The first Green Street Green Tweet Up on 12 February 2018 was the 20th event, previously known as Orpington Tweet up, which launched in February 2013. They are FREE community events to encourage responsible use of social media but also to promote local activities and projects - contributors and those interested in learning more about what's happening in the Orpington area are all welcome. NEXT ONE: January 2020 (date to be confirmed) at 7:15pm at The Greenwood Centre, Green Street Green - any suggestions for a theme will be welcome. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR THE NEXT THEME, PLEASE EMAIL US SO THEY CAN BE CONSIDERED - if you would like to come along and speak or are interested in promoting local organisations and events, please contact us. Book your place on Eventbrite or Facebook Click on links to Download Poster and Agenda (when available) (when available) Any local organisations wishing to participate and promote their activities, please email Margot Rohan To see articles on Tweet Ups prior to April 2019, visit the Orpington Community website: Orpington Tweet Up 9 September 2019 Isolation and Loneliness - how can we help? This is a growing concern with more becoming aware of mental health issues and people living longer and ending life alone. The speakers gave enlightenment on different aspects of isolation and loneliness and what is being done to counteract it, by reaching out and engaging with those affected. Tony Colasanto, Manager of the Saxon Centre, a day care centre for the elderly, in Orpington: Tony gave a moving example of loneliness:– Robbie Williams brought joy to millions of people –and was surrounded by family and friends but so lonely that he took his own life. Some people enjoy being on their own but not many. People often do not reach out when they are lonely., so we need to engage with them. The Saxon Centre. has 35-45 members on a daily basis who go for– conversation and activities. We all need to be compassionate and look out for neighbours. One visitor to the Saxon Centre sits on his own but has fantastic stories to tell about his life. Everyoe needs someone to interact with - just a 'hello,' or a smile. can make all the difference. We need to have a greater sense of what it means to be lonely. When people get older and famiy members die or move away, people slip through the net. Their needs have to be identified and neighbours can help, if they know of someone in that situation. It is about understanding what people can do, not what they can't. Balloon badminton , ice hockey, painting and many more activities are very popular amongst the members at the centre. They are all greeted with a 'good morning' and a smile and a 'goodnight' on leaving. Social media can work and is used but the greatest means of communication is word of mouth. The Saxon Centre is a unique building. It has a memory lane and offers lunch, and transport at a reasonable cost. Anyone is welcome to visit and look around. The Team of carers and management team will be happy to meet them. Elizabeth Downie, a Carer for local residents needing support: Elizabeth took up care work having seen an ad in a local shop in the late 1990s. She had been a teacher of infants for many years. Leonard Cheshire was looking for carers to help disabled people in their own homes. Elizabeth visits people within the Bromley/Kent area, helping with physical needs and personal care. Sometimes she sits with them when a partner goes out. There is a variety of help needed, interacting with people in their own home. Some clients are confused or have schizophrenia. These people are stuck at home, never going out. Sometimes they don’t speak to anyone for days. Other jobs might be babysitting whilst a sick child is taken to hospital. Older people can be unpredictable - one minute OK and then suddenly shouting ‘get out’. One needs to be adaptable and discreet about colleagues and clients. Any concerns must be reported to the office. and they take the appropriate action. Leonard Cheshire sold some of services to Apex some years ago and– does not cover children now. Sharon Baldwin, Executive Director of Orpington 1st, the first Dementia Friendly High Street in the borough: Sharon's role is to make Orpington better for business, thus making it better for everybody. It is vital to ensure the high street is as welcoming as possible to all. There have been huge changes. in Orpington and nationally. The big question is how to evolve to make high streets areas where people want to come together. Orpington 1st is focusing on making it as easy as possible, particularly for people on their own. The environment is continually being improved and the flower pots have proven popular. A pallet park wa put up outside the Leisure Centre, which is a very austere area of concrete. Artificial grass, a bench and flowers were installed. There were art classes, yoga, and a library with reading classes. So many different types of people used it and boys on bikes welcomed. They were told 'Enjoy but don’t destroy' and there was no vandalism and nothing untoward occurred. It was a successful example of creating an area where young people can hang out. Clear signage will make it easy for people to access and navigate the town, so it is all being redone. New litterbins have been put in. The new signage is being reviewed by the Council and Orpington 1st hopes it will be in before Christmas. Dementia awareness - If businesses get it right for those with dementia, then it will be right for everyone. There are many different ways in which businesses can support customers with dementia. Solicitors are helping families and shops are creating dementia friendly environments. In Orpington one can eat round the world! There is a new initiative called chatty chairs in restaurants. Customers on their own can take a flag and put it on their table so other people know it is OK to come over and talk to them. Shops and restaurants are trying to create the right atmosphere so people feel comfortable. Food Festival - On 8 September Churches Together united for the end of the Food Festival . They provided free barbecues, music and entertainment for children. 800 burgers were eaten! There will be another opportunity in October - the Great British Soup Share. This will be about educating people thow o use leftovers - 'taste not waste'. People tare being encouraged o take ownership of the town and its wellbeing. Every member of society can play their part. Lo Lo is another initiative - about sharing offers on apps. Customers get loyalty tokens - offers to take from one shop to another. How can we help those less fortunate and ensure the high street is safe and people feel secure - to ensure people respect each other and behave appropriately? One way is to support the homeless shelter in Penge. Orpington 1st is working with the local authority to ensure social services is providing the necessary support. Orpington residents are generous and people come to make money. Some people claim to be homeless but aren’t. We don’t want people begging. A scheme called 'Loose change for real change' has been set up, with collection boxes in shops. People are being asked not to give cash to people on the streets. The money they donate can provide food and opportunities rather than drink and drugs. Sharon also promoted the forthcoming events: October half term will have scarecrows on show around the town centre - there were 12 last year) - to activate the street scene and provide entertainment for the children. Business Show - 8 November - was to be supported by Jo Johnson but it will presumably be someone else now he has resigned as MP. It is focusing on local jobs for local people and identifying all jobs available and training options. Christmas –- Orpington has the largest event in the borough on 14 November , with an even bigger fireworks display. Santa dash - 8 December Pantomime at the Village Hall again this year. The town centre is being rethought - to be equipped to deal with what people want. However, the vacancy rate is one of the lowest in country. The town is also seeing a growing interest from potential investors. There will be concentration around the Walnuts area over the next 5-8 years. Housing is a key need and town centres are obvious choices. Plans will be transparent and created by residents and businesses. Orpington does not have a theatre nor an art gallery. There is no longer a need for huge stores. The most effective shops are those offering something new. The high street needs to reflect the needs of residents. The shopping centre has jut been resold for the third time in the last 5-6 years. The new owners are more creative, understanding and exciting. Sharon Palmer, manager of Primetime - incudng exercise for the older age group.: Sharon is passionate about what Primetime is achieving. Classes are designed for all. There is a strength and stability club which works on mobility., with everyday exercises to keep people mobile for longer. Primetime is unique to Bromley and is boroughwide. It offers six week free membership, so one can attend as many classes as one wishes (including leanring to play golf at High Elms) and there is no obligation to join at the end of the six weeks. People on their own join so they are no longer alone. There are lots of socials organised by the members, to make it entertaining. Currently there are around 3000 members and the number is growing. Primetime wants to come out to local village halls where it is less intimidating for newcomers. They are expanding what they can offer. One suggestion is a choir. They visit residential homes. Singletons of all ages are welcome. They operate a buddy system. Existing members volunteer to welcome new members.. Carla has been at Primetime for a couple of months and spoke about how buddies have found how much it has made a difference to their lives by contributing to making newcomers feel welcome and comfortable. The members are very friendly and some meet up for coffee afterwards. It is a known fact that physical activity is also good for mental health. Primetime is holding Health & Wellbeing sessions in residential homes, as well as singing sessions and health checks. There is also a Dementia friends session. There are over 80 classes every week for over 50s. Sessions can be organised where a group meets to go together to the Walnuts to have a tour with Carla, to make it less intimidating for the first time. Some instructors are dementia trained. Nathan Rendell, Recovery Works Service Manager, Bromley, Lewisham & Greenwich Mind: Four years ago Nathan was managing Bromley. He was sent to Lewisham to set up services there. He is interested in connecting things together. He has been nvolved in mental health services for about 30 years. In that time things have changed but there is still a long way to go. He listed four important factors in improving people's live - respect, opportunities, hope and inclusion. People who get support from the Mind service often volunteer to support others. Individuals need the right opportunities to succeed in life. Open access is run by volunteers. People can come along and sit or connect with others. They can take on a volunteer role (e.g. making tea and coffee). People who have not spoken with others for a long time need the right space to change. Person centred planning is about reaching a place where an individual can describe what they want in life. Recovery Works provides recovery, support and advice. An employment specialist helps those who are work ready. Befrienders are volunteers willing to dedicate some time to work with an individual. It is on the basis of 12 months maximum, with– 1-2 sessions per week. It is not prescribed but up to the volunteer and client to work out what is important to them. There are 1000 services delivered each year. –50-60% is provided by volunteers. The focus is to mprove self-esteem and give people a sense of purpose. Mind is reaching out to the far corners of the borough and needs volunteers to get involved. National Mind sends out projects. The get set to go project – English football league, Sport England and National?? – to put on different physical activity events. Recovery college (April 2016) – co-production team very strong. Finding venues and people who want to deliver sport activity. Taster sessions. Media event – Sky Sport, BBC. Some of teams down in numbers, so joined in. 6-a-side football. Most exhilarating experience. South-East region project – peer support – to influence government – spending to get into communities – Side-by-Side or Peer Support Hub – tasked with reaching out to people – encourage communities to run new activities. Bring people together and support through network to set up. Seed funding. Start building community groups together. Recovery College provides tutors (paid £10ph) and facilitators (not paid). There are 60+ colleges throughout the country. Some have discernible premises. but not Bromley .– Pop up venues around central Bromley. are used. Mind wants to reach out more to Orpington and the edges of the borough. Courses are offered in subjects such as woodwork, back-to-basics (new look at learning) with CAMHS, new ways of wellbeing, meditation, eat yourself happy, story tellers (creative writing), live long and prosper, football, and dance. The evening continued with a lively discussion about issues raised by the audience - particularly regarding how elderly people with mobility issues and who cannot drive, can access various activities - many of them free. The Saxon Centre offers transport at a reasonable cost but many activities can only be accessed by expensive transport means, such as taxi, which have to be organised by the individual. Margot Rohan Trustee and Secretary, Green Street Green Association 8 April 2019 Animal Rescue and Welfare Jean Hildrew from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home gave an illuminating history: She has been a volunteer for 7 years. She brought a rescue dog with her - Dixie, a Labradoodle found abandoned three kilos underweight. Jean is an Intake Socialiser but also cleans kennels, does laundering etc. and helps at fundraising events. Battersea Dogs Home was founded in Holloway in 1850 by Mary Tealby, who sadly died 5 years later. There is no photograph of her. In 1883 cats started to be taken in. Battersea Old Windsor started up in 1979 and Little Brands Hatch 10 years later. In 2002 the name was changed to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. It was rebranded in 2018, with a cartoon logo. In 2018 7,000 animals were helped with rehoming and reuniting with families - 3,000 were cats. 9 dogs and 7 cats are taken in every day on average. 250 dogs and 120 cats are regularly in residence. 65% are handed in ('gifted') and 30% are strays but the latter have reduced in numbers. 1,225 animals were reunited with their original owners. Dolly, a dog, was resident for 400 days but is now happily rehomed. The lost animals line received 3,000 calls plus 3,500 from people who had found animals. In 2015 a new block with a veterinary hospital was built at Battersea. A lot of the funds came from the Northern Line, which is being built under Battersea. There is also an Academy to help smaller rescue centres all over the world. Battersea is involved in international campaigns. Its biggest concern is dogs sold online. Volunteers back up staff to ensure animals get the best care. Battersea is an expert in championing vulnerable dogs and cats. Now it looks outwards much more. There are 500 staff and about 800 volunteers (not all active at the same time). All dogs have medical assessments. In an emergency they go to a local vet. Every dog has an ICP (individual care plan). Care is taken in matching animals with new owners. 'Forever Loved' provides lifetime support to all owners. There are different ways in which people can volunteer. Bedding is always needed:
Fashionable breeds also appear, such as chihuahua, greyhounds, lurchers, pugs - the latter often need face operations for breathing difficulties. Mongrels are much rarer now. There is also a working dogs co-ordinator. Battersea had the first staffie to work in a prison. A lot of spaniels go to working homes. Jean related stories about a couple of Battersea's rehomed dogs: Peggy, a collie/staffie/russell cross, did not like doors. She was fostered for a long time but, after a year, a country home was found for her and she has now come to terms with doors. Dolly, an American bull dog, found her face did not fit. However, a man turned up who had lost his dog. He was on his own and it was a marriage made in heaven. Lucas Rudge from Reptile Events explained the pros and cons of keeping reptiles as pets: Lucas is the owner. He started out doing the PR side for another rescue centre but ended up taking it over. It is now run as a rescue centre with PR and education. His passion is myth and legend-busting and he aims to reach people who are not interested in reptiles, in order to save them. He and members of his team visit schools, country shows etc - anywhere where they can educate people. They handle all reptiles apart from terrapins and turtles - up to 18 feet long. They are the only reptile rescue service in the south east and no equipment is available for handling snakes over 12 feet. Lucas recounted an incident where he collected an 18ft python. He had been told it was only 12 feet so was not equipped to manage it. Two people struggled to get it into the box to transport it and eventually succeeded after some time. The law has been changed so that children under 16 years cannot own a reptile. Many people buy snakes for children, not understanding the issues. Snakes are active at night. They are good pets but have a 50 year lifespan and are well-known for going off their food. They can go for 3-6 months without eating. They do not need to be fed live food - appropriate food can be purchased online and kept frozen. It needs to be defrosted and warmed up before offering it to snakes, as they have heat vision, so will not see it is food if it is not warm. They mainly do house rescues. The oldest pet rescued was only 18 months old. Fashion snakes have been bred in different colours but the governing body has now banned different coloured non-natural snakes. Wild rescues are mainly grass snakes. People abandon snakes thinking they can survive in the wild – but depends on origin – some snakes need higher temperatures.Snakes get dumped as people think they will cope in the wild, without realising they may not survive in a cold climate. Project work involves going to events where people have not seen wild animals. In over 10 years of handling 2,000 snakes per year Lucas has only been bitten 4 times. Anyone can contact the centre for help and advice. Kylie Simons from Ashmore Veterinary Centre talked about her work: The Ashmore Centre was started in 2013 by Hilary La Thrope and daughter Sarah. Hilary is a very experienced surgeon. She tries to be more affordable for people. In 2014 Kylie joined with a nurse. There are three full time vets and one part-time, plus 4 nurses. Ashmore also covers low cost referrals and rescue work. They advise people how to care better for their animals. They work with Pro-Dogs Direct based in Aldershot, which takes on puppy farm dogs without making any judgments. Sometimes they are in an awful state, scared, never having been outside. Kylie related the case of Fudge, a young girl lurcher dog with a broken leg.– The owner did not have money to pay for the dog's treament. Ashmore fixed the broken leg and looked after Fudge for several months, before finding a new owner. Another case involved a Border Terrier. Ashmore received a phone call from Companion Care in Orpington. They had found the dog abandoned, collapsed and unable to stand., weighing just three kilos instead of eight to nine. Blood results revealed the dog was severely malnourished and anaemic. Ashmore had a greyhound blood donor and gave the terrier a blood transfusion. Within 2-3 weeks it recovered and they found new owners. A young Russian blue cat was brought into the Centre with an awful skin condition and no hair. It is now fully recovered and living in Green Street Green. Bull dogs and pugs often need surgery for breathing problems. A lot get rehomed. Sometimes they have to sedate dogs if they will not allow vaccinations, nail clipping etc. Kylie explained that they are always looking for dogs to be blood donors. Good donors are 1-8yrs old, over 25 kilos and up to date with vaccinations and worming. Sharon Baldwin, Executive Director of Orpington 1st, gave an update on the latest activities in the High Street: The Orpington BID (Business Improvement District) consists of 350 businesses, which contribute by paying an extra 1.5% on their business rates. The Council passes on the money to Orpington 1st. There is a ballot every five years voting on continuing the BID. It is now in its 6th year. A majority of 90% of businesses voted in favour - a very high rate. There are 320 BIDs across UK. Retail is struggling. Large national companies were propping it up but now most of the big names are in serious financial trouble. In Orpington there are 225 ground floor units, shops and restaurants. There are another 100 units above the shops and these are becoming more important in holding the town centre together. Employees in offices come out and boost the lunchtime trade, with more customers at weekends. New service sectors are being encouraged into the High Street. There are branches of all five main national banks, which is very rare. They bring in smaller businesses. Sharon Baldwin - Executive Director of Orpington 1st There is a new policy to convert retail to residential, with the need for more housing. There has been mixed response to this as now too many small units are being converted, which is detrimental in smaller town centres. A lot of work is needed to maintain what exists. A new structure is needed to build town centres of the future. How will they look, how big should they be, how many coffee shops can exist? What about markets? New activities are required as people want to do different, exciting things. New challenges must be anticipated to ensure Orpington town centre delivers them. Orpington 1st has spoken to the Council about doing a development plan for the area. 6 years later the process has started. The first consultation meeting was three weeks ago. Jo Johnson, senior local politicians, Knoll RA ad others all met to think about what is needed. It is important to ensure the right project is wanted by everyone. Orpington 1st has put in a bid for £200,000 to prepare a proper consultation document with architects etc. If successful, there will be nine months for a public consultation. The Council has been asked to be as open and transparent as possible and to involve local people. If the bid is unsuccessful, LBB has agreed that Orpington is the most important area in the borough. The Walnuts will be key to what happens in that area, as two main areas are no longer fit for purpose. There is not enough in the shopping centre but what is needed? What does Orpington want to be known for? In the market what should we have? Far more housing will be brought into the centre. What balance of housing is needed to support the commercial business? The voice of local residents must be strong to express what they want, particularly in terms of the leisure offer - swimming pool etc.? Orpington has great transport links but still wants to be better connected. Connectivity between the High Street and Nugent centre is being considered. Another focal point is Biggin Hill, where an Aviation College is being built , which will offer new opportunities. There will also be a new hotel for aircraft staff. The cost of running physical shops is increasing as more people are buying online. However, in Orpington the vacancy rate is 7% which is lower than the average 11%. Current developments include:
Orpington 1st will continue putting on events in the square, which the businesses in the High Street finance. Crockenhill Second Chance Animal Rescue was unable to attend due to being called out to an incident of horses in the road. (For further information on any of the organisations, click on the underlined green links) Margot Rohan Trustee and Secretary, Green Street Green Association
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