Useful Organisations and Forums The Really Important Questions (RIQ) Group The Really Important Questions (RIQ) Conferences Tameside Older People Partnership Age Concern Tameside Help the Aged National organisation and charities

The Really Important Questions (RIQ) Group

What is the 'Really Important Questions' (RIQ) Group?

The RIQ Group was formed after the first "Really Important Questions" Conference held in October 2000.

The RIQ group is made up of older people aged over 50, who want to be involved in the shaping of Social Care and Health. Members might be using services now, have used services in the past, care for an older person using services, or may need services in the not too distant future. There are currently over 170 members on the mailing list.

The RIQ Forum meets about 4 times a year in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere with meetings being held at Ryecroft Hall, Audenshaw. Lunch is provided and there are normally about 30 - 50 people in attendance. Access requirements such as organised transport, dietary or language needs can be arranged.

Senior managers from health and social care agencies are invited to give talks and presentations at meetings, and this enables RIQ members to have direct access to the key planners and decision-making structures.

One of the key roles of the RIQ Group is to ensure that the views and experiences of older people contribute to the planning, monitoring and development of health and social care services.

The improvement of health and social care services for older people in Tameside is being carried out through the National Service Framework (NSF). The RIQ Forum sends representatives to the NSF working groups and other strategic committees concerned with services to older people.

Why should you get involved?

RIQ members agree that being able to 'have your say' and being able to influence the planning of services is a rewarding and stimulating experience. Many say it has changed their lives and for the first time, they feel they are really making a difference. They feel they are in charge of what happens to them, know what they really want and are doing something important. Some have learnt new skills and done things they had never done before. They have felt it worthwhile by having their experience and skills recognised and valued.

"The friendliness of people of the same age group!"

Because the RIQ is made up of older people from different backgrounds, you make new friends and find new sources of support.

Some members have said...

"What I enjoy most about being a member of the RIQ is meeting people and exchanging ideas."

"I enjoy meeting people with the same interest in improving the lot of the NHS for oldies!!"

The Really Important Questions Annual Conference

What is the annual RIQ Conference all about?

The RIQ annual conference focuses on the 'really important questions' relating to health and social care for older people in Tameside. This large event brings together managers of health and social care services and older people in the community, and offers the opportunity to find out about the changes taking place in health and social care for older people in Tameside.

The programme includes keynote speakers, a choice of workshops covering a wide range of topics, and information stalls from key agencies and community groups and organisations. There is also an opportunity to ask questions and to talk with senior managers from Social Care and Health in Tameside.

If you would like to find out more or become involved...

If you would like to make your views known, contribute ideas or get involved in developing better services, why not think about becoming a member of the "Really Important Questions" (RIQ) Group. We will be pleased to talk to you.

For further information, please contact:

The Development Worker for Older People
The Really Important Questions (RIQ) Group
Service Development and Customer Support Unit
Ryecroft Hall
Manchester Road
Audenshaw M34 5GJ
0161 370 1179

Other places where you can have your say.

Tameside Older People Partnership

The Tameside Older People Partnership exists to ensure that there is a co-ordinated multi sector approach from all stakeholders in the Tameside Strategic Partnership to enable older people aged 50 plus to live active, satisfying and independent lives whilst ensuring that the needs of the most vulnerable people are met.

Age Concern Tameside

Age Concern Tameside is currently redeveloping their users/volunteers forum, which will be up and running early in 2004. Generally the forum deals with issues surrounding services and activities provided by and through Age Concern. The forum is a tool for true representation of service users feelings from which management may determine the type and depth of service/activity provision that is needed.

Age Concern can be contacted as follows:

Age Concern Tameside
131 Katherine Street, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7AW
0161 308 5000 (0161) 308-5001 rachel@actameside.freeserve.co.uk

Help the Aged

You can read about forums for senior people. There's also information on how to develop a forum or obtain regular monthly copies of the Senior Citizen newsletter by completing a simple online registration form.

National organisation and charities

• Aid for the Aged in Distress
• British Geriatrics Society
• Headway
• NHFA
• Arthritis Care
• British Lung Foundation
• Macmillan Cancer Relief
• National Osteoporosis Society
• Tameside Retired Teachers' Association

Aid for the Aged in Distress

The Aid for the aged in distress concentrates its efforts and resources directly to elderly people in the U.K. who, because of ineligibility or, who are only receiving partial funding through statutory or voluntary services, fall through the 'safety net'. When need is genuine we try never to let them down.

British Geriatric Society

The British Geriatrics Society is a Specialist Medical Society. The purpose of the site is to make available information which would be of use to its members, or any persons or organisations who might have an interest in Geriatric Medicine/ Gerontology and the care of the older person.

Headway

The Headway organisation - Promotes understanding of all aspects of brain injury; and to provide information, support and services to people with a brain injury, their family and carers.

NHFA

The NHFA's aim is to enable older people meet the cost of their chosen care whilst also preserving their capital and with that, the independence, dignity and right of choice they deserve at what is perhaps the most vulnerable time of their life.

Arthritis Care

TheThe Arthritis Care Organisation contains information about arthritis and details the organisations work. It is possible to find out what's going on in your area.

British Lung Foundation

The British Lung Foundation works for those affected by lung disease. You can find out more about specific conditions or locate your nearest support group, read about the vital research we fund and discover the many different ways you can help us in our work.

Macmillan Cancer Relief

Macmillan organisation helps you want to find out more about cancer, synonymous with the MacMillan nurses, but they offer a whole lot more.

National Osteoporosis Society

The National Osteoporosis Society helps you want to find out more about osteoporosis, including who is at risk.

Tameside Retired Teachers' Association

The Tameside Retired Teachers' Association meets on the third Thursday of each month 2pm to 4pm.
The meetings will be in the Stalybridge Civic Hall (at the back of former Stalybridge Market Hall). More information is available on their website page.

If there's anything you would like to comment on within this website, you can send an email to owl@tameside.gov.uk or use the 'Contacting us' button for an alternative way of getting in touch.

Thank you for visiting us. We hope we've been of some help to you.