The Anguilla Social Security Board Celebrates Social Security Week 2009

The Anguilla Social Security Board will be celebrating Social Security Week here from November 15 to 21 under the theme “Being Proactive in Challenging Times”.

The celebrations, designed to highlight the work of the organisation, will feature a number of public activities aimed at sensitising and reminding the public of Social Security services and benefits. Over the past several years, Social Security Week has been observed around the week in which November 3rd falls. Director of Social Security Timothy Hodge said November 3rd is significant because it commemorates the passing of the Social Security Act on November 3, 1980.

Mr. Hodge stated that, generally, the highlight of the week used to be the Social Security Lecture but this year will be different in a number of respects. “The Date has gone back to the 15th and, instead of the Lecture the focus will be on the Children’s Day event on Saturday November 21,” he said. The Children’s Day event will be held at the Agricultural Department Grounds

According to Hodge, the Lecture was also postponed because it will be part of the Social Security National Conference that will be held in early 2010. He added that it was hoped that Children’s Day could be promoted annually.

The Social Security Director revealed that, during the Week, the public should expect several releases regarding recent developments involving Social Security. The list of activities for Social Security Week include attendance and participation in a church service at the Roman Catholic Church in The Valley at 9:00 am on Sunday November 15, an address declaring Social Security Week Open by the Honourable Minister of Social Security Victor Banks on Radio Anguilla on Monday November 16, and Taking Social Security on the Road on Tuesday November 17.

Activities for Wednesday November 18 comprise a Health Fair in the morning at the Social Security Office and a public Panel Discussion on the topic “Small Business Enterprises and the Self Employed” at 7:00 pm at the Teachers Resource Centre. The panel for this event is expected to consist of representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, the Anguilla Development Board, Social Security, and a Small Business Representative.