Originally established as a byproduct of the National '' Better Governmenet for Older People'' initiative nearly 15 years ago, and following a 'good life', BOFF will stop functioning from the beginning of June 2015. <>
Over the last one and a half decade, this 'voluntary and entirely non-political' organisation has attempted hard to disseminate information and knowledge about old age, ageing, service provisions for the older people and the frail /disabled and lobbied various statutory agencies for the betterment of services. With a limited membership ( without any subscriptions) this body has been manged by a small executive group, annually 'elected' by the members. Its 'Newsletter' edited, printed and circulated to many people in Bolton has always been well regarded and widely read/discussed.
Rugular bimonthly 'members' open meetings at the Friends Meeeting House were held with lectures , discussions and ebates by a variety of very able and knowledgeable individuals covering ''all'' aspects of old age and related subjects. These have alwyas been publicised in the local media and reasonably attended by Bolton citizens.
Large educational seminars have been held in the Town Hall on relavent and 'controversial' topics eg Elder Abuse , End of Life Care and Assisted Death etc attended by large audiences - both members and non-members of the Federation, without any attendance charges.
Essay competitions among junior and senior school pupils have been organised ( wih prizes and certificates) with results announced by the Mayor in the Town Hall and wide publicities. All these were done to raise interest and 'awareness' amongst our young boys and girls on old age and older people.
BOFF Newsletters ( published bimonthly) , as mentioned before, have been very well received and have always carried very useful articles and information on old age.
Now the oranisation is facing unsurmountable difficulties in its day to day running and management; members, although supportive of the work , have not been able to come forward to do the 'foot-work' ; financial inadequacy has also been responsible. It has , therefore, been necessary to make a very 'hard' and 'heart-shattering' decision to close it down.
As its President, I feel intensely sad about it and I would hope that all individuals, young and old, must remain alert and vigilant on older peoples needs and attempt to help them when required. Just like the rest of the society, people in later years of life will change; older people of tomorrow will be totally different from the older people of yesterday - their priorities and needs will be different . The services too must keep on changing .
I SINCERELY THANK EVERYONE WHO HAD SUPPORTED THE FEDERATION OVER ALL THESE YEARS.
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