AOPF - Andover & District Older People's Forum

21/01/2025

05/09/2024

Please click here to read our AOPF Noticeboard ... https://www.aopf.co.uk/newsletters 😁 Look for the September 2024 link and click for the Noticeboard Newsletter 😊

19/08/2024

Please see our Noticeboard / Newsletter here...... https://www.aopf.co.uk/newsletters 🥳

15/08/2024

Cheque Fraud Awareness
 An individual cheque or cheque book is stolen from you.
 A cheque is intercepted in the post (e.g. they are sent by post to a charity or appeal – the envelope is intercepted, cheque removed, payee changed, and paid in online).
 A cheque provides criminals with your name, sort code, account number and signature – with that information they can set up a direct debit, as well as take out loans/credit in your name.
 A fraudster pays you for goods/services using a stolen cheque, or deposits a fraudulent cheque into your account.
If you are the owner of a local business or have residential CCTV door cams and would like to register, please email: DigitalEvidenceTeam@hampshire.police.uk
Please report cheque fraud to Action Fraud. Report lost or stolen cheque books (or missing cheques) immediately to your bank (they have a 24-hour emergency number printed on account statements). You can get free, confidential help from Victim Support if you've been affected by a scam: Tel: 0808 16 89 111 (available 24/7) or visit

Victim Support is the independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales.

14/08/2024

Beware of unexpected calls:
If you are contacted by anyone and told to move your money to keep it safe, STOP!. This is always a scam. Criminals will tell you your money is at risk, and you need to move it to keep it safe. That will not be true.

In 2023, it is estimated that victims transferred an average of £6,720 to criminals through this type of scam. But that’s just an average – they will steal whatever money is in your account.

Protect your money with some simple steps
• Screen your calls – do NOT answer calls from unknown or withheld numbers – if it is anyone important they will leave a message. Call from a local number could easily be from criminals hiding the real caller ID to trick you into answering their calls.
• If you get a voicemail or text message purporting to be from a bank, the police, HMRC, Action Fraud, or other government agencies, organisations, or businesses – check before contacting the caller – it could be a scam.
• If the call/text is purporting to be from the police – phone 101 or Contact us at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.
• If the call is purporting to be from your bank or building society, dial 159 to return the call. This is a safe and secure number. It will connect you straight through to your bank or building society.
• Alternatively your bank’s telephone number will be on the reverse of your bank card.
• HMRC state they will NEVER leave a voicemail threatening legal action, or threaten arrest. For more information about HMRC scams advice see: Identify tax scam phone calls, emails and text messages - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Amazon rarely phone customers, they have a “Report a scam” page with more information: Report a scam
• Amazon Customer Service Banks, police, HMRC and other government agencies will never ask you to move money to keep it safe. No other organisation will either. If this happens, it will be a scam.

Hampshire Alerts is not a crime reporting portal – so please do not report crime here.
If you realise you’ve been scammed and wish to report a fraud that has already happened, please report it to Action Fraud either phone 0300 123 2040 or online at: Action Fraud
If a crime is in progress, and/or you are in fear for yourself or someone else, and/or there is evidence in situ that could be damaged or destroyed please phone 999 immediately.
Otherwise, report online, or find out about other ways to report a crime at: Report a crime | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary
Thank you – Fraud Safeguarding Team

03/07/2024

Election day is nearly here – it’s time for your voice to be heard! We wanted to share the important information you need to cast your vote on Thursday 4th July.

• You’ll need to bring photo ID with you to the polling station. You’ll need photo ID to vote which could be your older person bus pass, passport, Blue Badge or many other options. Remember, these don’t need to be in date as long as the photo on that ID still looks like you and has the same name on it that you registered to vote with. If you’ve got a Voter Authority Certificate instead of photo ID, bring that along when you vote instead.

• If your circumstances have suddenly changed and you cannot vote in person tomorrow, don’t panic! You can apply for an emergency proxy vote here up until 5pm tomorrow.

Having your say is so important - We’d be really grateful for your help in making sure as many people as possible can vote easily by sharing this information with your friends, family, and anyone else who needs to know.

This general election really matters for older people and together we can get their voices heard.

18/06/2024

Are you registered to vote? Everyone has to be registered in order to vote. You can do this online by going to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or if you don’t have access to the internet Telephone 01264 368000.

Voter ID. You are now required to show photographic identification at polling stations before you are able to cast your vote.

Accepted forms of photo ID:

• Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country
• Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
• A Blue Badge
• Older Person’s Bus Pass
• Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
• Oyster 60+ Card
• Freedom Pass
If you don't have an accepted form of photo ID or you're not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

Apply to vote by Post or Proxy. If you are unable to get to your polling station on Election Day, you can apply to vote by post of proxy if you do not already have these arrangements in place. You can apply online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote or www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote. If you are unable to apply online you can obtain a form in the post by phoning 01264 368000.

09/06/2024

Hello - we need help please to fund a purchase - if anyone can help us find these, it would be amazing and helpful..... https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/SubZero-200W-8-PA-System-with-Digital-Media-Player-and-Stands/1TTF?origin=product-ads&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpZWzBhC0ARIsACvjWRMwaUJYJY5PnOho8nFHVDon5N-daUA0HfRpqpRHxCyEqc04s0lw360aAmipEALw_wcB
Thank you for looking and hopefully helping 👍

SubZero 200W 8" PA System with Digital Media Player & Stands at Gear4music

08/06/2024

Wellbeing Walks with Andover PCN - dates below - do come and join us 🚶‍♀️🚶 🥰

16/05/2024

On Monday at the beginning of May, I was in Westminster to deliver the letter, signed by an amazing 36,284 campaigners, to political party leaders. I wanted to make sure they knew one thing: we need a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing in England.

It’s only with your voice that we can push for the change we need.

It was amazing to be there with older people and other charities, all united to call for a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing.

Together, we’re demanding a dedicated, independent voice to make sure older people are championed and heard by decision makers.

There’s already one in Wales and Northern Ireland. It’s time we had one in England.

The campaign doesn’t end here though – it’s one of our main asks in our blueprint setting out what we want from the next Government. I’m not going to stop pushing for a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing until we have one.

With my best wishes,
Caroline
Age UK Campaigns

18/04/2024

Please see AOPF's AGM details below - we look forward to welcoming new members, committee members and our team of lovely members - come and join us and see if you're happy to work with the committee to help us keep this show on the road - you are most most welcome 🥰