About the Forum
The Forum, which has existed since January 2005, holds quarterly public meetings for local older people aged 60+ to attend. We also welcome carers and anyone interested in older people, including West Sussex County Councillors, Horsham District, Parish and Neighbourhood Councillors, and health professionals.
We also hold an MP Question Time event(s) during the year, where we can put your questions to either of our Horsham district MPs (John Milne & Andrew Griffith). This year, 2024, our MP Question Time is 10 am on Friday 6th, December 24, with newly elected John Milne MP. We welcome your questions to ask at the events.
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See the Events page for details of all our upcoming meetings.
The Forum exists for anyone to raise issues related to or affect local older people.
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We take action where possible on issues that are raised, i.e. taking up with local councils or initiating projects; we have worked with Horsham District Council on projects, for example, the acclaimed Horsham District Directory of Older Peoples Services; we also act as an information hub and consultative group for anyone seeking the views of older people in the district on particular plans, topics or schemes that may affect older people.
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If you have an issue affecting local older people, it can be raised with the forum, and a guest speaker can be invited to discuss the issue and, if possible, look to take action.
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Examples of the Forum successfully taking action in response to issues raised at the Forum are the Mobility Scooter Safety Training scheme and holding public meetings via Zoom to hear both sides when Horsham District Councillors were proposing the development of and loss of the Rookwood golf course and green space. The YouTube video of that meeting can be viewed online here
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​The Forum is also actively promoting the national Chatty Cafe Scheme to tackle loneliness for all ages.
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At our public meetings, we invite guest speakers to address current concerns and issues. For example, we have Laura Robertson of NHS Sussex Health Commissioners updating us on the latest on Covid booster vaccinations, rollout, boosters, Flu jab, access to GPs, etc.
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The forum is funded through a discretionary Community Grant from the Horsham District Council, and funds are raised through the sale of weekly lottery tickets from the Horsham District Community Lottery.
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Meet the Committee
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We are all volunteers and local older people living in the Horsham District.
Les Amstead joined the Committee in March 2024 and lives in Horsham.
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Lilian Bold is a Member of the West Sussex CCG Clinical Patient Reference Group, Park Surgery PPG, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, and the Public Governor for the Horsham District.
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Martin Bruton, our Chairman from 2014 until October 2023, now has the role of Forum Treasurer and maintains and updates the Forum website. Martin is also a Director of Horsham Town Community Partnership. Martin is also a long-serving Horsham NHW street co-ordinator.
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Lisa Brown, the HDC Community Link Alarm Service manager, joined the committee in April 2024.
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Stacey Cullen, Head of Localities (West) Age UK, West Sussex Brighton & Hove, which covers Horsham district and Lavinia House.
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Hayley Dower, Age UK WSB&H, Senior Community Developer, Horsham locality. As of the 13th August 2024 Hayley is our Forum Chair whilst a new Chair is found.
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Derek Moore has been our secretary since September 2019. Derek is also part of Southwater Community Partnership and a tutor on the Horsham Mobility Scooter Training Scheme. Derek is also Chairman of Southwater Parish Council and Parish Councillor.
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David Searle is the director (and until December 2023) and chairman of Horsham Town Community Partnership and the main project leader of the highly praised Horsham Riverside Walk enhancement project. David is also a tutor for the Horsham Mobility Scooter Training Scheme and a Parish Councillor for North Horsham PC.​​​
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Graham Sitton has been a supporter of the Forum since 2015. Graham is an active committee member and is also a member of the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioners Elder Commission.
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If you could support the Horsham District Older Peoples Forum by being on the Committee, especially if you live outside of Horsham town, please get in touch; you will be most welcome!
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Consultation Requests
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If you or your organisation or company wish to consult older people in the Horsham District, please use the contact page to contact us.
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The West Sussex County Council Consultation Hub site will help you find and participate in consultations that interest you. You can also register to join the ‘e panel’.
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Our Constitution
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