CAP News Issue 3 - June 2007
Welcome to the third edition of CAP news, the newsletter which provides you with a round up of what has been happening within the Changing Ageing Partnership.
CAP’s vision is of a strong, informed voice capable of challenging attitudes and approaches to ageing. Since the first issue of CAP news (October 2006) what has CAP achieved? CAP has:
- Offered older people’s groups who want to become actively involved in advocating change 20 training courses & workshops at venues across Northern Ireland
- Trained 138 older people in a range of campaigning and lobbying skills
- Set up two Age Equality Policy Forums with one further forum to be established later in the year
- Awarded older people’s groups Age Awareness Week grants totalling £2000
AGE EQUALITY POLICY FORUMS UPDATE – Get involved
Age Concern Northern Ireland
The first meeting of the Northern Forum took place in Coleraine on 2nd April. The Central Forum will be meeting on 3rd July in Belfast. We are currently working on establishing the Southern Age Equality Policy Forum which will meet in the Newry/Newcastle area.
Purpose
The main purpose of the three Forums is to support public authorities as they implement their obligations under the statutory duty created through section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The forums will be involved in:
- Identifying benchmarking and performance indicators to assess progress on equality and social inclusion
- Agreeing what appropriate indicators are and establish a baseline to measure these from
- Overseeing the development of age awareness training
- Promoting older people’s issues and ‘joined up’ working practice across public authorities
Outcomes
The overall aim of the forums is to establish and cement the age issue within public authorities. One of the hoped for outcomes is that they will, as a result, develop age neutral policies and procedures.
Get involved - Older person’s representatives needed
To ensure that the voice of older people is heard, each of the three forums will have up to three older people as members. The individuals we are looking for should demonstrate a knowledge of equality legislation, including section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. They should have excellent communication skills, an interest in issues affecting older people and one year’s experience in a diversity/equal opportunities related area with experience of working in partnership and policy development.
For an application form, please contact Leona Reid on 028 9023 0666 or email leona.reid@helptheaged.org.uk
Date for the Diary
RESIDENTIAL IN CO.TYRONE – Workers Educational Association
What? The Leading Age Residential, a residential weekend in September 2007
Where? The Rural College & Derrynoid Centre, DRAPERSTOWN, Co. Tyrone
When? Friday 28th September to Sunday 30th September 2007
Who? The residential is aimed at leaders and potential leaders among the ranks of older people who are actively challenging the many inequalities and injustices that affect them in later life.
Having completed this residential, you will have:
- Greater confidence in your ability to understand the elements of a successful advocacy campaign
- An ability to actively advocate for change and to develop successful networks and strategies
- Shared and built upon the related skills and experience of the other participants
- A clear plan for the next steps which can include ongoing training and mentoring support
For further information on courses and an application form, please contact Attracta Cosgrove on 028 9032 9718 or email Attracta.Cosgrove@wea-ni.com. Alternatively you can write to Attracta at Workers Educational Association, 1/3 Fitzwilliam Street, BELFAST BT9 6AW.
AGE AWARENESS WEEK 1st – 5th October 2007
Organise an event and you might be eligible for a grant of £200
Age Awareness Week events will aim to demonstrate the importance of eradicating clichés, stereotypes and violence, and promoting good relations amongst all members of society. Age Awareness Week 2007 will strive to promote and disseminate the values underlying equal treatment and the fight against discrimination.
If you would like your group to take part in Age Awareness Week 2007 or you would like more information on the week, please contact James Knox on 028 9024 5729 or email jknox@ageconcernni.org
Grants
Is your group planning to organise an event to coincide with Age Awareness Week in October? If so, we would like to invite you to apply for a small grant of £200 to assist in its development.
We are looking for projects which could include one or all of the issues listed below:
- An urban / rural dimension
- A fresh approach to ageing
- A partnership approach
- A focus on equality and diversity possibly covering issues such as gender, sexual orientation, race, religion or disability
- Challenges clichés, stereotypes and discrimination
- Promotes intergenerational activities
- Promotes community safety
To apply for a grant, please send James Knox at Age Concern NI, 3 Lower Crescent, BELFAST BT2 7DB or email jknox@ageconcernni.org details of your project on one side of A4 paper.
Please be aware that there are only 10 grants on offer so get your application in as soon as possible.
CAPACITY BUILDING – Help the Aged in Northern Ireland
The Pensioners Actively Lobbying Services (PALS) group has recently approached the CAP Development Officer for help in developing a campaign plan.
Who are Pensioners Actively Lobbing Services?
PALS are an umbrella organisation with ninety four member groups. The group was established in 2006 and are based in Lurgan and cover the Craigavon and Banbridge Council area. For more information about the work of PALS, please contact Walter Cooper on 028 38 326146
A first step in developing a campaign plan is to find out what issues members want to campaign on and PALS are currently organising clinics to identify these issues. These will then be fed into a campaign plan which will be devised with the help of the CAP Development Officer. This consultation with members is an example of best practice as it will give them the opportunity to have a louder stronger voice.
Another important component in developing a campaign plan is participation in campaigning and lobbying training. The group recently completed the Lobbying Skills course offered by the Workers Educational Association (WEA). This was so successful the group has requested the delivery of another Lobbying Skills course to allow additional members to access this very beneficial training. Members will participate in this course and the Principled Negotiation Skills course in September. In addition members have requested training on how to text using mobile phones. The CAP Development Officer is liaising with the ICT Co-ordinator in Help the Aged to provide this.
Walter Cooper from PALS stated “The support we have got from the CAP Development Officer has been brilliant.”
RESEARCH – Queen’s University, Belfast
How is medication managed in nursing homes?
Professor Carmel Hughes and Roz Goldie at the School of Pharmacy have been examining how medication administration is managed in nursing homes for older people. Key issues are do residents have any say in looking after their own medicines and in decision making about which medicines they should take. The study has involved gathering the views of General Practitioners (GPs), who provide care to nursing home residents; nursing home managers and those nurses involved in administration of medication, and most importantly, nursing home residents.
Eight GPs and seventeen residents have been interviewed on a one-to-one basis. Nine nurses have participated in two focus groups. Participants have been asked about their experiences of prescribing in the nursing home environment; any problems encountered; communication between GPs, staff and residents about medicines, and the involvement of residents in decisions about treatment. All the interviews and focus groups have been taped and transcribed and analysis will take place over the coming months.
Further information on the study can be obtained by contacting Professor Carmel Hughes on 028 9097 2147 or Una Lynch (CAP Research Manager) on 028 9097 3650 or emailing u.lynch@qub.ac.uk
Another Date for the Diary
What? ‘Well Being and Self Determination in Older People,' a lunch time seminar
Where? The Institute of Governance, Queen’s University BELFAST
When? Friday 29th June at 12.30 pm (sandwich lunch); 1.15pm seminar
Content Dr John Copleton will present his research on the relationship between self determination and well being in older people. The seminar will be participative in nature and will be an opportunity for people to network with others working in the area of ageing.
The seminar is free. If you wish to attend, please contact Una Lynch on 028 9097 3650 or email u.lynch@qub.ac.uk by Friday 22nd June.
GET INVOLVED - CAP contacts
Would your group be interested in developing its capacity to create a voice for older people in your local community? If so, contact Stephanie Campbell on 023 9023 0666 or email stephanie.campbell@helptheaged.org.uk
Do you want to be able to get your voice heard and influence decision makers but are unsure how to go it? The CAP programme offers Lobbying Workshops to groups who want to obtain the skills and knowledge needed to effect change. Find out more by contacting Attracta Cosgrove on 028 9032 9718 or email attracta.cosgrove@wea-ni.com
Are you interested in becoming a member of an Age Equality Policy Forum and meeting public representatives? Ring James Knox on 028 9024 5729 or email jknox@ageconcernni.org
IN TOUCH WITH CAP
You have been selected to receive CAP news as the representative of a group which the CAP Programme partners felt might be interested in CAP activities. To be removed from this mailing list or to update the contact details for your group, please contact Leona Reid on 028 9023 0666 or email leona.reid@helptheaged.org.uk
If you would like to receive copies of previous issues of CAP news, please contact Leona Reid on 028 9023 0666 or email leona.reid@helptheaged.org.uk. You will soon be able to download CAP news from the CAP website.
YOUR OPINION
Any comments you have on CAP news are very welcome. Please feel free to contact Leona Reid on 028 9023 0666 or email leona.reid@helptheaged.org.uk