A Letter from the EO - Reflections from the AGM and Looking Forward to the Year Ahead

Dear EC Members,

I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying the summer so far.

I want to begin by recognising the fantastic legacy of the Elders Council, the dedication, ideas, and energy that so many of you have poured in over the years. The work the Elders Council has done, and continues to do, is incredibly important. You have been influencing decisions, challenging ageism, supporting each other, and shaping a city that is both age-friendly and age-proud. I’m often asked, “What is the Elders Council? What do you do?” What I’ve learned from talking to our members is that the Elders Council is YOU. Our members!

Individually and collectively. It is your voices, your experiences, and your creativity that make everything we do so powerful and truly impactful.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Elders Council Annual General Meeting earlier this month at One Strawberry Lane. It was such a joy to welcome so many of you in person, members, volunteers, partners, friends, and guests, for an afternoon filled with warmth, ideas, and a real sense of shared purpose.

Special thanks go to Diane Scott, Sue Harrop, Farida Rehman and Simon Luddington from Search Newcastle for looking after the welcome desk and registration so beautifully, and to new members, Nikos and Pat Mantalios for helping to get the room set up.

The formal business of the AGM was led by our Chair, Anne Raffle, who shared the Chair’s Report and guided us through the minutes and trustee changes. Our Treasurer, Keith Williamson, gave a clear and considered overview of the finances. Huge thanks to Tom Fry for preparing the Annual Report, and to members who approved the appointment of Stella Simbo and John White as new trustees, along with the reappointment of David Kilner as our Independent Examiner.

We were delighted to welcome so many guests, including Rowenna Foggie and Karen Inglis from Newcastle City Council, and many of our partners and friends who support the Elders Council’s mission to create an age-friendly, age-proud Newcastle.

There were several inspiring talks. Cllr Rob Higgins spoke about volunteering and staying active in later life. We heard from Barbara Douglas and Michael Farrington of our Research and Impact Group (RIG), and from John White, who reminded us of the deep meaning behind our Ageing with Purpose sessions. Artist Pui Lee gave a beautiful presentation on the House of Evergreen Arts project, celebrating the creativity and voices of the Chinese Elders group.

I had the pleasure of reflecting on our year in review, the partnerships we’ve built, the highlights we’ve shared, and the work we’re doing as we head toward our 25th anniversary. We also showcased a short film from the Our Voices Were Heard project, made in partnership with Unfolding Theatre, which captured the beauty, pride, and power of ageing with purpose in Newcastle.

At the end of the afternoon, we invited everyone to contribute to an EC Wish Tree, gathering your hopes, ideas, and suggestions for the year ahead. From calls for more creative activities and campaigning, to ideas for events and training, your suggestions were thoughtful, inspiring, and practical, and they will directly shape our next steps.

Thank you to Gill Spoor, our administrator, who works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly, especially during busy times like the AGM. And a special thank you to our Board of Trustees and the many members who give their time as volunteers and get involved with our member-led groups. These include our Older Voices Radio programme, the RIG group, our new OWLS group, Jesmond Wellbeing, the Echo Magazine and Bulletin teams, our EC rider team and our Social Media and Digital group. These are the core groups that make up the Elders Council we welcome you to get involved when we regroup in September.

As Anne Raffle shared, this AGM marked her final one as Chair. We thank her for her years of service, dedication, and leadership, and the position is now open for a next Chair to help guide us into this exciting chapter.

As we look ahead to the 25th anniversary in 2026, we’re reminded that legacy isn’t just about what we’ve built, it’s about what we continue to build together. Every story shared, every project started, every connection made, it all adds to the living legacy of the Elders Council.

Thank you for being part of that legacy. I look forward to co-creating with each and every one of you. Here’s to a year of purpose, connection, and progress.

Wishing you a wonderful summer,

Victoria

Executive Officer

Elders Council of Newcastle