Winterton Senior Citizens Forum
The Next Twelve Months
(1st November 2010 – 31st October 2011)

The WSCF was formed on 31st October 2007. This is a short appraisal of information and events that has taken place over the last twelve months since our Third Annual General Meeting on the 11th November 2010.

Forum Meetings.
There has been 5 separate Committee and 11 Forum Monthly Meetings in the past year which have been very well attended with the support of 37 invited Guest Speakers covering many of our Public Services and Older Peoples Support Groups.

The Forum has also been supported by Councillor Marilynne Harrison who is the Older Persons Representative on the Winterton Town Council.

Forum Membership
Over the years the forum has maintained an excellent membership.

Due to the pending closure of Nassau House we lost Eunice Gerhardt who went to live in Scunthorpe & for personal reasons one of our founding members Mary Stracker regretfully resigned, however we welcome new members Barbara Adams, Colin Belton, Pauline Baxter and Simon Wild.

Forum Constitution
The forum has a written and approved Constitution available to all existing and new members.

Forum Information
The Management Committee ensure that the Forum members receive regular newsletters, minutes of all the meetings and other relevant information covering local, regional and national issues.

Forum support to the Town of Winterton
Over the past year the forum have supported the Marmion Drive Park extension and attended the Opening Ceremony, also the Wii Project for 14-18 year old at the Old School House, The historical 139 Winterton Agricultural Show and more recently some of our members have attended the first steps in computers course at the new Winterton Library and Resource Centre. Some of our members regulary support the Luncheon Club at the Trinity Methodist Chapel and some attended the recent Murder Mystery Play acted out by members of the Chapel which was an excellent evening. Forum Representation.

The Forum has been well represented at Local, Regional and National levels. We have enjoyed coverage in the Scunthorpe Telegraph, Winterton "Out `n About" FreshStart Newsletters, also Age UK "forum to FORUM" newsletter and we were mentioned in the first Age UK new Engagement newsletter.

WSCF Newsletters
Since June 2009 we have produced our own forum newsletter, covering articles and photographs about our guest speakers, with local, regional and national events and information, together with forum social events and have included many articles and photographs about our members.

All our newsletters and information can be viewed on the Winterton Council website at www.wintertoncouncil.co.uk

NorthLinKs Senior Forums Umbrella Group
Forum Committee members regularly attend the quarterly NorthLinKs Senior Forum Umbrella Group meetings at Pittwood House, supported and chaired by Cllr. Stewart Wilson,(Labour) and recently Cllr. Rob Waltham (Conservative) Cabinet Minister and the Older Peoples Champions on North Lincolnshire Council.

Regional Conferences
Members of our forum have attended Regional Conferences in York and Leeds to meet up with representatives from many Senior Forums across Yorkshire and the Humber discussing older person's issues.

NDA (New Dynamics of Ageing) Programme
Our Chairman is a member of the NDA. New Dynamics of Ageing, Older Peoples Reference Group.

The NDA Programme is a 7 year multidisciplinary £30 Million research initiative with the ultimate aim of improving the life of older people. The Programme covering 35 Research Projects is a unique collaboration between five Research Councils in the UK and is the largest and most ambitious research programme on ageing ever mounted in the UK.

ESRC- Economic & Social Research Council.
EPSRC- Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council.
BBSRC- Bioscience for the future.
MRC- Medical Research Council.
AHRC- Arts & Humanities Research Council

Jim also serves on the Advisory Board for the CALL-ME Project (Community Action in Later Life-Manchester Engagement) an important research programme headed by Professor Michael Murray of Keele University in conjunction with and supported by the Manchester City Council, VOP (Valuing Older People). Promoting Independence and Social Engagement among older people in disadvantaged communities.

Also on the User Engagement Panel for the "Working Late" Research Project, Strategies to enhance Productivity and Healthy Environments for the Older Workforce, headed by Professor Cheryl Haslam Loughborough University

More recently serving on the Knowledge Transfer Steering Group for the HALCyon Project at the MRC(Medical Research Council in London) and ESRC (Economic & Social Research Council) The Festival of Social Science Childrens Course in Sheffield.

Our Chairman also serves on the Executive Committee of the WHO-CARES project, dealing with Health and Social Care issues in North Lincolnshire and keeps the Forum updated with the group's activities.

Jim also is a member of the Scunthorpe Lions International Club supporting our local community and part of the largest Charity Club in the World.

Forum Links
The Forum maintains links with local Forums in Barton, Brigg and Scunthorpe including Apna Sahara Ltd; the Black and Ethnic Minority group together with the support of the members of the Winterton Disabled Club and the ladies from South Ferriby Friendship Club who regularly attend and support our forum meetings, away days and many other events. Thank You.

Forum Events
The Forum held a Summer Fair in Nassau house which was a great success. The forum was represented at the historical 139th Winterton Agricultural Show. Forum members also enjoyed trips to the seaside at Bridlington and Skegness and we hope to repeat these events next year and to have our Annual Christmas Lunch at the Butchers Arms.

Forum Transport
The forum continue to provide transport for our elderly and disabled members and many thanks go to Transport Solutions for their excellent vehicles and drivers in support of our forum, also to Ben George Ltd for the summer events transport which is much appreciated.

Forum Success
One notable success was with the Cheque Replacement Programme planned for 2018. Following the visit by Helen Doyle and Sandra Quinn from the Payments Council in January 2011 and forum debate.

It was agreed that a major change of direction on this issue was confirmed by Helen Doyle on the 12th July 2011 to retain the current cheque system has long as customers needed them.

Sandra Quinn Director of Communications also confirmed that she wanted to pass on her personal thanks for our involvement and that she had been on BBC Breakfast TV and name checked Winterton. For our small forum to be congratulated by the Director of Communications and mentioned on BBC Breakfast TV is fantastic.

Thanks to all the members who supported this important campaign.

Chairmans Appreciation
On behalf of our Forum we would like to thank Cindy Joyce for the use of the Methodist Church Hall and its excellent facilities.

Thanks to our Treasurer Chris Pick for looking after the forum finances, and thanks to Mary Jackson, Brenda Hutchings, Sandra Manning, Kath Pacey and Brian Parker for all their support with the social activities and raffles etc., and finally all our wonderful members who have generously supported the Forum.

Special Thanks to Winterton Town Council, Age UK and North Lincolnshire Council for their financial support and especially NLC for the printing facilities at Brumby Resource Centre in Scunthorpe.

Congratulations to Mary Jackson who wears many hats and works tirelessly in support of our Winterton Community and other organisations. Mary did exceedingly well and received a Special Life Time Award at the FreshStart 2010 Award Night at Forest Pine Complex.

A very special mention to thank Gary Headland of Age UK, Bev Hewings and all the Team from FreshStart, Anne Mulligan and Anne Cook from the Crosby Community Association, Apna Sahara Ltd, together with all our Guest speakers who have diligently supported the Winterton Senior Citizens Forum, not forgetting the members of the Royal Engineers Association who we shall be welcoming back next year when they celebrate their Centenary Year.

Please remember this is "Your Forum Your Voice".

Jim Harding,
Chairman,
10th November 2011 Winterton Senior Citizens Forum - The First Twelve Months

Our Vice Chairman Jim Harding was recently appointed to the Executive Committee of the WHO-CARES project, dealing with Health and Social Care of our Community Social and would like to thank everyone who voted for him and promises to keep the Forum updated with future information.

A special mention for Mary Jackson who wears many hats and works tirelessly in support of our Winterton Community was presented with a special award at the recent FreshStart Awards Ceremony held at Forest Pines Complex.

Forum Links

The Forum has built links with other local Forums in Barton, Brigg and Scunthorpe, including the Engage Group in Grimsby.

Our Forum has also supported the formation of new Seniors Forums in Gainsborough and in Harpenden.

The Chairman and Vice Chairman have also attended meetings with Messingham and Bottesford Councils and given presentations in the promotion of Forums.

Forum Events

The Forum has been well represented with stalls at both the Corus Gala Day and the Winterton Show.

Forum members joined with other Forum members from Brigg, Barton and Scunthorpe who were invited and enjoyed a visit to the new Residential Care Village in Oakham, part of the Prime Life Ltd group who are planning to build a new Residential Care Village on the A1077 near Scunthorpe

The recent trip to the Houses of Parliament, included a guided tour given by our local MP`s Ian Cawsey and Elliot Morley, buffet reception and the opportunity to discuss and debate issues of the day with Ian, Elliot and MP Rosie Winterton the new Works and Pensions Minister was a great success and the whole experience was appreciated by everyone

Our Christmas Lunch at the Butchers Arms is planned for 15th December.

Chairman's Appreciation

Our Chairman Brian Booker would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Committee. Special thanks go to Sandra for taking on the job as Secretary, Chris as Treasurer and Mary Jackson for all her Social Activity support but not forgetting all our Forum members who have given of their time and support during our first year in getting established in support of all our Senior Citizens.

A very special mention to thank, Kevin Delaney of Independent Living, Gary Headland of Help the Aged, Paul Hemingway of Age Concern North Lincolnshire, Rachel Blake, Bev Hewings and all the Team from FreshStart, together with all our guest speakers, who have diligently supported the Winterton Senior Citizens Forum.

Jim Harding, Vice Chairman, 10th November 2008