Heanor and District 50+ Forum
We are set up to serve the over-50s who live in the communities in and around Heanor, for example Heanor itself, Marlpool, Langley, Langley Mill, Loscoe, Aldercar, Smalley, Shipley and Horsley Woodhouse.
We work hard to talk to the community to find out what people want from their local 50+ forum, providing the opportunity to comment on local issues and have your voice heard.
We aim to:
- enable the voices of people 50 years and above to be heard
- provide an effective, representative and independent advocate for the views of people 50 years and above
- gather and provide information on issues affecting people of 50 years and above
- arrange opportunities for people of 50 years and above to network with service providers
- monitor new services and developments that affect people of 50 years and above
- provide statutory, voluntary and private organisations with the views of people 50 years and above about existing and proposed services
- influence policy and practice concerning people of 50 years and above at a local, regional and national level
- pursue the implementation of the UN Declaration of the Rights of People 50 years and above (1991)
Achievements
We have succeeded in getting an older people's exercise area put behind the Welfare Centre on Wilmot Street which we're pleased to say is used regularly by the community.
We're pleased to announce that all the GP surgeries in the area now have patient participation group and all meetings have a 50+ forum representative present to ensure that our voice is heard and the health needs of older people are considered.
One of the aims of the management committee is to have more interaction between the 50+ Forum members and the youth of the area. As a result, events have taken place involving the forum and local infant and secondary schools.
We're lucky to have the choir of Mundy School come and entertain us at various open forum events. The school also attended a recent open forum to tell us about their hugely successful community garden project.
We've also recently held a sports and activities afternoon with Blend Youth Project. This was a great event that was enjoyed by all.
What we're doing
Over the last few years we have held many events with invited speakers to discuss issues and present valuable information to the community on a wide range of topics. To this end, we have representatives who attend various committees within our area. Inter-agency meetings, police and community panel meetings and local involvement networks are just 3 examples.
Presentations at the open forums are chosen not only to let members know what is new in areas that affect them, but also to stretch their imagination and to demonstrate what older people can do in their leisure time. Jewellery makers, card makers, florists and woodworkers have given presentation displays and the committee is looking for more examples of craftworkers.
At our open forum events, which take place every 3 months, we also have lots of fun. Recently we've had a chocolate making demonstration, live owl flying demonstration, card making, flower arranging and have plans for more enjoyable activities at our events. We welcome ideas for future events and would love to hear from you.
We're currently working on a big project to try and get disabled access to the southbound platform of Langley Mill station. We've also set up and run computer buddying sessions at Heanor Library and are looking into starting craft afternoons and regular sporting activities for older people.
Meetings and events
Our meetings are held at Wilmot Street Welfare Centre in Heanor. Please see 50+ Forum meeting and events for more details.
If you have any topics that are of interest or something that concerns you in the local area, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us so the forum can explore it on your behalf.
Contact us
Chair
Mike Smith, mobile: 07704 002610or email mikesmith21c@yahoo.co.uk
Forum support officer
Sarah Skinner