Newsletter 12th June
Hi
I hope you are safe and well at this difficult time.
A special hello to our Australian friends who are receiving our newsletter and quiz. It’s quite an honour to hear that we are now reaching out to the world!
In this week’s newsletter we include the latest government guidance, face masks, Nordic Walking, teddy bears and bubbles!
It’s not over yet in Bury
The Bury Times reported this week that the “R” number in Bury is “likely” to be just below 1. The reproduction number (R) is the average number of secondary infections produced by 1 infected person.
However, the borough of Bury is more sensitive to rises in reinfection due to its higher coronavirus case rate. There have been a total of 782 cases of COVID-19 in Bury as of Monday. This means the coronavirus case rate is 4.1 per 1,000 people in the borough.
The simple message is that the pandemic in Bury is not over and measures still need to be in place to protect yourself and your loved ones. Coronavirus is highly infectious and lethal to older people and those with underlying conditions. Stay Safe and Keep Alive!
Reopening our Charity Shops
Although all shops in the UK can reopen from this Monday (15th June), our Charity shops will not reopen until August at the earliest. This is because some staff, volunteers and many of our regular customers still need to remain at home.
We are awaiting government guidance on reopening our other services. Karen and the Kitchen staff met this week to discuss the impact of social distancing in the café and we are now drawing up plans to keep people safe. The message from our staff is that they are missing you all very much and are looking forward to catching up when it is safe to do so.
Bubbles
From 13th June, single adult households, or single parents living with children under 18 can form a “support bubble” with one other household. These bubbles can act as if they are living as the same household. They must remain exclusive; and if any person in the wider bubble develops symptoms of Covid-19, the whole bubble must follow social distancing rules.
Anyone who is shielding, cannot form a bubble at this particular stage.
For more details, please click onto: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
Face Masks
Face masks will become the essential fashion accessory for this summer.
All patients and visitors must now wear a mask when within a building or enclosed space at Fairfield General Hospital. People will be given a mask when they arrive for their appointment or treatment.
If you plan to travel by public transport from 15th June, you will need to wear a face mask. The only exemptions to this rule are young children, people with disabilities and those with breathing difficulties. For more info, click onto: https://news.tfgm.com/news/public-in-greater-manchester-must-wear-face-coverings-on-public-transport-from-15-june
The government has issued guidance on how to make a facemask: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering
There is a wide variety of videos on You Tube with simple instructions on how to make facemasks, some examples below. For those of you that don’t sew, there are videos on how to make ‘no-sew’ masks from recycled t-shirts.
Nordic Walking with Diana
On Wednesday, we held our first socially distanced activity, Nordic Walking, by the Clarence Park Lido. Thank you Diana for making this happen.
We do have space for one more person if you want to join us next Wednesday from 1.30. You must call 0161 763 9030 M-F, 10-2 to book a place. It is £5 per person, and we supply the poles and tuition. If there is the demand, we will look at holding a second session.
There are many health benefits from doing Nordic Walking. It helps with weight loss, tones your muscles, helps keep your bones strong; protects your hip and knee joints, strengthens your heart and lungs, boosts your circulation and is great for your mental well-being.
HMRC Scam – a warning from Bury Trading Standards
POLICE are warning about a new bogus scam call in which people could find themselves racking up huge phone bills.
Officers say they have received reports of scam callers, ringing from 0300 200 5368 claiming to be from the HMRC.
The recorded message states the person owes money to the tax office and directs them to press 1 on the keypad otherwise an arrest warrant will be issued.
The police said that pressing 1 takes the person through to a premium rate number, which charges "large amounts".
GMP Bury North warned about the scam stating "HMRC does not contact person by phone only by letter, please make any vulnerable or elderly persons, family and neighbours aware.”
Test and Trace Scams
The Bury Times carries a warning about people pretending to be from the NHS Test and Trace scheme. The criminals are asking for £500 for a testing kit and claiming that you will be fined much more, if you do not comply. Please put the phone down on these people. More at: https://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/18508898.warning-track-trace-scammers/
Carers Week 2020
Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.
There are 6.5 million people in the UK who are carers. They are looking after a family member or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness or who needs extra help as they grow older.
This year, people across the country are continuing to face new challenges as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Many people are taking on more caring responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and who need support. They need to be recognised for the difficulties they are experiencing, respected for all they are doing, and provided with information, support and understanding.
The theme of Carers week is to "Make Caring Visible". To find out more, click onto https://www.carersweek.org/about-us and add your voice.
Nuttall Bears
This is a local Facebook group that tells of the story of Bear and Thumper, who with some of their friends, are living their best lives whilst on lockdown. It’s one of the most cheerful things to have appeared on Facebook during the lock down. Join and like at https://www.facebook.com/Nuttallbears/
At the Lido
The Lido Rock Snake continues to grow and now has over 1,200 contributions. If you live nearby, do make a visit to see it, if you can. The rocks are pictured at this Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329016148064492/
A new family of ducklings was spotted earlier this week and the two swans seem to have made the Lido their home.
The Quiz
Answers to last week’s quiz on Men’s Names is at this link. Well done if you got all twenty answers! Take a bow!
This week’s quiz focuses on flowers. Good Luck!
…and finally the essential stuff
- For help with getting food deliveries and prescriptions, please phone Bury Community Hubs on 0161 253 53 53, every day of the week.
- The Keeping in Touch telephone service offers older people in Bury a regular friendly phone call from one of our volunteers. For more information, call 0161 763 9030 (Monday to Friday 10.00 a.m to 2.00 pm) or email admin@ageukbury.org.uk to sign up. Alternatively, call Jane Lees, our Befriending Coordinator on 07541 741891.
- The Age UK Advice Line is 0800 678 1602 from 8 am to 7 pm, every day of the year.
- If you would just like to have a friendly natter with another person, please call The Silver Line 24 hours a day on 0800 470 80 90.
- Our previous newsletters are online at https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bury/about-us/coronavirus/
- For all those questions about Cornavirus and how it affects your life, please check out the Age UK FAQ website : https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/coronavirus/coronavirus-guidance/coronavirus-faqs/
- We are in the office on Monday to Friday and our phone lines will be open from 10.00 to 2.00. Call us on 0161 763 9030.
Please share this newsletter with your friends. If you know someone who is not on the internet, please phone them and tell them the news.
Keep Strong, Stay Safe and drink plenty of tea (or gin) (or both)!
Andy and all at Age UK Bury