Newsletter ¦ 11th June

Greetings From the Jubilee

I hope you and your loved ones are well. It has been great to sit in the sunshine and see friends at the Jubilee.

This week, the newsletter includes an update on the situation in Bury, news about two pop-up clinics so people can get their first vaccination, and news about climate change, a campaign for carers breaks and changes at Clarence Park. We end with our weekly quiz! .

Part One: Coronavirus in Bury

In Bury, on Thursday 10th June, 214.1 people per 100,000 were tested positive for coronavirus – that is an increase of 57% from the previous week’s figure. The figures in Bury have not been this high since February. On the same day, the England average was 53.9 people testing positive per 100,000 – an increase of 59% from the previous week’s figure.

The big news this week is that the government is sending in the army and extra resources into Bury to combat the rise of infections. Bury residents are advised to minimise travel out of the area and to take extra care when meeting people outside of their household or support bubble.

Everyone in Bury can do their bit to reduce the infection rate by getting the vaccination, urging their family and friends to get the vaccination, testing yourself for the virus and living by the mantra of “hands, face, space and fresh air”. Let’s do it for Bury!

The official Bury Update on Coronavirus is available in this link

Vaccination News

Over 115k people in Bury have now had their first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine – and 82k have now had their 2nd dose! Figures include patients vaccinated at local sites, hospital and mass vaccination centres. This is a fantastic achievement by our local services - thank you.

Walk-in vaccination clinics will open this weekend offering first dose vaccinations, using the Pfizer vaccine. These are open to people aged 25 and over but if anyone younger feels they want the vaccine now, they can go along and have a chat with the vaccination team to see if they are eligible.

Location: Khizra Mosque and Islamic Centre, Parker Street, Bury, BL9 0RJ,
Date and time: Saturday 12 June, 12 noon to 7pm.
Location: Prestwich Walk-in Centre, Fairfax Road, M25 1BT,
Date and time: Sunday 13 June, 1.30pm to 5.30pm.

If you prefer to make an appointment, go to the Bury Covid 19 Vaccination booking service which is online here: https://covid.nhsbookings.com/gmpcn

The Bury Council website has a page about the vaccination at https://www.bury.gov.uk/coronavirus-vaccine

Please share this information with anyone who has not had the vaccination.

Testing for Coronavirus

Anyone without coronavirus symptoms can now access free rapid coronavirus testing twice a week as part of a national universal testing offer. For more details go to https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=16065

The rules on what you can and can not do

Guidance has been updated for Bury and other areas where the infection rate is rising fast. For all the details, please go to : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do#if-youre-in-an-area-where-the-new-covid-19-variant-is-spreading

Part two: Our support to you

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 so it’s six people or 2 households per table. As a temporary measure, the cafe will extend into the main hall, allowing more people to see others safely - even if it’s just waving to each other from their table.

Activities / Let’s Celebrate with Age UK Bury event

The government is expected to make an announcement on Monday regarding the lifting of restrictions. It is likely this announcement may prevent us from restarting our activities and holding our celebration day in June, but let's wait and see.

As soon as we know more, we will send out a special email.

Our Charity Shops

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

The Bury shop will open soon.

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 Coronavirus 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...

Carers Breaks

There are 4.1 million older carers living in the UK and I know many of our readers are dedicated carers to their loved ones.

The pandemic has taken away so much of the help older carers depended upon. Social distancing means carers have been unable to lean on friends and family for support, and day centre closures mean there are fewer places for carers to take loved ones and get a break themselves. Many carers have also stopped getting help from paid care workers as they’ve been so worried about bringing coronavirus into their homes.

Carers Week - supported by Carers UK, Age UK, Carers Trust, Motor Neurone Disease Association, Oxfam GB and Rethink Mental Illness - are calling on the UK Government to provide £1.2 billion funding for unpaid carers’ breaks, so that those providing upwards of 50 hours of care are able to take time off for their own health and wellbeing.

Add your support to this campaign by clicking on https://carersuk.e-activist.com/page/81977/action/1

The report “Breaks or breakdown” outlines the significant pressures unpaid carers are facing. It is available here: Breaks or breakdown - new report | Carers Week

To find out what support is available to Carers in Bury, go to https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15461

Climate Action

As the world leaders meet in Cornwall to discuss actions to save the climate, Bury Council has set a target to be carbon neutral by 2038.

The draft Bury Climate Action Strategy and Bury Climate Action Plan aims to clean the air, protect our environment, and care for the health and wellbeing of our communities. Both documents are being consulted on and you have the opportunity to help with this.

For more information, go to https://www.bury.gov.uk/climateaction-consultation

Clarence Park

The plan for the intended Clarence Park improvements is now published and available at http://www.proffittscic.com/community-projects/clarence-park/

Bury Libraries

Bury libraries are extending their opening hours to allow more time for borrowers to access them.

All four branches in Bury, Radcliffe, Prestwich and Ramsbottom now have the following opening hours:

Tuesdays - 10am to noon and 1pm to 4pm
Wednesdays - 10am to noon and 1pm to 4pm
Thursdays - 1pm to 4pm and 5pm to 7pm
Fridays - 10am to noon and 1pm to 4pm

Quiz-time

The answers to last week’s General Knowledge Quiz are 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.

Keep safe and stay strong!

Andy and all at Age UK Bury