AGE Concern Crediton’s AGM took place on Monday, September 28, at The Lady Mills Centre in Deep Lane, Crediton.

During the meeting John Musty agreed to continue as chairman for another year.

During his speech John said: “Our awareness of, and application to dementia continues to grow, as we have an increasing number of guests whom this affects.

“A planned activity for 2016 is to upgrade the Centre in terms of visual aids to support what we have learned in this; our day care activities are already structured in favour of it and we are pleased to note the relief shown by carers when those for whom they look after are safely and happily placed at the Centre.

“I feel we are on the edge of getting to know and work with many more professionals in the area. We will, during 2016, attempt to strengthen our ties with the surgeries; and with other voluntary organisations to become a major player in the sense of brightness that exists among the caring activities within the town.

“We have recently established a face-to-face contact with the Hospital discharge service for short-term admission of the elderly, which should be of value.

“All of this takes time – and people, and it is my wish that we can extend our board of Trustees to include fundraisers and activists who will help to set up and monitor the activities of Friends groups in the town.

“In summary, I feel that we have to say that what we do, we are doing well. “We have, however, challenges to face which may not be pleasant and certainly won’t be easy.

“Our reserves will not sustain us through another year if we continue to lose at the same rate. We are trying to do that which most similar organisations do with considerably more helpers: the problem we have is that people in general are unaware of the life problems we deal with almost until they reach them themselves.

“This means that our potential workforce is limited in number and seldom likely to be young: and so, by and large, are our supporters.

“It would not, however be possible to do any of it without the help of this exquisite little team, whose support and unceasing good humour are what makes it all worthwhile.”

Age Concern Crediton are not part of Age UK, but an independent local charity for Crediton and district and need more funds for the charity to survive.