Dear LPG readers,

We Lewisham pensioners are so lucky because, as London boroughs go, we do have so many different activities that we can get involved in as we get older.  

In addition to my involvement with LPG, I have spent many of my most recent Friday afternoons as part of Codger Productions, a small group of filmmakers who, on a financial shoestring, have produced a few films on differing subjects.

We recently hosted the first showing of a film which aimed to highlight some of the many aspects of being a professional carer or someone who needs to take advantage of skilled care services. 

While we have made a few films which aimed to entertain, this was our first attempt at a more serious subject.   We are the first to agree that we have much to learn about filmmaking. Still, this film aimed to give a balanced view of all those aspects that only come to the fore when one finds oneself either employed as a professional carer and doing the job or in a position where you need to be cared for.  

We spoke to carers and the cared-for anonymously, which allowed us to learn about the sorts of details that they might otherwise be reluctant to talk about for fear of losing their jobs or receiving altered levels of care as a result.

Our event did not attract a considerable audience, but if nothing else, it got the conversation going.  Most of the people present saw the situation through eyes whose home care experiences were real.  Our small audience consisted of many who were experiencing the realities of the service at the time, and the post-showing discussion reflected an overwhelming feeling that those who manage the sector might benefit from getting a flavour of how their efforts affect one section of the people they most impact.

As the editor of LPG, I have talked the other directors into allowing me to post this message.  I hope that readers will agree that anything which will trigger a caring based conversation would be valuable, not only because I have a personal involvement with the group but also because Codger Productions would welcome a broader reaction to our work now that we have posted the film online; both from the professional carers who provide it and also from the cared for people who find themselves having to use it.

Maureen B
For Codger Productions Forest Hill, on this occasion

Maureen offers the link to the film in question…

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