Depending on what time you read this on Wednesday (27 September), my Pensioner’s Fair will currently be taking place at the Beacon in Wantage. It is free to attend, and all pensioners are invited, wherever you live in the constituency. It will be open from 12:30pm to 4:30pm, so do visit today if you can.
A significant proportion of my casework involves trying to help pensioners access support or advice and so I decided to bring together some of the key organisations that can provide guidance on various issues in one place, so that pensioners can talk to them at the same time.
I am delighted that so many great local and national organisations will be attending to help our local pensioners.
Vale Community Impact and the Department for Work and Pensions will be there to provide advice on issues ranging from accessing benefits to consumer rights to ensuring that you check your eligibility for Pension Credit. As an aside, following my regular promotion of Pension Credit, the Vale of White Horse has been chosen by the Government as 1 of 12 areas for a new trial to increase uptake of this important benefit.
Lots of charities will be in attendance to talk about the work they do including Action for Deafness who help people with hearing loss and My Vision Oxfordshire who support those with sight loss.
Unfortunately, I know from my casework that older people are more likely to be victims of scams. I am glad that Barclays Bank will be there to provide advice on avoiding financial scams while Thames Valley Police will talk about how pensioners can keep safe in the community.
In addition, Age UK Oxfordshire are attending to talk about all the work they do to support older people and especially people with dementia. Carers Oxfordshire will also be present to provide advice and support to any adult carers who attend.
That’s not all. Some of the local clubs that keep people active and help guard against loneliness will be there including the October Club Day Centre, the Wantage Association of Retired People, Active Oxfordshire, Harwell Bowls Club and the Oxford Ornithological Society.
My Pensioner’s Fair is kindly being sponsored by Driving Miss Daisy Didcot, who provide transportation and companion services to the elderly.
As ever, if I can help you with anything, please get in touch at [email protected]
