Newsletter ¦ 2nd July

I hope you and your loved ones are well.

Well, it finally happened! England finally broke the curse of constantly losing to Germany. We wish our national team all the best for tomorrow’s match.

In today’s newsletter, we report that Diana’s classes are returning to Facebook from Monday morning. We believe the problem with the sound has been fixed and if not, just enjoy Diana’s attempts to communicate with her audience.

Last Friday, we said a fond farewell to Chris, our shop manager at Ramsbottom. Chris is moving to a village near Sheffield to be with her partner and start a new life there. Chris said of her time at the shop "I have enjoyed every minute of it. I have had great mentors, good friends and made lots of good memories which I will take with me". Our enormous thanks go to Chris for her time with us as a volunteer and then as a shop manager. Chris has been an enthusiastic and positive member of our team and we will miss her. With family in Bury, Chris promises she will visit us regularly.

Steve and Chris at our socially distanced leaving party!

This week, we welcome Carole to her new role as Ramsbottom Shop Manager who will be working with Steve to raise vital funds for our charity. Carole comes with a wealth of experience of working in a charity shop and we are really pleased to welcome her.

Part One: Coronavirus in Bury

In Bury, on Thursday 1^st July, 367.6 people per 100,000 were tested positive for coronavirus – that is an increase of 8% from the previous week’s figure. In Bury the rate of growth is slowing down but the rate is now as high as it was in January. On the same day, the England average was 172.6 people testing positive per 100,000 – an increase of 64% from the previous week’s figure.

As of 27th June 2021, a total of 125,513 first doses and 91,663 second doses of the vaccine have been delivered from Bury's community vaccination centres, hospital hubs and regional vaccination centres.

Vaccinations are now available to people aged 18 and over. The Bury Council website has an update of all the clinics offering the vaccination.at https://www.bury.gov.uk/coronavirus-vaccine

Alternatively, go to the Bury Covid 19 Vaccination booking service at https://covid.nhsbookings.com/gmpcn

For details on testing for Coronavirus, go to https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15451

The rules on what you can and can not do are at this government website site : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do#if-you're-in-an-area-where-the-new-covid-19-variant-known-as-delta-is-spreading

Part two: Our support to you

Changes to Diana’s online activities

From Monday, Diana’s online activities will move back to Facebook. At our Facebook Page, click on the events link to join in. Alternatively, you can watch the class at a time that suits you.

Diana will be live on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Monday: 11.00 to 11.45 am: Gentle Exercise
Monday: 11.50 to 12.35 Chair Based Exercise
Tuesday: 10.00 to 10.45: DanceFit
Wednesday: 9,30 to 10.30 am: Pilates

Please click here to join Diana: https://www.facebook.com/ageukbury/

We will continue with Diana’s activities and Sue’s Tai Chi and Tea and Chat as usual until Friday 16th July.

For more info, please go to https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bury/our-services/online-activities/

The Jubilee Centre Cafe

Our café is open next week from 10 to 2.30, Monday to Friday.

Social distancing rules on inside hospitality will be in place. As a temporary measure, the cafe will extend into the main hall, allowing us to accommodate more people.

Activities will start when government restrictions are lifted (expected to be from 19th July but don't hold your breath).

Our Charity Shops

Our Ramsbottom charity shop is open from 10 am to 4 pm, Wednesday to Sunday.

Our Bury charity shop is now open on Tuesday to Saturday from 10 to 4.

We can accept over-the-counter donations if you are able to bring them to the shop.

We are unable to collect donations until the government restrictions are lifted.

Our services

We will be answering the Age UK Bury office telephone – 0161 763 9030 - from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm from Monday to Friday.

During the pandemic, we are keeping essential support services open. These include:

Nordic Walking – a real life activity!

Diana is leading the Nordic Walking session on Wednesday afternoons from 2.00 pm till 3.00 pm. The classes are £5, payable by cash or cheque, on the day. We will supply the poles and Diana will give full instructions. You can just turn up on the day.

Part three: and in other news...

Support if you are feeling low

If you live in Bury and are feeling low, please call the Early Break Getting Help Line on 0161 464 3679. It doesn't matter how old or young you are.

This service offers non-clinical, non-urgent support for anyone experiencing difficulties with their mental wellbeing and is available Monday to Saturday 8am – 8pm.

More info at https://earlybreak.co.uk/what-we-do/emotional-health-wellbeing-services/getting-help-line/

Accessing cash

The last year has brought massive changes to our daily lives, from how we shop to the ways we socialise, and we’ve all had to adapt. This has been particularly true for older people trying to access their money through payment and banking services.

In the link below, Joel Lewis, Policy Manager at Age UK, looks at the new services banks and the Post Office are now offering.

Go to https://www.ageuk.org.uk/discover/2021/march/access-to-cash-during-and-after-lockdown/

Updated Guide for Carers

Carers UK have updated their ‘Looking after someone’ guide and it is available for download and print on their website. The guide outlines your rights as a carer and gives an overview of the practical and financial support available. Go to https://www.carersuk.org/images/Looking_after_someone_guides/CUK_LAS_2021-22_England_Feb_WEB.pdf

Save the Planet, starting in Bury

If Bury is to be carbon neutral by 2038 we must reduce emissions. We need a plan we collectively support to make it happen.

Don’t miss your chance to give Bury Council your views on climate action for Bury.

Read the strategy & take the survey here: http://bury.gov.uk/climateaction

Short Walks in Bury

The GM Walking website lists 12 short walks in Bury. The downloadable booklet comes with maps and directions to get you from A to B without getting lost.

Go to https://gmwalking.co.uk/our-resources/bury-self-led-walks/

The Weekly Quiz

The answers to last week’s Quiz is in the link.

This week’s Quiz brings you another 30 questions to test your knowledge. This quiz is just for you and your friends to enjoy. The answers will be sent out with next week’s newsletter.

If you have any news to share, please send to news@ageukbury.org.uk

Keep safe and keep hopeful - it's coming home!

Andy and all at Age UK Bury