sunrise winter 2013

Sunrise2013 - issue 4

Photography Competition:

Judgement Day

Pages 14-15

Stay safe this winter

Page 8-9

Photo competition results

Pages 16-17

Remarkable residents

Festive

greetings

The Sunrise team

wish all readers a very

merry Christmas and a

healthy and

prosperous

2014.

Around the schemes pages 4-7

Sunrise photography competition results pages 8-9

Beating loneliness pages 10-11

National Citizen Service project page 12

Safety advice pages 13-15

- Phone courier ‘police’ scammers

- Stay safe this winter

- Fire safety in the kitchen

Unsung heroes page 15

Remarkable residents pages 16-17

Turning back the years pages 17-18

2

Welcome

Coming to a scheme near you…The Sunrise team was out and about in October to meet readers in North Staffordshire.

We received a warm welcome at Reginald Mitchell Court in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent and at Wellington Mill in Leek where we chatted to residents about what they would like to see in the magazine.

The Sunrise editorial board is an ever-changing mix of people to ensure that your magazine covers a broad spectrum of topics which are relevant to you.

Midland Heart has 130 Older People’s schemes and slowly but surely the Sunrise team is visiting as many as possible.

If you’d like us to visit your scheme speak to your scheme manager or email us at: [email protected]

In this issue...Welcome to the latest edition of Sunrise magazine, the fourth issue of 2013.A big thank you to everyone who has been involved throughout the year – we couldn’t put Sunrise together without your help.We have covered lots of fascinating stories in 2013 and this issue is no exception.The Sunrise team visited Sandby Court, Reginald Mitchell Court and Wellington Mill to meet residents from all walks of life.We also gathered people from Older People’s Services and Midland Heart’s Inclusion Services (formerly known as Homeless Services) to judge the wonderful entries in our first ever photography competition. You can see the winning photographs on pages 8 and 9.The big issue this time is beating loneliness after Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt commented that the loneliness of older people is a ‘national shame’ which is being ignored by society as a whole. Turn to pages 10 and 11 for the full story.Also in this edition we include a section on staying safe during the winter months and we look at fire safety in the kitchen.Everyone seems to have been very active in recent months so our Around the Schemes section has spilled over into two additional pages this time (pages 4 – 7).So as usual there’s plenty of food for thought. If you’d like to submit articles or ideas for the next issue please get in touch.Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.Laura Edwards & Heather BishopEditors

Copy deadline for the next issue of SunriseOur copy deadline for the next issue of Sunrise is Friday 14 February 2014

We’re looking for volunteers from across the schemes to act as local ‘subbies’ to collect news items that may be suitable for Sunrise or even take photographs.

We have already built up an impressive list of people who can help out on a regular or even occasional basis.

If you would like to be part of the team email us at [email protected] or speak to your scheme manager

This time we welcome our new subbie, Fiona McLeod (pictured above) from Sandby Court, Chilwell, Nottinghamshire.

Join the team

email us at: [email protected] or call: 0345 60 20 540 3

Scheme Manager Marie Quinn explained: “We’re happy for local people to come to the coffee mornings because we believe that you only get back from your community what you put in.

“We often invite residents from nearby Greenwood Court, and Hall Drive , to events here and they come on day trips too if we have spare seats. Everyone gets on very well and there’s a real sense of community here.”

We talked to residents to discover why they love living where they do.This is what they said…“I moved here because I was downsizing. My flat is lovely and I like having people around, to have a cup of tea with someone. A lot of older people feel very isolated and lonely but that won’t be the case for anyone living here.”Fiona McLeod

“I’ve lived here for nine years and I like the sense of togetherness. We have our own place but can easily meet up. The manager is marvellous; nothing is too much trouble for her. It’s absolutely great here.”Jean McCormack

“Everyone looks after everyone else here. Moving here a year ago was the best thing I ever did. Before I came to Sandby Court I felt very low, but now I feel wonderful. I don’t think I

could find anywhere better.”Louise Guest

“I wouldn’t like to live anywhere else. I like the other residents, the manager, and my flat. I am living in my own home with lots of people around. Everyone is very friendly and we look after each other.”Dorothy Gibson

“I’ve always been happy here. Everyone is very helpful and I like the social aspect of life here.”Corinna Woodhouse

“I don’t live at Sandby Court but Marie invites us to the coffee mornings and other events and I come to as many things as I can.”Eileen Gilman, resident from the local community

“Coming to the Sandby Court coffee morning is something I look forward to each week and I go on the organised trips if I can. I’d like to thank Marie and all the residents for their kindness in inviting neighbours along. It makes a big difference to our lives.”Gloria Brown, resident from the local community

“I have lived here for nearly 18 months and like having my own place but being part of a community too.”Sylvia White

Why I like living at…

Derek Fowkes and Phil (Philomena)

Sandby Court

Fiona McLeod and Elizabeth Fraser

Sandby Court in Chilwell, Nottingham is a complex of 49 self-contained flats with communal facilities including kitchen, dining room and laundry.

The Sunrise team visited the scheme during the regular coffee morning to meet a very lively group of customers… and some of their neighbours from the local community.

Meet everyone who

came to join the

Sunrise team at

Sandby Court.

Thank you for coming!

Louise Guest

Dorothy Gibson

Corinna Woodhouse

Eileen Gilman & Sylvia White

Margaret Rickett

Wendy Baker

Joyce Addington

Shirley Rourke

Jean McCormack

4

Around the schemes

email us at: [email protected] or call: 0345 60 20 540

It’ll be all right on the nightStaff and residents at Broad Meadow saved the day when the organiser of a charity fundraiser was taken to hospital with a broken hip just 24 hours before the big event.

Joyce Morris had spent weeks planning the charity evening on 7 November to raise funds for the Georgina Cancer Unit at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley in memory of her husband Bill, who died last year.

She persuaded three singers to perform for free, sold 120 tickets and arranged refreshments. June Hudson and Dale Wills helped sell tickets for the raffle.

After her accident she feared the event would be cancelled but staff and friends rallied round to make sure it was a night to remember.

Activity Co-ordinator Laura Edwards said: “Everyone pulled together on the night and it went really well, raising more than £700 for the Georgina Unit.

“It was such a shame that Joyce couldn’t be there to enjoy the night after working so hard but she will present the cheque to the Unit when she comes out of hospital.”

Emerald Court, Ward End, Birmingham

Emerald Court has no communal facilities so it held its Macmillan day outside during the summer.

This year its coffee morning took place on a beautiful day in July, with not a cloud in the sky.

Residents and their families made the buffet food and provided the drinks while Costco kindly donated an iced cake.

The scheme was delighted to raise £400 on the day. £200 was donated to the Macmillan nurses and £200 was sent to John Taylor Hospice in Birmingham, where the Macmillan nurses are based.

Scheme Manager Brenda Adshead said: “Emerald Court only has 19 residents at the time so they did really well to raise so much money for a very valued service.”

St Anne’s Court, Erdington

Generous residents at St Anne’s Court rallied round to put on another fabulous fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Each year the scheme adds its support to the charity’s biggest event.

Residents raise cash for the cause all year long and were delighted to be able to donate £1,641 to Macmillan after a very successful coffee morning.

Rose O’Brien, manager at the Birmingham scheme, said: “We were very pleased with the amount. It’s always hard work but everyone enjoys getting involved.”

Little Quillet Court, Cam

The residents held a coffee morning in their communal lounge and raised £180 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The scheme had many visitors including neighbours, friends and family.

Coffee and cakes were served from 9am. The table selling home-made produce, cake, scones, pies and pasties, chutneys and jams, soon sold out.

Residents also ran a craft and small gift stall selling greetings cards and paintings by a resident. People tried to guess the number of coffee beans in a jar to raise cash and had many a laugh at various guesses.

Everyone enjoyed the social side of it, chatting away until late morning.

Brewing up for cancer reliefSeveral schemes joined The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on 27 September, Macmillan’s biggest annual fundraising event.

This year the charity reached a record £16.5 million from the event thanks to the generosity of people around the nation.

by Sunrise ‘subbie’ Gen Glover.

5

Around the schemes


Meet our new EditorLaura Edwards, the bubbly Activities Co-ordinator at Broad Meadow, has joined the Sunrise team as an Editor.

She took up the position last month and along with ExtraCare Operations Manager Heather Bishop, will oversee the production of the quarterly magazine.

Laura joined the scheme in Dudley in May 2012, and works full-time to promote activities at Broad Meadow.

“It’s a full-on role, but I absolutely love it,” she said. “It is so rewarding to see new residents, who have sometimes lived very lonely lives for the past few years, start joining in.

“They sometimes seem very shy when they move in but within six months they really blossom, joining in different activities and often start volunteering here.”

Laura’s role is an all-encompassing one, from arranging various weekly groups and classes to setting up bigger events such as entertainment evenings and fetes.

“I try to include something to please everyone,” she said, “because we all have different tastes and interests.”

Her efforts over the past 18 months are certainly paying off with only 30 or so residents not being involved with activities.

She explained: “When I started here only 60 people were involved on a regular basis, so we’re delighted with the level of involvement and I’m keen to keep increasing the numbers.

“Residents frequently come to me with ideas and suggestions about what they would like to do, and as many have only just retired, they’re happy to get involved and give something back.”

Double fundraising fun boosts two charitiesBy Sunrise ‘subbie’ Jennifer Holloway

Congratulations to residents at Oak Tree Court who have raised an impressive amount for charities in the last two months.

Families and friends supported a Grand Coffee Morning in aid of the new Marie Curie Hospice in Solihull.

A cheque for £550 was handed over to staff at the hospice, and the representatives of Oak Tree Court were given a tour of the new premises. They were very impressed with all the facilities and thinking that had gone into the planning.

A further £275 was raised at a Harvest Supper, which was taken to Acorn’s Children’s Hospice in Selly Oak, along with sweets for the children.

Special thanks to one resident, Barbara, a retired caterer, who enjoyed putting on an excellent spread for us at the supper.

Keep up the good work, everyone!

Spooky goings onCirencester Court in Swindon celebrated Hallowe’en with a party in the lounge decorated with all things spooky!

Residents enjoyed making a mask before tucking in to delicious sausage and mash followed by homemade ginger cake and a glass of something!

The evening was finished off with a quiz, music and other activities including a ghostly tale in flickering candle light - a brilliant time was had by all.

Birthday girlCongratulations go to Sybil Spackman from Cirencester Court, Swindon, who was 90 on 11 June. Illness prevented her from celebrating on the day so her birthday party was delayed until October.

Snooker successA Broad Meadow v. Willowfields snooker tournament was so successful that it is to become a regular event.

The competition, organised by Broad Meadow, saw the host team claim a 4 -2 victory.

Laura Edwards, Activity Co-ordinator at Broad Meadow said: “There were six players in all. We put on a buffet for them and they had a great few hours together. Now Willowfields want to even the score.”

6

Around the Schemes (continued)

Residents gather for poetry readingResidents at Clifton Court enjoyed a poetry reading when four members of the local University of the Third Age (U3A) Writers’ Group visited the Ludlow scheme.

They were joined by resident Peter Tomlinson, himself a talented poet. The audience were attentive and appreciative.

One comment was that it was “inspiring” and we, the readers, were thrilled to be invited to come again

sometime in the future.

Our residents were by no means passive listeners. Joan Toop recited from memory a dialect poem she had learned as a child (quite a feat) and Jane Robinson read a delightful poem by John Betjeman about a church mouse.

This was very timely as it was about the Harvest Festival, which takes place in the autumn. The audience seemed to enjoy it as much as the readers did - and we certainly found it a rewarding experience.

Nina Rootes, Clifton Court resident

Trophy night delightWinners of in-house tournaments received trophies and medals to mark their victories in Broad Meadow’s snooker, darts and dominoes matches.

Resident Brenda Hodgetts organised a presentation evening for everyone involved in the competitions.

With the help of other residents she sold £2 tickets for the event, hired entertainment and put on a buffet.

The winners were presented with trophies and metals by Scheme Manager Dawn Allen and Operations Manager Heather Bishop.

Hat’s amazing!Nifty knitters at Broad Meadow joined the annual Innocent Big Knit to help other older people stay warm and healthy this winter.

The ladies completed 90 natty hats to go on the tops of Innocent Smoothie bottles which are sold in leading supermarkets.

Innocent appeal for one million knitted hats each year and the company donates 25p from every smoothie bottle sold to Age UK to help care for older people around the nation.

• You can find out about the Innocent Big Knit and download a hat knitting pattern at: http://thebigknit.co.uk

Gardeners take pride in their plotsA team of keen resident gardeners help to keep the grounds at Reginald Mitchell Court in tip top shape.

The scheme, in Hanley, was delighted to receive a certificate in Stoke-on-Trent’s Pride in Our City Garden Competition.

The eight residents each have their own areas to tend, including raised beds, borders and the patio area.

Senior Scheme Manager Jane Andrews said: “Everyone works very hard. It takes a lot of effort to keep the gardens looking good throughout the seasons.”

From left: Dawn Allen, Brenda Hodgetts and Heather Bishop.

Picture taken by Broad Meadow resident John Evans.

7email us at: [email protected] or call: 0345 60 20 540

World Mental Health Day promotes need for better care for older peopleOlder adults was the focus of this year’s World Mental Health Day to encourage governments and organisations to look at the mental health issues experienced by older people in their communities.

The day, celebrated on 10 October, also aimed to promote the growing need for improvements in care as a growing proportion of the world’s people are reaching old age.

Self-help to promote good mental health

The Mental Health Foundation has published a booklet for people in their 60s who have recently retired from work and gives ten practical ways we can protect our mental health.

The booklet can be ordered online from http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-to-in-later-life/

Price: £1.50 or free to download

Sue gets splattedScheme manager Sue Edwards was splatted in the face by one of her customers this summer – all in the name of charity!

The sideshow was one of many attractions at the Oakwood Lodge annual fete, which raised an amazing £1,322 for scheme funds.

Tom Banks, a customer at the Willenhall scheme, paid the bargain price of £10 for the pleasure of covering Sue’s face in a mixture of eggs and cream.

The oldest customer, Connie Johnson, 100, officially opened the Oakwood Cottage Garden which has been created with the help of staff member Josie Davis and her family who worked with the customers.

Our A – Z guide of computer terminology will help you to make sense of the wonderful world of technology.

In the latest in series, we run through letters N - Q

N is for news

The internet is an easy way to access the latest local, national and international

news because news websites are updated several times a day.

Many newspapers have their own websites with extended news features and picture galleries.

Some of the more popular news websites include BBC News, Sky News and most national daily newspapers.

O is for open access

Don’t have a computer at home? There are lots of places you can go to access

computers and the internet such as libraries which offer high speed access to the web.

Age UK also offers a number of regular face-to-face computer training courses, in plain, jargon-free English.

P is for photos

Uploading your photos to the internet to share with friends and family is easier than

you think and there are a number of photo sharing websites out there such as Flickr, Picasa, Photobucket and Facebook.

It’s important to remember that unless you’ve taken the picture yourself, you should always get permission from the person who did before publishing them online.

Q is for quick tips

In the help section of most computer software programs you will find a list of keyboard shortcuts that will help you to

copy, paste, cut etc. which cuts down switching from keyboard to mouse and back.

Confused by computers? Baffled by broadband?

8

Picture Perfect

It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for… we unveil the winning entries in the closely contested Sunrise Photography Competition.A big thank you to everyone who entered. After a slow start entries flooded in.

Our judging panel met up at Lacock Abbey, a beautiful National Trust property in rural Wiltshire.

The Abbey includes a museum celebrating the achievements of former Lacock Abbey resident, William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-77), famous for his contributions to the invention of photography.

Fox Talbot was one of the founders of modern photographic processes and created the first ever photographic negative in 1835, (shown below) taken of a small window at his home at Lacock Abbey.

Inspired by their historic surroundings, our four judges spent several hours selecting the best entries and after much discussion, named the winners.

“It was a very interesting and enjoyable day. The judging went very well and I thought the standard of many of the entries was very good. It was also interesting to meet people from other schemes.”George Way, Champions Court, Dursley

“I had a really good day. It was interesting to see all the different entries and to hear other people’s opinions of them. We were all in agreement about the winning photographs though.”Gen Glover, Little Quillet Court, Cam

Sunrise Photography competition

Fox Talbots’ first negative courtesy of the National Media Museum / Science & Society Picture Library

Th

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esu

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Judges comments

The JudgesLeft to right: Matthew Jones, Gen Glover, George Way, David Hayes


Category: Me and my homeWinner: Edna Sharp from Timbermill Court

Category: Me and my homeJoint runner-up: Cynthia Ho from Broad Meadow

Category: In the communityJoint runner-up: Lawrence Marshall from Born Court

Category: In the communityJoint runner-up: Joan Martin from Whitgreave Court

Category: TravelJoint runner-up: Muriel Perkins from Uxbridge Court

Category: TravelJoint runner-up: Colin Hayes from College Gardens

Category: Me and my homeJoint runner-up: John Brown from Poppy Court

Category: In the communityWinner: Margaret Holland from Penmakers Court

Category: TravelWinner: Lawrence Marshall from Born Court

10 email us at: [email protected] or call: 0345 60 20 540

The issue...

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the loneliness of older people was a ‘national shame’ which is being ignored by society as a whole.According to the Campaign to End Loneliness almost half of all adults in England experience feelings of loneliness and five million people say television is their main form of company.

More and more people live alone – the number of middle-aged people living alone has increased by almost a third in just ten years.

Loneliness can take us by surprise or can follow naturally in the wake of one of life’s transitions, for instance bereavement or some other change of circumstance such as moving house.

A spokeman for Age UK said: “As we get older, we are more likely to suffer illness and disability which can prevent us from getting out and about, and people’s social networks often shrink due to life-changing events such as retirement and bereavement which can increase the risk of becoming lonely.”

How you can get involved?

Socialise within your scheme

Social skills like anything else improve with practice. If you have lived an isolated life for several years getting involved in scheme activities can be quite daunting.

Take things step by step. If your service has communal facilities why not pop down to a coffee morning. Residents are generally a friendly lot and are pleased to see new faces.

Is there a special interest group at your service which meets for a knit ‘n’ natter or for a game of darts, for example?

Making new friends does take effort on your part, but take things one step at a time and you’ll reap the rewards.

Take up a new interest

You’re unlikely to meet anyone new if you don’t get out and about. Clubs and societies are great places to meet new people and while you may not find love there, you’re bound to make new friends… ones who share similar interests to you.

Join a club to maintain a current interest or why not try something new? If you’re unsure about going on your own – take a friend.

You’ll find details in your local paper, college and the library or try looking online.

Love in later life

Growing older doesn’t mean that our desire for closeness and companionship goes away and many people in their 50s and older find themselves newly single or still haven’t found that special person.

Whatever your age it’s never too late to start a new relationship and a new love will put a spring in your step and make the future suddenly seem much brighter.

Being single may mean you have more free time and want to share that time with somebody, or you may miss having physical contact.

The thought of meeting someone new can feel daunting, especially if you’ve spent years, or decades, in the same relationship.

Beating loneliness


Finding love second time roundAfter enjoying long and happy marriages, two Reginald Mitchell Court residents never expected to fall in love again.

Bernard and Joan Scarratt – who have now been married for 18 years – met at the scheme in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent after their spouses had passed away.

Joan said: “Neither of us expected to meet anyone else. It really was quite a surprise. We got on straight away because Bernard and I are quite similar and we’re very happy together.”

• Did you find love at your scheme? Write in and let us know.

Wedding bells ring at St Anne’sTwo romantic residents at a Birmingham scheme have proved that age is no barrier to love after celebrating their recent wedding.

The happy couple, Sheila Hunt, 76, and Michael Cousins, 75, from St Anne’s Court in Erdington, tied the knot on 22 September at Nuthurst Grange Hotel, Henley-in-Arden.

Sheila explained: “I met Michael when I joined a dance club in 2006. I soon made a lot of friends including Michael. We became close about two years ago and decided to set up home together at St Anne’s Court.

“Mike asked me to marry him last Christmas and we were married in September and with all family and friends from the dance club and St Anne’s Court there, we had our perfect day.”

The couple have both been married before and said finding love again has given them both a new lease of life.

Online dating

The dating scene has changed a lot in recent years, and there are more opportunities to meet people online, via dating websites.

There are lots aimed specifically at older people. According to a new survey, the lucrative online dating industry is growing fastest in the 50-plus age group.

Meeting people via the internet can be fun and enjoyable – just remember to be careful and cautious.

There’s no rush – take your time to be sure it feels right before you get serious with someone.

Safety tips

• Nevergiveyourfullnameandaddress or other personal details to someone until you’re sure you can trust them.

• Therearesomewarningsignsto look out for if you meet someone on a dating website, for example if the conversation becomes personal very quickly, or if they ask for information such as your full name, address and birth date.

• Ifyou’rearrangingtoseesomeone for the first time, meet them in a public place such as a café.

• Alwaystellsomebodywhereyou’re going and when you expect to be back.

• Don’tacceptaliftfromtheperson, go home with them, or take them to your home until you’re sure about them.


Young people involved in the National Citizen Service (NCS) project have worked with residents at an Older People’s service on an exciting reminiscence project.The group of 16 and 17 year olds who took part on the four-week project spent their final week at Reginald Mitchell Court in Hanley sharing stories and experiences with residents based on “When we were sweet 16”.

Everyone was encouraged to think about the project in the context of past, present and future and the residents provided books, pictures and maps to illustrate their memories.

The group also had a food swap to explore different preferences and tastes and a joint play list was made to reflect their differing musical tastes.

The young people arranged a celebration event held at the end of the project with the residents and their family and friends.

What they said…

“The project has really improved my confidence. The residents were so full of energy and had really interesting stories to share. Some of them didn’t achieve the career they really wanted because they left school at 14. It has made me determined to go for what I want.”Erin Softley, 16

“I brought in an edition of the Daily Express from May 1940 and the young people were fascinated by the stories in it. They really have the capacity to listen to older people and they have shown compassion.”Joyce Richardson, 87

“The opportunity to work with older people attracted me to this project. I’ve found that we have things in common. I’ve made lots of new friends and it has helped me to be more confident.”Atticus Bettany, 16

“I have really enjoyed being amongst them and getting to know them. It’s been enlightening.”Bernard Scaratt, 82

What is the Nationship Citizenship project?

The National Citizenship Service programme is a government-funded project to help young people build skills for work and life, while taking on new challenges and meeting new friends.

Nationally more than 50,000 young people have taken part in NCS projects. The young people involved had the opportunity to learn new skills, take on challenges and to work in teams to deliver a social action project with community benefits during the final week.

Bridging the age gap


Three people are known to have been approached since the start of October prompting police to issue a warning to older people across the area.

In all three crimes one of the tricksters has called claiming to be a PC Miller based at Holborn police station in London and even quoted a fictional police officer ID number of 3553.

They then told their victims that they have two men in custody and that they have found a cloned bank card containing their personal details.

The man has then told them to contact their bank immediately in order to ensure that no money has been withdrawn from their account.

But the thieves jam the telephone, so when the victims call their bank, they are actually calling the fraudster who called them in the first place. It means the target of the scam unwittingly discloses their bank details to the fraudster.

At this point, the offender has claimed to need the original bank card as evidence and has offered to send a ‘courier’ to the victim’s address to collect it. Once this has been done, the cards have been used along with the PIN numbers to withdraw as much cash as possible.

Detective Inspector Neil Postins, from West Midlands Police’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “We know that these highly organised thieves are specifically targeting older people in and around Birmingham.

“This is what we refer to as a ‘courier scam’ and is something we have seen used in other parts of the country for a number of years.

“It is vital that people remain vigilant against this type of activity and never disclose their bank details or hand over their cards to anyone who they’re not sure is legitimate.”

Protect yourself against courier fraud:

• Yourbankwillneversendacourier to your home

• Yourbankandthepolicewillnever collect your bank card

• Yourbankandthepolicewillnever ask for your PIN

• Ifyoureceiveoneofthesecallsend it immediately

If you’ve been a victim:

• ReportittoActionFraud–call0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk

• Ifyouhavehandedoveranydetails to a fraudster, call your bank and cancel your cards immediately

• Ifyouwanttocallyourbank,then do it from another telephone

SCAMMERS who pretend to be police officers in order to trick people into handing over their bank cards to a fake ‘courier’ are targeting the elderly in Birmingham.

Safety AdvicePhone courier 'police’ scammers targeting elderly in Birmingham


Stay safe this winterLife is for living so we love to hear that customers are getting out and about in the winter weather.

But do take sensible precautions to make sure you stay safe.

Slips, trips and falls

In previous winters thousands of people have been admitted to hospital after suffering serious injuries after falls during wintry weather.

Figures from the Hospital Episode Statistics for England show there were 4,314 admissions to hospital in 2011/12 as a result of people falling over on snow or ice.

During times when pavements and footpaths are covered in snow/ice:

• Wearsturdyfootwear,withagoodgrip.

• Allowyourselfextratimesoyoudon’t find yourself rushing on slippery pavements.

Staying warm

Make sure you wrap up when you’re out and about in wintry weather and be aware that alcohol can affect your perception when it comes to temperature.

Open water safety

When the country is in the grip of freezing temperatures, many people lose their lives after falling through the ice.

In more than 50 per cent of cases the victim had been attempting to rescue another person or a dog.

The only way to stay safe near frozen water is to KEEP OFF.

• Donotattempttogooutontotheice yourself.

• Callforassistancefromtheemergency services.

Winter driving

Adapt the way you drive during the winter and be prepared for journeys that may take you through very varied weather, road and traffic conditions.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) gives winter driving tips on its website about preparing your vehicle, preparing your journey, preparing yourself and driving in snow or ice, rain, fog, strong winds and low sunshine.

For reports of road conditions listen to local radio weather and traffic reports or check online.

www.rospa.com/roadsafety/adviceandinformation/driving/winter-driving-tips.aspx

Electrical Safety

Many accidents and fatalities involve electricity - it must be treated with respect.

• Donotuseapplianceswithwornordamaged flexes.

• Ifanapplianceappearsfaultystopusing it and have it checked at once

• Neveroverloadanelectricsocket.

Using electric blankets

Never use hot water bottles in the same bed as an electric blanket, even if the blanket is switched off.

• Unplugblanketsbeforeyougetintobed, unless they have a thermostat control for safe all-night use.

• Testelectricblanketseverythreeyears. Age UK or your local fire and rescue service may be able to do this for you.

• Checkregularlyforwearandtear.Replace your blanket when it is more than ten years old.

For more information and advice about staying safe this winter go to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents website at: www.rospa.com/wintersafety

Safety Advice (cont’d)


Our unsung heroes…. Peter and Nancy CooperOne couple who really make a difference at Reginald Mitchell Court is Peter and Nancy Cooper.

“They are so kind,” said resident Gladys Powell, “they would do anything for anyone.

“I recently saw Peter changing the tyre on one resident’s mobility scooter so they wouldn’t have to pay someone to have it fixed. He notices things and tries to help to make people’s lives easier.”

Resident Joan Scarratt also praised Peter’s work in the garden, which he tends with seven other residents.

Who’s your

Fire safety in the kitchenA high percentage of home fires are started in the kitchen, so make sure you stay safe when cooking.Top tips:

• Takeextracareifyouneedtoleavethekitchen whilst cooking. Take pans off the heat or turn them down to avoid risk.

• Makesuresaucepanhandlesdon’tstickoutsothey don’t get knocked off the stove.

• Takecareifyou’rewearinglooseclothing–they can easily catch fire.

• Keepteatowelsandclothsawayfromthecooker and hob

• Sparkdevicesaresaferthanmatchesorlighters to light gas cookers, because they don’t have a naked flame.

• Doublecheckthecookerand/orhobisoffwhen you’ve finished cooking.

Take care with electrics

• Keepelectrics(leadsandappliances)awayfrom water.

• Checktoastersarecleanandplacedawayfrom curtains and kitchen rolls.

• Keeptheoven,hobandgrillcleanandingoodworking order. A build-up of fat and grease can ignite a fire.

• Don’tputanythingmetalinthemicrowave.

Let’s highlight our unsung heroesDuring our travels around the schemes we often hear of residents who go the extra mile to help their neighbours.

Whether it is picking up a pint of milk for them, inviting them to lunch or just providing a shoulder to cry on, these unsung heroes make life more pleasant for everyone.

So if you have an unsung hero at your scheme, get in touch to let us know who they are so we can acknowledge the difference they make.

Contact us by email, post or through your scheme manager at the usual Sunrise address.

Peter (left) is pictured with wife Nancy and a representative from Stoke-On-Trent City Council.


Remarkable residents

16

Prize winning Limousin bull breeder Graham Simms is delighted that his grand-daughter is carrying on the family tradition.Graham, who retired from working life five years ago, still retains an avid interest in the breeding of the French bulls he spent years tending.

The former farmer is surrounded by his prize winning memorabilia, books and photographs at his home at Wellington Mill in Leek.

And although Graham enjoys looking back to the glory days when his bulls

To work outdoors was all the young Alan Kick wanted after leaving school at the age of 14.After a short stint on a farm and then several years working for the council, the Wellington Mill resident heard that a vacancy for a lock keeper on the Macclesfield Canal was coming up.

“I had my own 40ft narrow boat in 1960 which is how I first heard of the job,” Alan explained.

He successfully applied for the position and took up residence in the tied cottage in 1971, where he stayed until retiring in 2012.

“I was busy doing all sorts of jobs from water control to stone masonry. I loved it because I was working outside all day and I was working on my own.

“The lock was quite isolated with

nothing but farmland around me but I liked the job from day one.

“By then boats weren’t moving trade, that had just finished, but pleasure boats were starting up and over the years I met all sorts, from professional people to the working classes. I liked the variety.”

In 2002, to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, Alan and two others were asked to take a narrow boat along the waterways to London carrying a precious cargo of Golden Jubilee Ale.

After a three-week journey they arrived in Little Venice, just north of

Paddington, where the cargo was unloaded and delivered to Buckingham Palace.

“It was a good life and I feel very lucky to have spent so long doing what I loved,” Alan said.

Keeping it in the family

Living on the Waterfront


Turning back the years...

were picking up championship titles at the Royal Show, he also has a keen eye on the future.

When he retired, son Nigel took up the helm at Hulse Farm, Northwich, Cheshire, but it was Graham’s grand-daughter Jess who showed a real flair for breeding the pedigree cattle.

In June, Jess, now 18, won the prestigious Young Limousin Breeders Club National Stockjudging Competition for the third year running at Cheshire Show.

Graham, who got into farming by accident, explained: “I left school at 14 and was fit for nothing so I went to work on my uncle’s dairy farm in Endon.”

He stayed there until his uncle retired and eventually bought Hulse Farm in Northwich. After only a few years Graham decided to change direction from beef farming.

He explained: “I couldn’t handle sending the cattle I’d raised off to the abattoir so I finished with the herd and went into pedigree breeding.

“I got my first pedigree cow from France and bred from her. One of the highlights of my career was when my bull, Simbo Etty, won Overall Winner at the Royal Show in 1992.”

Graham’s skill and passion earned him an invitation on to the Limousin Council where he served for ten years.

“It is a fascinating world which I loved being involved in,” he added. “Now I’m enjoying seeing Jess make her way in pedigree breeding. She is a top judger of stock and I am really proud of what she has already achieved.”

The Sunrise team has been out and about talking to readers about their first job.

“I started my first job in England in 1956 when I was 22 and had just arrived from Jamaica to be with my fiancée. I found England so strange to begin with. I’d never seen snow before and that first February there was no sun at all. I got a job at the Ministry of Defence in Chilwell, cleaning the Ordinance department office until I married and had my children.”

Sylvia White, Sandby Court

“My first job at the age of 15 was on a farm at Winkhill, near Leek, where I worked until I was 18 and then I joined the Coldstream Guards.”

Stuart Royle, Wellington Mill

cont’d on next page...

Keeping it in the family

My first job…

18

“I started work in the school holidays when I was 12 helping my Dad on his small holding. I left school at 14 and spent my whole working life in horticulture, growing fruit and veg. It was a good life and I enjoyed it.”

Clive Berrisford, Wellington Mill

“I worked in a silk mill which produced scarves and underwear. I was an overlocker there for about three years.”

Jean Patalong, Wellington Mill

“I started work in the potteries for about three years burnishing Copeland and Spode china with 18ct gold.”

Gladys Powell, Reginald Mitchell Court

“I was a flower maker at Adderley China in Longton. I started there when I left school and worked there for three years.”

Margaret Cartlidge, Wellington Mill

“I worked at Eastwood Pottery in Hanley as an apprentice transferor and did that for 12 months until I was 16. When I had the children I did temporary sorting work to fit in around family life.”

Sheila Barlow, Reginald Mitchell Court

“I was a dress machinist at Conlows in Hanley at the age of 14. I did my training and stayed there for about six years. It was hard work.”

Doreen Beard, Reginald Mitchell Court

“I started my first job in Brighton looking after two children, aged 5 and 7, when I 10 years old.”

Molly Steele, Reginald Mitchell Court

...cont’d from previous page

Nina’s latest book is hot off the pressAuthor and poet Nina Rootes has published her latest offering, an extended memoir of her life and times in the film world.

Nina, who lives at Ludlow’s Clifton Court, is the author of several books including Fresh Air and Cabbages, a partial autobiography of her time living on the Welsh border, a novel and numerous short stories.

She started her working life at the age of 17 when she joined the Ballet Rambert. When injury put an end to her dancing career she embarked on other adventures, among them becoming an award-winning translator of fiction and non-fiction from French and Italian.

Here Nina writes about her latest offering…

In 1958 I was living in Rome and working as an actress, dubbing foreign films into English. I also translated film scripts and dialogue-coached Italian actors who had to play their parts in English, including Italy’s No. 1 Box Office star, Alberto Sordi.

I met darling David Niven, Joan Collins, Robert Shaw and others, as well as famous director, Vittorio de Sica.

The book is also part-Travelogue as it’s about my experiences in Majorca, Rome, Israel, Toronto, Madrid, Paris and a trip to Russia.

There’s plenty of humour, including hilarious misadventures with a crazy friend in New York.

My life has been a mad, brilliant kaleidoscope and I have lived it with passion and intensity.

Get your copy

The book can be obtained from Nina Rootes, 23, Clifton Court, Old Street, Ludlow SY8 1TZ.

Price £9.50 inc. p&p.


PuzzlesCrossword

Wordsearch


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18 20

21

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15 16

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Name

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Congratulations to the winner of the word search in Issue 3,

2013 who was Mrs V Keen from Leamington Spa.

A £20 Love2shop voucher is on its way to you.

The nights are drawing in and there’s a definite chill in the air, but Sunrise is looking on the bright side and embracing the best of the autumn and winter months in our word search competition this time.

There’s a £20 Love2shop voucher for the first correct entry out of the bag, so make sure you send in your Word Search entry to be in the running.

Post your entry to: Wordsearch Autumn 2013, Sunrise, Midland Heart, 20 Bath Row, Birmingham B15 1LZ

Final deadline for entries is Friday, 21 Februray 2014

Please note the competition is only open to Midland Heart customers with only one entry per customer.

Bonfires HarvestPumpkinFireworksSquirrelsOpen fires

Mince piesHats and scarvesSnowflakesHot chocolateIciclesMulled wine

V B X S C Y E C L B Z W M E D J I A U M S M S O O B J T V M A G S S E K A L F W O N S P M Q T Z Y P G P F Q B W G Y D L E M R R M V J I U T B I A O E W Y G E V H W L A T L Q I U V R I W M X Q B O T N G W B N M R S I A E R J L G R P E D E K M L P P F L X X E K N C L A R N L R C R S T H W Q W T U U I M I R Y C I O P C S E D N L E X Y T V V B T M C R O G G T C C T J L D P K X R V A N Q O R V E P W E S K B L O S S Z W J P M I G O Z E R H G O E K R S V D E H E X J I Q N I F H W G S J J V R C O I W R R S C V I A N N K N N K A J G E V I P K G I N H L A T R Z Z E Q Q C O I W B O F F L Q H N R C A L K O A L Z C L T E B H C W H Y D V S U G R E P J F H H N Y U S Z P X D G B T X Z Q E E A E C W X V S F Y Z S E R I U X I A F W F I L O J B D W D Q K L P I K L E E V M Z O O W J S E V R A C S D N A S T A H Y J S L E L U Q H D K U N J Z F B E P Z O M Y X E H D R R E O

Across1 Small black raisin (7)8 Leading lady (7)9 Wealthy London

district (7)10 Resistance to change

(7)11 Musical drama (5)13 As it were (2,2,5)15 Lake for collecting

and storing water (9) 18 Small bay (5)21 Determined (upon)

(4,3)22 Pleasant (7)23 No reeds (anag) (7)24 Manx parliament (7)

Down1 Small dance band (5)2 Verse of poetry (5)3 When all else has failed (2,1,4,6)4 Frugality (6)5 Deeply affected by sorrow (5,8)6 Moral excellence (6)7 Incidental observation (6)12 Brownish purple (4)14 Culminating point (4)15 Cash in shares, bonds etc (6)16 Beer and lemonade (6)7 Shop selling from a

particular producer (6)19 North African country (5) 20 River — cloth (5)

We are happy to make the contents available on tape, large print, braille or in a different language. We also subscribe to the Language Line interpretation service. If you need help communicating with us or understanding any of our documents, we can arrange for a Language Line interpreter or translator to help you. If any of these services would benefit you please contact us.


Dudley residents were given the chance to see what life could be like for them at an exhibition showcasing the planned new £18 million Extra Care development in Cradley.

More than 90 over 55s from the local community attended the special event to learn more about the exciting project being led by Midland Heart in partnership with Dudley Council.

The scheme – yet to be named - will offer Dudley’s older population an opportunity to lead an active and independent lifestyle, while having help and support if and when required.

As well as being given a chance to view plans and models of the development which is due to be completed in early

2015, visitors took part in some of the activities which will be on offer at the new scheme.

Midland Heart’s employees were also on hand to offer well-being advice and answer questions on the Extra Care lifestyle.

Sarah Clee, Head of Older People’s services at Midland Heart, said: “This was an exciting day and we had some hugely positive comments from visitors on the plans for the development.

“The whole ethos of Extra Care is that people can enjoy their later years and can see growing

older as a fruitful and enjoyable part of their life.”

The £18m development includes120 apartments which will be available for rent, sale and shared ownership.

Exhibition gives a glimpse of an exciting future

This was an exciting day and we had some hugely positive comments from visitors on the plans for the development.

sunrise winter 2013

Documents

schemes pages

loneliness pages

time pages

additional pages

years pages

remarkable residents

youthe sunrise team

big issue