Pensioners Organisations in UK

The Rotherham Pensioners Action Group meet in the RAIN building on the fourth Tuesday of every month. "We discuss problems facing older people in Rotherham and try to find ways of solving these problems" said Derek Kay, Treasurer of RPAG.

This year the group have joined the campaign for a better standard pension deal and have made local MP's aware of their views regarding the state pension and the possible discontinuation of weekly collection of pensions from post offices and the effect that will have on older people.

Locally the RPAG have been in discussion with the Transport Executive regarding transport issues and the Rotherham General Hospital regarding the policies on resuscitation and the involvement of next of kin.

RPAG also arrange social events for their members and have been to Scotland and Eastbourne. They are currently working with RMBC to explore the idea of a central meeting place for leisure activities for Rotherham Pensioners.

For more information about RPAG and to find out how to become a member call Mrs V.Evans on 01709 530927 or Kathleen Mayfield on 01709 852232

Activities

Over recent times we have had discussions with our MP's concerning:

1. Long-term care for the elderly.
2. State Pension.
3. Payment of pensions and benefits into Bank accounts.
4. Further extension of means testing into the lives of pensioners with the introduction of Tax Credits in 2003.
5. Memorandum prepared by the group for inclusion in the discussions at the Royal Commission on long-term care for the elderly.

During 2000 & 2001 we had meetings with R.G.H NHS Trust concerning their policy on "Do not attempt Resuscitation, and their final policy document acknowledges the input by R.A.P.G.

In Sept 2000 two of our members joined a meeting arranged by RMBC Social Services to discuss Best Value Reviews of Residential and Nursing Home Care for older people. The meetings went on for many weeks. We were the only voluntary group who attended the meetings.

In Nov and Dec 20001 talks were held by two of our members with Age Concern and RMBC about a Social Centre in Rotherham. This is an initiative begun by RAPG some time ago, for older people to have a meeting place in town similar to the one that was originally in Crinoline House.

In Dec 2001 two of our members attended a meeting arranged by RGH NHS Trust Nursing and Quality Dept to discuss the implementation of Modern Matrons plan, which the hospital needs to report on by April 2002.