Have you ever wanted to have a say in your local community? Older People in several areas of South Bristol are doing just that.
A local lottery funded project promotes empowerment through groups called the Go-Getters made up of local older people. Nic Lewis manages the scheme and facilitates all Go-Getters meetings to provide direction and support.
A recent meeting in Stockwood was attended by Ray Kelly, a Police Community Superintendant Officer and Andy Elmer, his beat manager from the Avon and Somerset Constabulary. The Go-Getters explained their concerns, which included recent instances of young people threatening bus drivers, large groups congregating in the evening around the shopping centre and loutish behaviour in the street. “Stockwood actually has the lowest crime rate in the whole of Bristol,” explained Andy, “but local anti-social behaviour means some people do not feel safe going out alone.” Andy then outlined what is being done in Stockwood to address these problems and explained his plans to lobby for some new facilities for young people in the area.
The group then went on to talk about which facilities in Stockwood were not meeting their needs. These included poor access to many shops, the lack of public toilets facilities near the shopping centre and public benches in convenient places.
These older people are making their voices heard by getting involved and most importantly, by taking action. Following advice from the police they now complete an incident form every time they hear a disturbance or are aware of an instance of petty crime or intimidation. They are also distributing these forms to friends and neighbours to help collect as much evidence as possible.
They have designed and undertaken a survey of all the local shops, supermarkets, doctor’s offices and post offices in which they evaluated wheelchair access, ability to move around easily and if assistance was offered.
Councilor Jay Jethwa will attend the next meeting where they will present the findings of their research.
“The Go-Getters is an initiative which involves action by seniors which can lead to real changes in the area they live,’ says Nic Lewis, ‘this brings benefits not only to themselves but to the whole community.”
There are also Go-Getters groups in Knowle, Knowle West, Whitchurch, Withywood, Hartcliffe and Brislington. Through this project members find ways to improve their independence and expand their social circles.
If you are interested in joining an existing group or you would like to explore setting up a Go-Getters group in your own area contact Nic Lewis at: roundhouse1@tiscali.co.uk.