Newsletter ¦ 25th February 2022
Our thoughts are with the citizens of Ukraine as they face an unjustified act of war in their country by Putin.
There is a “Solidarity with Ukraine Public Gathering” at Bolton Town Hall tomorrow (Sat 26 Feb) from 12 noon to 2 pm and another in Manchester from 2 pm to 4 pm at Queen Victoria’s Statue in Piccadilly Gardens.
This will be an extremely difficult time for our local Ukrainian community and their families, and we stand in solidarity with them at this worrying time.
Jubilee Centre Activities
Men-Only Exercise Classes
This week saw the return of the Men-only Exercise Classes with our new tutor, Debs. Both sessions were greatly appreciated, and we will be running them 9.30 to 10.30 every Thursday and Friday morning.
Our classes are being supported by Bury Council’s Health Improvement Fund and for the first thirteen weeks, we are charging an introductory fee of £2.50 per session. (This is half the cost of a normal session).
A big thank you to Debs and we look forward to seeing you next week.
Diana’s online video classes are back!
Due to popular demand, Diana will be returning to the computer screen at 2.00 on Wednesday 2nd March.
Click onto https://tinyurl.com/ageukbury and hopefully we will be there on Wednesday afternoon. If you can’t make it when Diana is live, you will be able to watch the session at a time that’s good for you.
If, for any reason, the link above does not work, go to https://www.youtube.com/ and search for Age UK Bury.
These online sessions are being supported by Bury Council’s Health Improvement Fund. Please let us know what you think if them.
Jubilee Centre Activities
Our timetable is in the link below.
Timetable of activities at the Jubilee Centre (PDF)
The Monday evening “Yoga & Mindfulness” sessions, led by Melanie, will begin again on Monday 28th March 2022.
Please do not come into the Jubilee Centre if you have a cold or if you are feeling unwell.
Protect your computer, tablets and smartphones
As the UK introduces sanctions against Russia, it is likely that Putin and his cronies will retaliate with cyber attacks on businesses and individuals. So, for this weekend, make sure you are protected.
Make sure your passwords ae strong and secure
Over the years, I have seen people use passwords such as “password1234” or “qwerty” as they are easy to remember. However simple passwords are a hacker’s dream. Use more difficult passwords using a combination of odd words, numbers and symbols. Make sure your email password is different from your bank account password.
Make sure your anti-virus software is up to date
If you use Windows PCs, you need a specialist antivirus software package.
Norton, AVG, ESET and Bitdefender are ones we have used in our charity, and all have a good reputation. Avoid the Kaspersky Anti-Virus – it is Russian and although there is no direct evidence that the Russian state has interfered with the company, there have been plenty of rumours.
If you use an Android phone, go to Google Play and download an antivirus there.
Apple Ipads and Iphones do not need anti-virus software but make sure you update when Apple notifies you.
Be on alert for spam emails and mobile texts
Expect an increase in the number of scams you will receive by email and on your phone. This week, fake emails have been circulating, claiming to be from Tesco. The emails ask the recipient to use the provided link to win "free groceries".
Report suspicious emails by forwarding them to: report@phishing.gov.uk
For a full and detailed action plan to protect your online activity go to https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/home
Will you write a letter for us to send to Rishi Sunak?
Energy bills are soaring right now, and from April they are set to rise by an average of £700 per year. The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced some measures that will alleviate the cost but they don’t go far enough. His plan still leaves people hundreds of pounds short on their bills.
If enough of us send him letters, he’ll have to take notice. Age UK will deliver everyone’s letters to the Chancellor at once ahead of the Spring Statement.
Please get your letter to Age UK as soon as possible, and by Thursday 10th March at the latest.
You may want to answer the following questions in your letter:
- Why are you worried about rising energy bills?
- Why are you disappointed with the Chancellor’s response?
Please post your letter to: FREEPOST, Age UK Campaigns
This is a freepost address, so your letter will not need a stamp.
Thanks for your continued support.
Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Online Dementia Support Group
A new online peer support group for people living with or caring for someone with dementia, who identify as LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer) has been set up. We are here to provide you anonymity in a friendly and safe environment where you can share your experiences or concerns with like-minded people.
This is held on the first Tuesday of the month from 2.00 to 3.30 and the next meeting this Tuesday - 1st March 2022
For more information contact Maggie Hurley on 0161 622 9252 or email Maggie.Hurley@ageukoldham.org.uk
100 Club
Today, we can announce this month’s group of winners in our 100 Club.
For February 2022 we had 60 members, and the winners are
- 1st prize No: 33 Christine Pickup
- 2nd prize No: 61 Steph Chesney-Bryce
- 3rd prize No: 18 Eleanor Murdoch
The numbers were chosen using a computerised random number generator and independently verified. The cheques are in the post.
There are plenty of numbers to purchase and if you would like to join the 100 club, please call us on 0161 763 9030 and we will send you a brochure. Alternatively, click on this link: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bury/get-involved/100club/
The Quiz
As life is returning to normal, we will no longer be including a weekly quiz in this email newsletter. Instead, the Wednesday Afternoon Quiz is back at the Jubilee Centre and costs £2 per person.
A big thank you to all who have helped set the quiz and kept our readers entertained.
The answers for last week’s quiz is in this link.
Our next newsletter is out next week! Please send contributions to news@ageukbury.org.uk
Stay safe
Andy and all at Age UK Bury
PS: If you get a link to ‘Free Wine’ don’t opin it. It is a virus witch deactivates your spelcheck and mvcks up your riting. I reciebed it yesteday bit lukily i donut drunk at werk so dint opin it. Plaese warm yur fiends. Yanks!
