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Newsletter ¦ 15th January

Greetings from the Jubilee Centre!

I hope you and your loved ones are well and coping with the third lockdown. We are picking up from people that this is the most difficult lockdown so far and the cold weather does not help. So, this week I have included links to lots of creative stuff to inspire you and keep you busy. I have also included a few links on how to get help with your energy bills and keep warm.

Our Footcare service returns to the Jubilee Centre and is available on Tuesday morning and every Tuesday thereafter. Please call 0161 763 9030 to book a 20 minute appointment, which costs £20. For more details see our webpage at https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bury/our-services/foot-care/

As usual, the newsletter is in three parts. We begin with an update about coronavirus and its impact in Bury, then a list of our services and finally all the exciting news we have managed to find over the last week.  

Part One: Coronavirus in Bury

In Bury, on Thursday 14th January, 453.4 people per 100,000 were tested positive for coronavirus – a rise of 12% from the previous week’s figure. On the same day, the England average was 591.3 people testing positive per 100,000.

Click on this link for the Bury Council / Bury CCG update 

Bury residents are living under the regulations of the National Lockdown, which was outlined in my email on Tuesday 5th January. A link to that email is here: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bury/our-services/coronavirus/newsletter--5th-january/

We are aware that many people are receiving letter for their vaccinations. If you have problems in getting to the centre where your vaccination is planned, we have been informed NHS Responders can help. Call 0808 196 3646 for more details.

Healthwatch has produced an information page about the vaccine - https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/advice-and-information/2021-01-13/covid-19-vaccine-what-you-need-know

The Bury Times reported this week that conspiracy theory leaflets about Covid-19 are being posted through the letter boxes of Bury residents. If you know of anyone involved with this, please report them to the police. Covid-19 remains a very real threat to people in Bury and false information like this only goes to undermine the fight against it, leading to more deaths and suffering. Read more here:  https://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/19007345.conspiracy-theory-leaflets-posted-bury-letterboxes/

Part two: Our support to you

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

This weekly newsletter comes out on Friday. Urge your friends to sign up at our subscription page.

During the Coronavirus pandemic, we are trying to keep essential support services open. These include: 

Support 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.

Support from Bury Council 

If you are self-isolating or don't have any other support, Bury Community Hubs are still here to help with food shopping and collecting medicine supplies. 

  • Phone 0161 253 5353 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
  • Greater Manchester Text phone: Dial 07860 022876 (Messages will be responded to on the next working day)

Closures

Due to government restrictions, our Jubilee Centre café, charity shops and activities, including Diana’s Nordic Walking group, have closed. 

Part three: and in other news

Free Vitamin D tablets – deadline extended

You can claim free Vitamin D tablets if you have received a letter from the NHS or the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) saying you're at high risk from coronavirus. The closing date has now been extended to 21st January.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higher-risk/get-vitamin-d-supplements/

Bury Libraries

During the current lockdown, Bury library customers are able to borrow books using the Order & Collect Books service.

Customers can also reserve items of their choice via the library catalogue and limited computer access is also available:

More info at http://bit.ly/3i2ZTBn

BBC Get Creative at Home

Join a host of famous faces for dozens of creative masterclass that you can enjoy at home. From Jools Holland, Simon Callow, Anthony Gormley and Clare Twomey, these bitesize films are a joy for everyone to watch and be inspired by.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0778tx6

64 Million Artists January Challenge

It’s not too late to join thousands of people across the UK (and beyond) in a creative challenge this month. Easy creative activities are sent to your inbox each day and your challenge is to simply give them a go. See what other people are making on social media and join the buzz for free.

https://64millionartists.com/our-work/the-january-challenge/

Crafty Inspiration

The Crafts Council UK blogpost lists a range of craft classes you can do from home, like sewing, weaving and pottery. Take a read and find plenty of links to online tutorials by artists, craftspeople and groups from across the UK.

Find out more at https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/stories/up-skill-online-craft-classes-you-can-do-home

Keep Warm

Cold weather can be bad for our health, especially for people aged 65 and older. As we age it takes longer to warm up, which raises the risk of increased blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. At the moment, the last place you want to be is in hospital, so making sure you are warm is a priority.

* Download the Age UK leaflet “Top tips for keeping warm and well”

* Get a free energy check from our Handyperson Service and free energy- saving goods valued up to £30. Contact Louise on 07872 067662 or email louise@ageukbury.org.uk. Louise’s office hours are 08:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday to Thursday. At other times, please leave a message on the answer machine.

* Join the online Warm Homes Energy Advice Session – more details at https://www.pect.org.uk/event/warm-homes-energy-advice-session-2/

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.

This year, to comply with the Covid-19 lockdown, we will hold it online. The AGM will take place on Wednesday 27th January at 2.00 pm on the zoom application, which can be downloaded to your PC, tablet or smartphone.

To join us, please send an email to news@ageukbury.org.uk and we will send you the details, password and agenda.  

The Quiz

Last week's quiz was a General Knowledge Quiz. The answers are in the link.

This week’s quiz is also a General Knowledge Quiz.  

The quiz is just for fun and to keep you out of mischief. Thank you to Eleanor for preparing these quizzes for us and keeping us busy. 

Our next newsletter is out next Friday - contributions welcome at news@ageukbury.org.uk

Keep strong and stay safe

Andy and all at Age UK Bury

A sunny January morning at Clarence Park