12530 Natter that Matters

Rhymney Pontlottyn Fochriw Abertysswg
Tirphill New Tredegar Deri Brithdir
Markham Bargoed Aberbargoed
Argoed Gilfach Oakdale Crumlin
Tir-y-Berth Pengam Cefn Fforest
Blackwood Penmaen Newbridge
Nelson Gelligaer Penybryn Hengoed
Cefn Hengoed Wylie Maesycwmmer
Ystrad Mynach Pontllanfraith Abercarn
Llanbradach Senghenydd Ynysddu
Cwmfelinfach Wattsville Crosskeys
Abertridwr Bedwas Trethomas Machen
Risca Waterloo
Caerphilly
Rudry
Machen
Natter that
Matters
Autumn
2015
Rhymney Bargoed
Ystrad Mynach Gelligaer
Rhymney
Tirphill
Brithdir
Newbridge
Rhymney
Aberbargoed
Tirphill
Crumlin
Deri
Cefn Fforest
Bargoed
Hengoed
Gilfach
Abercarn
Tir-y-Berth
Bedwas
Blackwood
Waterloo
Nelson
Rhymney Pontlottyn Fochriw Abertysswg Tirphill New Tredegar Deri Brithdir Markham
Bargoed Aberbargoed Argoed Gilfach Oakdale Crumlin Tir-y-Berth Pengam Cefn Fforest
Blackwood Penmaen Newbridge Gelligaer Penybryn Cefn Hengoed Hengoed Argoed
Pontllanfraith Ystrad Mynach Maesycwmmer Abercarn Senghenydd Llanbradach Machen
Cwmfelinfach Wattsville Fochriw Crosskeys Abertridwr Bedwas Trethomas Ynysddu Risca
Waterloo Rudry Rhymney Pontlottyn Fochriw Abertysswg New Tredegar Tirphill Deri
Brithdir Caerphilly Machen Bargoed Blackwood Nelson Gilfach Oakdale Crosskeys Crumlin
Tir-y-Berth Pengam Cefn Fforest Blackwood Penmaen Newbridge Nelson Gelligaer
Hengoed Penybryn Cefn Hengoed Wylie Pontllanfraith Ystrad Mynach Maesycwmmer
Abercarn Senghenydd Llanbradach Ynysddu Cwmfelinfach Wattsville Crosskeys Bedwas
Abertridwr Trethomas Machen Risca Waterloo Caerphilly Rudry Rhymney Pontlottyn
Fochriw Abertysswg Tirphill New Tredegar Deri Brithdir Argoed Markham Bargoed
Aberbargoed Gilfach Oakdale Crumlin Tir-y-Berth Pengam Cefn Fforest Blackwood
Penmaen Newbridge Nelson Gelligaer Penybryn Cefn Hengoed Hengoed Pontllanfraith
Wylie Ystrad Mynach Maesycwmmer Abercarn Senghenydd Llanbradach Ynysddu Wattsville
Cwmfelinfach Crosskeys Abertridwr Bedwas Trethomas Machen Waterloo Caerphilly Rudry
Caerphilly Bargoed Rhymney Ystrad Mynach Blackwood Risca New Tredegar Newbridge
www.caerphillyover50.co.uk/ Caerphilly Over 50
1

The 1st October is the
10th Anniversary of Caerphilly
Borough 50+ Forum.
We will be celebrating this milestone by hosting a
live entertainment event at Lewis School, Pengam.
We are pleased that we have been able to launch
our NEW NEWSLETTER to coincide with this event.
This ‘Share a Smile’ event will also be our contribution
to celebrating Older Persons Day.
A note from our Chairman
The last few months have seen significant
strides forward in revitalising Caerphilly County
Borough 50+ Forum. Our first priority has been
to broaden the scope of our contact with
residents of the Borough and recognising
that we had to be relevant to the whole age
range. To achieve this we have developed a
new website www.CaerphillyOver50.co.uk
which seeks to provide relevant information
and news as well as providing an easy means of
contacting us. Closely allied to the website is our
Facebook page. The latter provides almost
daily interest and allows us to point you to our
website when key new items are available.
This newsletter is a reflection of our recognition
that not all our members have access to the
internet. We will also continue to maintain contact
with members through mail. We have now
started the next phase of our development
by hosting events. These will be varied in
nature from purely entertainment, providing
information and also workshops where you
will have a chance to respond to consultations,
for example, providing feedback on Council
proposals for budget constraints.
For those of you who receive this newsletter
who are not currently members of the Caerphilly
County Borough 50+ forum I would like to
take this opportunity to encourage you to
join us. It is FREE and you can complete the
registration form via our website or you can
call 01443 864277 for more information.
The more people who join the more we are
able to support and, importantly, the greater
the impact of our voice when we choose to
speak out on issues that matter to those who
are Caerphilly Over 50!
Welsh National Transport Plan
The Minister for Transport, in the Welsh
Assembly Government, has announced
the transport policy for our area for the
medium term up to 2023.
A new level of administration will be the wholly
government owned Welsh Government Transport
Company which will administer the Cardiff Metro
and be “taking the revenue fare risk.” This means
that the actual companies providing the services
will do so for a fixed profit margin. The cost of this
plan is estimated at £600,000,000 & “good progress
is being made in identifying funding sources”
beyond the £125,000,000 already set aside. She also
said the Metro “will not only act as a link between
our communities, but also support the Welsh
economy by enhancing connectivity across
Wales and into the rest of the UK and Europe.”
2
Natter that Matters Autumn 2015

Battlefields Visit
The over 50’s group at Lewis School
Pengam has gone from strength to
strength over the eight years of its
existence, the sequence dancing with
Brian and Eileen Swithens still takes place
the first Wednesday of every month and
the weekly lunches are still in full swing
every Wednesday at 12pm in term time.
We have regular guests and events such
as the “Golden Oldies” singalong and
organised trips such as our journey to
Flanders & the Somme described below.
The intergenerational visit to the Battlefields
was an unforgettable trip for many reasons.
To experience watching our whole school
community, with ages ranging from 12 - 80,
walking, talking, laughing, eating and learning
together was everything we could have hoped
for. Two of our intergen group, sisters in law
Sandra Stevens and Cynthia Powell seemed to
sum up the whole experience in the interviews
they gave for our two filmmakers. Sandra talked
about how seeing so many graves and so many
cemeteries brought home the enormity of the
damage the War had done, she said “ All my life
I’ve seen pictures or programmes on TV about
this but this visit has brought it home to me far
more than anything else could have done.”
Cynthia agreed with this sentiment and added,
“These trips are still important. We are showing
our boys that they will never be forgotten.”
We laughed, joked and enjoyed each other’s
company but we also remembered why we
were there; to show respect and admiration
for those who made the final sacrifice for us.
2016 is the 100yr anniversary of the Battle
of the Somme. We intend revisiting Mametz
Wood and the other sites where so many of
our young men fought.
www.caerphillyover50.co.uk/ Caerphilly Over 50
3

Website & Digital training sessions
On 28th April 2015 we launched the new
Caerphilly Over 50 website at an open meeting
in Bargoed Library with the all important tea,
coffee and cakes provided by the Forum. Iwan
Williams the Communities, Local Government
and Wellbeing officer from the office of the
Older People’s Commissioner Wales gave a
presentation, as well as our Chair, Ralph Stevens.
These were followed by digital training sessions
from the CCBC Communities First/ Get Caerphilly
Online team. There were 3 topics covering Facebook
and Twitter, keeping safe online and getting
more out of your tablet/iPad and there were
about 10 people in each ‘lively’ group. We also
had 2 visitors from the Carmarthenshire Over 50
Forum who joined in the Facebook and Twitter
session, which they found very informative.
As a result of that successful day we organised
a similar digital event in Risca Library on
1st September 2015, once again supported
by Get Caerphilly Online team. Everyone has
been very enthusiastic and complementary
about the events and a number of people
have gone on to attend the free Digital
Fridays sessions in their local libraries.
For details of Digital Fridays session close to
where you live you can either look at the
www.getcaerphillyonline.org.uk
or pop into your local library and ask for
information. We may hold more digital
events in the future; keep checking our
www.CaerphillyOver50.co.uk
website for details.
We can help you make a Digital story!
What is a Digital Story?
They can be a simple memory of a loved
family member or they could be a powerful
lobbying tool. Their strength is their simplicity
- around 3 or 4 minutes long, your story
will contain your words and your voice,
accompanied by your choice of pictures to
enhance what you are saying.
Caerphilly County Borough 50+ Forum has
produced many digital stories over the last
10 years that have been used to lobby on
behalf of older people - one has even been
shown to the House of Lords!
If there is an issue that you feel strongly about or
a point you feel needs making, we can produce
a story with you. You bring your story, we bring
the technical skills and we can end up with
something that can change things for the better.
Contact Mandy Sprague on 01443 864277 to discuss your idea for your story.
You can view examples of our stories on our website on the digital story telling section
http://caerphillyover50.co.uk/digital-story-telling/
4
Natter that Matters Autumn 2015

Community Connectors
There is a new service available in
Caerphilly Council that is available
to any adult living in the Borough
called Community Connectors.
The ethos of the Community Connector service
is to keep as many people as independent as
possible for as long as possible in their own
homes. Studies have shown that by achieving
this, people’s health and wellbeing will be
better for longer and people generally will
feel better about their own lives.
Many people living in Caerphilly are finding
themselves becoming socially isolated and
lonely for a variety of reasons such as following
a stay in hospital, retirement, moving into
the area or a bereavement. Sometimes
people just don’t know where or who to
turn to for some information and advice.
Community Connectors will visit people in
their own homes and take the time to really
find out what is important to them. They can
then offer a wide range of information and
advice to help people achieve their personal
goals. It could be providing a list of services
available to help them; it might involve
accompanying someone to a local group of
interest; it could even be some IT assistance
to help people stay in touch with loved ones
who live away.
Community Connectors have already made
such a difference to many people’s lives.
They have connected people via Facebook
and Skype to family who live abroad and
have introduced many people to local
groups and activities. New friendships have
been made, and more and more people have
now started to feel part of their communities.
If you think you, or someone you know,
could benefit from chatting to a Community
Connector please give us a call on
0808 100 2500.
www.caerphillyover50.co.uk/ Caerphilly Over 50
5

Creating Dementia
Friendly Communities
■ 75% of people in the UK don’t
think society is geared up to deal
with people with dementia.
■ 67% of people with dementia do not
always feel a part of the community.
■ 61% of people with dementia feel
lonely always or some of the time.
■ 44% of people with dementia feel they
lost friends after being diagnosed. *
This is why ‘Dementia Friends’ has been
created. To become a Dementia Friend
takes just 1 hour of your time to attending
an interactive and engaging information
session about dementia delivered by a
Dementia Friends Champion, where you
will discover the 5 things everyone should
know about dementia, enabling you to
help make Caerphilly a more dementia
friendly community.
John Green, a local resident and 50+ forum
member, recently delivered this training to
our steering group, CCBC Older people’s
Champions, and some CCBC staff. We found
the training really interesting and we thought
we would share John’s details with you in
case you might want to ask him to deliver a
session for yourself and a group of friends,
or for any group you belong to.
You can email John at:
newhorizens@btinternet.com
or call 01443 864277
for more information.
* from the Dementia 2012 report
6
Natter that Matters Autumn 2015

What makes your blood boil!?
This section is for you to get your voice heard on issues that matter to you!
“I think at some time or another
we have all fallen foul of the
packet that can’t be opened.
I know I have many times been
frustrated not being able to
break into the most innocuous
looking packet and have been
forced to take drastic measures.”
Chris Fiore
1) The Tablet and
Bleach Bottles
We know that these
containers are
designed for safety
reasons, but if you
can’t get inside the
product because
your hands are not
what they used to
be, or you have
poor eye sight, or
you are just frail,
what are you
supposed to do?
2) The Packet
Plastic moulded packaging seems
to come out worst as the most
dangerous packaging. If you have
ever come across this packaging, it is
encased in this plastic bubble and needs
some drastic measures to open it.
3) Vacuum Sealed Foods.
Again we know that the food is packaged
so that it will arrive to us nice and fresh,
but again if you are unable to remove the
product from its packaging through ill
health, or bad eye sight, or just being frail,
what are you suppose to do?
We are living in the most technically
advanced age that man has ever known;
surely a little more thought could be
put into this problem by the various
manufacturers? A survey by Which?
magazine says, that four in every ten
people are hurt in removing items from
packaging. Things used in the opening of
the packaging include, Razor blades, kitchen
knives, Scissors, and Stanley knives. 2% of
people end up needing medical help.
If you agree with Chris let us know via the website
http://caerphillyover50.co.uk/ get-in-touch/
or give us a call on 01443 864277 and if
there is enough interest we will consider
developing a campaign to address the issue.
www.caerphillyover50.co.uk/ Caerphilly Over 50
7

Knit and Natter
Knitters nationwide meet in libraries, craft shops, cafes and front
rooms. Some knit for their own pleasure but many, like the one
in Machen Library, knit for charity. We supply Velindre hospital
with items for their shop and we also sell knitted items at local
Farmers’ Markets, sending the money raised to the hospital.
At the beginning of each year we start knitting the chicks
which have crème eggs in them ready for Easter.
Mainly yellow chicks but some in team colours and the
odd punk or goth chick. This year we introduced a limited
edition of Minions chicks! By Easter Monday if we never see
another clucking chick it will be too soon, but we are very
happy to send £200 plus to the hospital.
What makes your
blood boil!?
Just like Joy, one of our forum members
did. She felt strongly about the change in
process reapplying for renewals of Disability
Parking badges.
We acted on her comments and now the
Commissioner for Older People is discussing
the issue with the Welsh Government and
we now have a Top Tips video clip on our
website Transport
& Mobility pages
which you can watch
or share with friends
via this link below.
http://caerphillyover50.co.uk/
transport-mobility/
We would like to thank Caerphilly 50+
Positive Action for their help and support
in producing this first newsletter and the
Welsh Government who have funded the
cost of the printing as part of their
engagement work supporting
Strategy for Older People in Wales.
If you would like to advertise to
thousands of over 50s in Caerphilly
County Borough you can do so by
sponsoring the next edition of this
Newsletter or any of the forums events.
Please contact us via the website
‘get in touch’ section or email:
spragm@caerphilly.gov.uk or call
Mandy Sprague on 01443 864277
8
Natter that Matters Autumn 2015