Newsletter ¦ 12th April 2022
Greetings from the Jubilee
We are a bit earlier than usual in getting this to you as there is some news that will be out of date by Friday! We include our closing times for Easter and a plea from our shops for donations. Our Cyber Surgeries are up and running and we are now offering 1-hour sessions to give people quality time.
If you are feeling guilty about eating all those easter eggs, you can catch up with Diana on You Tube for her exercise class.
The cost-of-living crisis is on everyone’s mind and we include links about Pension Credit. From government records, we know that there are many older people in Bury who are eligible to this benefit but do not claim it, missing out on thousands of pounds a year. We include a link on how to check if you are eligible and how to get support to make a claim.
Happy Reading!
Tai Chi on 14th April
Sue’s Tai Chi class on Thursday 14th April is cancelled but all other activities on the Thursday before Easter will continue as planned. This includes the Cyber Surgery, Men’s Only Keep Fit, Introduction to Sequence Dancing and Our Tea Dance.
Happy Easter
Our Jubilee Centre & services will be closed on
- Good Friday (15th April) and
- Easter Monday (18th April).
If you need support over the Easter holiday, these services are open:
- Age UK - 0800 678 1602 - Free information & advice from 8am to 7pm, every day of the year.
- The Silver Line - 0800 4 70 80 90 - Free confidential friendship, 24 hours a day. every day of the year.
- The Samaritans - 116 123 - Call free any time.
Diana’s online video classes
Diana’s exercise classes are now on You Tube at 2.00 on Wednesday afternoons but you can join her anytime that is good for you. In recent episodes, Diana showed us how to exercise with tins of beans and a stretchy pair of tights! There are now six videos available to keep you busy.
Click onto https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiZKDtGvU9PvgaR_yPTW7_g/videos
These online sessions are free, and we are grateful to Bury Council’s Health Improvement Fund for their support. Please let us know what you think if them.
Clean. saleable clothes urgently needed!
Our two shops at The Rock and Ramsbottom are seeking clean saleable clothes to sell. If you are having a clear out this Spring, please help us out.
You can either drop off donations at the shops or we can collect from your house. Call us on 0161 763 9030 and we will arrange a time to pick up.
Cyber Surgeries
We have all increased our usage of digital devices over the last 18 months. With the support of the Creative Living Centre, we are running Cyber Surgeries on Thursday mornings.
Our aim is to help you be more confident and learn new skills to make the most of your device. Whether you need help sending emails, assistance making video calls to family and friends, or help with ordering shopping online, we have the expertise to help you.
Sessions take place 10 to 12 noon on Thursday mornings at the Jubilee Centre. Sessions are free but donations are welcome!
You can book a one-hour session with Leisa at reception at the Jubilee Centre, call us on 0161 763 9030 or email admin@ageukbury.org.uk
You would need to bring your tablet, smartphone or laptop with you. Wi-fi is available at the Jubilee Centre.
We are extremely grateful to Charlotte and Ray from the Creative Living Centre for their support in running these sessions.
The cost-of-living crisis
The 54% rise in the energy price cap hit 22 million homes, creating a typical £700/year increase. As prices on petrol, energy, council tax, utilities and food are rising at rates we haven't seen since the 1970s, watching every penny is more important than ever.
The Money Saving Expert website offers a free weekly email to its readers, and it is essential reading for everyone. The latest edition included an article on 90 ways to save money and reduce spending https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/cost-of-living-survival-kit/
The most important tip for older people is to check if you are eligible for Pension Credit. If you're over state pension age and on a low income, you could be getting an extra £60/week in pension credit. This is a means-tested benefit and even if you only get a few extra pennies a week, it opens the door to other advantages such as a free TV licence, discounts on other bills such as council tax reduction – worth about £1,000/year typically - and the warm home discount – worth £140/year. Find out more at https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/pension-credit/
The Age UK Benefits Calculator can help you find out what benefits you could be entitled to. It's free to use and the details you provide are kept anonymous. Go to https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/benefits-calculator/
Our Age UK Bury Information and Advice service can also do a benefits check, help you to put in a claim for Pension Credit and if appropriate, Attendance Allowance. Please email info@ageukbury.org.uk or call us on 0161 763 9030 and Louise or Ruth will return your call. This is a free service for Bury residents. Please tell your friends about our service.
Bury Folk Dance Club
The Folk Dance Club meets at The Jubilee Centre to have fun, meet new people, and exercise the body and brain. It runs from 8pm to 10pm, is open to adults of any age and the cost is £4.
Future Dates:
- Monday 25 April
- Monday 9 May
- Monday 23 May
- Monday 6 June
- Monday 20 June
- Monday 4 Jul
- Monday 18 Jul (Jacob's Join - bring some food to share. It would be good to see 'Retired members')
For further information email buryfolkdanceclub@gmail.com or leave name and phone number at the Jubilee Centre 0161 763 9030 and they will get back to you.
Cookery Course
Friends of Clarence Park are holding a FREE Cookery Course at The Green Café starting on 23rd April! It's open to all local residents on a first-come, first-served basis. (The Green Café is next to the Bandstand in Clarence Park).
Learn how to make cheap, tasty and nutritious food that won't harm the planet. The sessions are once a month and you can come to one or all, but booking is advised as places are limited.
This is supported by the Community Climate Action Fund. There is to be a Clarence Community Cookbook launched later this year.
Find out more in this leaflet or by emailing friendsofclarencepark@gmail.com or clicking on this link : Cook and Eat Social (PDF)
Concert in support Ukrainian Refugees
Ramsbottom Rotary are holding a special concert at St Paul’s Church, Ramsbottom staring Nicola Fox supported by comedian Norman Prince on 23rd April. More details in this link : Ukraine Concert (PDF)
Local Elections 2022
If need to register to vote in the local elections on 5th May 2022, you must apply by 11:59pm this Thursday - 14th April. You can apply online at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Due to boundary changes in Bury, all 51 council seats are being contested this May. A full of candidates is available at this Bury Council website: https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=16827
Next Newsletter
Our next newsletter will be out on 29th April 2022, and it will contain the names of the 100 Club winners for April. If you want to join this 100 Club, click onto https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bury/get-involved/100club/
We will also have details about our special celebration event for the Queen’s Jubilee!
Happy Easter – let’s hope the weather is nice to us all!
Andy and all at Age UK Bury
