Seniors announce post-lockdown plans – can you help?

MELKSHAM Seniors are appealing for help with upcoming projects to help improve the lives of the older community.

The local group is planning to launch ‘wifi training sessions’ for seniors who do not have access to broadband and require IT training. And as part of the project, the group plans to launch a public appeal for donations of equipment, and is appealing for support from local businesses.

Melksham Seniors has also announced plans for a new digital newspaper, to help tackle social isolation in the community. And they are planning to relaunch their schedule of fitness and social activities, when it is safe to do so.

They are also appealing for volunteers to help with the group’s administration.

President of Melksham Seniors, Brian Warwick, said, “It’s been over three months since Melksham Seniors went into lockdown immediately after our EGM on the 16th March, when special delegated powers were given to our vice chair cllr Terri Welch and myself as your president to look after the affairs of the Seniors and take any necessary actions required.  It has been of considerable benefit to also have the support of eight advisers from within the membership.

“It’s been a very strange three months in lockdown and for many members the lockdown will continue for some time. That has however, has not stopped us remaining active and consulting  with appropriate authorities and organisations on behalf of seniors.

“We are extremely grateful for the fantastic support from volunteers, the town council and Melksham Without Parish Council to we oldies and vulnerable citizens. The way our smaller grocery retailers are also helping us to obtain essential foods and hygiene products is greatly appreciated, thank you to all.

“Our own team have been busy keeping people in touch and dealing with quite a number of cries  for help. It has also been quite a learning curve for many seniors in getting used to wifi facilities to keep in touch with families and loved ones. Certainly wifi has been incredibly important in helping many to overcome loneliness, but we must not forget those who don’t have access to wifi or have resisted using in the past.

“The coronavirus crisis has highlighted how invaluable wifi has been in lockdown for millions of families in keeping in touch with loved ones, young and old.

“Unfortunately,  a considerable high percentage of our older citizens do not have access to broadband nor have IT skills. Melksham Seniors are therefore planning post lockdown to install wifi and to obtain the help of qualified IT trainers to hold at least two wifi training sessions per week, in addition to reaching out  to other vulnerable and lonely citizens. 

“We are also proposing to make a public appeal for quality redundant digital tablets such as iPads for recycling. These will be used by those attending the courses and for those on low income to have their own personal home use where needed. We will be looking for wide support from the business sector and more knowledgeable individuals to help us with that project. We would also appreciate the help of younger members of the public to help us with any of our projects.

“Another exciting project we been actively involved in for some time with considerable success, is how to reach out to vulnerable citizens who are socially isolated and in loneliness and poverty. This is an ongoing problem that is widening our thinking to bringing  about more opportunities for us all to provide help, even if it is only by a simple act of kindness. 

“We are now in the early stages of creating a local special humorous digital newspaper for seniors with support of young adult and  Seniors’ reporters. It will be a newspaper,  Seniors hope that will reach out to many socially isolated and lonely people. You can then by a simple good neighbourly act of printing off a copy and delivering it to somebody you know is alone can be of great help.

“The lack of walking and reduction in exercises has resulted in many seniors not being as healthy and as fit as we could be, so as soon as we can, we shall introduce a new range of pleasant fun activities to help to get back to fitness, as well as restarting our very popular film matinees.  They will be advertised in the Melksham News.  We are always delighted to receive your suggestions as to other activities we can arrange and issues you believe the seniors should endeavour to tackle around ageing. 

“Please remember we would be delighted to have the help of young adults and mums and dads  under 50 to support us to keep young and active or with IT,  our admin officer is moving north so we shall soon need a good voluntary admin officer to help us, a person with good IT and book keeping skills would be perfect, estimate 3 to 4 hours per week would be perfect.

“Keep distancing and washing you hands, more updates in two weeks.”