Councillor Carol Andrews
Cabinet Member for Education & Communities
Age-Friendly Champion
I am honoured to be Caerphilly County Borough Council’s first Age-Friendly Champion and I think it complements my Dementia Champion role.
As a nurse, councillor and volunteer for The Alzheimer’s Society, I think I have a good understanding of dementia and the Age-Friendly agenda, I certainly agree that an age-friendly community involves the whole community, impacting on everyone’s lives, from the youngest residents and especially to those who are growing older. Intergenerational work will help connect our residents in Caerphilly County and hopefully address the impact of Covid-19 on loneliness and isolation.
I look forward to working with the Caerphilly Over 50 and championing the age-friendly agenda and the work of the forum to the Council.
A Note from our Chairman
All covid-19 restrictions have now been lifted and Summer is approaching. So, we are now hoping that we can make sensible plans to start our activities again.
Although we have not been able to meet face-to-face, we have not been idle. In particular, we have been working within CO50 and with Cymru Older People’s Alliance (COPA) on recovering after the pandemic with particular emphasis on Age-Friendly Communities.
Age-Friendly Communities now have a Tab of their own, the title page giving an overview of what it entails and some links to some external resources.
Our Chair and Vice Chair are members of Caerphilly Council AFC Steering Committee that is overseeing the development of actions to implement actions within Caerphilly Borough as an initial step to apply for accreditation with the World Health Organisation programme.
But it is important to recognise that being more age-friendly isn’t just about council services, it’s about working together with other people in our community to make a difference.
An age-friendly community recognises and celebrates diversity, bringing people together to challenge ageism and ensure that all ages can fully participate in community life.
Making our community more age-friendly doesn’t need to be difficult or complicated. Small changes can make a big difference. Caerphilly Over 50 can contribute by continuing with the activities we have implemented over the years. Unfortunately, we have lost many of our active members over the last 2 years.
If you are seeking a way of helping your community, please consider joining us. You can get in touch via our Contact Form and express an interest and via our Membership Form .
What People are Saying
Wayne David: MP for Caerphilly
In the past I have joined the Lunch Club in Lewis Boys – good food and great company! I’m delighted that the Club is coming together again in Llancaiach Fawr and I’m sure it will go from strength to strength. I wish all the members a Merry Christmas and I hope that the new year will finally put COVID behind us
Hefin David: MS for Caerphilly
I’m really pleased to hear that the Caerphilly Over 50’s Lunch Club has been able to restart. It’s such a lovely way for people to connect, socialise and feel part of a community. Big thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund for supporting such a worthwhile cause within my constituency. I’m sure it was a very special experience after all this time, especially in the setting of the beautiful Llanciach Fawr. I look forward to catching up with Caerphilly Over 50s Forum in the new year
Cllr James Pritchard: Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Property
I’m pleased to see the lunch club has reopened. Can I thank the Over 50 club for the job they do across the borough.
Cllr Shayne Cook: Cabinet Member for Social Care and Housing
Older Persons Champion
As the Over 50’s Champion I’m glad to see the lunch club safely resume and the enjoyment it provided. I want to personally thank Mike, Eileen, CCBC and the National Lottery Community Fund for helping set up such a wonderful event
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.