council owned buildings and a range of school initiatives (£1.71m).

≫ The overall reductions/savings per department: Corporate Services £ 1.408m, Department of People £5.311m,

Department of Place £3.367m and Public Health £0.381—Total 10.467m!

Cllr. Woodley commented “We will do our best to continue to deliver a range of high quality services

but we need to be realistic considering the strategic & financial pressures outlined & to consider what

the community can do for itself and how do we work in partnership to ensure the future of our town

and its people? ”

By the time you receive your newsletter the Draft Budget proposal will have been considered by Council

Cabinet members on 11th February followed by formal setting the Council Tax rate and adopting the

Budget at Full Council on 25th February. More information is available on the councils website.

P a g e 4 I s s u e 2 7 S p r i n g 2 0 1 6

Brian continues to discover interesting and entertaining volumes and again tell us

what he thought of the read .... well reads actually as he has taken a wander

through two volumes and entitles his review

“ I Wanna Tell You a Story”

Browsing a discount bookshop I came across a book written by Des

O’Connor entitled ‘Laughter Lines’. It was published in 2014 and is

a collection of his own poems. Cast your minds back to some of the

‘silly verses’ he used on television at which most of us laughed and

you have some idea of the content. The verses cover ageing, father-

hood, holidays, marriage, television, pets and ---- you name it and he

has covered the topic with a humorous verse. Having enjoyed his

book of verse I decided to look for his autobiography- ‘Bananas

Can’t Fly’’. I started looking in the library in the Forum but was out

of luck. Thinking that perhaps it may have been misplaced elsewhere

I looked up and down all the biography bookshelves. Again no luck.

However I did find the autobiography ‘Max Bygraves in his own words’ published in 1997.

I used to enjoy his radio and television programmes and I do enjoy reading about

people whose names are familiar to me, so I booked out of the Forum with his book

under my arm.

And what a pleasure it turned out to be. From his writing and formulation of

sentence, you can picture him coming onto a stage and saying “I wanna tell you a

story” then proceeding to do so.

The opening chapter describes his life growing up in Rotherhithe and the scene is

familiar to anyone who has lived in the ‘East End’. Although not as old as him, his

early efforts to ‘earn a bit’ bring back memories of running errands, doing a paper

round and helping to deliver the milk or the bread; getting up to no good and having

my ears boxed. Yes I agree with him, looking back, life was fun growing up: do the

kids of today have similar fun to enjoy?

Succeeding chapters relate to his early start in show business, his time in the RAF,

wartime conditions in London and rationing (all of which will be familiar to many

of us). From chapter seven to chapter nineteen he writes in ‘diary form’ and here

you see the origin of ‘Ol’ big’ead’. These chapters, parts of which I found interesting and parts I found boring,

display the size of his ego which he often extended to the stage and audiences, where it was lapped up.

He writes appreciatively of people he has met, his time at the London Palladium: sentences are interspersed with

‘corny saying’, but then so was his act. That is why the world over he was successful. We loved it.

A trip down memory lane. Brian Dillon

If you have recently read a book that you think other OPA members might like please let us know ..

send in your review to us at southendopa@yahoo.co.uk

.

If you would like to enjoy a mid -week late morning or afternoon cinema film at an

affordable price and in the company of other over 55’s then read on...

ODEON Silver Cinema is a series of weekly film screenings for over-55’s. Tickets

are just £3 each and include hot drinks and snacks before the film & Southend Odeon

is a participating cinema. See the Odeon website for full information about what's on when or just pop-in

to the box office for a leaflet with details of current showings. NO on-line booking fee for Silver Screen.

T h e A s s e m b l y t i m e s Page 5

WORRIED ABOUT YOUR MEMORY OR SOMEONE ELSE’S.

It’s happened to us all at some time or another. You can’t put a name to a face. You forget where you put your keys. You can’t remember where you parked the car. Most of the time such slips are a nui-sance rather than a sign of something more serious.

But if you are worried that your memory is getting noticeably worse or if memory loss is beginning to affect your everyday life, it is worth seeking advice. You might also be concerned about someone close to you. It’s important to seek advice because, in some cases, memory problems are an early sign of a medical condition such as dementia.

Dementia affects everyone in different ways. As well as problems with memory , other signs can in-clude feeling confused even when in a familiar environment, problems thinking things through and finding it hard to follow conversations.

You should seek advice without delay if your memory is having an impact on your daily life:

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO VISIT YOUR GP

VISIT ALZHEIMERS.ORG.UK/MEMORYWORRY

CONTACT OUR SOUTHEND OFFICE ON (01702) 345156/343121

There are approximately 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK with approximately 3000 in Southend. The Alzheimer’s Society are here to help. We provide a range of free support and services for people with dementia, their families and their carers.

Our Dementia Support Workers will give expert practical advice and support to help you understand dementia, cope with the day-to-day challenges it brings, and prepare for the future. This includes helping you to access other support services, and build support networks within your community. Our aim is to help you feel supported, and maintain independence, choice and control over your life.

Our Advocacy workers will provide legal support.

We run a Carer Information and Support Programme.

A series of workshops for people caring for a family member or friend with dementia.

Activity Groups - A variety of groups offering entertainment, games or reminiscence to help you keep doing the things you like in a friendly and supportive environment. 2pm - 4pm Motivational Men’s Group every Tuesday. 2pm - 4pm Memory Group 1st and 3rd Wednesday in the month. 2pm - 4pm Activity Group every Thursday. 2pm - 4pm Singing for the Brain first 4 Friday’s in the month.

Dementia Café A place for people with dementia and their carers to share information and experiences, or to simply have a cup of tea and a chat. Please call for details.

Peer Support Support groups for people with dementia or carers and families. Please call for details.

If you would like more information about any of our services, please get in touch. If your life is affected by dementia please contact us on (01702) 345156/343121 we are here to help. Michael Meehan - Information Worker Alzheimer’s Society (Southend).

P a g e 6 I s s u e 2 7 S p r i n g 2 0 1 6

OUTLOOK MAGAZINE TO BE AXED... As part of the council’s proposed budget savings the publication of their Outlook magazine will cease.

We know many of you found this a valuable source of local information and particularly so for those of

you who don't use the internet. We are currently exploring the possibility of including some of that info

in future editions of the Assembly Times. In the interim we thought it would be useful to list

the revised waste collection dates for

Easter and the Early May Bank Holi-

day as we know that these are often

not well published elsewhere.

No revised dates yet published/

available for Spring Bank Holiday at the end of

May. Call the Council nearer to the date on

01702 215000 or check the local newspapers,

the information may be published later in May.

Veolia - the new household waste contractor say: “If we

haven’t collected your waste or recycling on the

designated day, you can call our Customer Service

Centre on 02035676955. Before calling, if you have

internet access please check your collection day online

Easter Revised Dates Normal Collection Date Revised Collection Date

Friday 25/03/2016 Saturday 26/03/2016

Monday 28/03/2016 Tuesday 29/03/2016

Tuesday 29/03/2016 Wednesday 30/03/2016

Wednesday 30/03/2016 Thursday 31/03/2016 Thursday 31/03/2016 Friday 01/04/2016

Friday 01/04/2016 Saturday 02/04/2016

Early May Bank Holiday Revised Dates Normal Collection Date Revised Collection Date Monday 02/05/2016 Tuesday 03/05/2016

Tuesday 03/05/2016 Wednesday 04/05/2016

Wednesday 04/05/2016 Thursday 05/05/2016 Thursday 05/05/2016 Friday 06/05/2016

Friday 06/05/2016 Saturday 07/05/2016

Funeral Plans through Adam & Greenwood Funeral Home

The average cost of a funeral in the UK in 2015 was in excess of £3,500 and prices continue to rise.

Imagine those major events in your lifetime, marriage, birth of a child, buying your first house. Most of us will

go to great lengths in preparing and planning every detail, we will seek input from family and valued friends and

we will give great consideration to the costs, giving ourselves plenty of time to save for that all important

milestone, the aim, to leave nothing to chance. Don’t let your Funeral be any different. PREPAID FUNERAL PLANS - the most thoughtful thing you can do for your family. THE BENEFITS:-

Guaranteed Acceptance

Peace of mind

Personalised plan where you make the choices

Protection against rising costs

Variable payment options

So when you have spent all your life taking care of your loved ones, the last thing you would want is to leave

them with financial worries. Do something about it today, contact Adam & Greenwood Funeral Home on

01277 633085, “the unthinkable can happen when you least expect it.”

Its time for another article about ‘getting our house in order’ and one of the things we often don't like to

think about is funerals and particularly our own! But it can be a great comfort to know that arrangements

are in place and so we have asked Adam and Greenwood Funeral Homes ,who are known to many of you as

they are great supporters of our Active Ageing Event, to tell us about the benefits of Prepaid Funeral Plans.

Herongate Wood Woodland Cemetery is part of the Adam & Greenwood family-

please contact us on 01277 811064 for all your burial requirements.

T h e A s s e m b l y t i m e s Page 7

A LITTLE later this year will see the 130th anniversary of the birth of surely one of the most vital of

services in and for Southend – a service that in this age is overwhelmed, under siege and of very

special concern to us older folk.

It was in September 1886 that a group of local doctors met in their determination to build a cottage

hospital for the town. It had been talked about for ages, but the nearest Southend had come to any such

public service for a population then totalling a few thousands, was the previous year.

The Very Reverend Dr Gregg, a Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Divinity, had opened a medical

mission in tiny premises in Park Street, treating 1,706 patients in the first year. Come the following

summer, he built and opened a Mission in Clarence Street.

His grand efforts -- and the obvious public demand and need for the cottage hospital he dreamed of,

prompted a number of local doctors to meet and to declare their belief in raising funds and public

support for a cottage hospital.

Across the country, local communities and towns were preparing to put up all kinds of memorials to

mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Southend decided it was going to have – well, Southend

Victoria Hospital. It would be in Warrior Square and it would take time and incredible local effort to

raise the money.

In summer 1887 half an acre of land in the lovely old town

centre Square was bought – for a tad more than £1,267. A

foundation stone was laid by Lady Brooke. The following

year Southend Victoria Hospital was opened by Mrs Carne

Rasch, wife of the local MP for Southeast Essex.

The hospital was improved and extended during the

following years, but by 1924 it was being more and more

publicly spoken of as overcrowded, in growing demand and

need. Viscount Elveden – later to become Lord Iveagh - was leading a campaign for a new and bigger

replacement and in 1925 the site of today’s General Hospital was bought.

In summer 1932 he formally opened the new hospital,

watched by vast crowds,

and announced he

personally would be

writing-off the

outstanding building

costs of £50,000.

The father of the author

of this article, then a

constable in the old

Southend Country Borough Constabulary, was one of the officers on duty on that occasion.

In November that same year patients from Victoria Hospital were transferred to the new building. The

General, as many then locals knew and referred to the new hospital, was about to begin its long service

to Southend and immediate neighbouring districts – though no one, back then, could have imagined the

demands it would face in future years.

With the benefit of hindsight – ah, what a wonderful thing this is! – many of us now wonder how on

earth so much of the old Rochford Hospital could ever have been closed down in more recent times,

when it today would have helped in some ways to ease the demands and burdens on The General.

Anyone have any prescriptions, cures or suggested treatments for an increasingly dreadful headache –

or nightmare – of a problem for those in charge of our local health services?

We are delighted that Jim Worsdale is writing again for Southend Older People’s Assembly and this time he

takes us back to 1885 and the building of Southend’s first cottage hospital. Jim writes......

July 26, 1932 Lord Iveagh presses the

button to open the main doors of

Southend Hospital for the first time

P a g e 8 I s s u e 2 7 S p r i n g 2 0 1 6

WHAT MIGHT THE SOUTHEND TOWN CENTRE OF THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE????

Representatives of your OPA recently attended a public workshop on your behalf where Southend

Council unveiled its Vision - ‘The Southend Central Area Action Plan’ - SCAAP– for short, and we

thought you would want to know what they had to say.

The event was held at the Park Inn Palace where the public

exhibition began with a video introduction by Councillor

Norman, Council planning staff then via a series of maps

outlined three options in their vision for the High Street and

adjacent areas, which could include having less shops and

more restaurants, financial services, takeaways, pubs and

outdoor eating.

Matthew Thomas, team leader for strategic planning at the authority, said: “We have looked at what

other areas have done to try to take their town centres forward and we are looking at ways we can

reinvent our High Street. To do that, you’ve got to have other units in the town centre that are different

from shops, but we’re looking at feedback from the public on this.” he went on to say “At the moment,

planning policy dictates that four fifths of the High Street must be shops, but that could reduce to 50

per cent under radical new plans. With just under one fifth of the High Street currently vacant, and the

prospect of a major out-of-town retail park at Fossetts Farm on the horizon, chiefs say they need to

evolve Southend’s shopping area. As well as a remodelling what the High Street offers, the document

outlines development sites such as Warrior Square Car Park and Tylers Avenue, an aspiration to have a

Seafront Lido and “Spanish Steps”, gently sloping steps which would connect the town centre area and

the seafront, and some 5,000 town centre homes over the next decade and beyond.

We were asked to comment on each of the areas on the plan and as representatives of the OPA’s over

55’s membership we were keen to look at those issues that we know many of you have concerns about

and so our responses very much focused on aspects such as maintaining easy access to the centre of the

town on foot, by public transport, taxi and by car; a safe environment and limiting shared space plus

we looked at the proposed location of new and existing amenities and the type of retail outlets that

would be encouraged.

So what did we think??? Parking, we felt, could be compromised with some of the proposed

developments and alternatives not necessarily central enough. We commend Southend Council for

having a Vision for the future and for offering, albeit limited, an opportunity to comment BUT it was

very evident that this is an Inspirational Plan and is dependent on attracting private developers and

government cash to take it forward; it’s a long term objective so don’t expect change too soon. There is

much to consider AND we would encourage the Council to continue to involve residents throughout

the process and listen to the views and needs of all within our community.

Do look for updates and opportunities to have your say on this important issue for our town.

2016 Police and Crime Commissioner Elections

Just a reminder that on May 5th you can vote for a New Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex. You will

no doubt recall that back in 2012 Nick Alston became the first Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex.

His term of office along with the other Police and Crime Commissioners elected at that time in 41 police

force areas in England & Wales will come to end in May when the elections for new PCCs take place. In

July 2015 Nick Alston announced that he wouldn’t be standing for re-election. Full details of the candidates

standing for election in Essex will be published on the Essex Police website: www.essex.pcc.police.uk

and local press and media will have information about any local pre-election meetings so...............

watch for press releases, check out the candidates and use your vote on 5th May.

T h e A s s e m b l y t i m e s Page 9

This simple and delicious recipe is perfect if you fancy making something different that looks and tastes

good but without the hassle of pastry making and its gluten free too. An ideal option when the family

come to call as it can be made in advance and will serve 4 to 6 people.

Ingredients

200g Smoked Salmon, shredded ( alternatively use tinned salmon or tuna well drained).

750g cooked New Potatoes 4-6 Spring Onions, sliced

4 Medium Eggs 2-3 level tbsp freshly Chopped Dill

200ml carton Crème Fraiche Salt and Black Pepper

Method

Set the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. Line a 18 x 28 cm tray bake tin with baking parchment.

Slice the potatoes and spread half over the base of the tin.

Season. Arrange half the salmon on top and sprinkle over

half the onions and half the chopped dill. Top with the

remaining potatoes, season and scatter over the rest of the

salmon, onions and dill. Beat together the eggs and crème

fraiche and pour over the salmon mixture. Bake for

between 45 to 50 mins or until the centre is just set. If the

top starts to brown too quickly during cooking cover with

baking parchment until done. Remove from oven and leave

to cool for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Serve warm or if making in advance chill when cold and

refrigerate - it will keep for up to 2 days. Serve as a main

meal with salad or use for tea time/buffet finger bites.... Enjoy!

Prep time: 30 mins Cooking time: 45 mins Skill level: Easy Peasy

Do you knit? Have you heard of Twiddlemuffs? Twiddlemuffs are knitted woollen

muffs with items such as ribbons, large buttons or textured

fabrics attached that patients with dementia can twiddle in their

hands whilst on the wards. People with dementia often have rest-

less hands and like something to keep them occupied. The Twiddlemuffs provide

a source of visual, tactile and sensory stimulation at the same time as keeping

hands snug and warm. If you can help the pattern for these can be downloaded

www.bit.ly/twiddlemitts The patient advice and liaison (PALs) office at

Southend Hospital can take donated muffs. Call them on 01702 435555 ext 5333

Finally BOGOF (Buy One Get One Free ) seems set to be axed and lower price single items to be offered. We

along with many others have long been complaining about this practise which encourages waste and doesn't always

offer value for money. Major supermarkets are likely to phase out BOGOF and "special deals" ahead of an official

report exposing misleading offers. Sainsburys, according to the Daily Telegraph, is set to scrap the vast majority of

multi-buy deals by August with special offers on confectionary, crisps and other" unhealthy" snacks being phased

out by March. Other supermarkets are likely to follow suit so look out for better value on single item purchases.

P a g e 1 0 I s s u e 2 7 S p r i n g 2 0 1 6

Our Keeping Safe and being Scam Smart features some reminders about Healthcare Scams....

You see ads for miracle drugs everywhere these days—supplements that claim to stop or reverse aging, or make

aches and pains disappear like magic! You might even see statements like, “This treatment cured my xxxx in one

week.” They appear to offer hope, but very usually aren’t true. Today, there are more ways than ever to sell untested

products—online, TV, radio, magazines, and newspapers are just a few examples. Actors portray doctors and

patients on commercials. You might even get an email urging you to try a product.

The problem is serious. Untested remedies may be harmful. They may get in the way of medicines prescribed by

your doctor. They may be expensive and a waste of money. And, sometimes, using these products keeps people from

getting the medical treatment they need. Health scams set their sights on people who are scared or in pain. It’s easy

to see why a person might be tempted to believe in the promise of a miracle remedy. Living with a chronic health

problem is hard. Health scams usually target diseases that may have treatments for symptoms but currently usually

have no cures. You may see ads for:

Anti-aging Therapies. Our culture places great value on staying young, but aging is normal. Pills or other

treatments for endless youth have not been scientifically proven to slow or reverse the aging process.

Arthritis Cure - you may see claims that treatments with magnets, copper bracelets, chemicals, special diets,

radiation, and other products can cure arthritis. Whilst some may help, other unproven arthritis remedies can be easy

to believe because symptoms of arthritis tend to come and go. If you are thinking about any new treatment, such as a

diet, a device, or another arthritis product, talk with your doctor first.

Cancer Cures. Scam artists prey on our fear of cancer and often promote treatments with no proven value. By using

unproven methods valuable time and the chance to benefit from a proven, effective treatment may be lost.

Memory Aids. Many of us worry about losing our memory as we age. So-called smart pills, removal of amalgam

dental fillings, and some brain training programs are examples of untested approaches so if you are concerned about

possible memory loss we would suggest that you speak to your GP or contact the Alzheimers Society.

Dietary Supplements. Billions each year are spent on dietary supplements. They are sold over-the-counter, without

a prescription, and include vitamins and minerals, amino acids, herbs, and enzymes. While some vitamins etc may be

helpful, some supplements may be bad for people taking certain medicines or with some medical conditions. Talk to

your doctor before starting any supplement.

Health Insurance. Some companies offer health insurance coverage that promises more than it intends to deliver.

When you think about buying health insurance and/or travel insurance remember to find out if the company and

agent are genuine, always check the small print on a policy and it can be helpful to compare various sites before

making a decision.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF FROM HEALTH SCAMS?

Be sceptical. Question what you see or hear in ads or online. Ask your doctor, nurse, other healthcare provider, or

pharmacist about a product before you buy it. Don’t let a salesperson talk you into making a snap decision. Look for

red flags in ads or promotional material that:

Promise a quick or painless cure

Claim the product is made from a special, secret, or ancient formula

Offer products and services only by mail or from one company

Use statements or unproven case histories from so-called satisfied patients

Promise a no-risk, money-back guarantee

Offer an additional free gift or a larger amount of the product as a special promotion

Require advance payment and claim there is a limited supply of the product

Think.... Be Scam Smart!

T h e A s s e m b l y t i m e s Page 11

‘

Wendy Traxler of “Zumba Fitness with Trax” tells us about the physical

benefits of Zumba and how it can help with co-ordination, balance and

memory. Wendy is a 53 year old qualified Zumba Instructor holding

Mainstream & Gold classes in the Shoebury/Wakering area and this has

been her main occupation for the last four years. Wendy writes... Zumba is a Latin inspired easy to follow dance fitness class and the

mainstream classes are high impact, calorie burning workouts aimed at the

fit and active BUT MY ZUMBA GOLD class is designed to meet the needs of

the more mature student. including many of the readers of your magazine . Its a lower impact session at a pace

that suits all. As well as the physical benefits it helps with co-ordination, balance and memory. Really good

fun, and a great deal of laughing goes on in class.. (A feel good factor in itself). All who attend my class are

average age 65. Mainly ladies, but I do have one man .. We call him 'John the brave' I currently have a class on

Wednesdays @ St Andrews Church Hall., Church Road, Shoeburyness SS3 9EU ... 10.45 - 11.45am and £5 per session (1hour). New members welcome.

See my facebook page for more information about the classes. And also some videos showing a little of what

we do.https://www.facebook.com/zumbafitnesswithtrax/ Tel: 01702-831543/07596-009398.

Wendy will be joining us at the AGM meeting on 16th March to tell us more about Zumba - come and listen.

Its always good to hear what others think & some of you have suggested that they

would welcome reports from other members on places to eat out. So we thought over to

you dear members & friends. Send us your reviews - good & bad, but please be honest

& fair. We would particularly like to include access information e.g. ease of parking in

the vicinity, closeness to public transport links, how many stairs to climb to gain entry

& once inside is there good disabled toilet provision & wheelchair access. Of course we

also want to know what you thought of the food, menu options & if dietary needs are

they catered for; did you think it was value for money for the type of venue, what was

the service like & and were you made welcome. Your review can be about anything

from a take away hamburger shop to fine dining. Each article will make it clear it is the

writers’ personal view and others may have a different opinion/experience.

The charity Age UK and the energy giant E.ON suspended a controversial energy tariff that had been

marketed by Age UK ‘for pensioners’ and sold by them as a lower cost option for older people.

It has recently been announced that The Age UK Fixed 2 Year Energy Tariff which was provided by

E.ON has temporarily been suspended to new and renewing customers. The move came days after

Ofgem agreed to launch an urgent investigation into allegations that the UK’s largest pensioners’

charity was allegedly accepting £6m a year from the energy supplier to promote this more expensive

tariff to older people. Ian Foy, managing director of Age UK Trading, said: “We always aim to give our

customers outstanding value for money and this decision will give us the opportunity to review the

current situation.”

A subsequent statement said “ E.ON customers on other Age UK Enterprises tariffs were unaffected

by this decision and would be able to continue until their contract expires or move without penalty

between tariffs at any point. The Age UK Enterprises tariff which is suspended has no exit fees,

meaning customers can change supplier without incurring any charge even if the fixed term still has

time to run.”

No doubt many of us will be confused and worried by this news but if you think you are one of the

affected customers or just want to check then don't delay—call E.ON on 0800 917 3353

Lines are open 8am-8pm Monday to Saturday.

I s s u e 2 7 S p r i n g 2 0 1 6

If you have an issue that's relevant to the OPA & over 55’s that you want raised at one of our

public meetings but don’t wish to speak yourself, please forward the details by email or

telephone us and we will be happy to present it on your behalf.

Visit our Website www.olderpeoplesassemblysouthend.co.uk

"Your Older People’s Assembly Needs You" Yes..YOU! ...... .. It is disappointing that despite previous appeals we are still in urgent need of new committee members and others to help us remain the Active Voice of the Over 55’s in Southend. I don't wish to sound negative particularly as we are a very positive and pro-active group but without new blood to join our small committee team there is indeed a very real possibility that the Assembly will flounder and an Active Voice of the Over 55’s in Southend would be lost. Our views, needs, concerns aired in such a public arena with dialogue direct with policy makers and service providers is important and it is your OPA that enables this. We know from what people tell us that your Assembly is valued

by members and recognised by others as a true opportunity for our voice to be heard. So I am again writing to you all with the same plea... COULD YOU HELP? If so please consider how you might support us, perhaps by joining the Committee of Southend Older People’s Assembly or undertaking some administration for us, using your IT skills to help with our website or magazine, help us to promote the organisation at various venues/meetings and through advertising. As a committee member there is an expectation that you would attend our monthly team meeting that is held on the second Tuesday morning of each month at our treasurer’s home and usually for about an

hour and half or so. We are not a stuffy bunch and so the meetings are very informal and although we do focus on co-coordinating the activities of the Assembly and keeping the organisation in the news and our members voices heard, we also enjoy a cuppa and catch up as well. Commitment for helping with the other tasks is determined by you and maybe it might be just a one-off offer to help with one specific task or something more regular—its up to each individual and any support would be very very welcome.

If you would like to find out more before deciding then please do contact us—we would love to hear from you.

Email us southendopa@yahoo.co.uk Call us c/o 01702 558945 and/or to apply to join the committee

please download an application form from our website www.olderpeoplesassemblysouthend.co.uk

and let us have it before the AGM meeting on 16th March 2016. ..Mike Grimwade OPA Chairman

Page 12

OLDER PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY MEETING DATES 2016 Come and join us at Civic Centre Council Chamber Victoria Avenue SS2 6ER

Normally 1.00 pm Registration for 1.30 p.m. Start

2016 *** WEDNESDAY 16th MARCH 2016 ***

1.30 pm registration - meeting commences 2.00pm.

*** ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ***

Please note the revised date and start time for the AGM meeting

All other meetings are at the regular time

WEDNESDAY 1st JUNE 2016

WEDNESDAY 7th SEPTEMBER 2016

WEDNESDAY 7th DECEMBER 2016