Page 37 - link magazine

See us on the net @ www.swindonlink.com The Link Magazine • August 1998
37
Maturity working for You Sad loss of inspirational music teacher
Following up the Debate of the Age article in the July Link, Gina Frances Issitt from Westlea,
Dennis looks at the role of the older worker in the future. teacher to hundreds of music stu-
dents across the town lost her fight
In an ageing society, each of us last decade, a new vision of older
has a vital part to play in taking workers has begun to emerge against cancer on 13 July.
personal responsibility for our own through a patchwork of policy ini- She ran the Westlea Music
economic security and wellbeing. tiatives across Europe. Despite School with her husband Paul from
We have a unique opportunity to this, ageism in employment is still their home and she taught in sev-
pioneer new, positive ways of legal. eral primary schools including
growing old. Bruce Clarke believes that Westlea, Tregoze and Brook Field.
For every three people who are "Older workers are at the cutting Ridgeway School sixth former
working, there will soon be one edge of economic and technologi- Rachel Wood from Grange Park,
who is past retirement age. Only cal change." New roles must be taught by Frances over the last
20 years ago the ratio was 5:1. This found, within work and within eight years, was saddened by her
represents a major social challenge. society generally. Third Agers can death. "She did so much for me as
an individual and so many others. Rachel Wood with Frances Issitt after
"We all have to take responsibility be a resource rather than a burden.
Her death is a huge loss to her achieving Grade 8 flute (from The
for our Third Age," says Bruce And, bybecoming more integrated
family and to the community." Link, September 1996)
Clarke, Managing Director of into the social fabric, they can gain
Swindon based Third Age Chal- respect and a sense of self worth.
lenge. "1 don't believe that gov- Third Age Challenge helps local SWINDON MOBILITY CENTRE
ernments of whatever political organisations tackle age discrimi-
complexion will provide for us." nation, provide training and guid- FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS
Issues include the increasing cost ance and secure new employment ELECTRIC AND MANUAL WHEELCHAIRS, SCOOTERS
of pensions and services for an for older people. They offer pro-
older population whilst our grammes for individuals and com- New and used machines - 30 in stock
'young,' income generating panies aimed to help people take Repairs servicing accessories
workforce is decreasing. There control of their lives, function more Stairlifts: new and reconditioned
seems to be a contradictory atti- effectively and get 'Back on Track.'
tude which values 'maturity' but For further information, tel- Bath aids and walking aids
discriminates against 'age.' In the ephone 533370. Everything for the disabled and elderly
24 hour call out
Practical response to older workers
For emergency service telephone:
Adapt Age, a specialist project pro-
viding support and training for 01367 253642 anytime
older workers developed by Third Office hours telephone: 01793 423484
Age Challenge, was launched at Or call in at Unit 21 Axis Business Centre Westmead
Wiltshire TEC's offices on 3 July.
The aim is to help people to adapt
to change and develop lifelong
learning techniques. Anybody re-
cently or about to be made redun- HILLIER
dant is encouraged to contact the
scheme. Similarly, any small to
medium sized company (5 - 250
employees) employing older peo- FUNERAL SERVICE
ple that wishes to discuss motiva- The Mayor of Swindon coun. Brian
tional training for staff should get Ford at the Adapt Age launch with, A family business for three generations
in touch. from left, Lynda Nash of The Outside
You can call the Programme Co-o Clinic, project coordinator Alistair 24 hour personal service throughout the year
ordinator ,i
ordinator at Third Age Challenge Homer, Chris Pithura of Age Con-
oj
on 533370. cern
Pre-payment plan
Taking the worry out
wly
of funeral planning Hillier Bereavement Care
Launched in February 1997, the Age Concern Funeral Plan has be- A free caring support service for our clients
come the UK's most successful pre-paid funeral scheme.
Personal visits, group meetings
to raise money for the charity -
"This success can be attributed •
to the quality of the product and Age Concern receives at least £10 Regular social events
the support of the Age Concern for every plan sold, which helps
movement and its 200+ local the organisation to continue its
groups in selling the plans and valuable work. Main Office:
giving customers advice and in- The plan offers a choice of three
formation on a personal basis," said funerals at prices ranging from 170 Victoria Road, Swindon SN1 3DF
Tony Page, Development Director £1,060 to £1,735. Acceptance is
of Age Concern Enterprises. guaranteed, payments can be made Telephone: (01793) 522797
Age Concern launched the plan by instalment and a complete re-
for four main reasons: fund is available at any time. Most
to meet the needs of those con- importantly, it allows customers
• Private Chapels of Rest:
cerned about the costs of their fu- to pay for tomorrow's funeral at
neral. today's prices. The Broadway, Whitworth Road, Swindon
• For more information, you can
to offer customers the choice of a
secure, value for money product. telephone Age Concern Swindon Telephone: (01793) 522145
• to have control over its ownplan. on 692166.