Cllr Shayne Cook
Cabinet Member for Social Care and Housing
Older Persons Champion
It’s a great privilege to be selected as the Older People’s Champion for Caerphilly County Borough Council.
I’m so looking forward to meeting with older people and listening to their concerns ideas and suggestions which will help me to promote their voices and the work of the 50+ Forum to the Council.
The impact of Covid-19 on older people has highlighted the importance of this role, with many struggling to cope with record levels of loneliness and isolation. As we look ahead to a recovery, the Older People’s Champion will ensure that those affected by the pandemic are not forgotten or excluded from local democracy.
A Note from our Chairman
We are now approaching the end of 2021, many probably wondering what 2022 has in store, particularly what winter will bring in the form of respiratory illnesses. Looking back on 2021, while Caerphilly Over 50 programmes have been affected by the covid-19 pandemic, it is surprising at how much we have been able to achieve.
This has included:
- A huge “Thank You” to CJ Horton who has taken his Elvis Tribute Act to a number of Care Homes through this Summer, performing in their Gardens or on their patios. He has done this for free. There are 2 reports about his visits under the “NEWS” Tab on this website.
- At last, we have been able to make significant progress with our Inside – Outside project, intended to take 360-degree virtual reality videos into Care Homes. There is now a portfolio of over 20 videos with 3 headsets in use Care Homes.
- We have ensured that the voice of Caerphilly Over 50 has been heard in a number of consultations by Welsh Government and the Commissioner for Older people on issues such as the impact of the Covid pandemic, abuse of older people, intergenerational solidarity, the future of 50+ forums, Age Friendly Communities, digital inclusion.
Probably the biggest disappointment of 2021 has been the inability to communicate with our members, especially those that do not have internet access. However, we have been able to maintain a very active Facebook page. In the last 12 months posts have reached thousands of people, the record being over 7000 for Simon Says public information notices. We are now just short of having 500 people Following our Facebook page. If you are not one of them, please have a look and “LIKE” the “PAGE”.
Welsh Government have, at last, published their new Strategy for an Ageing Society. The plan for implementation is now due to be published in January. Age Friendly Communities form a key pillar of this Strategy. The Older People’s Commissioner is taking the lead on AFCs which requires adoption at a local level by Councils across Wales. Caerphilly Council have already made a good start by setting up a Steering committee with our Chair and Vice Chair as members.
What People are Saying
Victoria Lloyd: Age Cymru’s Chief Executive
“Given the constructive partnerships we’ve built with the Welsh Government during the pandemic, we find the omission of older people from any priority in rebuilding astonishing.
“Older people have faced ageism and age discrimination from the outset of the pandemic which needs to be addressed in the long term. Older people have told us of the guilt they have felt because of the lockdown and feel that they are to blame which is clearly a result of the rhetoric of ageism that has perpetuated throughout the pandemic.”
Cllr Carl Cuss: Cabinet Member for Social Care and Wellbeing, Caerphilly Council
On Developing Virtual Reality Videos: “During this challenging time, with guidelines on social distancing, many people may feel they are cut off from the world. Using technology to give our care-home residents the feeling of being outdoors, in familiar settings, is a fantastic idea.”
Heléna Herklots CBE: Older People’s Commissioner for Wales
As the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, my role is to protect and promote older people’s rights and ensure that action is taken to improve their lives.
Ending ageism and age discrimination, which underpin many of the issues and challenges faced by older people, is a priority, and over the next three years I will be delivering a wide range of work focused on tackling these issues.
Read the article in NEWS: EverydayAgeism
Video Corner
“Inside – Outside” is our Virtual Reality project sponsored by the National Lottery Community Fund. We now have a portfolio of over 20 videos to be distributed in care-homes and to other isolated groups of individuals, providing outside virtual experiences.
Although this video can only be seen in 2D, you can use your mouse or touch screen to scroll though 360 degrees to see the whole surrounding scene. Using VR headsets, that we are currently loaning to 3 Care Homes, it is possible to get a full, immersive effect that transports the wearer into the virtual reality world.
Caerphilly 50 plus Forum have been working closely with the Caerphilly Borough Council Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) Team to deliver talks on how to recognise abuse and what can be done about it. We have also produced a DVD(reproduced above) which is being widely distributed around the Borough to potentially vulnerable adults.