Newsletter ¦ 14th January 2022
Greetings from the Jubilee Centre
I hope this email finds you well, safe, and warm.
This week’s newsletter is short and sweet as we have been preparing for our Annual General Meeting. We have included an update on coronavirus and our services.
Age UK Bury ¦ Annual General Meeting
Every January, we hold our Annual General Meeting to present our accounts and feedback what difference our charity is making.
Last year we had to hold it online as the country was under a lock down. We really hoped that this year, we would all be back together under the same roof, but sadly we had not planned for the Omicron variant.
This year, to keep people safe from the coronavirus variant, our meeting is online using the Microsoft Teams video application.
The AGM will take place on Monday 17th January at 2.00 pm.
To join us, please send an email to news@ageukbury.org.uk and we will send you the link and the agenda.
Our annual accounts for 2020 to 2021 is now available online in this link.
Coronavirus in Bury
As of Thursday 13th January, 1804.3 people per 100,000 in Bury tested positive for coronavirus over the last 7 days – that is a decrease of 18% from the previous week. On the same day, the England average was 1592.6 people testing positive per 100,000 over the last seven days– a decrease of 12% from the previous week’s figure.
We are keeping our fingers crossed that this means we have passed the peak of infections and we will continue to see numbers falling. However, this week’s figure is over four time higher than it was at the beginning of December. Hospitalisations and deaths from Covid are still rising and there is every need to remain cautious.
Vaccinations
We do know is that the booster jab has reduced the number of people needing hospital. If you need that booster jab, a list of vaccination clinics is available at https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15987
Testing
If you need a coronavirus test in Bury, go to https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=16064
From 11 January, if you get a positive rapid lateral flow test result, most people will not need to take a PCR test to confirm the result. You must self-isolate immediately if you get a positive rapid lateral flow test result. For more information, go to https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
NEW: From Monday 17 January, people with COVID-19 in England can end their self-isolation after 5 full days, as long as they test negative on day 5 and day 6.
Our services
Activities at the Jubilee Centre
We are cancelling all activities for next week – Monday 17th January to Friday 21st January. We apologise to all our members and tutors and we do hope to get activities back up and running as soon as it is safe to do so.
Diana’s classes on Facebook
Diana will be on Facebook and you can join her on
- Tuesday 18th Jan from 10 to 11 for Fit for Life - go to https://www.facebook.com/events/227688126181913
- Wednesday 19th Jan from 1 to 1.45 for Chair-based exercise - go to https://www.facebook.com/events/704068753918519
If you are not on Facebook, you should be able to click on the links above and watch the class, without signing up.
These events are free and if you miss Diana, they are available on catch-up.
Our Jubilee Centre Café
Hopefully, our cafe will be open from Monday to Friday from 9.30 to 4.00. If we have to close, we will send out a special newsletter, and make announcements on Facebook and Twitter
We have brought back table-only service and we ask all customers to wear facemasks if not seated.
Our two shops in Bury and Ramsbottom
Our Bury shop will open on Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and our Ramsbottom shop will be open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.
We are accepting donations over the counter and we can now collect from your home – give us a call on 0161 763 9030 to arrange.
Energy Crisis
Our national partner, Age UK, is demanding immediate government action to prevent millions more falling into fuel poverty
With experts predicting that energy bills could rise by up to 50 per cent this spring – adding around £600 to the average annual bill – Age UK is warning that this unprecedented increase could trigger a national emergency for millions of older people.
The Charity has written to the Secretaries of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP) and for Work and Pensions (Rt Hon Thérèse Coffey MP), calling for immediate action to protect vulnerable older people from the cold this winter.
More at the Age UK website. The story was covered by The Guardian on Thursday.
Don’t get cold – seek help
Before turning the heating off or down, we are urging older people to seek help from us, to check they are receiving all the financial support available to them, including key benefits such as Pension Credit and 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).
Energy suppliers have a duty to offer support if people are struggling with bills or debt. Please contact your supplier directly to ask about available support including an affordable repayment plan.
The Quiz
The answers to the last Quiz (dated 7th January) is in this 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 right answers will be sent out with the next newsletter.
Keep safe and warm.
Andy and all at Age UK Bury
