Age UK Cornwall - 50 Years Legacy Book

Golden Jubilee 50 years of aging well in Cornwall

GOLDEN LEGACY BOOK

Thank you partners and friends for supporting us during our celebration year

GOLDEN LEGACY BOOK

Recollections by Margaret Ford – Chair, AGE UK Cornwall & isles of Scilly As current chair of Age UK Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and having worked for the organisation for over 30 years, I have a fairly unique insight into how it started, how it has developed and where it is going.

The organisation was born in London after the 2nd World War. introduced and funded by the government and originally called The Older Peoples Welfare Association – the intention was for it to do exactly as it says on the tin – help older people cope with the aftermath of war and help with improving their wellbeing.

From one main branch in London there grew many off shoots around the home counties, spreading more and more around the United Kingdom – there are still some groups called The Older Peoples Welfare Association to this day.

In 1971 the Older Peoples Welfare became completely independent of government and was renamed Age Concern. Many local groups took on the Age Concern name and together they benefited from a unified image and a name reflecting that they were not just committees but active providers of direct services.

When Age Concern Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly was established, 50 years ago, our focus was on the support, benefit advice and sign posting for those requiring help. We ran several second-hand charity shops to raise much needed funds, and then in 1989 three Day centres were founded. One at Falmouth, Truro and then Newquay. These were Cornwall Council owned buildings given to Age Concern Cornwall to run and provide support for the cared for and the carers themselves with some respite. In the 1990’s Transport mini buses were introduced to enable a person to be brought into the Day Centre on a regular basis, where they could receive a bath, enjoy a hair dressing facility, tuck into a hot meal, and most of all have some much-needed social engagement.

For the complete story click here

3

Who we are Every year, we support thousands of people and communities.

We have over 350 dedicated volunteers and staff that provide services, activities and support to people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

We have four guiding aims: 1 To place the person at the centre of everything we do.

Our mission is simple, we aim to take the positives of getting older and minimise the challenges. We listen, provide support and work tirelessly to help ‘improve the wellbeing of people in later life’

2 Supporting a network of connections.

Our goal is to connect individuals to a wide range of community resources, services and support that is centred around the places where people live.

By working with partners, local communities and social groups we can expand the menu of support, enabling people to take control of their own lives and increase their choices.

3 Building Resilience and Sustainability.

We believe that the role of our charity is to offer solutions and support that are sustainable and focused on serving the needs of our population.

We are the masters of our own design and our primary aim is to offer information, guidance, support and services that people want and need.

4 To Inspire People and Communities to Age Well.

We will always focus on the difference we make and the value we bring to people in Cornwall. It is essential that we measure what matters to people the most. We will strive to embed a culture of positive solutions by coaching across the organisation, supporting teams to take responsibility and making the right decision at the right time. We want to create an inspiring environment for all who work for us and with us.

Message from Tracey Roose – Chief Executive, AGE UK Cornwall & isles of Scilly Yesterday and today We find ourselves working in a very different environment today than when we began 50 years ago which has been brought into an even clearer focus post-Covid.

Have a look at our Timeline and History following my introduction and you can see how we have developed from providing basic needs to our older population to a comprehensive range of valuable and vital services to help all of us to AGE WELL. There is a real sense of community engagement borne out of necessity during the last two years of pandemic. And we have harnessed that new spirit ourselves Minds have become flexible, our carers have pulled out all stops and there is now a dedication, empathy and commitment that is part of our brand essence and adopted equally by staff and volunteers alike.

We are proud and excited to celebrate our Golden Jubilee by publishing this Legacy Book for all to see and to highlight some of the ‘best of the best’ from exhibits to products, exemplary staff, cares volunteers and drivers, who go out of their way to exceed expectation – and at the end of this special year we will announce prize winners at our final Birthday Bash in May 2023!

5

Message from the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall – Colonel Edward Bolitho OBE Congratulations to Age UK Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly for reaching your 50th Anniversary year: 50 is an important milestone in anyone’s life and just as much so for an excellent organisation such as you are. May I wish you every joy and success in your Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

All of us in the UK have much to celebrate in 2022, nothing more so than the Platinum Jubilee of HM The Queen’s accession in 1952. Celebrations of this event involve all ages coming together in many different ways, exactly what is needed to help make communities across the country strong and resilient.

Therefore, I am delighted that this message of promoting young and old coming together is something that Age UK Cornwall is emphasising, especially through your own Go for Gold programme. We all want to get older in the best way possible and bringing generations together to discuss how we work together to manage ageing is everyone’s business - this is a great step forward.

Getting old comes with its challenges, but life should continue to be fun and rewarding: thank you all so much for everything you do to help in this.

Have a great year and I much look forward to your Big Birthday in May 2023: please send me an invitation!

7

Our history N W

Mid 1940

O

P C

Our organisation was founded after WW2, funded and introduced by the Labour Government and called The Old People’s Welfare Committee, helping older people cope with the aftermath of war and to improve their well- being. In 1944 it became known as the National People’s Welfare Committee (NOPWC).

1945 – 1980

From the first London branch it quickly grew throughout the Home Counties, then spreading throughout the UK, and some are still called by their original name.

1971

May 1980

The organisation became completely independent of Government and was renamed Age Concern. Many local groups took this name and together they benefitted from a unified corporate image, reflecting that they were not just committees but active providers of direct services.

Arrived in Cornwall 50 years ago hence the launch of this Golden Anniversary Legacy Book.

9

1980 – 1992

Initially Age Concern continued with the support, benefit advice and sign posting for specific services to those who required help. Second - hand shops were introduced to raise funds, one of which was our own in Truro at 5a Little Castle Street.

3 Day Centres were founded, Falmouth, Truro and Newquay. These provided the ‘cared for’ and the ‘carers’ with respite and transport.

Mini buses were introduced to enable ‘clients’ to be brought into the Centres on a regular basis and here they could have their hair dressed, have a bath, a good hearty meal and that much needed, social interaction Unknowingly, the attendance brought competitive spirit into the Centres – keeping up appearances, looking forward to meeting others and playing games or cards, or even some sporting activity! ‘Clients’ felt they were once again becoming part of a community.

1987 The 1st purchase of a community minibus

1989 Falmouth, Newquay and Truro Day Centres opened

1990 Introduction of The Neighbourhood Service

Care in the Community was generally well received but some small glitches emerged; men received mixed receptions - a ‘generational’ thing!

If a male went to another male’s home, he was not well received.

After all men didn’t do housework so it was not acceptable for a man to care for another man. Likewise if a male went to a lady, living on her own, that was certainly unacceptable! What would the neighbours think? We tried only sending male carers to couples then discovered that the husband got jealous and would only accept a female.

Carers were increasingly handling quite large sums of money at the end of each week and there was concern for their safety.

To cut down travel costs and expenses Team Leaders worked from home to provide flexible working hours.

We all want to be independent as long as possible so we introduced a Neighbourhood Service so that clients could be monitored without intrusion (curtains drawn or post left in the letterbox). Fires would be lit and a little shopping undertaken.

In the end we had to get rid of all male carers… nowadays we have many male carers and they are happily accepted and do the job very well. How times and fashion have changed.

11

1992 Care in the Community was introduced We worked, at first with Social Services, then with our own Care Plan throughout the County. This consisted of one person overseeing a team of carers with one Leader in each ‘Council’ area (Carrick, Kerrier, Penwith – names that no longer known following the introduction of our own Unitary Council).

1994 Home Support founded

We trained our teams and referrals were received from Social Services via individual families or from the clients themselves.

Area Team Leaders went out and assessed each client and when the service was taken up a carer was allocated and he or she could provide general cleaning, washing, ironing and shopping (or taking the client shopping). This was initially financed by the client paying direct to the carer.

2002 TAP founded

community - supporting people to retain their independence and keep socially active - providing door-todoor transport for people who have difficulty accessing other forms of public transport. They specialise in nonemergency healthcare appointments, trips to information centres & hubs, memory cafes, social activities, shopping excursions, prescription collections and everything in between.

Transport Access People (TAP) is a subsidiary of Age UK Cornwall. They have been providing a Community Transport service throughout Cornwall & Devon since 2002. TAP has a fleet of Accessible Electric Vehicles, Minibuses, and over 120 Volunteer Car drivers that take clients to their chosen destinations.

TAP has been the connector for communities for over 20 years, performing an invaluable role in the

“In 2022, TAP provided over 67,000 journeys in Cornwall & South Devon”

2004 West Cornwall Minibus Share Scheme introduced

13

2009 Age Concern and Help the Aged join forces.

AGE UK was established and in Cornwall we became AGE UK, Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly, all under the umbrella of AGE UK England but we remained autonomous on how we worked and made decisions.

Today we obtain the majority of our funds from grants, providing services to people in the community, or by receiving legacies.

Our ‘books’ always have to be balanced so we do make some charges for certain services. If the client has a problem, in severe cases, we have an enablement fund to dip into – whatever service we provide, it is important that we always put the person at the centre of everything we do, identify their needs & wants, and ask the question ‘what matters to you?’

2005 St Austell Day Centre opened

2007 Transport for Renal Department patients begins

2009 The Buzza Bus on the Isles of Scilly was introduced

Celebrating Age and Ambition

Celebrating Age and Ambition

Celebrating Age and Ambition

Celebrating Age and Ambition

2010 Age & Ambition event at Kingsley Village

8

Proje Age and Ambition ct v iv a

Everyb can br ody has sk can offing to volunills and qu ali er so meth teering; an ties that ing for they d everyo voluntee ring ne.

Celebra ting Age

Celebrat Age and ing Ambition

nt - to

help

us all

plan

for 201 1

2010 Falls Prevention & Steady On advice published and presented at hubs

2011 Steady on and Falls Prevention service launched 15

Printing

ncern

in Co

rnwa

ll and

Celebra ting Age and Ambiti on

bitio

the Isl

es of

Scilly

supp

Celebra Age andting Ambition

us!

ortin

g self-

care

Age and

week

2 Why

3

is sel

f care

import

We a r and t e all liv in his is g great longer …

ant?

Suppo by str rting peo oke ple affe Cogni cted Maintetive Stimu nance lati in Co on Therap rnwall y

4

Health y Liv ing Ce The ntre in PriWellbeing mary Facilita Care tor

wall Mid Corn

k

5

ed by

Cornwa in wor ll Works is Cornwa k, go back to ll’s app wor roa

k, and ch For inf try new to helpin g peo things our we ormation and volu ple stay call b-site nteerin g. www. 01872 35 cornwa 5060 or llwor ks.or visit g.uk

and print

of Tale

hics

Trees

Grap

these

Designed

air for

by all.or g.uk

rcornw

Getti ng back to wor

Footca re The Val services ue of volunt eer

6

Media

dem ere Cornw entia cafes voluntee ring is all. Pe which about worki op ng is past eve le are abl have dev nts and e to talk eloped acr at This pro to eac oss experi h oth memo vides gre ences. er at stimu ries and lived lat recoll thr ection ion through dement ough. Th s that evokin is ia sup they and the po g have break family rts the per have both for a son / inf ormal couple with carer of ho Spring who can urs. is in the

Be am

Age Co

by MG

AGE UK was established and in Cornwall we became AGE UK, Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly, all under the umbrella of AGE UK England but we remained autonomous on how we worked and made decisions.

and Ambiti

on

Celebrating Age and Ambition

This is particu have larly true a that the lifetime of kno for older peo in the y can use to wledge and ple who ir viva very buscommunity help and sup experience me volunte . If reti Viva me ntors port oth y, peo red, ple ma ers commu ering as a waytime on the person ntors provide y also although still ir have a 1:1 or get nity or pursuin of putting hands, and volunte to get and a bit mo invo someth mig remain partnersh is 92 yea lved with g someth ip to ing bac ht conside re suppor ers will pro invo ing . t, introdu vide a liste lved in volu enable a can hel rs old, clos And it’s nev they have k into the r staff, ce the nteerin ning er always ely and g. Me commu p to build con followed too late; want volunte help them ir partner ear, ‘on the nto our by ers volunte nity. Some fidence, gai someone oldest volu to do engend to integra to other volu job’ practic r to pro would te al ceed also admn skills, and of 87. Volunt nteer develo er is becaus and dever confidence into the tea nteers and trainin ps new engage e they eering m. g elo it me tha p reduce ntors in the and enable The mento get a t friends the brid up, ir volu bit lon one of the with your the r ely at them that feeling hips and a reason Concer ge between within partne nteer role ir partner as mu tim of sen s es; isol the the n . We r org se Cornwa ch as y partne being it helps ation and lon of purpose volunteerin ll is r and anisations are now potent g helpin Volunt eliness to act others ial me one of the What g eer as . . to nto partne Volunt rs. rs and Cornwall. Age eering The aim is proje ct viv its me helps Team viv mbers wishes is to make a? a Tea m viva volunte volunte to give their ering with me attend fun tim The pro er and everyo e freely. accessible helpin eting, seating ctions and to Eve g eve to ena ject provide ne has som ryone has anyone who it. We serving tea and greetin nts (gigs) ble s s have to hel their volu a person support, encething of valu the right to recent and coffee g, selling helpin p out pro to get ly s. g worker nteering. started ouragement e to offer. marke voluntary secstarted ano You name grams, Viv , ting ma it we’ll ther stra tor org Therap Community a works withand therea and trainin those conside fter ma g ist, Phy Psychia who neeterial, a tim anisations nd of volu a per meetin inta nteerin r pac d to get e consum gs with siotherapist tric Nurse, son’s existing in g; ing but king their their me advice Occupa etc To be ess and ass a host organi ., offering ssage tional key come or info ential job to suppor sation istance Te inv rry Sta rmation t during and olved until a nton, out. in pro placem provides initial email ongoin on ent is jec ing 07 t g Terry viva firmly One exa conta establ S@vo 866 5367 mple ished.

35 or luntee ct the wh

A Tim

7

e Bank

for St

Auste

Can-D Comm o/Neurolo ission gic ing Su al Partne pport rships with GPs

8

Projec

t viva

Issue

1 - No

vemb

er 20

10

ll

s

A lau gh a minute Age & Am bition as Cornwa Day

ll com , Kin but so edi gsley Village an Johnny me , in Oct Cowling harder, times as ober this yea keeps his and ex our joint we get old © Tess audien r a Bell s ce in er ercis stitche ing ha and movin we deve s at But for rder. g migh lop t be mo condition have one in three to acc of s us in the re pa ept livin – that’s inful, which ma UK we g ke as dia 15 million peowith a long or ou also bet r brea s life ple with term con It is rea difficult es, heart dition thing con dise

ies) or

What

proble

ditions ase, ms with COPD (bre such athing getting about.

is self

care

Self car conditi e means tha ons are t people respon with sibility supported possibl to tak long term for the e con e.Self ir trol and make manag own health the difficult most of theement is whe as much as ies a lon n peo ir lives examp ple le stayingg term con by coping as fit and dition brin with the healthy gs, by for www.s as you elfcar can,

einco

rnwall

.nhs.u

k

a long lly important term tha

t people conditi they nee on who live thems d to be abl get the hel with elve e p on a day s that the to take the and suppor y can best t to day basis. , and cop care of e with things

and se

lf man

agem

taking act making ion to pre ven taken sure that me t illness and acc pro stay as perly and dicines and ide followi tablets nts, people well as pos ng the sibl advice are is imp with long term e. Simply, to orta it is abo conditi achieve nt for the ut their goa m and bei ons saying wha ng sup ls. ported t Just to

one cal

l is ne

eded

... 01

ent?

872 26

6388

Ambition

Celebr Age andating Ambition

50 years of progress

2011 Advice & Information published and presented on our website 2015 Begin partnership with Macmillan

2016 Community Helpline is established to support local communities 2017 Gardening Services begin 2017 Truro Hub closed

2018 Social Prescribing begins in Central and Mid-Cornwall 2018 Cornwall Link is launched

Active Living Support Information & Advice Services Gardening Diabetes and cancer care Veteran Support Services Social Prescribers and Community Coaches

Link workers give people time, focusing on ‘what matters to me’ - taking a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing.

Community Gateway Cornwall Link

An on-line programme that signposts answers to quickly sort out problems.

Home from Hospital

A care package like no other, mixing Day Centre with Meals on Wheels, homecare, befriending and anything else that has to be done to prevent ‘bed blocking’ in hospitals throughout the County

2019 Healthy Workplace Scheme is launched to support staff, volunteers and our families

Community Hubs and Warmth Cafe’s

2019 Social Prescribing begins in East Cornwall

Cancer Cafe’s

2019 6 First electric vehicles come into service and 12 charge points 2020 Online Support Cafe’s and Step into Wellness is created

Carers Support Services Respiratory Support Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Transport Services in Cornwall and Devon

17

Marking a legacy a golden outlook To recognise our celebrations in every media outlet, we created a unique logotype and colour scheme.

So far, this has been applied to our Legacy Book, clothing, packaging, film titles (in animated versions), on banners and advertisements and of course websites (both ours and those of our partners).

Today, few in Cornwall won’t be aware of our Go For Gold and linked AGE UK graphic.

2022 Our Golden Jubilee

‘Go for Gold’ celebrates 50 years serving Cornwall and a year- long series of events, parties and shows ending in May 2023, and recorded in this, our Jubilee Legacy Book.

cornwall-link.co.uk/activity/go-for-gold volunteering@ageukcornwall.org.uk

50 YEARS

Inspiring People and Communities to Age Well

Inspiring People and Communities to Age Well cornwall-link.co.uk/activity/go-for-gold volunteering@ageukcornwall.org.uk

50 YEARS

Inspiring People and Communities to Age Well

Volunteer with Us 01872 266383

volunteering@ageukcornwall.org.uk

19

Harvest Gold

a festive celebration On October 12th 2022, Age UK Cornwall and its partners held a festive event at Burraton Methodist Church Saltash.

The first arrivals were from the support team for the day. Ian Penhaligon, Community Prescribing Development Lead, brought his interior design skills creating a space for over 60 guests to be dined and entertained for the day. We were also incredibly grateful for support from Age UK Cornwall’s Margaret Ford, Tracey Roose and Ellen Brown.

The Guests arrive...

The first guests were residents of supported living hub, Janeva Court, followed by the Torpoint Team bus (kindly provided by Kernow Cars Millbrook) and our Social Prescriber, Jess Hirons and volunteer Maggie. Other guests arrived with the support of Mike Finch and his team from Saltash Red Bus. All transport on the day was so helpful and right on time.

The lunch service went smoothly, due to the amazing volunteer helpers, with lunch being followed by the Harvest Gold Quiz. Cara Higginson, our Community and Development Link Worker in South East Cornwall, produced a brilliant brain-teasing two-part quiz with anagrams and conundrums - all centred on the Harvest theme.

After lunch, guests and carers arrived from The Elms Care Home, and everyone was ready for live entertainment.

Tables were set for the arrival of the first guests at Midday, stacked high with useful information, advice and signposting leaflets.

Catering was kindly provided by CEPL12, the Saltash community enterprise, represented

by Chris Cook, who kindly prepared fresh Harvest Soup and rolls. Delicious pasties were supplied at cost by Bakers of Saltash.

Scrumptious afternoon tea was provided

by Waitrose, Cream Tea and Cakes were donated by Florence Fare of Callington.

Your comments...

Below are just a few of your wonderful comments:

Glorious entertainment...

Our fantastic entertainment came from Luggers Eukelele. We all watched as smiles spread across the faces of attendees. The afternoon tea crew prepared a sumptuous cream tea to ‘Delilah’ and ‘Leaning on a Lampost’. Jan Howells, Respiratory Support Facilitator, and local volunteer Roy Perkins even demonstrated some gentle moves in time to the tunes.

Many hands certainly do make light work! Serving tea for over 70 people can be a challenge, but we had it out in no time. Tea was followed by a second set from the Luggers and a grand raffle draw. We had over 40 prizes donated, including a generous Aqua Spa Voucher from The China Fleet Club in Saltash; Gold theme fruit baskets; haircuts; jewellery vouchers; and a lovely ‘Harvest Poppy’ artwork by local artist Pam Pryor, a regular well-being hub attendee.

21

MHA communities Sarah Clook and Liz Hewer, Diane Shan from Saltash and District Age Concern, and Mike Finch from Saltash Red Bus all commented on working together for a future event at this brilliant venue.

Thanks go to them all for supporting the day and contributing to its success.

The spirit of generosity shone brightly. It was a day filled with frenetic behind-the-scenes activity, fun, laughter, a few tears, smiles of joy, and some relief that things are returning to normal, post-pandemic.

Many people were excited to start reconnecting with communities successfully working together. Our aim is to age well, and this day brought together all the necessary parts of the jigsaw. Our guests were certainly pleased!

What a performance… our first event in Jubilee Year

Meet the stars...

St Austell Community Hub Jubilee Street Party Mandine and her team of volunteers invited clients, families and friends to enjoy a buffet lunch street party and a wide range of Jubilee inspired celebrations with a very special secret matinee production on Wednesday 1st June from 10am – 2pm at the St Austell Hub.

Curtis Danby volunteer 2011 Sheila Caddy volunteer 2011

Mandine Auchinachie volunteer 2011

Kim Burridge volunteer 2011

Joy Cloke volunteer 2011

Neil Crawford volunteer 2011

Irene Gillesphie volunteer 2011

Carolyn Cook volunteer 2011

22

Fran Francis volunteer 2011

Magic moments...

Volunteers helped on the day Helen Newson Chris East Ute McHowat Maddy Morcom Lesley Burridge

Royal Cornwall a day to remember...

Our traditional Saturday visit to the Royal Cornwall Showground, for over 400 clients, was as memorable as ever with a touch of celebration for 50 years to add some sparkle.

50 years: Inspiring People and Communities to Age Well

50

Going to seed…young and old!

ye a

G oi

Use this packet of Cornish Wildflower seed, with all the family taking part, to watch and record their growth and their first interaction with bees and

rs:

ng

In s

p ir

in g

to s

Peo

p le

and

Com mu Use n it th ie s the is pa to A c fa ge gro mily ket of We Corn w th tak ll and ing p ish Bring colour into the lives of all those around you, in your window boxes, Wil ar t the Brin dflo , to flowerbeds or on rough ground in your community, thereby bringing ir gc fi w rst we r flow olou biodiversity and helping us all to connect with the natural world. inte atch s erb r into e and ed, ra c ed bio th wit ti div s or o e liv r e o c e nw ers h it y n roug s of a ith ord th all and ll h bee e help grou those s an ir Corn cockle Co r ing nd in arou d us average contents 100 seeds nd yo n a ve

rag

e co

Ma

nte

nts

ri g o 100

see

ld

ds

eed

all

…yo un

ga

nd

old

!

u to c r com you, in onn m y ect unit y our w in wit , h th there dow b b en atu y brin oxes, ral g wo ing rld.

On another page you will see what we had to do to gather the original seeds from the Eden Project and develop them to where we are today, handing out 5,000 seed packets over 2022-23.

From every corner of the County our buses brought clients through the main gates (no other visitors have that privilege) and up to our own giant marquee… … where they enjoyed a traditional Cornish Pastie lunch

This year we gave away wildflower seeds so that families and friends could work with their grandparents in working to ‘grow’ stronger relationships all round.

Inspiring People and Communities to Age Well

Going to seed…young and old!

Look out for the bright pink aproned volunteers giving out free Corn Cockle seed packets and get a member of the family to do create an image drawing or painting - inspired by this wildflower project.

The best three will get a garden centre voucher!

‘Going to seed’ was our banner message which was displayed outside our Marquee on one of the main thoroughfares through the showground, carrying our Jubilee

‘Going to seed’ seemed to chime well with our clients and when our Chair, Margaret Ford and our Jubilee Project leader strode out emblazoned in pink so hand out packets they met an intrigued and amazing column of visitors who, once they had explained AGE’s ambition to ‘colour up’ local environments, seized on the opportunity to get engaged.

Our camera man caught the intrepid pair as they wound their way through the crowds and between them we believe they spoke to over 800 families, couples and children. Enjoy! But don’t eat the seeds’, they advised… they are not for cooking – just planting.

Have a look at his film here

25

Our Volunteers To gather 400 together from around Cornwall and deliver them for feasting and fun is no mean feat!

Here we show all those who made this possible in our Jubilee Year and we are indebted for their willingness to go way beyond expectations to make the day a success. we are in awe of our wonderful volunteers, who consistently provide their skills, time and care to support vital services and people in local communities.

& Amelia Rach el

e Stev

We couldn’t do it without you ageuk.org.uk/cornwall/get-involved/volunteer

Bernie

Ann

Jeff

Kerstin

Kim

Wayne Ma t t &

Ka te

Sowing seeds...

Troon FC play on...

Walking Football has been a sports phenomenon in the UK for over 10 years but in Cornwall it has only recently been taken up and is one of the fastest growing sports in the over 50’s for both for men and women.

We decided to sponsor one team, Troon near Hayle, for our Jubilee Year to highlight its attraction and to inspire others to support this great way of meeting and playing together to keep muscles flexed and to share fun and camaraderie.

And of course they had to wear our strip so that meant the very first application of our Go for Gold brand.

28

It’s all too easy to sit at home all day and become chair bound and getting physically and emotionally weaker and more isolated.

We believe that Walking Football is part of the answer but it takes more than that. We all need to be proactive about our health and wellbeing.

We are ‘fighting the tide’ and have to get as physically and mentally tough as we can.

At Troon they really do make it a sociable ‘exercise’ as well and apart from club training evenings members enjoy quiz nights, parties and special Christmas celebrations!

Go for Gold by beach cleaning

You never know what you’ll find!

AGE UK Cornwall & isles of Scilly and Beach Guardians have co-hosted this Jubilee year to clean up the shoreline of 3 of Cornwall’s beaches. Underpinned by our belief that intergenerational fun can be had by one and all, especially in the fresh air and by the sea.

Our beach cleans

Nothing is more rewarding, have look at what we did and where…

Treyarnon Bay

A beach clean with lots of people “aging well” and some intergenerational ages!

Find out more here Porthpean Beach

A group of families, individuals and ‘celebrities’, spent an idyllic mid-day clean, accompanied by local MP, Steve Double, and Pat Smith, aka Action Nan. Find out more here Swanpool Beach

Raising the Beach Guardian flag brought heaps of excited beach cleaners of all ages who made some spectacular finds.

Find out more here

Beach Guardian was co-founded in 2017 by father and daughter team Rob and Emily Stevenson.

“We started doing little local beach cleans around Padstow, but then the Blue PlanetTV series came along and people wanted to do more. We realised that we didn’t just want to be picking up rubbish, but that we could raise awareness through what we’d collected.

We were lucky enough to have the use of a building where we could store everything found on the beach cleans, and that turned into getting groups involved – schools, cubs, old people’s homes etc – to create artwork and see plastic pollution in a different light.”

“We’ve also recently started working with Age UK to get inter-generational activities going, so you might see children, parents and grandparents working together. “ “Each event ends with show and tell so that people will, hopefully, go away with stories of what everyone has found – and feel inspired to carry on doing their bit.”

©Jane Leigh

Rob Stephenson, right, with the Beach Clean volunteers at Swanpool.

This is the first year Age UK has been involved, with transport manager Ann Lewis making her beach clean debut at the Swanpool event.

“This year Age UK is celebrating its 50th anniversary, as well as the 20th anniversary of its transport division, and when we asked members of staff for ideas on how to celebrate they came up with doing a Beach Clean.

“So today staff and volunteers have come down to Swanpool to join in, and we’ve also taken part in events at Treyarnon and Porthpean. As a first timer I was a bit taken aback by how much we found and how much damage it does.”

As well as taking part, Ann brought one of Age UK’s vehicles down to the beach.

“Eventually we want all the fleet to be electric,” she explains. “It shows what the organisation’s working towards, and both the Beach Clean and the vehicle show our commitment to helping the environment.”

Three bucket-loads of plastic picked up from the shore.

31

©Jane Leigh

Little Edens

how does your garden grow?

Rebecca Kevern, Gardening Service Lead for Age UK Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly, talks about her role and service has changed since COVID-19 and how she’s helping people within the community. All views are her own.

What is your job like?

On a typical working day, my time was split between office work and being out in the community. I travelled across Cornwall, visiting clients and completing their assessments or meeting our gardeners.

Other days I would be based in the office, completing admin work or doing check-in calls. You could often find me coordinating the service at my desk within the Care Team at Age UK Cornwall’s Truro offices.

How has this situation impacted the Gardening Service?

As COVID-19 increased its hold over the country, the team has adapted (and continues to evolve) how we support the older population in Cornwall. I have been impressed and inspired every day with the tenacity and positivity of the teams, to create new or altered vital services, and the impact this has for the people we help.

Our gardening team have been very supportive and have quickly adapted to their roles and the new strict health and safety procedures. We understand that people’s gardens are extremely important to individuals. Now more than ever, as the country is in lockdown, the garden has become a sacred place for people to enjoy the outdoors. However, we can only provide a service if it is 100% safe to do so for both customer and gardener. Our wonderful gardeners have even been helping to do some shopping visits and reporting back to us who they feel need extra support.

How has your role changed?

At this time, I found I have the capacity, within my working day, to help with other practical support in the community. I have been supporting the TAP (Transport Access People) team to drive people to and from their vital medical appointments. These journeys highlighted the generous work that our TAP volunteers do every single day.

Rob Stephenson, right, with the Beach Clean volunteers at Swanpool.

“I was so scared when this happened, I was worried that I would not have anybody to ask to help with my shopping. It’s such a relief you are helping. I look forward to you coming now!”

I have seen a change in the people I have visited for the last few weeks. I can see they are struggling with the lack of human contact, missing their families and their friends. I feel they want me to chat a little longer or are becoming quite teary and emotional. I truly believe that it is up to all of us to think creatively and help our friends, neighbours & loved ones throughout this crisis – I now have firsthand experience of the difference you could make.

This week, once I’ve dropped off the shopping, I am making the time to have a tea from my flask and a chat through a window or two – making sure I am sitting a good two metres away in the garden!

To date, Rebecca has helped over 250 people receive prescriptions and shopping services across Cornwall.

33