Digital magazine for Intro to Digital Journalism

BLOGUE JOAN SWABY

The RHEA worker talks jobs and jobs in jeopardy.

PLUS: NEW TRICKS

We talk to the over 60’s about whats got their hearts pumping these days

EXCLUSIVE: inside pictures on the social life of Richmond Hill’s finest , oldest residents.

A group of friends enjoy a giggle over winnings at the Bingo club

Richmond Hill Elderly Action –

Edith’s Story

When I went to the ballroom dancing club I didn’t know fun and friendwhat to expect, however, I ship for the over was instantly caught up in conversations about children 60s and grandchildren, I even had the privilege of seeing

By Sinead O’Hare some photographs. Edith, A visit to the classes at the oldest member of the RHEA support will chal- group in her nineties, used lenge your stereotypes to dance with her husband of the elderly. in the 50’s, they entered competitions and won all A warm welcome sorts of trophies.

The first thing that hits you Unfortunately her husband when you enter one of the died a few years ago and clubs held by Richmond Hill her knees are too bad to community centre, is the join in with the class but she sense of friendship and com- goes along for the company fort that everyone seems to and to hear all the old songs be welcomed with. There is that take her back to her no limit on age or ability and dancing days. enthusiasm is in abundance.

Margaret’s Story Edith’s niece, Margaret, is the youngest member of the club and one of the newcomers. She started a few months ago with encouragement from Edith.

For Margaret it’s a good chance to exercise as well as a getting out of the house for a couple of hours and meeting new friends.

She retired 5 years ago in order to care for her husband who had a stroke. He can’t come along to the club but urges her to go because he knows it’s important for her health and her self-confidence. After only 4 months her dancing isn’t the best in the club but she’s an active member and never misses a week.

Aggie the push she needed to improve her quality of life and start enjoying herself again. You can see by the expression on her face that not only does she take the class seriously but that she enjoys every minute of it as well, even the hard parts!

she said ‘Yes very much as it is very varied and very satisfying.’ It’s unfortunate then, with all the hard work that Joan and her colleagues put in, that the funding that pays their wages might soon be taken away and their jobs will be in jeopardy. ‘Other 3 staff including myself have to be funded for from external sources.’

Margaret, the youngest member of the group, practices the Waltz with her partner Frank at the weekly ballroom dancing club

Aggie’s Story Another new member is Aggie, she’s also one of the young ones, in her late 50’s. She started 4 months ago because she suffered a heart attack and the doctor advised her to start doing gentle exercise or she would almost definitely have another. Since starting the club, not only has Aggie improved her dancing skills and her health, but she has found the support she needed to quit smoking and friends to go to weightloss classes with as well. All in all this class has given

Aggie, a newcomer to the club, is shown some new moves by Pauline, the teacher.

Joan’s Story And then there’s Joan, a worker from RHEA who supervises clubs such as the ballroom club and the bingo.

One of RHEA’s volunteers and caller of the RHEA bingo club has a laugh with her group

How can you help?

attended. When I asked

RHEA are always looking for volunteers, if you are interested in gaining new experiences, meeting new people and making a difference in people’s lives then contact Joan at Richmond Hill Community Centre on:

her if she enjoyed her work

0113 2485200.

Her job title is project support and she generally backs up all the work for RHEA. As an extra volunteering position, she also runs the walking club, which is apparently very well

B

EXCLUSIVE!

gets a sneek peak into the social lives of the over 60’s and finds out just how active Richmond’s Elderly are.

(Above left) Location, Location, Location: The setting for many of the dance and excercise classes, this church hall is a short walk from the RHEA and has plenty of space for the well attended classes.

Twinkle toes: Never a dull moment, there’s always something to joke about when working on some new moves.

A tender moment: A husband and wife seem lost in each other’s arms on the floor.

Fun and Friendship bubbles when this group get together for their weekly lesson in line-dancing.

(Above Right) A couple of Pros: These old timers show off their moves as they take a whirl around the floor in the Ballroom class.

(Left) Smiles all round: These players are relaxed before the hush sets in for a serious game of Bingo.

(Below Left) Two Little Ducks: Players signal to each other during a tense game.

(Below Centre) Ash Wednesday: One player sports a traditional smudge of Ash on her head to mark the start of lent.

(Below Right) A laugh between rounds: A winner cracks jokes with the Bingo caller while collecting her money.

(Left) Concentration: A player sits poised in the tense atmosphere, hoping for the winning numbers (Far Left) Conferring: Two of the organisers discuss details before the games begin, they sell lottery tickets and cakes as well as doing the Bingo.

RICHMOND HILL ELDERLY ACTION needs

YOU

Give a helping hand and raise a smile with the RHEA. You can help to make a difference to somebody’s day, week and even their life by volunteering for Richmond Hill Elderly Action.

There are all sorts of way to help, so if you are interested in becoming part of the volunteer team at RHEA then call one of the members of staff on: 0113 2485200 and raise a smile today!