Achievements
We have held many successful open forums bringing you information and the chance to have your say on many topics including transport, health, care in the community and safety in the home to name a few.
Throughout the last few years we have helped our members with the digital switch over, provided craft afternoons, looked at local services, provided information on Trusted Traders and advice on how to keep your home safe, enjoyed an owl exhibition and lots more.
Our biggest achievement is our intergenerational work. We worked with all our local schools to bridge the gap between the generations. We worked with Tupton primary school on a mining project taking them to the Wakefield Mining Museum. Some of our members visited the school beforehand to talk about mining, what it was like and shared their experiences and stories. The forum provided the school with materials and photos so the pupils could produce a scrap book of what they have learnt. We were also able to secure funding to produce a permanent mural which is displayed in the school playground. The mural is a wonderful reminder of the project and helps keep the history of the area alive. It was an amazing project and fantastic to see the different generations enjoying the experience together.
With thanks to Rykneld Homes, who provided the funding, we were able to work in partnership with Grassmoor Community Centre to hold an intergenerational Olympics day which was also attended by Andy Morris from Chesterfield Football Club. We had a great day with pupils from Grassmoor School and took part in many activities such as quoits, foam javelin throwing and bean bag relay to name just a few.
2014 was also a very busy year with the continuation of our inter-generational work. We were delighted when we were able to secure some additional funding to carry out traditional craft activities with Year 6 pupils at Sharley Park Community School. The activities included bird house making, willow weaving, knitting, crocheting, nail art, paint and plant a pot and a media group records the events to produce a lasting memory to the project. Each week the children move to a new activity giving them a wide range of experiences and the forum members have a great time sharing their skills and keeping the art of traditional crafts alive.
With thanks to Apollo and Rykneld we were also able to design, build and plant a memorial garden to mark the centenary since World War I. This is a fabulous resource for the children which can teach them all about a wide variety of plants, flowers and vegetables but can also be used as an outdoor classroom area.
What we're doing
Since our inauguration meeting in 2009 the Clay Cross and Surrounding Communities 50+ Forum has gone from strength to strength. We have members from Danesmoor, Holmgate, Old and New Tupton, Wingerworth, Wessington, Grassmoor, Pilsley, North Wingfield and Shirland that all enjoy coming to our open forums.
Continuation of intergenerational projects with local schools to include digital inclusion is the plan and we look forward to organising lots of events and trips to give older people in this area lots of opportunities
Meeting and events
The forums management committee is constantly working to inform and represent the views of the 50+ community. If there are any topics or issues you would like to raise or there are things you would like to see at future open forums, please let us know.
Visit the 50+ forums meeting and events page for more details about our open forum meetings and events. All new members are welcome and we look forward to seeing you at a future forum.
Contact us
Chair: Denise Kniveton - tel: 07805 231250.
Vice chair: Angie Alton - tel: 01246 856209 or mob: 07432 705287.
Forum support officer
Sarah Skinner: