Blog from Eddie – Silverfit Founder
Hi all,
I am so sorry that it has been such a long time since the last email out to you all from me. It has been a hectic few months for Silverfit, so apologies again, this blog will be a bit longer than usual!
Thank yous
So first a profound thanks to all our Trustees, our staff, all our loyal instructors, Silverfit Ambassadors and venue managers for their support over such tough times for so many of us older people. I did get Covid and guess the majority of us older people have had it too? A recent funeral of my old school friend was a stark reminder of the losses we have all experienced. I just hope that Silverfit and your friendships have helped, as well as a return to a bit more exercise?
My thanks to Natalie for all her work on our website, www.silverfit.org.uk and for sending out the email reminders for sign up forms each week. I know it hasn’t been easy, but we have had to create systems to ensure we have safe space between members, especially in indoor spaces.
For anyone doing a Nordic Walking session who needs to borrow poles it is essential that they sign up to their sessions beforehand, so instructors know how many sets of poles they will need, this will help avoid any disappointment. There is a Typeform link on our Nordic Walking webpage www.silverfit.org.uk/nordic-walking-sessions, open from Tuesday at 11am and closes noon Thursday. Please though, if you need to borrow poles, come at least 20 mins before start.
New sessions
We are planning too, thanks to funders, a new session in the Elephant and Castle area, Nordic walking in Richmond Park and another walking football session at Kingsmeadow Centre in Kingston, the home of Chelsea Women’s Football club – several of their players you may have seen live on the BBC in the current international series.
Funding
It has not been the easiest time for funding applications – so many of our usual funders over the years are saying they are inundated. Most too want to fund innovative new projects rather than sustain existing projects. I can only apologise again to those members who used to attend the Peckham Rye session that we had to cancel. As we try always to keep the cost to members at the minimum, Bradley and I have spent many more hours on funding applications. I am sorry too that we have still not been able to sort a reliable consistent and safe way of taking income as usual from session attendances or the annual membership. So many of you have told me how anxious you are to ‘pay up`. But watch this space and in my next blog, hopefully really soon, we will have solutions.
We have however, had income from Hospital Saturday Fund, London Catalyst, Sport England ‘Queens Platinum Jubilee’ fund, Elephant and Castle ‘Inspiring Elephant Community’ fund (pictured above receiving the cheque) and another 5 applications have gone in. But the option always exists, whilst we finalise these issues, to donate via our Just Giving, Keep Silverfit Healthy where we also get Gift Aid if you choose that option when paying. https://justgiving.com/campaign/keepsilverfithealthy
We are looking too at other possible benefits of Silverfit annual membership. I had another word with Decathlon who used to give us 10% discount, so do contact us via [email protected] if you have any ideas. Would you like us to pursue Silverfit t-shirts again? Though I can see from our previous supplier they would cost more than before!
A personal update from me
I’ve had a busy time too, promoting healthier ageing and Silverfit. Thanks to my BEM for ‘Services to the health and wellbeing of older people’, I got an invitation to the Buckingham Palace Garden Party in May. My daughter came with me, and WOW, what an experience. It was lovely to see Kate, just a few steps away spending ages talking so enthusiastically to a young lass with Downs Syndrome.
And now The Design Museum filmed me for an exhibition they are doing, launching on 27th, `The Future of Ageing.’ They have just released the film that will underpin the exhibition, a taster of it can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-F1xlo1XDI. After 27th July it will be on at the Design Museum, 224 Kensington High St W86AE. When I go to the launch party, I could plan a Silverfit event there – Christmas Party??
And finally, my own big news, we have just agreed a new 4-women team to do Race Across America a RAAM starting June 13th, 2023. The organisers are very keen for me to take part as I’ll be 80 years old and the oldest person to have completed the race. Over 3000 miles in 9 days in a relay team of 4 of us. Watch this space as we will be fundraising for Silverfit!
Feel free to contact the info@ email if there are other areas I, or other members of the Silverfit team can address.
Best wishes,
Eddie Brocklesby.
