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Saying a Big Thank-You
Mote Park cricket pavilion was the setting for Age Concern Maidstone’s annual volunteer evening and the big thank-you was led by the chief executive, Paul Coles and client service manager, Lynda Rootes with the chairman Patricia Thomas also showing her appreciation.
Speeches were given by Lynda, Paul and Patricia explaining how the volunteers are essential to the charity and how the evening was about recognising their hard work, dedication and continued support to the charity over the year.
Paul outlined in his speech what Age Concern achieved during the year and plans for the future, including revealing exciting new development plans for a dementia day centre to be opening in Maidstone.
Everyone was then treated to a free drink from the bar and a buffet; certificates of thanks were handed out to each volunteer.
Tony Randell has been voluntary driver for over 14 years and commented “The evenings are a good idea and because I’m retired, volunteering breaks up the week. You feel like you’re doing something worthwhile and the clients appreciate it.”
Another volunteer veteran, Jean Floyd, who has been helping in the day centres for 16 years, said “…it’s nice to still be useful and feel needed.”
The evening was a resounding success and much social merriment was had throughout, with volunteers swapping stories, reminiscing and looking forward to the future.
“…Every single person here helps to make the charity a success and without them we wouldn’t be able to give the kind of support to the clients as we do now”, remarked Lynda Rootes, client service manager.
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New technology is set to revolutionise home life
On Thursday the 4th June at the Village Leisure Hotel in Sandling, Maidstone, client service manager Lynda Rootes and 20 Age Concern clients were introduced to a new innovative way of living.
Two scenarios were shown to them demonstrating how the technology aims to improve the elderly and their carers’ lives drastically.
The first was of a 70-year old man living with his 65-year old wife; he is suffering with the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Their technology included a flat screen television in the living room, which allowed rolling messages and reminds to come on screen that had been written by his wife on a computer. In the kitchen there was a digital corkboard with more reminders, and the ability to video call people. The wife had set a message to pop up on the television to remind him to eat his lunch and on the digital corkboard in the kitchen, a reminder to phone his granddaughter. The man decided against his cold lunch and put a toasty in the oven, but he forgot about it and set the smoke alarm off, the cooker turned itself off and the wife was sent an alarm notice to her mobile phone, where she could video call her husband to check everything was fine.
The second scenario was of an elderly lady living alone with type-2 diabetes, she hadn’t been feeling well and her son put a message on his mothers’ digital television informing the community nurse. The nurse was then able to set up a video appointment between herself, doctor, son and the lady. The doctor was then able to send out an e-prescription that was delivered to her.
The technology is 3-5 years away from completion, and they are still working on a power generating backing system. The exact cost is still unclear.
Lyn Rootes commented on the scheme, “It’s a very good idea and it will be an excellent way of security and reassurance amongst the families, who may worry or look after a person that suffers from such things as dementia.
There was a mixed response amongst my clients though, some were worried about the cost, but most of us already have a television screen at home anyway. ” |
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Record Takings for Age Concern Retail Shop
The Age Concern charity located along Gabriels Hill in Maidstone has just recorded it's biggest ever weekly takings, a massive £2440.80. that's 31% up from the same period last year and an immense amount raised for the cause.
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The shop underwent a revamp in September last year and since then has seen takings slowly increase each week, averaging around £1600 and hitting an all time high a few weeks ago. The manager of the store, Mary Kennett, ensures that the staff are motivated, stock is regularly rotated, the windows are dressed neatly and the whole store remains tidy. |
The assistant manager Carol Sutton commented, "We get alot of youngsters in now because of the good quality stock we are getting in. They come here because they know it's for a good cause and we have a good turnaround of stock."
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"The store donations mainly come from the clothes van collection" Carol added "we save things for people now, if they are looking for a specific designer or item and we get it in, we will ring them up to let them know. There is no distinction who we help."
In their busy week £1300 was taken alone in clothes and Carol proudly adds "...customers always go away happy." |
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Rugby boys take a bashing for Age Concern
Keen rugby players from the area got together on the 25th April 2009 at Mote Park Rugby club to help raise funds for a mini bus.
The match was organised by the Age Concern accountant, Stephen Quinn. Each player paid £10 to take part and several collection buckets were circulated amongst the merry crowd cheering from the sidelines.
At the end of the fun filled match, each team member was rewarded with an optional beer, and a few manly pats on the back.
The event raised a fantastic £564.24 for the charity |
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