About 3 years ago I started to experience health problems which made it impossible to use my computer any longer. When the pandemic was happening, online access became increasingly used for obvious reasons, but I hoped that when restrictions ended life would revert to the previous pattern where “offline” access was freely available.
The Great Get Together
This weekend, 24-26 June, marks The Great Get Together, an initiative inspired by the late Jo Cox that encourages people to come together to celebrate what they have in common, make new connections, bridge divides, and reduce loneliness and social isolation. Jo’s words “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us” are even more pertinent today than they were seven years ago when she made her maiden speech in Parliament.
Generational differences about climate change – or is there?
There are many myths about the differences between generations – but none are more dangerous and destructive than the claim that it’s only the young that care about climate change. It has crept into so many discussions about climate concern that it has become an accepted truth that the young are at war with older generations who are utterly unfussed about the future of the planet. For example, when Time magazine named Greta Thunberg their person of the year in 2019, they called her a ‘standard bearer in generational battle’.
Community Toilets – the poor relation or a real asset to public toilet provision?
Two minute read… While on holiday in the Canary Islands some years ago I enjoyed the fact that it is common practice for the public to go into any café or restaurant and use their toilet without challenge. Sadly, not so here. Reasonably smartly dressed people with a degree of self-confidence can get away with walking into some places to use their toilets. McDonald’s is fairly relaxed about non-customers using their facilities but this is not the case with most businesses and some even display notices pointing out that toilets are for customers only.
Older workers need to be more centre stage in London’s economic recovery
It’s semi-official – London may have its first “Older Workers Champion.” Sadiq Kahn boldly claimed recently he’ll still be working as Mayor in 22 years’ time at least – at the good age of 74. But before we get the age friendly bunting out, sadly many older London workers in London who also harbour this wish are experiencing difficulties in the labour market and need more support. Media reports show that London’s job market is returning to normal with job vacancies difficult to fill. Certainly, younger workers who bore the brunt of unemployment during the pandemic have bounced back. It […]
What can London learn from Leeds?
Many see the prospects of London becoming an age friendly city as stalling. It’s not down to a lack of good well-meaning effort from age activists, rather the arguments aren’t getting traction with London policy makers, particularly the Mayor of London.
Why we must save the 60+ Oyster Card for future generations.
Age UK London have been campaigning to protect older Londoners’ travel concessions, which include the Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster card, for the past two years. On 15th December plans emerged that could mean the 60+ Oyster Card is slowly phased out over a period of several years. Before the eventual ‘full’ cut (which won’t happen until next decade) the eligibility criteria based on age would slowly increase. The full details are not yet known and the decision will be subject to a consultation. Although current users of the 60+ Oyster Card would not be affected (nor will Freedom Pass […]
High streets need to maximise the grey pound
The Mayor of London is on record as saying, “we need to be bold and innovative” to ensure the survival of London’s high streets which he calls “the heartbeat of our economy” and which need to be inclusive.
Can an age-friendly Greater London Authority help deliver toilets in Kilburn?
In July this year Raymond Martin, managing director of the British Toilet Association (BTA), described the shortage of public toilets in Britain as a crisis.
Tackling digital poverty among older Londoners
The media promotes the use of the internet as if it’s as cheap as the air you breathe. Everything promoted by TV programs pressurises viewers to think that using the internet is normal. Many take the internet for granted without realising the difficulties for 17 million people who do not use the internet – 45% of whom are older people.