Hi again, had a lot of problems getting the site up and running, still not too happy with the customer service, but trying my best to learn how to use this and the other social media to get our message across. 'Older people are active and make a real contribution to society and the economy' so listen to us'
At present across the UK and in the EU we seniors are being regarded as just frail and elderly with politicians and the media saying how we need to be kept in lock down for 'our own protection' . Now we know that many older people are part of the most vulnerable to the covid 19 virus and some especially those who have multiple health conditions and those in 'care' homes, However there are many of us who are active, healthy, involved and wish to be both respected for the work we do and listened to when offering our 'lived experience' and knowledge to tell those in power what our concerns are and what is and is not working.
Our 2 key campaigns at present are 1) to make sure that when lock down is eased and ONLY when it is safe for people of all ages to start to re-engage in society and the economy that the criterion is v based on health and not age. Seniors come from different generations - the 50- 65s are active and 72% of us are in employment, while over half of all carers are aged 50- 65( mainly but not exclusively women). The younger pensioners ( 65- 80+) include over 1.2 million still working, are the mainstay of volunteering and continue caring for others into our 90s and many are councillors, MPd or Members of the House of Lords, and most of us are and want to continue to be active in our communities and friendship networks. Even those of us who suffer from ill health and are being cared for are still able and want to make some contribution and to stay involved and active as long as we can .
2) to make sure that older people and those in poverty who do not have access to the internet, online communications or smart phones are not excluded from receiving and providing necessary information with the authorities. At present there is little direct communication from the Mayor of London, from local councils and from the government to we senior citizens, only those deemed vulnerable and frail while there are few opportunities to receive information, advice and links through the post ( or delivered by volunteers) and hardly any phone calls to us or phone lines we can contact. This must be sorted and soon. More later when I can work out how to attach some of our documents