Page 2 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • January 2002
Half a century for Swindon charity

Cast your mind back 50 years. Can you remember or imagine what it was like in Swindon in June 1952, AC'
asks Jo Osorio, director of Age Concern, Swindon.
The 'old age pension was £1.62 Age Concern and an army of vol- tive citizens for the contribution
for a single person and £2.70 for a unteers have been making more of they bring.
couple. The national health serv- life in and around Swindon for Today, 61,500 people over the
ice was still newish, the Corona- half a century. age of 50 live in and around Swin- SWINDON
tion took place and Swindon Cor- So 2002 is going to be a year of don. The state pension is £72.50 a
poration set up its old people's celebration - and fundraising. Cel- week for a single person or £115.90 on Get Active Day in September
welfare committee. Remember? If ebrating the achievements of the for a couple - not enough to live on and perhaps a street party to re-
u do then Age Concern Swin- last 50 years and looking forward so means-testing is still with us. live yesteryear and enjoy the
don would like to hear from you. to the next - getting ready for the Age Concern campaigns on that present.
Now an independent charity, the challenges of a society which needs and a host of other issues too. If you can play a part in the 50'
"old people's welfare committee" to value age and experience as And, of course, these days, Age anniversary celebrations by organ-
has seen as many changes as the never before, a society where older Concern Swindon provides vital ising a fundraising event, large or
town. From Thamesdown in 1974 people get that bit of help when services and practical help to at small, please call Jacquie Sheppard
and back again to Swindon in 1997, they need it and are valued as ac- least 500 older people every week, at Age Concern Swindon on
every year and needs to go on do- 692166 and help make more of life
ing so. too.
Someone ,Special Demand just Worthwhile use for worthless cash

Overseas? keeps growing Age Concern Swindon want to cash
which is why
in all those loose francs, marks and
Age Concern is
appealing to pesetas buried around the house.
They will soon become worthless
Did you know that Mail Boxes Etc
can pack, wrap and ship families and as the Euro takes over. Help Age
your packages anywhere s(^ friends, local Concern's work with the elderly
I in the world? groups, clubs, Jo Osorio by dropping the cash into 14 Milton
pubs, schools, Road, Swindon.
£5 OFF your next international and office colleagues to organise
parcel shipment when you an event and raise funds to make Older in Peatmoor
bring this advertisement to MBE sure the organisation can keep up The coffee morning for over 55s at
with that demand. Peatmoor Community Primary
Offer ends 31.03.02. Restrictions may apply
Celebration plans in the pipe- School advertised in the Decem-
line include an art exhibition at the ber Link was a success and will be
Jardinerie garden centre from 15 held regularly on the first Monday
to 17 March, a sponsored walk and of the month. The next takes place
hokey cokey at the County Ground on 4 February, 10am to 11.30am.

Get your childcare arrangements off to a flying start for the New Year
HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT USING A REGISTERED

CHILDMINDER FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CHILDCARE NEEDS?

f ` Did you know that Childminders
• Are Registered with Ofsted and are inspected annually? 1,004 nears oe`
'- • Meet a minimum of 14 Standards as laid down in the National Standards for Childminding? / t It
• Have Police and Health checks including members of their family over the age of 16 years? 3
• Undertake training in Early Years
• Can offer flexibility to care for children to cover working patterns, even sometimes overnight? Investing in
• Can offer a safe and homely environment? a our future gc`Q
• Can offer Continuity of Care from birth to teens? 1'"scare Psr`Oet
• Support each other through Area Group Meetings with other childminders?
• Have a dedicated support worker, Kathy Coates of the Swindon Childminding Forum to advise on childminding issues?
= _- • Can become accredited to an approved network of childminders enabling them to take funded 3 and 4 year olds?
• Can be used to enable working parents to claim the Working Families Tax Credit?
For up-to-date lists ofRegistered Childminders with vacancies in your area, lists of Childminding Area Representatives,
how to register yourself as a Childminder, or lists of other childcare providers, telephone the CHILDREN'S
INFORMATION SERVICE ON 01 793 541 786 or call into their shop in Market Street, Swindon between 10am and 3pm

SWINDON EARLY YEARS
DEVELOPMENT &
lNFORMq Tj
CHILDCARE oti
PARTNERSHIP
pL
Telephone: SWINDON
Swtnnon 01793 464314