Page 5 - link magazine

A Swindon AGE

jubilee SWINDON

Age Concern Swindon has a simple aim

....to make more of life in and around Swindon

That means in and around Swindon — the whole borough and around the edges! This year the charity is
celebrating its Golden Anniversary with a programme of events and fundraising. And this month is special
because the charity was formally established in Swindon on Friday 27 ,June 1952.

Age Concern is a federation of registered charities working at O We give pension and benefits advice and help with
national and local level. Each Age Concern is independently funded claiming:
so the £500,000 it will cost Age Concern Swindon to provide its O Offer advocacy to help people get their voice heard;
services this year have to be raised locally. Even though the coun-
O Run visiting services, matching volunteers to older people
cil and health service provide some financial support more has to
at home for a regular visit:
be found from elsewhere — through fundraising events, donations
O Manage day centres in north and central Swindon and the
from Swindon people and businesses, grants from other charities,
Caribbean lunch club;
a shop in Fleet Street and income from selling products and serv-
ices. O Give small grants for groups working with older people;
"We are working for all O Deliver the meals on
older people," says direc- wheels in Wroughton
tor, Jo Osorio.. We provide and Chiseldon;
services and we are cam-
O For people over 50, we
paigning on issues of im-
offer low-cost insur-
portance as well. We work
ance for your home and
with organisations of older
its contents or your car;
people, providing grant
and cover for holiday
aid or practical support too
travel - at any age and
— because we know that
free for people under 18
some things are better
travelling with a parent.
done at a very local level.
We have a motor break
And we've been doing
down service too;
that in Swindon for 50
O You can save money by
years. Every week we The launch of Age Concern's jubilee year at Nationwide Building Society.
switching your gas or
have direct contact with at Pictured with the Mayor and Mayoress of Swindon David Cox and Jenni Dean, from left,
least 500 older people who chairman Mike Brougham. appeals organiser Jacyuie Sheppard. the Bishop of Swindon electricity to Age Con-
Rt Rev Michael Doe, the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sir Maurice Johnston, cern Energy Services.
rely on us for practical Sop Cone orn nireetnr In Ocnrin
support or helpful serv- J uur re-assunng anu
ices. But to do this costs money and we need all the support we helpful `planning for the future' services include having a will writ-
can get from people in west and north Swindon — and the rest of ten by post; paying in advance for a funeral or getting financial
the borough too. advice through Age Concern Financial Partnerships.
"Of course things have changed quite a bit in the last fifty years,
but our objective is still much the same. We want to help people And, says Jo, "we always need volunteers to join our team - cur-
stay independent and make sure people have choice and opportu- rently over 230 strong! Contact our volunteers' co-ordinator for
nity. We also want to make sure that care services are available details of current vacancies."
when they are needed, but that older people can remain active citi-
Age Concern Swindon is based at
zens in local communities too."
14 Milton Road
"These are just some of the helpful services on offer. There's
Swindon SN1 5JE
more information in leaflets we can send you. Some services are
Tel: (01793) 692166
available at specific times or on certain days. Please check with
General enquiries: Monday to Friday, 1 Oam to 4pm
us.
Mail: [email protected]
) We offer information on anything and everything to do with
www.ageconcern.org.uk
being older and about local services and activities. We have over
40 free factsheets covering everything from raising an income on Registered charity, no. 800056
your home to drawing up a will or paying for TV licences.
A jubilee newsletter sponsored by The Link