BRITAIN’S “SECOND-GENERATION-YUPPIE” GOVERNMENT: WORK HARDER ON OVER-50S BUSINESS CRED.

EMMA SOAMES
EDITOR-AT-LARGE, SAGA MAGAZINE
PRESS RELEASE
 
May 24, 2010.

 

BRITAIN’S “SECOND-GENERATION-YUPPIE” GOVERNMENT: WORK HARDER ON OVER-50S BUSINESS CRED.

Britain’s “second-generation-yuppie” government needs to grow up fast and gain some battle scars if it is to establish credibility with over-50s-dominated big business, says Emma Soames, editor-at-large of Saga Magazine.

The new government has been put in charge of the £1,500 billion business that is UK plc – but the country’s new chief executive, David Cameron, is ten years younger than the average FTSE 350 CEO, and “finance director” George Osborne, at 38, is nine years younger than the average FTSE 100 FD.

“To establish credibility with senior business people and the 21 million over-50s in the UK, the key for the new PM is to spend more time speaking with – and being seen to speak with - Ken Clarke or Vince Cable rather than looking like part of a tribe of yuppies scoping out champagne bars,” said Emma Soames.

“The young govs might be having some fun in the new Parliament, but if we stack up and compare the age and experience stats, then the average age of the country’s ‘board of directors’ is 52 versus 58 for FTSE 350 company directors,” said Emma Soames.

“The average age of a FTSE 350 chief executive is 53, new PM David Cameron is 43; but the frontline directors of UK plc are Cameron, 43, Nick Clegg, 43, George Osborne, 38, and David Laws, 44 – an average age of 42.

“It’s older than me, but the saying ‘you never get a second chance to make a first impression’ needs to become the yuppie front-bencher’s iPad, iPhone or BlackBerry screensaver.

“The enduring early images so far are of the opening press conference double-act laughs between Cameron and Clegg, and some comedic opening scenes of Cameron being ‘reminded’ he was PM at the start of the new Parliament.

“They need to be seen to be having fun in the eyes of the younger elements of the population, but they also need to know when to avoid the laughs and flippancy to establish credibility with a generation who have far more experience of tougher times, and know how seriously the state of the nation should be taken.”

Ends

Further information:
Iain Macauley
im@pressrelations.co.uk
07788 978800
www.saga.co.uk

Emma Soames, editor-at-large, was editor of Saga Magazine from 2002-2008. Previously she edited the Telegraph Magazine for seven years and before that was editor of ES Magazine, Tatler and the Literary Review.

APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSION ON SOCIAL CARE BRINGS FURTHER DELAYS TO CARE FUNDING DECISION

EMMA SOAMES

EDITOR-AT-LARGE, SAGA MAGAZINE

PRESS RELEASE

May 20, 2010.

  

APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSION ON SOCIAL CARE BRINGS FURTHER DELAYS TO CARE FUNDING DECISION

Saga (www.saga.co.uk)  welcomes the outlined proposal for dealing with the future of social care. “We particularly welcome the stated intention to give more help to carers through personal budgets and above all through increased respite care which will significantly lighten their burden.

However the appointment of a Commission will delay the urgently required decisions about the future of social care funding said Emma Soames, champion for older people and editor-at-large of Saga Magazine (www.saga.co.uk) .

She continued: “The government are already in possession of a widely researched Green Paper, the Wanless Commission report and a White Paper; its stated intention that payment should be shared between the individual and the State, sends a clear signal to the Commission. We acknowledge that this is a highly complex issue but the options have already been widely explored.  We hope that a deadline for delivery will be swift to ensure security for so many older people already providing or facing a future requiring different levels of care.”

Ends

Emma Soames, editor-at-large, was editor of Saga Magazine from 2002-2008. Previously she edited the Telegraph Magazine for seven years and before that was editor of ES Magazine, Tatler and the Literary Review

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

http://pressrelationsblog.blogspot.com/

Photo available:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pressrelations/

www.saga.co.uk

SOUTHPORT: NEVER-BEFORE-COMBINED DEMENTIA CARE FACILITIES GIVE BIRCH ABBEY “A TEN”.

iPERSONALLY

DEMENTIA CARE SERVICE

PRESS RELEASE

May 10, 2010.

NEVER-BEFORE-COMBINED DEMENTIA CARE FACILITIES GIVE BIRCH ABBEY “A TEN”.

The chief executive of the UK’s most advanced new dementia care facility, the iPersonally Memory Centre at Birch Abbey, Southport, says he believes clients and their families will give the facility ten out of ten.

Dan Lingard, who has driven through the £5 million expansion of Birch Abbey in Alexandra Road, Southport, says there’s at least ten features and facilities never combined anywhere else in the dementia care sector – underpinned by a unique approach and attitude – plus the introduction of a day care service.

“From the start we designed-in features and facilities – both big and small – that will make a tremendous difference to the lives and lifestyles of our community at Birch Abbey,” said Dan Lingard.

“Key is recognising what is important TO our clients and their families, as well as what is important FOR our clients. That’s a subtle difference, but extremely important.

“Crucial amongst issues important for our clients and the basic facilities such as hygiene, health, diet, comfort and security – but what’s important TO our clients are the things that make them feel comfortable and relaxed, as well as the all-important opportunities to provide physical and mental exercise and stimulation.

“Our motto is ‘things to do, places to go, people to see’ – and that sums up a key element of delaying the onset of dementia. If mind and body are kept active, then the onset may be slowed.

“In terms of the advanced facilities and features, we have five garden areas and eight recreational rooms and bistros.

Amongst others, “things to do” include a dance studio, “places to go” include a a pub and bistro, and “people to see” revolves around a whole series of movements and interaction between clients and families, including a unique home-style family kitchen and dining room which can be reserved for family events and occasions.

Other facilities include three types of assisted bathrooms, in-room technology and sensors meaning clients don’t have to be disturbed while they’re asleep, bedrooms which can be configured in a number of formats depending upon the needs and mobility of the individual.

“We also have a training and education facility and a technology suite which enables us to train and develop carers, care professionals and families to assist both in Birch Abbey and at home,” said Dan.

“Our new and expanded Birch Abbey is a revolution in care services. To us it just felt right that Southport with its long tradition as a caring community should lead this revolution and the birth of a new era in care.

“Birch Abbey currently has accommodation for 18 clients, but without having to close our doors, we are completely rebuilding so that we will be able to accommodate 60 clients, and rather than simply gearing it to provide basic food, hygiene and life care for clients, we have designed-in - from scratch - technology, accommodation, entertainment, social interaction and a broad range of care services and features that have never been seen together under one roof in the care industry.

“But, crucially, this is not just about a building – it is about an attitude to dementia care, service and support.”

At the heart of iPersonally is the belief that technology must be better harnessed to support people with dementia, their carers and wider support network.

Dan Lingard is a former software developer working with IBM and the BBC. He says much-misunderstood dementia needs to be fought, and people with the condition, and their family and friends, supported and inspired rather than simply have their basic needs attended to.

Ends

Further information;

Iain Macauley

Pressrelations.co.uk

+44(0)161 929 0446

+44(0)7788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk www.ipersonally.co.uk

TRAINSPOTTERS TAKE ON THE VOLCANO – AND WIN

MANAGEMENT INTELLIGENCE CONSULTING

PRESS RELEASE

April 21, 2010.

TRAINSPOTTERS TAKE ON THE VOLCANO – AND WIN.

Employees who tackled the Icelandic ash travel crisis head-on and battled their way home and back to work could reap the reward of a huge career boost.

Bridget Biggar, managing director of talent assessment and leadership development organisation Management Intelligence www.miconsulting.co.uk, has described the fallout from the European-wide flight ban as the biggest, toughest and most accurate aptitude test ever.

“My message to employers is to get the gossip going, hear the stories, find out how people dug deep to find a way home and then maybe re-align your opinion of the bolshy and apparently over-confident middle manager or the shrinking accounts clerk: they could be the successors you’re looking for,” said Bridget.

“The approach people take to finding a way back to work, battling through, round over or under the obstacles the European flight ban has created, could be a great indicator of an employee’s true resourcefulness, capability and potential.

“The travel chaos could be, for some people, the greatest thing that has ever happened to them – completely changing their lives and life approach.

“Taking able-bodied, capable, intelligent business people and workers, there’s basically four types of individuals stuck abroad: those who’ll simply sit and wait to be rescued, those who’ll suddenly react out of fear, those who might be described as trainspotters, and those who’ll not stand for any nonsense and will tackle head-on the inconvenience created by the volcano.

“The real dynamos are the resourceful thinkers and risk-takers who relish the challenge of finding a way home, and enjoy it as an adventure. These are the guys who will think laterally to get round obstacles, and will simply find a way. That’s how they conduct their business. Those junior managers who find a way home ahead of the rest are showing signs of being high-fliers and high-achievers.

“They’re the ones who hit the laptop or the phone the second they smell an issue, and are first out of the closed airport and grabbing the initiative, making the judgement call – waiting for nothing or nobody except any group they may be in or have formed – and snatching the first hotel room, cab, bus or train available and making sure they gain position or advantage.

“They think laterally – literally. They’ll quickly gain spatial awareness, understand where they are, and be fast to work out that heading north may not be the best way to actually make big progress north. They’ll examine every option, fast – but they’ll also use their credit card limits as battering rams.

“The ‘trainspotters’ are in their element. They know every rail timetable in Europe - or know where to find them - and will know how to make a travel plan click into place while keeping a tight grip on budget. Knowledge of timetables gives them location awareness. Fantastic organisers, but much maligned for their eccentric enthusiasm. But what they bring is certainty – barring French rail workers’ strikes – which has massive value when people are absorbing huge doses of uncertainty.

“When major obstacles are presented, creativity is key. People who are scared, worried or anxious narrow their field of thinking, but those who relish the challenge of beating something even as big as a volcano find fuel in the thought.

“The risk-averse, with no imagination - will simply sit there, accept what they’re told and wait to be rescued. They’re out-and-out followers in the workplace, with no initiative.

“But there’s also the risk-averse who suddenly spur themselves into doing something because they’re scared of getting into trouble by missing work. This sort of challenge could change their lives because they suddenly discover they have latent potential and capability, and develop a sense of purpose. They’re the true potential winners who will benefit from their Eureka moment.

“Employers could learn more about their staff from the exercise of simply getting home than any amount of assessment in the office. Not everybody is a fantastic communicator, and most people will either massively overstate or modestly understate their belief in themselves in a review.

“But the challenges presented by the flight bans arising from the volcanic ash cloud could, for some people, be the biggest and most accurate psychometric test they’d ever face: dumping somebody in the middle of Europe, the Far East or North America and then telling them to find their way home would be an utterly impractical exercise in the course of normal assessment.

“It may seem like idle office gossip, but employers could do much worse than tap in to the chat about how people stranded abroad during the travel crisis managed to make it home and then to work, and learn from the determination, ingenuity, problem-solving, communication, judgment calls and resourcefulness their staff applied.”

Management Intelligence helps maximise talent, productivity and business success by enhancing the performance delivery of individuals, teams and organisations, driving improved profitability through better business processes and developing employee engagement.

It has offices in London and the Middle East, and is part of All About Brands plc (AAB plc – www.aabplc.com), the brands and marketing services group.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.miconsulting.co.uk

www.aabplc.com

PARENTS: INVITE POLICE INTO THE HOME TO LECTURE ERRANT TEENS.

EMMA SOAMES
EDITOR-AT-LARGE, SAGA MAGAZINE
PRESS RELEASE

April 19, 2010.

PARENTS: INVITE POLICE INTO THE HOME TO LECTURE ERRANT TEENS.

Nearly 90% of over-50s say parents battling to control wayward children should have the right to invite police officers into their home to have a stern word with errant youngsters.

More than 14,000 over-50s were polled by independent research organisation Populus on behalf of Saga, the lifestyle, holidays and financial services organisation, with only 7% of respondents saying they thought the idea wouldn’t work.

Emma Soames, editor-at-large of Saga Magazine, says exasperated parents faced with dealing with a youngster showing disrespect for family or property, or committing  minor but anti-social misdemeanours, should be able to call a bobby to deliver a ticking off – and the next government should also consider a “New Tricks” -style squad of retired officers to carry out home visits.

“I think that both parents and the Police would probably relish the opportunity for a stern word to be issued if they believed it would stop a life of crime dead in its tracks,” said Emma.

“It's all about nipping anti-social behaviour in the bud; the first time a child commits a ‘crime’ against the family, friends or neighbours – taking money from a mum’s purse, for instance – parents should be able to call in their local policeman to explain to their child that if they'd done it outside the home or their close circle, then they’d end up in court, fined, possibly even in a cell.

“These visits would be carefully considered with parents before being carried out. I also think there is a good case for getting retired police officers involved; the mix of age and experience, and the authority of an older person I believe would be highly effective.”

Emma believes such a move could be a key factor in nipping bad behaviour in the bud and thus making the country’s streets less intimidating for a generation that remembers respect for age and authority.

“One of the scariest things that could happen when I was a teenager was for a police officer to tell you off; a uniformed policeman turning up at your door was both embarrassing and terrifying, because a policeman was perceived as meaning a trip to the police station to help with enquiries,” said Emma.

Emma Soames says that a convincing set of policies to address “feral youth” issues could help win big election support from over-55s, who, when independently polled, said they were three times as likely to vote as under-25s.

There are 21 million over-50s in the UK.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley/
im@pressrelations.co.uk
07788 978800
www.saga.co.uk

A QUARTER OF OVER-50S WOULD CROSS THE ROAD TO AVOID TEENAGERS

EMMA SOAMES
EDITOR-AT-LARGE, SAGA MAGAZINE
PRESS RELEASE

April 15, 2010.

 A QUARTER OF OVER-50S WOULD CROSS THE ROAD TO AVOID TEENAGERS.

A quarter of over-50s would cross the road to avoid a group of teenagers while 40% say they would not dare to ask a youngster to move their feet off a bus or train seat.

That’s the finding of an independent survey of more than 14,000 people conducted by Populus on behalf of Saga, the over-50s holidays, lifestyle and financial services organisation.

People in London and the North West of England are most likely to divert to avoid a group of teenagers – 28% said they would cross the street – while youngsters in Northern Ireland are said to be the least intimidating, with only 18% of over-50s saying they would make a route change to avoid teens.

Now oldies champion Emma Soames says that a convincing set of policies to address “feral youth” issues would win big election support from over-55s, who are three times as likely to vote as under-25s.

“Street safety is a big priority for the over-50s – as highlighted in the Saga Generation Manifesto, which is the result of consultation with 14,000 older people,” said Emma Soames, editor-at-large of Saga Magazine.

“When I was a teenager, we’d cross the road to avoid adults – but for entirely different reasons: to let them pass unhindered; but times have changed dramatically in the past 40years, and, unfortunately, the attitude of a few feral teens who show no respect at all has affected perceptions of the majority. It’s reached the point that many older people will now also avoid using public transport when schools come out.

“Street safety for older people, the bad behaviour of a minority of younger people, and, crucially, correcting the incorrect perception of the majority of teenagers as troublemakers need to become key election issues.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley
im@pressrelations.co.uk
07788 978800
www.saga.co.uk

EMMA SOAMES AND SAGA ON SOCIAL CARE FUNDING - DAILY TELEGRAPH

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/7539324/Government-plans-for-elderly-care-branded-a-train-crash.html

WAITING FOR GOD – AND CARE FUNDING.

EMMA SOAMES
EDITOR-AT-LARGE, SAGA MAGAZINE
PRESS RELEASE
 
March 30, 2010.
 

WAITING FOR GOD – AND CARE FUNDING.

Over-50s lifestyle, holidays and financial services organisation Saga says in many respects the care funding issue has simply not progressed despite the plans tabled in the government’s White Paper.

“We’re disappointed by the delay, lack of detail and any figures. Overall, it seems like a lot of waiting just to be told that they are going to a Royal Commission - which they could easily ignore as they did with long term care in 1999 - to draw up proposals for a change in the system for 2015,” said Emma Soames, editor-at-large of Saga Magazine, and a trustee of the Saga Respite for Carers Trust.

“Our concern is that a change of government will herald yet more uncertainty, because the three main parties are so far apart in their views. While another Labour government will likely see this plan driven through, a Conservative government would inevitably result in a further review, and a Coalition could well yield further delays at the hand of political favour bargaining.

“Whilst we welcome the comprehensive model of care free at point of delivery, the question is whether it will survive post-election. The response from those who are likely to be affected – those needing care, and those providing care - is for Heaven’s sake, please chart a course and stick to it. If we know it’s going to uncomfortable, then at least we can prepare. But right now, we’re unclear as to what we need to prepare for.

“No proposal is going to sit well with everybody involved: the challenge is going to be convincing the affected population that it is not politically motivated, nor is any opposition to it politically inspired.”

Saga commissioned independent research company Populus to survey 11,500 older people to gauge their views on the provision of social care in the UK.

Only one in five (21%) of those surveyed preferred an insurance policy approach, paid throughout their working lives, to fund care should it be required.  However, the alternative strategy of a one-off payment at retirement or death to pay for care equally lacks support: only 6% think long-term care should be funded this way.

Emma Soames, added: “Half of over-50s questioned (51%) were in favour of a system that would see the government provide a set standard of care for everybody, regardless of where they live, and which could be topped up by the individual if they wished.  This also reflects the government’s own figures of 41% of the population in favour of the comprehensive model of funding.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley
im@pressrelations.co.uk
07788 978800
www.saga.co.uk

Emma Soames, editor-at-large, was editor of Saga Magazine from 2002-2008. Previously she edited the Telegraph Magazine for seven years and before that was editor of ES Magazine, Tatler and the Literary Review.

CREATE POST-ELECTION "GRANDTZAR" CARE FUNDING ROLE SAYS OLDIES CHAMP.

EMMA SOAMES
EDITOR-AT-LARGE, SAGA MAGAZINE
PRESS RELEASE
 
March 25, 2010.
 

OLDIES CHAMPION CALLS FOR POST-ELECTION CARE FUNDING “GRANDTZAR”.

 
Oldies champion Emma Soames is calling for the immediate post-election appointment of an all-powerful care funding “grandtzar”.
 
Emma, 60, editor-at-large of Saga magazine and a trustee of the Saga Respite for Carers Trust, says that a pre-election White Paper on care funding would be a massive mistake because electioneering and bickering has taken politicians’ eyes off the ball.
 
“The window of opportunity pre-election has passed. Any proposals tabled now would become victims of electioneering, and anything inherited or taken-up again post-election would be changed and argued over, thereby causing even more delay,” said Emma.
 
“Politicians across all parties are digging a bigger and bigger hole for themselves. The three main parties should agree to take the care funding issue out of the pre-election squabbling for the good of themselves and those to whom care issues are crucial.
 
“The crux is deciding where the money is going to come from, and, at the moment, any politicians engaged in the care funding debate can’t decide their way out of a parking space, let alone come to any sort of conclusion on an issue of massive importance to what is, in effect, the most influential element of the electorate: over-55s are three times as likely to vote as under-25s.
 
“Electioneering has killed productive debate and progress. Andy Burnham should park the launch of any proposals, and we’d like to see all parties  planning for a blank-sheet start overseen by a care funding ‘grandtzar’ appointed immediately after the election,” said Emma, 60.
 
“He or she should be expert in care issues, and authoritative enough to cut through the current fudge and get cross-party agreement. If Vince Cable is free then he could sort it out.
 
“And I’d like to remind all parties that not only are over-55s three times as likely to vote as under-25s, but 70% of over-50s surveyed independently have said they will be voting. Older we may be, but those of us who vote are not only older, but shrewder and wiser too.”
 
Ends
 
Further information:
 
Iain Macauley
im@pressrelations.co.uk
07788 978800
www.saga.co.uk
 
Emma Soames, editor-at-large, was editor of Saga Magazine from 2002-2008. Previously she edited the Telegraph Magazine for seven years and before that was editor of ES Magazine, Tatler and the Literary Review. Emma is also an occasional columnist for The Daily Telegraph.