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Pensions Increase
Pension Pay Dates
New Look Payslips & P60
Annual General Meeting 2012
Pension Authority Member Representation
Equitable Life Update
Customer Service Excellence Review
New District Offices
Parkinson’ s UK
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HERE
Overseas Pension
Payments 13
Electrical Fire
Warning 14
Alaska Cruise
Report 15
Competition
Winner 18
Pension
Puzzler 18
We
Are Here To Help 20
I appreciate that this prospect will not suit everyone. The alternative of doing absolutely nothing for a while is very appealing; or travelling, or entering further or higher education again; or taking up paid work to enhance your personal financial position. But I return to my original point, you should be planning for a second career rather than a succession of pastimes. Many( most?) charities, clubs and societies must have breaks in their conditions of engagement for volunteers, usually after 5 years, as opposed to their permanent paid staff, which provide opportunities to take stock, move on or renew your interest after a‘ sabbatical’.
Now comes the catch, the special pleading. For personal reasons I became involved in the formation of the local branch of Parkinson’ s UK 10 years ago. The objectives of the charity are obvious enough; to provide help and support to those with Parkinson’ s and to raise money both to pay for the appropriate programmes and to contribute towards research into improving medication and a possible cure. As with several other progressive neurological conditions, the job of a carer is a full time commitment and leaves little time for the essential administrative tasks of running a branch which provides for the medical, emotional, informational, physical, recreational, respite and social needs of its members. This is why we so desperately want some‘ able bodied’ people to help. So for instance our executive committee of 14 includes a chartered accountant approaching retirement, 3 retired employees of Barnsley MBC, 1 still working for the authority, 1 retired nurse and another working nurse, a retired school teacher with the remainder being retirees from various backgrounds. Two members of the committee have Parkinson’ s and three are full time carers so that the committee’ s discussions and decisions are always informed by the needs of the members themselves.( A few of these jobs will become vacant at the next annual general meeting).
If you feel that helping to meet these needs for a seriously disadvantaged section of the community is something that would interest you, then to find out more about Parkinson’ s go to www. parkinsons. org. uk and click on‘ local to you’ or telephone me, Philip Thompson- Chair of Parkinson’ s UK Barnsley and District Branch, on 01226 730418
01226 730418