West Sussex County Council supporting the end of Elder Abuse

West Sussex County Council is supporting World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Tuesday June 15.

The day helps raise awareness of the mistreatment of older people and highlights the work of the ‘Action on Elder Abuse’ organisation.

Elder abuse is a single or repeated act or lack of action, which causes harm or distress to an older person. It happens within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust. The abuse can be deliberate or unintended.

There are many types of abuse including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual or discrimination.

Another type of abuse is financial. Every year some adults have their property, funds and resources stolen or they are defrauded, and generally they know the person doing this.

There is national research that in one year, more than a staggering £2 million was reported stolen, defrauded or coerced from elderly people nationally. Eighteen houses were sold or taken without consent. An additional 13 houses were given away under pressure including blackmail or without the full awareness of the older person.

Older adults, like anyone, can fall victim to scams as well. This could be bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draws and sweepstakes and ‘miracle’ health cures. Anyone can be the victim of a scam but in a report by the Office of Fair Trading older victims are likely to lose nearly twice as much in a scam than others.

West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, Peter Catchpole, said: “As adults become frailer and socially isolated, they may be less able to stand up to pressure, bullying or to protect themselves if attacked.

“The County Council wants to ensure vulnerable adults are kept safe and make it clear adult abuse will not be tolerated. We believe each person has a right to be respected and not threatened, harmed or put at risk.”

“We all need to play our part in protecting vulnerable older people by being alert to the signals of someone being abused.

“It may not be easy to detect abuse but signs could include a change in behaviour with a person becoming more cowed, unkempt, dressed inappropriately and in extreme cases bruised or injured.

“You may see someone verbally or physically abusing a vulnerable person, touching them roughly or inappropriately, humiliating them or spending their money.

“If you fear for someone, do not take it into your own hands but contact the police or Adults’ Services.

“If we all do our bit, we can lower the level of this kind of abuse.”

You can pick up leaflets from West Sussex Libraries with more information on what we do.

The adult safeguarding pages on the County Council website have information including a guide on what to do if someone is suspected of being abused, information on the County Council’s Adult Safeguarding Unit and what it does, and an alert form people can use if they suspect someone is at risk of abuse.

For further information visit the web pages at http://tinyurl.com/36rn8lw

If you think someone is being abused or want more information call 0845 7581232, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, and tell them it’s an adults’ safeguarding referral

West Sussex takes part in major national transport survey

West Sussex County Council is taking part in a major national survey to find out how people feel about local roads and transport.

West Sussex is one of dozens of local authorities to sign up to the National Highways and Transport Public Satisfaction Survey.

A questionnaire is being sent to thousands of randomly selected West Sussex residents this month.

The study will cover all aspects of local highway and transport services from the condition of roads and pavements to the quality of local bus services.

Market research specialist, Ipsos MORI, is carrying out the survey.

This is the first year that West Sussex has taken part in the survey, which has been running nationally for three years.

Deputy Leader of the County Council, Lionel Barnard, who has responsibility for Highway and Transport issues, said: “This survey will provide a wealth of information on travel behaviour, how people use different services and what they think about our roads, public transport and walking and cycling routes.

“It will also helps us to find ways to improve our services by not only understanding the needs of our local residents better, but also by looking at the results from other areas of the country.”

Until now West Sussex has carried out its own annual Household Travel Survey. Previous results from this survey have shown some positive trends in West Sussex. These include slight increases in sustainable methods of transport, such as walking, cycling or public transport, and decreases in car use, particularly by parents on the school run.

Results from the previous Household Travel Survey have also shown recognition of the impact transport has on the environment and the importance of reducing car use and switching to ‘greener’ modes of transport.

Lionel added: “We would like to thank everyone who has taken part in our previous Household Travel Surveys and encourage as many people as possible to take part in this new survey for 2010.”

Local and national results are expected to be published later in the summer.

Winning business for London 2012

Another workshop for businesses keen to bid for London 2012 contracts will be held in West Sussex next month.

On Tuesday July 6, ‘Advanced Bid Writing’ at The White Swan Hotel, Arundel, will look in depth at the London 2012 and public sector procurement process.

It will detail how to write clear and concise responses to tender questions, and how to create a winning presentation.

West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy, Deborah Urquhart, said: “We want to make sure local businesses have the right information and support to help them bid for London 2012 contracts.

“This workshop is a must for every firm in the county. More than 30 West Sussex companies have already won top tier London 2012 contracts, and many more are benefiting from some of the 75,000 contracts in the supply chain.”

The workshops are organised by Business Link, and supported by West Sussex – Ahead of the Game, the countywide initiative to make the most of the 2012 Games.

For further information or to book your place visit the website at www.eventskent.co.uk

To find out more about West Sussex – Ahead of the Game, visit www.westsussex-aheadofthegame.com

****WHAT’S ON**** Read All About It – Crawley Library gets Festival Fever

To celebrate Crawley Festival from Saturday June 19 till Sunday July 4, the Library is hosting a range of events.

The events are:

• Saturday June 19 – Enjoy live music demos and workshops to get you in the mood for the Crawley Folk Festival which is taking place at The Hawth on June 25-27. For children there will be folk stories and crafts from 11am-12pm at the Library.

• Wednesday June 23 – Afternoon tea with author of the ‘Teacher’ series, Jack Sheffield. At 3pm, enjoy the funny anecdotes from Jack’s teaching days and get your hands on his new book ‘Village Teacher’ signed by himself. Tickets are £3 and include refreshments.

• Wednesdays June 23 and 30 – Computer taster sessions aimed at beginners.

• Thursday June 24 – Festival Storytime special at 4pm.

• Friday June 25 – Crawley Old and New. Join George Redgrave of the Wealden Postcard Club at 7.30pm, as he contrasts Edwardian postcard views of Crawley with the same views today. See what has changed and what is still recognisable. Tickets cost £3.

• Tuesday June 29 – Mark Lemon: Punch and Victorian Society. Local history expert Charles Kay celebrates notable Crawley resident Mark Lemon – the co-founder and editor of Punch magazine. It starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £3.

• Thursday July 1 – Frock exchange. Do you want a new wardrobe but don’t want to spend any cash? Then join in an evening of frock swapping. The female only event starts at 7.30pm and costs £5. Anyone attending must take along one item of clothing, a pair of shoes or an accessory, all of good quality, clean and ironed.

All tickets are available from the Library.

For more information about any of the events or to book tickets contact the Library on 01293 651751 or email crawley.library@westsussex.gov.uk

What are you going to do this Sussex Day?

Sussex Day on Wednesday June 16 celebrates all that is good about our county – and there are plenty of things to do to mark the day.

June 16 was chosen as the day to celebrate, as it is also St Richard’s Day. The patron saint of Sussex was Bishop of Chichester from 1245 until his death in 1253.

The Record Office (PO19 1DD) in Chichester is running a free exhibition about St Richard’s life, from Sussex Day until Wednesday June 30. Contact the Record Office for more details on 01243 753602.

Over at Worthing Library (BN11 1HD), Assistant County Archivist Alan Readman will give a presentation on ‘West Sussex at War’ on Sussex Day. Tickets are £3 and can be booked in advance from the Library. Telephone 01903 704809.

School pupils have been invited by school meals provider Chartwells to create a Sussex Day meal. The winning dish will be served up on next year’s Sussex Day menu. Contact Chartwells on information@chartwells.co.uk

Join a delightful walk in the lanes and Downs of Sussex at Amberley. One is a six-mile walk and one four miles. Both start at 9.45am at Amberley Station (BN18 9LR), and are free. Call Jill Shuker on 01403 250511 for more information.

The Arcade Knitters are hosting a Sussex Day Knit-In with a picnic lunch at a Knit and Crochet afternoon, on Littlehampton promenade, off the end of Banjo Road. People should take their own lunch and deckchair plus needles, hooks and yarn. Contact Julia Blanchett on 01903 717648.

The summer edition of Taste West Sussex magazine has many ideas to celebrate the day, from cooking a meal made from locally sourced food, to playing stoolball –a game played by milkmaids who used their milking stools as wickets. To subscribe, email taste@westsusssex.gov.uk

Louise Goldsmith, Leader of West Sussex County Council, said: “In this magnificent county there is a wide range of things to do and see to celebrate Sussex Day.

“Why not visit one of the county’s historic castles or forts, or pay homage to St Richard by viewing his statue in the grounds of Chichester Cathedral and indeed visit the Cathedral?

“Whether on the beach, coast, countryside or even in one of our towns there is so much to see and enjoy.”

The County Council website has an A to Z list of things to do on Sussex Day. Visit www.westsussex.gov.uk You can also order your Sussex Day flag from here too, priced £36.