Newsletter ¦ 25th November 2022
Happy Lancashire Day for 27th November! Lancashire Day is observed every year to commemorate the day, in 1295, of which representatives from Lancashire were sent to Parliament for the first time.
This week’s lengthy email incudes up and coming events, an important job vacancy, updates on the state pension and care costs, an important consultation about the Bury Art Museum, feedback from the Big Conversation and (drum roll please) the winners of this month’s 100 Club. So put your favourite cloth cap on, cut yourself a nice piece of Bury Black Pudding and enjoy the read!
Over 50’s Network and Wellbeing Event
Bury VCFA, Public Health and Live Well service are working in partnership to hold an event for residents aged 50+ on Wednesday 30th November.
The event will have guest speakers covering key messages like
- Keeping well in winter with tips and advice on how to keep warm
- the Older Peoples and Aging Well network and how to get involved and have your say
- keeping physically active and why it’s important as we age.
- Information on pharmacies
There will also be various services present to give advice and promote what they offer and a couple of fun activities that participants will be able to get involved in as well.
- When: Wednesday 30th November 2022,
- Time: 10am - 3pm
- Where: The Fusilier Museum (centre of Bury), Moss Street, Bury, BL9 0DF
- Lunch: There will be a free lunch and refreshments.
Family members, carers advocates and other groups/organisations also welcome
BOOKING REQUIRED: To book your place please contact Neil Gibson (Bury VCFA) on 07935 755029 or neil.gibson@buryvcfa.org.uk
Christmas Shopping Trip to Boundary Mill
Our next trip will be to Boundary Mill in Colne where you will enjoy huge savings on some of your favourite brands.
Our trip takes place on Wednesday 30th November. We will be departing from the Jubilee Centre at 10.00 am and returning to the Jubilee Centre at around 3.45 in the afternoon. Tickets are £15 per person. As this trip is run on a not-for-profit basis, we can’t offer refunds.
Please buy tickets from Diane or Leisa at the Jubilee Centre reception.
Our Christmas Concert
By popular request, we are pleased to announce that there will be a Christmas Concert led by the excellent Radcliffe Male Voice Choir.
It will take place on Saturday 3rd December at 2.00 pm (Doors Open at 1.30 pm)
Tickets are on sale at £10.00 and includes refreshments at the interval. Tickets are available now from the Jubilee Centre reception. Please phone 0161 763 9030 for more details.
Living Life to The Full
This is a new six-week course which aims to help you make a difference in your life. At each session, you will learn how to improve how you feel when you are feeling low or stressed and discover how to tackle problems in your life.
Our trainer is Marie Graham, who extensive experience of working positively with groups and has occasionally stood in to lead Melanie’s Yoga class.
The course starts on Thursday 19th January 2023 from 10 to 12 noon. These sessions are limited to 10 people so please book quickly to avoid disappointment. The charge is £2.50 per week to cover room costs.
To book a place, please contact Diane or Leisa at the Jubilee Centre Reception, call 0161 763 9030 or email admin@ageukbury.org.uk
Job Vacancy: Office Manager / Bookkeeper
We are seeking Office Manager / Bookkeeper to support the smooth running of our busy charity. We are looking for someone with experience of office administration, finance, and using computer accounting software.
For full details and an application form, please go to our jobs page on our website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bury/about-us/work-for-us/
Closing Date: Noon on 5th December 2022. Interviews: W/b 12th December 2022
If you would like an informal chat about the role, please phone Michelle Goodwin on 0161 763 9030 before 5th December.
State Pension Update
The Government announced in the Autumn Statement that the state pension and Pension Credits will rise in line with inflation in April 2023.
This will come as a massive relief to many of our readers. The rise will mean that the value of these entitlements will keep pace with rising costs.
However, the rise does not come into effect until April 2023 and many older people and their carers will face a challenging winter. If you are struggling, please contact our Information and Advice Service for full benefits check to make sure you are receiving your entitlement. Email admin@ageukbury.org.uk or call 0161 763 9030 for an appointment.
Support to people in Moorside, Bury
Local councillors in Moorside, Bury, have teamed up with Citizens Advice to organise a joint drop-in open for any Moorside resident to come along and talk to a councillor or a representative from Citizens Advice about support that might be available to get through the cost-of-living crisis.
It will take place from 6-8pm on Wednesday 30th November at St. John with St. Mark Church on Sunny Avenue.
Delay to Social Care Reform
The Autumn Statement reported that there will be a delay of the cap on care costs for two years.
Currently, anyone with capital (savings & income) of £23,250 must meet the full costs of their social care. 1 in 7 people will face care costs of more than £100,000 and roughly 1 in 10 individuals will face care costs above £120,000 over their lifetime.
Boris Johnson, when he was the Prime Minister, made a firm commitment to “fix social care once and for all”. The plans were to ensure people with savings £20,000 to £100,000 would receive some support for their care costs and the maximum anyone would pay for their care would be £86,000. This was to start from October 2023 but has now been delayed a further two years.
Our national partner, Age UK has been campaigning for many years to ensure social care is fixed and funded properly. For more details, go to https://www.ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/campaigning/care-in-crisis/
Feedback on the Big Conversation
A big thank you to all who completed the Big Conversation survey on health and wellbeing in Bury, that we sent out last month.
There were a lot of answers covering a wide range of issues, but we found that the greatest concern for older people was the lack of access to their GPs. Clearly, there is a need for more face-to-face appointments and there was frustration with having to speak to a receptionist that would not put people through to the doctor. Some people expressed difficulty with online services. People told us about the worry they experienced just waiting for an appointment after you had made an initial request.
We have fed the findings back to the Greater Manchester Integrated Health Partnership and we look forward to seeing how they respond.
Sixty-nine people filled in the survey and each completed entry was put into a draw. Ten lucky people won a voucher worth £10 to spend in the Jubilee Centre or at our charity shops. Thank you for your help.
Bury Art Museum Consultation
A consultation has been launched to discuss the future of the Bury Art Museum, which is under threat of clousure due to cuts.
Have your say at https://www.onecommunitybury.co.uk/bury-art-museum
Have you been diagnosed with dementia & use public transport?
If so, a researcher from the University of Manchester would like to accompany you on one of your journeys, to learn about your experiences. This can involve capturing photos and videos for an exhibition if you wish.
To learn more, contact James Fletcher: james.fletcher@manchester.ac.uk or call 07477663026
100 Club - This month's winners
Today, we can announce this month’s group of winners in our 100 Club. For November 2022, we had 68 members, and the winners are
- 1st prize: No 3 – Frances Bowe
- 2nd prize: No 13 – Claire Harrison
- 3rd prize No 29 – Robin Isherwood
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/
Our next newsletter will be out in a few weeks!
Please send news items to news@ageukbury.org.uk
Keep warm and safe!
Andy and all at Age UK Bury