COMMUNITY COMPANIONS PROJECT

To be held on the first Friday of every month from Friday 5th April 2013 11am until 2pm at Evanstown Community Centre Abercerdin Road Evanstown Gilfach Goch

Age Concern Morgannwg is launching an exciting new project in partnership with Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO) and funded by the Big Lottery Fund to provide a meeting place for social networking, befriending, support and light refreshments.

The project will also provide information and advice for over 50’s along with a variety of information sessions, demonstrations and activities, which include:

·        Volunteering opportunities

·        Nail manicures

·        Arts & crafts

·        Nail Cutting

·        Age Concern Morgannwg products & services

·        Quiz

For more information please contact: 01656 669288

Disappointing news out this week; basic care for the elderly in hospitals and care homes in England is still not good enough, the regulator says.

The Care Quality Commission report, based on a snapshot of services, found about a third failed to meet all the standards for nutrition and dignity.

It cited examples of call-bells being left unanswered, bad manners and a lack support at meal times. It comes after the NHS was criticised by the Stafford Hospital scandal public inquiry for not putting patients first. The Stafford report, published last month, said the NHS system was more focused on corporate self-interest than getting services right. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections were carried out before those findings were released.

In total, 50 hospitals were inspected by the CQC, with only 33 meeting all of the five relevant standards. It is the second time the CQC has focused on dignity and nutrition in the NHS.

 In terms of nutrition, standards seemed to have improved slightly, whereas for privacy and dignity the situation had worsened since 2011, the latest report said.

From the care sector, 316 of the 500 homes met all the standards. Other problems highlighted included a lack of help in going to the toilet and lack of privacy when getting washed or dressed.

CQC chief executive David Behan said the findings were "disappointing". "Safe, good quality care is not complex or time-consuming," he added.

Dot Gibson, of the National Pensioners Convention, said: "One report after another shows that we still cannot guarantee that when an older person goes into hospital or a care home that they will have their dignity respected.

Here at Age Concern Morgannwg, we continue to work hard to achieve our vision and our mission:

Our Vision: To live in a society where older people are respected and enabled to meet their aspirations.

Our Mission: To make a difference to the quality of life of older people and promote a positive view of ageing.

So, today 13^th March 2013 is National No Smoking Day. Starts to make you think about health issues doesn’t it?

Whilst ageing isn’t an illness or even a “health issue” as such, there is no doubt that for many people, and their carers, growing old creates some pretty major challenges. Well, at Age Concern Morgannwg we are here to try and help people address some of those issues.

So what makes us different from other age related groups or charities. Our strap line is Independent Local Listening. Let’s pick up on the Local element. Many of our customers come to us because we ARE local. They can pop in and meet face to face with someone to give them advice. So many older people tell us they feel excluded because everything these days seems to be “on the net”. Being able to call to our offices or have someone call them at home is a highly valued service and we are proud of this.

Watch this space over the coming weeks for more details of what we’ll be doing in 2013 to reinforce the Give Local Help Local Message!

St David's Day Concert - Friday 1st March 2013

Age Concern Morgannwg is proud to present a special St David's Day Concert with Maesteg Gleemen Male Voice Choir on Friday 1st March 2013. 

Due to last year's success, the Maesteg Gleemen Male Voice Choir have kindly agreed to join us again to help us celebrate our national day in traditional Welsh style by performing a variety of much loved songs and hymns.

The event is being organised by Age Concern Morgannwg and all proceeds will be used to support the charity's work with older people.

Why not come along and join us for a fun packed evening of entertainment.

Tickets cost £5 each and include a plated buffet. 

 

For more details click here to visit our events page or contact Age Concern Morgannwg on 01443 490650.

Age Concern Morgannwg at the Big Welsh Bite 2012

This year's Big Welsh Bite took place last weekend and was held in the beautiful Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd . The event was organised by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council to celebrate all that is good about life in Rhondda Cynon Taf and beyond.

There was lots of entertainment for all the family, including cooking demos by top chefs The Fabulous Baker Brothers and Rachel Khoo, plus guest appearances from Welsh Grand Slam hero's Rhys Priestland, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Jamie Roberts and Lloyd Williams.

Staff and volunteers from Age Concern Morgannwg also took part in the celebrations by holding an Information and Advice stall in the Health & Wellbeing Marquee. The event was an opportunity to engage with local residents and promote our various services, ranging from our Nail Cutting Service to our Hospital Discharge Service.

The team even managed to raise a fantastic £81.83 from fund raising activities such as 'Name the Scarecrow' and 'Treasure Hunt'.

Thanks to everyone who helped out and to all our supporters for making the weekend a great success. We're all looking forward to joining in with the fun again next year!

Rachel's Risen to the Challenge!

Congratulations and a huge thank you to Rachel and her team for completing the National Three Peaks Challenge.

The task was extremely gruelling and although it involved a lot of sleep deprivation and pain, they still managed to finish their climb in the fantastic time of 23 hours and 34 minutes.  Well done Rachel, we knew you could do it!

We're also pleased to announce that Rachel and her team have managed to raise over £1600 for Age Concern Morgannwg and the donations are still coming in.  The money raised will go towards the Reaching Out Bereavement Fund, which has been set up by Age Concern Morgannwg to provide a dedicated and specialised support service for older people experiencing bereavement.

If you would like to contribute to the Fund, please visit www.justgiving.com/rachel-rowlands or call in to see us at Principality House, Rear of 31 Taff Street, Pontypridd.  All donations are greatly appreciated, as even the smallest amount can and does make a difference.

For more information on our services please visit our website www.acmorgannwg.org.uk or contact us on 01443 490650.

‘Reaching Out’ to Battle Bereavement

Almost all of us will experience bereavement during our lives. Losing a relative, partner or close friend can be devastating at any age, but many older people find it particularly difficult to deal with the dislocation and loneliness brought about by the death of a companion.

Age Concern Morgannwg has identified bereavement support as an area where it can expand its services. To this end, a brand new Bereavement Fund is to be launched, providing practical support to older people suffering bereavement in the community. The fund has been named ‘Reaching Out’ to reflect its mission of extending a helping hand to those who need one most.

Age Concern Morgannwg already has a track record of helping older people experiencing bereavement, as shown by the case of Mr B.

An Age Concern Morgannwg outreach worker first visited Mr B in 2010, a month after his wife had passed away. Mr B had been her main carer for four years, despite suffering from health problems of his own. The death of his partner left Mr B in a very isolated situation and lacking in confidence. He was housebound and would sometimes go a complete week without seeing anyone.

Early assessments by ACM benefits staff also showed Mr B was not getting the full financial support to which he was entitled. A successful claim for Attendance Allowance was carried out, and this extra income helped Mr B to better manage his practical affairs in the difficult period following his wife’s death. As his relationship with the outreach worker developed, Mr B also agreed to be escorted out of doors on weekly trips. He has even attended two Age Concern Morgannwg functions, where he mixed with other service users.

Age Concern Morgannwg chief executive Rachel Rowlands says: “This case study illustrates how readily bereavement can restrict the quality of life of an older person. However, it can also be seen that with appropriate support, individuals can be helped through these difficult periods. The Reaching Out Bereavement Fund will provide a more dedicated and specialised support service to those who need it most”.

To raise awareness and money for the Reaching Out Bereavement Fund, Rachel will be undertaking the gruelling National Three Peaks Challenge on June 9th-10th, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon. If you would like to contribute to the Fund, please sponsor her online via www.justgiving.com/rachel-rowlands or call in to see us at Principality House, Rear of 31 Taff Street, Pontypridd.