Dear Reader can winter really be here? The beautiful autumn colours are fast disappearing as the last of the leaves fall and the frosty mornings are here. The festive season is almost upon us so its time for a Christmas message from our Chairman, Derek Iles.........

CHRISTMAS SALE!!! From Tue 6 Nov 2012 until Christmas Eve, if you receive certain

benefits (pension credit, employment and support allowance or incapacity benefit) you

can buy up to 36 stamps at last year's prices from Royal Mail. First class stamps will cost 46p (usually

60p) and second class stamps will be 36p each (normally 50p). To get the discount, you'll need to show at the post

office counter that you receive one of the relevant benefits;

an Annual Up-Rating letter from the Department for Work and Pensions or other awards letters, dated within the last

12 months is acceptable evidence or if you have a Post Office Card Account take your statement as this will list your

benefits.

Its a good offer—you can save up to £5.04 36 first class stamps will cost £16.56 (full price £21.60)

36 second class stamps will cost £12.96 (full price £18.00)

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

NEW ON-LINE SHOP 2

ACTIVE AGEING 3

HAVE YOUR SAY—

LIBRARY REVIEW 4

KEEP SAFE 5

WINTER WARMTH 6

LIFELONG

LEARNING 6

SMILE 7

COOKERY CORNER 7 Postage Stamps at 2011 Prices

Established 2007

Issue 15 Winter 2012 The Assembly Times Newsletter of the Older People’s Assembly

Dear Members, life often takes us by surprise and I certainly

did not expect to be preparing my message to you from a bed

in Southend Hospital but I am currently in the Stroke Unit as

I recently had a mini stroke . I have received excellent

treatment and support and I’m making good progress ... but

had I ignored the signs and my neighbour not used 999 the

outcome could have been very different. I would urge everyone

to remember the F.A.S.T . message - for a reminder of what to look for see the

article in our Summer 2012 edition or ask your GP surgery for a leaflet.

I was delighted that so many of you enjoyed our Active Ageing event in

October and I should like to say a special thanks to the committee that worked so

hard to make it such a successful day and also to Victoria Shopping Centre for

their support. So many people have said that they would like us to ‘do it again’

so yes there will be a 2013 event. More details to follow...

This edition is packed full of interesting articles, hence space for my

comments is limited to just a few words and so I will close by sending each of

you my very warm and sincere wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

Regards Derek.

Southend Borough Council launched its new website selling items to enable

people with mobility or visual difficulties to live more independently.

The Southend Equipment Supplies (SES) site,

www.southendequipmentsupplies.co.uk

launched on Wednesday 26th September 2012, is

an online shop selling a wide variety of items

from long-handled sponges, toothpaste squeezers,

button hooks and easy-to-use garden tools plus

leisure and recreational products such as large

print playing cards and card holders to make it

easier to deal or shuffle and much much more.

The on-line shop is there to provide aids for the

disabled, elderly and frail and those with arthritis

or poor eyesight to assist them to live enhanced

and more independent lives.

It has been set up by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Community Equipment

Service which provides items and equipment as part of a care assessment to

support elderly people being discharged from full time support or those in

palliative care. However, this online shop is an additional venture and the idea of

the Community Equipment Service Manager, Phil Webster; its objective is enable

without a needs assessment the purchase of small items which can give practical

help. All profits will be ploughed back into Council funds.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Adult Social Care,

Health and Housing, Councillor Lesley Salter said: "This is an extremely useful

enterprise with all kinds of handy items on offer to help make daily life a bit easier

for residents with extra needs. We already know that our Community Equipment

Service is a vital resource for those who are coming out of hospital, so this new

branch of its work will help with the little things too. It is designed to assist a wide

range of people, and the profits made will be used by the Council for the benefit of

the people of Southend.” Published by SBC Wednesday 26th September 12 Council news and information releases news

Southend Council Launches Online

Disability Equipment Supplies Store.

P a g e 2 T h e a s s e m b l y t i m e s

Social Care Reform .. Last month we printed a lengthy article on the subject and the need for

action NOW. It would seem (as reported by the Telegraph) that a government report at the end of

October warns that the country may not be able to afford to fund a cap on care costs, it paints a

bleak picture of more of us slipping into poverty as we use our savings to fund care. In a joint

submission DWP & DCLG say the government will be “unable to commit” to the £35000 cap!

More than ever we need you to help us to maintain the pressure on your local & central

government elected members for a fair and equitable system for Care Home and Social Care at

Home to be at the forefront of their decision making. Come on Speak Up, Write, Lobby.

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

26th SEPTEMBER 2012 – The Older Peoples Assembly hosted its second community event in the town centre. It proved to be yet another very successful day around the theme: Celebrating Active Ageing .

The OPA is particularly grateful to the Victoria Shopping Centre for their ongoing support and for again providing a splendid venue and we extend our thanks to Tony and Gina of Victoria SC for their time and interest.

We have also had great support from BBC Essex both in the run-up to the event and on the day with Dave Monk broadcasting live from the Shopping Centre. Thank you Dave and also Tim Gillett for helping us to highlight Older Peoples issues and showcase some of the services and activities available. Dave along with our Mayor Councillor Sally Carr visited all the exhibitors and spoke at length with visitors and guests.

To our friends and colleagues from so many organisations in the town who supported the event many of whom exhibited on the day, a small section of which are shown in the photos we say thank you. We were delighted with the response to our event and we hope that the many, many people of Southend that came along enjoyed the day and found the event useful and interesting. We are very fortunate here in Southend with so many good voluntary and statutory services including SAVS, Southend Pensioners Campaign Group, Age Concern, Cruse Bereavement Care and so many more but there will always be aspects of unmet need and opportunities to improve and enhance things for us older ones..The OPA will continue to focus on these issues and to speak up on your behalf.....

How do you know Santa Claus has to be a man?

No woman is going to wear the same outfit year after year!!!

P a g e 4 t h e a s s e m b l y t i m e s

Help Shape the Future of Southend's Library Services

Southend Council is undertaking a thorough review of the whole of the library service in Southend, to ensure it meets the needs and priorities of residents and is financially sustainable in years to come. The review will include extensive consultation with residents and the first stage of the review ‘Fact Finding’ will be to ask residents what their priorities are and what they value most about the current library service.....

THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO HELP SHAPE THE LIBRARY SERVICE OF THE FUTURE AND ENSURE THE VIEWS OF THE OVER 55’S ARE HEARD AND CONSIDERED - You can have your say now – consultation began on October 1st 2012 and continues until 6th January 2013. YOU CAN: Complete a survey on-line: www.southend.gov.uk/libraryreview. Email your comments and queries to: libraryreview@southend.gov.uk Obtain a survey form from any of the libraries and have help to complete if required. Get answers to survey questions contact: Sharon Wheeler on 01702 212038

The council news release of 5th October 2012 states:

The Council believes libraries are important & know they are valued by the local community

The Council's aim is for our libraries to be fit for the future, providing the right services in the right

places and making sure that the money spent benefits as many people as possible.

People's use of our libraries is changing; more people are using our online services, over the past

three years there has been a 12% decline in the number of people visiting our libraries.

The purpose of the review will be to find out what the local community wants from their library

service and to consider whether alternative models of service provision have the potential to better

meet those needs within the constrained resources available.

There are no preconceived ideas as to the final outcome; we need as many people as possible to be

involved with the review and take the opportunity to put forward their views and ideas.

The article goes on to outline the review process which is to include:

Current service provision and performance.

Asset Management & Operational review of the branch network & Mobile Library Service-

An assessment of need across Southend Library Services of those groups & localities potentially

affected.

Identification of service changes, development opportunities & priorities; including opportunities to

collaborate across other public sector services & alternative methods of service delivery.

Identification of required financial savings

The council says the outcome of the review will lead to the production of a draft Library Strategy

outlining how the agreed recommendations of the review will be implemented over a period of

time from autumn 2013 to ensure that the Library Service remains fit for purpose for the next 15 -

20 years. THE OPA IS YOUR VOICE - WE WILL SPEAK UP TO ENSURE OUR SERVICE NEEDS ARE MET—WILL YOU??

T h e A s s e m b l y t i m e s p a g e 5

Michael Armstrong - Crime Reduction & Architectural Liaison Officer Southend

Police District has kindly agreed to provide a regular feature for our newsletter

and this edition continues on the theme of ‘Keep Safe - Be Security Aware’

Michael writes......

The autumn is progressing and winter will soon be here. Last time I spoke

at length about the need to prevent thieves gaining access to the rear of your

property and the importance of locking doors and windows.

This advice is still correct and important, but you should also leave a light on in the earlier

evening if you are not at home so that your home looks occupied – preferably a light in a

bedroom or living room (or both) as a hallway might be obvious to a thief.

If possible, use special light bulbs which have small sensors fitted so that they will come on

automatically when it gets dark, or use a mechanical timer with a small table lamp. It costs just a

few pence a week and is a good, proven deterrent. Remember, burglars look for obvious

weaknesses; if you present a secure, lit home thieves are most likely to try elsewhere.

Changing the subject, Christmas preparations will be in full swing by the time this article is

published, and I would like to share a couple of safety tips for Christmas shopping. Busy shops

attract thieves as well as nice people. Ladies should keep their handbags closed if possible and

carried on the front of the body to deter anyone trying to ‘dip’ the contents. Gentlemen should try

and carry their wallets in a closed pocket, or inside their jacket. Rear trouser pockets are a

pickpocket’s easiest target. You may have seen the news article before the Olympics about the

pickpockets from overseas who were explaining how much they were looking forward to

“working in London”!! These people exist and travel around the country, so it is prudent to take

precautions.

Shopping can be hard work and I am often glad to get back to the car, throw the shopping inside,

catch my breath, and carry on to the next shop. It is really important to conceal the items in the

boot, out of sight. Thieves go Christmas shopping in car parks every year. Don’t let them steal

yours!

For further advice on any crime related matter please dial 101 and ask to speak to or your local

Crime Reduction Officer. Finally, please remember, Essex remains one of the safest counties in

the country, and may I wish you a safe and crime-free Christmas and New Year.

SHOP EARLY— DONT MISS THE CHRISTMAS BARGAINS???

The judge asked the defendant what he was charged with.

"Doing my Christmas shopping early," was the reply.

"That's not illegal - How early were you shopping?” said

the judge!. “Before the store was open." THE DEFENDANT

SAID WITH A SMILE...

1. Get your free flu jab if you are aged 65, have certain medical conditions or are the main

carer for another older or disabled person.

2. Keep warm set your heating to the right temperature (18–21°C or 65–70°F), you can keep

your home warm and still keep your bills as low as possible.

3. Look after yourself, layer your clothing & wear shoes with a good grip if you need to go out.

4. Food is a vital source of energy, which helps to keep your body warm. Try to make sure you

have hot meals and drinks regularly throughout the day and keep active in the home if you can.

5. Get financial support. There are grants, benefits and sources of advice available to make

your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help with bills. It’s worthwhile

claiming all the benefits you are entitled to before the winter sets in.

6. Have your heating & cooking appliances checked – carbon monoxide is a killer. Compare and Switch Energy Suppliers There are different energy suppliers on the market.

Comparing prices & switching to a cheaper deal could save money. There are a number of

websites that can help, Consumer Focus, the statutory consumer champion runs an

accreditation scheme for independent price comparison websites, the Consumer Focus

Confidence Code. A full list of accredited sites is available online: www.consumerfocus.org.uk/

confidence-code .Consumer Focus produces factsheets & these are updated regularly online:

www.consumerfocus.org. uk/get-advice/elected-officials-area/price-omparisonfactsheets If

you don’t have internet access order the fact sheets on: 08454040506

The Home Heat Helpline: A free national helpline about grants for free home insulation &

reduced or ‘social’ tariffs from energy suppliers, plus advice on managing bills & reducing your

energy use. Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99, www.homeheathelpline.org.uk

P a g e 6 t h e a s s e m b l y t i m e s

Stephen Lay Principal of Southend Adult Community College came along to our last public meeting and as so

many of you have said how informative his presentation was we wanted to share a précis of his talk with our

wider readership: Stephen opened his speech with a commitment to his belief in the importance of lifelong learning

as a contribution to community well- being. Learning can take many forms and is often influenced by people’s

individual circumstances. There are many local organisations that have learning as a central theme of their core

aims; the University of the Third Age (U3A) is well established locally and the WI have a long history of providing

educational opportunities for its members. In addition, there are a whole host of voluntary clubs and societies, often

with a single focus, that enable members to learn & develop new skills e.g. Camera Clubs, Horticultural, Gardening ,

Music and Historical Societies. Self- learning has always been an important part of many people’s life with Libraries

& Museums playing a key role in supporting this type of learning. Increasingly, the computer is proving a rich source

of learning for many people and activities such as family history are readily available through the internet.

Stephen talked about the opportunities Southend Adult Community College offer local residents. Currently over 25%

of the College’s 6,700 enrolments are by people aged over the age of 60. The College has its main site in Ambleside

Drive and has just opened a centre at the new Belfairs campus in Leigh. The college also runs classes in various

community venues across the Borough. The programmes available fall into three categories:

Community Learning: e.g. arts & crafts, languages, computing, digital cameras, history, floristry and fitness.

Foundation Learning: e.g. maths, English, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), ICT.

Vocational Skills Learning/Apprenticeships: eg. customer service, business & admin, children & learning,

health & social care, IT professional and horticulture.

Finally, Stephen talked about a government sponsored report which described ‘five ways to well-being’; it suggested

that if people adopted a balanced approach to the following activities they would lead a healthy and enriching life:

‘Connect’ ; socialise with friends, neighbours and work colleagues,

‘Be Active’; undertake appropriate regular exercise,

‘Take Notice’; be curious of the world around you, e.g. the changing seasons, architecture, the arts, wildlife,

‘Give’; spend time helping a neighbour, assisting someone in town or regular volunteering with a charity or

community organisation.

‘Keep Learning’; read, learn a new hobby, join a club or enrol for an adult education class.

THE OPA IS MOST GRATEFUL TO STEPHEN FOR HIS SUPPORT AND THIS ARTICLE.

Top Tips for Keeping Warm and Well

Words of Wisdom !!!

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hrs in a day are not enough,

remember this tale of a Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and wordlessly picked up a very large and empty

mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He asked “Is the jar full?”

The students all agreed that it was. The professor picked up a box of pebbles, poured them into the

jar and shook it lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He asked the students again “Is the jar full?” They agreed it was indeed now full. The Professor next

picked up a bag of sand and poured it into the jar; the sand filled all the gaps between the golf ball &

pebbles. He asked once more “Is the jar full?”The students responded with a unanimous "yes" The

Professor smiled and produced two beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the

jar, effectively filling the empty space between the grains of sand. The students laughed..

”Now!” said the Professor as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognise that this jar represents

your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your friends, your health, and your

favourite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remain, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your pension, your home, support, independence

and perhaps your car. The sand is everything else---the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar

first, there is no room for the pebbles or golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time

and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay

attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your family and friends

and if you have grandchildren keep in touch, take your partner/friend out to dinner or invite them to

eat with you. If you can, play another 18 on the golf course, go to that exercise class, have a

Wednesday free swim, sign up for further education short course, attend a local social club and

consider becoming part of a voluntary group – join the OPA! There will always be time to clean the

house, do the laundry and the DIY. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter, set

your priorities then the pebbles. The rest is just sand !

One of the students raised his hand and asked “what about the Beer - what does that represent?”.

The Professor smiled, " I'm glad you asked that. The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your

life may seem, there's always time for a couple of Beers with a friend!!.”

t h e a s s e m b l y t i m e s p a g e 7

Maureen’s Spicy Parsnip & Apple Soup Makes Four Portions and Suitable for Freezing.

1 Large Onion (peeled & finely chopped) 1 tsp Ground Ginger

2 Garlic Cloves (peeled & crushed) 1 tsp Dried Thyme

500g Parsnips (peeled & diced) 2 tbsp Apple Sauce

1 litre hot Vegetable Stock 150g Natural Yogurt

2 tsp Curry Powder Salt and Pepper to taste

Place Onion, Garlic, Parsnips and 250ml of the Stock in a heavy based saucepan, cover and bring to the boil. Boil for

5-10 minutes and add Curry Powder, Ginger, Thyme and remaining Stock to the pan. Bring back to the boil, cover and

simmer for 15-20 minutes.

Puree in blender or food processor, return to pan and add Apple Sauce and Yogurt. Reheat on very

low heat, stirring continuously (do not boil). Season to taste, sprinkle with parsley and a swirl of

yogurt to serve.

When I am making a batch for the freezer I double the quantity.

From Maureen McCutcheon OPA Secretary

Coming in the next edition of The Assembly Times – Maureen’s Moroccan Lamb Casserole....

P a g e 8 t h e a s s e m b l y t i m e s

Visit our Website at www.southendopa.org.uk

(Apologies for ongoing problems with our site and email access—we are working to resolve this)

OLDER PEOPLES ASSEMBLY MEETING DATES 2013 CIVIC CENTRE – THE COUNCIL CHAMBER

Come and join us 1.00pm registration for 1.30p.m. Start

WEDNESDAY 6th MARCH

WEDNESDAY 5th JUNE

WEDNESDAY 4th SEPTEMBER

WEDNESDAY 4th DECEMBER

Note: The March Assembly is be our Annual General Meeting where Committee Members and

Officers are elected. We welcome new members and have vacancies for committee members -

please support the work of the OPA and consider standing for election to our committee.

DISABLILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE TO PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT

CONFUSED... CONCERNED...

The Government is introducing a new benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which

will replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for eligible working age people aged 16 to 64. It

will apply to all new claimants aged 16 to 64 and existing DLA claimants who are aged 16 to 64 on

8 April 2013. The Government says “it is committed to supporting disabled people to lead

independent and active lives. It recognises that disabled people can face additional challenges to leading independent lives and is committed to maintaining an extra-cost, non-means-tested disability benefit to support disabled people.”

OVER 65’s? ... If you currently receive DLA and will be 65 or over on 8th April2013 there will be

no changes at present and you will not need to claim Personal Independence Payment and you

will continue to receive DLA for as long as you meet the entitlement conditions.

However as the government will not begin to ask eligible DLA claimants whether they want to

claim Personal Independence Payment until after Personal Independence Payment is introduced for

new claims in April 2013, some people who were under 65 on 8th April 2013 will have reached 65

by the time they are contacted. The government says “We want to see how the assessment for the

new benefit works for people of eligible age before deciding if Personal Independence Payment should be extended to people over 65.”

A number of people have asked: I get Attendance Allowance (AA). Will I be affected by these changes? • No. If you get AA you will not be affected by the introduction of Personal

Independence Payments (PIP).

UNDER 65’s?...New claims from April 2013 – Personal Independence Payment will be introduced

for new claims in Merseyside, North West England, Cumbria, Cheshire and North East England.

During this period new claimants in all other parts of the country will continue to claim Disability

Living Allowance as now. From June 2013 all new claims from all parts of the country will be for

Personal Independence Payment as DLA will no longer apply to this age group. For existing under

65 claimants there is no automatic transfer from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal

Independence Payment. Between October 2013 and March 2016 these claimants already getting

DLA will receive a letter inviting them to make a claim for Personal Independence Payment. They

will be individually assessed against the new entitlement criteria. FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE: www.dwp.gov.uk/pip COME & HEAR MORE ABOUT DLA/PIP ON 5TH DECEMBER FROM OUR CAB GUEST SPEAKER

AT OUR OLDER PEOPLES ASSEMBLY MEETING - 1.30 Civic Centre in the Council Chamber .