Coronavirus (Covid 19)
Lockdown (5th November to 2nd December)
The bad news is that the coronavirus infection continues to rise in Bury. For the latest news and guidance, please go to The Bury Council website at https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15318
The Rules
The new rules aim to reduce people’s day-to-day contact with other people so that we reduce the spread of the coronavirus infection. From today until Wednesday 2 December, you must:
- stay at home (except for specific purposes)
- avoid meeting people you do not live with (except for specific purposes)
- Specific businesses and venues (like our Jubilee Centre and charity shops) will be closed.
Please go to the Bury Council Website for more information about the rules. https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15594
For all those questions about Coronavirus, and how the rules affect your life, please check out the Age UK FAQ website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/coronavirus/coronavirus-guidance/coronavirus-faqs/
Bury Community Hubs
Bury Community Hubs provide support to 11,000 residents in the Borough of Bury that are defined as “clinically extremely vulnerable”. The Hubs also provide support to residents that don't have anyone else to turn to for support, including people having to self-isolate. Generally, the hubs support people with life's essentials and help them to keep safe.
To access their help:
- Phone: 0161 235 5353 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
- Text 07860 022876 (messages responded to by the next working day)
Shopping
Unlike the first lockdown, the government will not be delivering food parcels to those who are shielding.
Online supermarket delivery slots with Asda, Iceland, Morrison’s, Ocado, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose continue to be available for people who were previously shielding.
- If you aren't already a customer - sign-up with one of the supermarkets offering the service (you can do this at their website).
- Then go to https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-shielding-support and fill in your details.
- The government will pass your details to your chosen supermarket who will then offer you priority online shopping slots.
If you are not online, Morrison’s and Sainsbury’s offer a telephone ordering service to order essential food items for customers.
- Morrisons: To order, call 0345 611 6111 and select option 5.
- Sainsbury's: To order, call 0800 917 8557.
Need a test for Coronavirus?
To find out about how to get a test for coronavirus, please go to the Bury Council website: https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15451
Our support to you, your family and friends
Telephone helpline and online support
We will be answering the Age UK Bury office telephone – 0161 763 9030 - from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm every weekday throughout the lock down. If we can not help, we are sure to find someone who can! If you get the answerphone, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
We will update people with latest news on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ageukbury/ and on Twitter - https://twitter.com/AgeUKBury
Our weekly newsletter comes out on Friday. Please click onto our subscription page to receive your free copy. Your information will not be passed onto any third party and you will be able to unsubscribe at any time.
Information and Advice
Our information and advice service supports people with benefit checks and filling in application forms for Attendance Allowance.
Please send an email to info@ageukbury.org.uk or call Louise on 07872 067662 (Monday to Thursday) or Ruth on 07547 400142 (Tuesday to Friday). .
Keeping In Touch
Our 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 am to 2.00 pm) or email jane@ageukbury.org.uk to sign up.
Online Activities
Sue holds a Tai Chi class online on Fridays at 11.00 am on the Zoom video app. Send an email to taichi.college@yahoo.co.uk or message Sue via Facebook at m.me/taichiandwildgooseqigongbury for an access code.
Diana will be live on our Facebook page on Mondays and Wednesdays.
- Monday: 11.00 to 11.30 am: Gentle Exercise
- Monday: 11.40 to 12.10 Chair Based Exercises
- Wednesday: 11.00 to 12.00 am: Pilates
If you can’t make these times, Facebook will let you watch at a later time. Join us at https://www.facebook.com/ageukbury/
Handyperson Service
Our service helps with small DIY and repair jobs such as fitting handrails and security locks, putting up shelves, curtain rails and wall decorations; assembling flat pack furniture; minor plumbing, painting and decorating work and changing light bulbs. All work will be carried out adhering to Covid-19 regulations to protect you and Andrew, who is our Handy Person Manager.
Written quotes will be given for all work. Prices are dependent on the scale and length of work being done. If you have a couple of small jobs which could be completed in an hour, it would cost £30 plus materials.
We are also working with trusted traders to help people with specialist work (e.g. replacement of boilers, roofing etc)
Contact Sue on 0161 796 6949 (Office hours 08:30 am – 4:00 pm, Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday) or email hp@ageukbury.org.uk
Foot Care Appointments
Dougie, our Foot Care Practitioner, will be at the Jubilee Centre from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm on Tuesdays beginning 17th November. Each appointment costs £20. Please call in advance to make an appointment. Call 0161 763 9030 to book.
Closures
Due to government restrictions, our Jubilee Centre café, charity shops and actvities including Diana’s Nordic Walking group have closed.
Help from our National Partner, Age UK
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.
Thank You
We are extremely grateful to all who have supported us at this time.
- Avoira, a leading telecommunications firm in Bury, for supporting our telephone befriending scheme;
- Miller Harris for their donation of soups and hand wash to older people in Bury;
- Horsfield and Smith for their help with our payrole
- Infotec, Bury for IT support
- Sport England for their support to the Jubilee Centre, whilst it is closed
- Forever Manchester for supporting our advice line and Key Safe service
- Bury Council for the administration of grants to support local businesses
- Age UK for the support from the Coronavirus Appeal
Please put your own health first, look after each other, and stay alive.
Best Wishes
Andy & the trustees, volunteers, staff, and tutors at Age UK Bury.
