1. SWINDON OLDER PEOPLES FORUM (SOPF)
Note of Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Tuesday 22 October 2013
At Broad Green Centre
1. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting particularly those who were
new. He explained that the Swindon Older Peoples Forum (SOPF) constitution
demanded that we hold an AGM and that the existing membership had received
due notice that for 2013 this would be held as part of the 22 October Open
meeting.
2. Chair’s Report: The Chairman referred to his tabled report which summarised
what SOPF, aided by the Management Committee, had been doing since the last
AGM held in October 2012. The second year had been busier than the first with
a continued emphasis on raising awareness of SOPF’s existence across the
Borough, within the South West region and nationally. SOPF remained
committed to widening participation and membership and to seeking the views,
comments,issues and concerns that affect older people in the Borough. The two
key issues currently are local transport provision and reducing isolation and
loneliness .
3. Management Committee: Current membership is Dave Brown (Chair); Carol
Brownlee (Secretary); Paul Burgess; Stephanie Burrows; May Evans; Jeanette
Koza; Akila Sroya; Helen Thompson; Norma Thompson and Ebbe Ushe. The
Chair and Secretary gave notice that they will be stepping down at the 2014 AGM
so it is important that candidate successors are identified before then.
The Committee has met 5 times since the last AGM to take forward outcomes
from the Open meetings held in Oct 2012 and April 2013. They have also
responded to many requests for Forum views and comments, for representation
at meetings and for involvement in local regional groups (eg. Swindon Charity
Infrastructure Partnership; Sustrans; South West Seniors Network). SOPF’s
approach is to restrict our involvement or contributions to Borough wide issues
and to where and when we can add value. NB. Minutes of the meetings of the
Management Committee are available on request from the Secretary.
The membership endorsed the Chair’s report and in response for any comments
from those present, the issue of patient transport was raised and a new
consultation initiative being coordinated by Healthwatch was highlighted.
4. Statement of Accounts: A statement of accounts was presented for scrutiny by
the membership. There were no comments but it was noted that at the current
level of activity, the secured funding will only ensure SOPF’s existence until the
end of the 2014 calendar year. However bids for extra funding have been made

2. to the Tesco Charity Trust community awards scheme and Waitrose “Community
Matters” scheme. Decisions will not be made until later in 2013 or early 2014.
5. Communications: Altogether SOPF had produced 9 editions of the newsletter,
4 since the Last AGM. The newsletter continues to be the main mechanism for
providing regular updates on SOPF activities, news/ information, and useful
reference sources and contacts, but useage of the Website
(http://www.sopf.btck.co.uk) is increasing.
6. October 2013 forward: It is clear that SOPF’s existence is raising expectations
locally and there are growing demands for us to get involved in initiatives, provide
representation, give input and advice and act as a conduit for consultation. With a
suitable primary filter to where and when we can add value, this is currently
manageable, but does place an extra burden on members of the Management
Committee particularly. SOPF’s ability to meet all the future expectations is
therefore very much dependent on more people getting actively involved either
through Management Committee membership or in other ways.
With next year seeing the start of the run up to the 2015 General Election, SOPF
has arranged a meeting with both Swindon MP’s in the New Year. This meeting,
which we hope will be the first of 2 or 3 in 2014/15, will aim to seek their views on
the issues and concerns of Swindon’s older citizens. Meetings with
prospective parliamentary candidates and local councillors are also being set up.
SOPF’s emphasis on raising awareness and widening participation locally, and in
the South West, remains and will be augmented if bids for extra funding are
successful. SOPF will continue to scrutinise developments in local transport and
highlight instances where changes could exacerbate isolation and loneliness.
The membership joined the Chair in expressing thanks to the other members of
the Management Committee for all they had achieved in increasing awareness of
SOPF’s presence within the local community.
Following due notice, SOPF had not received any requests to change the agreed
constitution or membership conditions.
7. Election of Officers During the course of the meeting 2 nominations to join the
Management Committee had been received. The meeting agreed that these

3. candidates should present a short summary of their interests, and what they
could bring to the work of SOPF, to the next Management Committee. A decision
on their suitability will then be made by the Management Committee (*). The
membership endorsed the Chair’s recommendation that, in accordance with
terms set out in SOPF’s constitution, two existing members who had missed
more than 3 meetings, should have their membership terminated.
(*) Ghada Rule and Roy Tylee subsequently accepted an invitation to join the
Management Committee.
8. As there was no other business or matters arising, the Chairman formally closed
the 2013 AGM.
SWINDON OLDER PEOPLES FORUM (SOPF)
Note of Open Meeting held on Tuesday 22 October 2013 at Broad Green Centre
1. The Chairman welcomed everyone and explained the structure and format of
the meeting, outlined in the tabled agenda, which would start with the
formality of the Annual General Meeting (see separate note). He drew
attention to the various organisations/initiatives who had kindly agreed to have
a presence at the meeting to offer advice, information and guidance. These
were:
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NHS Stop Smoking campaign
Outset Swindon
Methodist Housing Association
Royal British Legion
SEQOL
Freeview TV changes (Wilts Community Action)
Swindon Buy with Confidence
2. Following closure of the AGM, the Chair explained the background to the
round table discussion on “Issues and Concerns of Swindon’s Older
Community: What has changed since 2004?”.
Back in 2004 the predecessor to SOPF, the Older Peoples Coalition,
compiled a list of issues and concerns that they had at that time. The SOPF
Management Committee thought it would be good to revisit these, now nearly
10 years on, to see whether these issues/concerns are “Better/Worse/Same”.
The outcome of such discussion would inform the meetings arranged with
both local MP’s, SBC Councillors etc on how they are going to respond to the

4. issues, comments and concerns of older people on matters that affect their
daily lives.
Each table’s discussions were guided by a member of the Management
Committee and split into 7 headings:
• Transport/Bus Services
• Feeling Safe
• Information/Communication
• Black, Minority and Ethnic communities
• Housing
• Public Services/Facilities
• Additional Services
In addition attendees were asked:
• What are the best things about living in Swindon?
• Where is Swindon behind other areas of the UK in the provision of
facilities/services for older people?
3. Outcome of Discussions: The outcome of the round table discussions are
summarised on the attached sheet.
4. Closing remarks: The Chairman thanked everyone for their contributions to
what had been a very lively meeting. He explained that a note of the Open
meeting, alongside a note of the AGM and a summary of the outcomes of the
round table discussions, will be circulated to all members with the next issue
of the Newsletter. He also urged members to remain in touch and continue to
provide input and contributions to SOPF’s activities.

5. SWINDON OLDER PEOPLES FORUM (SOPF)
Summary of Round Table Discussion on 22 Octiber 2013 on “Issues and
Concerns of Swindon’s Older Community: What has changed since 2004?”.
Each table’s discussions were guided by a member of the Management
Committee and split into 7 headings. Within each of the headings were a number of
questions that reflected the outcome of discussions that took place in 2004:
• Transport/Bus Services
• Feeling Safe
• Information/Communication
• Black, Minority and Ethnic communities
• Housing
• Public Services/Facilities

6. •
Additional Services
In addition attendees were asked:
• What are the best things about living in Swindon?
• Where is Swindon behind other areas of the UK in the provision of
facilities/services for older people?
For each of the 7 headings, attendees were asked to provide a view on whether the
issues raised in 2004 had got better, were worse or were the same (in some
instances no comment was made and these were regarded as “unknown”). A
summary of the responses are presented below
Transport
Better
18.06%
Worse
44.44%
Same
9.72%
Unknown
27.78%
Better
15.56%
Worse
42.22%
Same
32.22%
Unknown
10.00%
Better
0%
Worse
69.44%
Same
0%
Unknown
30.56%
Black and Minority Ethnic communities (BME)
Better
Worse
15.87%
1.59%
Same
0%
Unknown
82.54%
Feeling Safe
Information & Communication
Housing
Better
13.85%
Worse
29.23%
Same
7.69%
Unknown
49.23%
Better
12.96%
Worse
83.33%
Same
1.85%
Unknown
1.85%
Better
24.44%
Worse
25.56%
Same
30.00%
Unknown
20.00%
Better
16.20%
Worse
35.70%
Same
12.56%
Unknown
35.54%
Public Services/Facilities
Additional Services
Overall Summary
As an aid to interpretation, attendees were invited to express any additional
comments within each of the headings. These are presented below:
Transport
Loss of 18 service to hospital

7. Distances to bus stops are longer
More infrequent services
Pushchairs block isles
Bus drivers do not wait for people to sit down
“Disgraceful, expensive and appalling” is the verdict on hospital parking
Not enough disabled parking
Alternative transport including Dial A |Ride and taxis are too expensive
Steep steps
Lack of transport leads to isolation
Lack of buses means people cannot go far
Feeling Safe
Intimidated at night and by large groups
Lack of police visibility in many areas
The feeling of safety depends on where you live
More publicity for 101 emergency number
Information and Communication
Too much reliance on digital media
People should check their junk mail as information is often delivered this way
Free telephone numbers needed for information sources etc.,
To pick up information people should take the local newspaper or go into town
Poor signage
Size of print important
People do not know where to go for information
There should be more use and awareness of the “talking newspaper”
Meetings during the day, not evenings
Black and Minority Ethnic communities (BME)
Expense of translation
Language problems have not improved due to more diversified population
It is felt that women are less likely than men to learn English
More events needed to bridge divide
Media not always helpful around diversity
Vast improvement in available food outlets
Housing
More provision in rural areas, it should also be a mixture
Public Services/Facilities
Pavements uneven and dangerous
Not enough public toilets
Additional Services
There are not enough Carers
Poor information on finding night care, health and wellbeing
More information needed for diabetics
Citizens Advice not easily available
Best things about living in Swindon

8. Close to countryside
Lots of community self help support groups
Parks, gardens and roundabout displays
Diversity of population
Theatres, museums and art gallery
Community centre activities
Lunch clubs
Parks, Coate Water etc., when you can get to them
Very individual Churches
Friends!
Where Swindon is behind other areas of UK
Retirement villages with extra care
Post Offices
Rubbish collection needed weekly
Transport, including accessable transport
Provision for sight impaired and blind people
Looking after heritage
Little available for Black & Minority Ethnic Communities
More consultation is needed to ensure needs are met
Not enough seating in public areas
A Councillor needed to assume responsibility for older people
Is it time for council to co-ordinate and advise the increasing ageing population about
facilities available to improve health and avoid loneliness
Outcomes and Overall Summary
Although the sample size was small, with the exception of Housing and BME’s where
there was a large “unknown” element, attendees expressed a rather negative picture
of little or no progress in the other 5 headings. Of particular concern are the areas of
Transport, Information/Communication and Public Service/Facilities where the
“worse” judgements percentages are very high. Caution is needed in making any
more detailed interpretation of the data, but it does provide a useful, if coarse, older
peoples perspective on developments over the past 10 years.