Lewisham Pensioners' Forum

Jean Cawthorn: Originally from Yorkshire, trained for nursing at Leeds, St James. Left to get married and later helped run husband’s business until he died when she did care work until retirement. As well as being Forum Secretary, Jean is also the Forum’s representative on the Transport for London Committee, LINKs, Lewisham Community Transport and Voluntary Action Lewisham. Other interests include reading, travel, and swimming, keep fit, knitting, walking and art.

Thelma Adina Daniels: I joined the Forum about 8 years ago because I wanted to express my concern about the issues facing older people. I attend a variety of events as representative of the forum and am also the Chair of the Lewisham Pensioners Action Group. I am also involved in HOMES.

Henriette Dodd: I was born and educated in France and I came to England in 1954. Although I started my professional life as a scientist in France I later worked as a teacher of French at Forest Hill Boys School for 22 years. I am Secretary of the Older Women’s Network in Lewisham and have been actively involved in various research projects the network has undertaken. I am now very pleased to be serving on the Forum Management Committee

Cllr Peggy Fitzsimmons-Cabinet Member for Older People is Lewisham’s appointed representative to the Forum, she also co-ordinates and chairs the Older People’s Advisory Group at Lewisham.

Mick Kavanagh: I have been involved with the Forum since its inception in 1987. My background is as a Trade Union official, Shop Steward Convenor—Secretary of Retired members Association. Interests include art, sports, literature and Politics.

Doris Lyttle: I am an active campaigner in the Pensioners movement both locally and nationally and am a long standing member of both the Pensioners Action Group and Lewisham Pensioners Forum both of which have a history of coming together to campaign on pensioner related matters in Lewisham and nationally.

Roy Noble: I am a fully retired pensioner involved in the campaign work of both the Lewisham Pensioners Action Group and the Lewisham Pensioners Forum. I have been a member of the Forum for just over two years and full retirement has given me the opportunity to get more involved in the work of the Forum which is why I have now stood for election onto the Management Committee.

Ms Bridgit A Sam-Bailey: I am a retired school teacher/trade unionist and I also lectured at evening classes. I have been involved with the Forum since 2003/4 and I am the Forum’s representative on ‘London Older People’s Support Group’. I am a proactive member of the National Pensioners Convention and am part of a group that convenes National conferences. I have chaired a registered fund-raising charity that raises funds for education in Guyana and serve on the Management Committee of Voluntary Action Lewisham.

Kanwar Sattee—Treasurer: I have been involved with the Forum since 2002 and serve as Treasurer. My professional background is in Senior Management—Finance. I also serve on the Management Committees of the Multi Faith Forum, Southwark Hindu Centre and Dulwich Community Hospital.

Raj Sattee—Treasurer: I have been involved with the Forum since 2002 and am Joint Treasurer. I am an active campaigner and you see me here distributing leaflets for Pensioners Day. I also serve on the Management Committee of the Older Women’s Network, and the Southwark Hindu Centre where I also serve as a Hindu Priest.

Doris Smith—Chair: I worked in pharmaceutical research and education and have been a trade union member since 1948. I have been involved with the Forum since 1991 when I recognised that there was a real need for united campaigning approach to the concerns of older people. I love my garden and growing things.

Andrew Smith: I am a retired teacher and health worker and member of NUT Unison. I have been involved with the Forum since 2006 and I attend University Hospital Lewisham Board meetings as Forum observer, and where possible attend ‘A Picture of Health’ meetings. I support ‘Stop the War’, ‘People before Profits’, ‘Keep our NHS Public’ and the building of council homes. I am firmly against privatisation and the breakup of the NHS. I am a friend of the Sydenham Garden Project and occasional volunteer.

Douglas Smith: I have been involved with the Forum since 1995 and served as one of the Forum’s advocates in the former Advocacy Service. Professionally my background is as a Toolmaker, Lab Technician and Network Manager. I previously served as Chair of the Lewisham Trades Council, was a member of Lewisham’s Community Relations Council, and T.U. Rep for GMB non-teaching and Lewisham College.

Lucy Sylvester: Involved with the Forum for over 4 years representing the Forum on London Older People’s Support Group. I am an active campaigner and volunteer, lobbying parliament and distributing campaign material as and when and I recently served as a Representative at the NPC’s Pensioners Parliament. I am currently secretary of the Lewisham Pensioners Action Group.

Yvonne Williams: I am a member of CND, the Lewisham Anti Racist Action Group and the local branch of United Nations which meets to discuss issues happening at a national level. I have been involved with Lewisham Pensioners Forum for a number of years and this year decided to stand for election onto the Management Committee so that I can be more involved in campaign discussions. My last professional post, prior to retirement was with the Arab British Chamber of Commerce where I became aware of middle east and Arab affairs and their impact on the rest of the world.