SCAN aids West African communities
Retired nurse Janet Chisholm and members of Henley in Arden Senior Citizens Advice Network (SCAN) have drawn on their talents to bring aid to Niger communities.
Janet is a member of the Older People’s Forum in the Henley in Arden community, a group established specifically for older people and supported by Warwickshire County Council. Older Peoples Forums raise the issues that affect older people in their local areas and invite Police, Health and local authorities to provide advice and support as part of the County’s strategy to help older people to live independently by educating and providing advice.
Henley SCAN took the attitude of helping yourself further leading the group to help others with their latest good deed of knitting blankets which protect against the chill of nights in Africa, along with gaining sponsorship to aid a leprosy mission in Niger.
This had arisen from Janet’s travels overseas where she saw the suffering caused by the horrors of diseases such as leprosy. Her experiences steered the way to supporting this cause.
The SCAN group along with Henley Baptist Church and members of the Henley in Arden community were involved with this project. In total they knitted dozens of blankets and raised over £500 in sponsorship money.
Janet said: “I, and the rest of the Older People’s Forum, promote this worthy charity as the education for leprosy sufferers is poor in West Africa. Travelling to places such places as India has showed me what suffering can occur if the condition is not treated in the early stages.
“The blankets are an excellent practical way in which we can use our skills. It may seem slightly strange to people in Britain to think of the need to protect against the cold in Africa but the temperature can really plummet of a night time and these will, I know, be very much appreciated.”
Amanda Burn, Warwickshire County Councils User Involvement officer who assists in supporting the Warwickshire Older People’s Forum was thrilled with the efforts: “My colleagues and I are delighted that Henley SCAN has been able to help people in Niger. This group supports itself locally and undoubtedly has the skills and passion to look further afield to see that others could benefit from their expertise.”
There are six local Older People’s Forum groups in Stratford district giving anyone over the age of 50 a chance to discuss issues of importance in their local communities and have influence in the development of significant services. Anybody interested in joining one can do so by calling Amanda Burn on 01926 412940.