Newsletter ¦ 20th May 2022
Greetings from Age UK Bury.
I hope this newsletter finds you well. The big topic facing older people in Bury is the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, so I have included an update on the energy bills rebate and a warning about a scam that in circulation this week. Other news includes more foot care sessions at the Jubilee Centre, changes to our Men’s Only Keep-fit classes, and information about free courses that may appeal to you. Happy Reading!
Council Tax - Energy Bills Rebate
Bury Council have started to pay the energy bill rebate directly to Bury residents.
You will get an Energy Bills Rebate if, as of 1 April 2022:
- your property is in Council Tax bands A, B, C or D
- your property is in Council Tax band E, but you receive a disability reduction which reduces your Council Tax to that of a band D property.
- your property is exempt from Council Tax because it is solely occupied by students or people under the age of 18 or people who are severely mentally impaired or elderly or disabled relatives live in an annex to another property
If you pay your Council Tax by Direct Debit, Bury Council will make a payment of £150 to your bank account if: they have successfully collected a Direct Debit payment for your Council Tax in April 2022.
For those who don’t pay by direct debit, you will have to wait a little longer. How to make a claim will be announced on the Council’s website soon.
The Bury Council website on Energy Rebates is https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=16775
Ofgem Scam
Ofgem is the energy regulator for Great Britain. Criminals are targeting the public with fake Ofgem emails, calls and texts about energy bill rebates. There is a scam email being circulated, claiming to be from Ofgem asking for bank details so customers can get a rebate.
Ofgem would never ask for your bank details with regards to energy bills.
What to look out for and do if you think you're a victim http://ow.ly/CZ5j50J9Lm3
More Foot Care Sessions at the Jubilee Centre
Age UK Bury foot care service helps maintain and improve your independence and mobility. We offer a basic foot care service which includes a health assessment of your feet to identify any potential problems, toe nail cutting, and removal of hard skin to encourage and improve circulation and wellbeing of your feet
Our Foot Care Service is run by Dougie Warrington, an accredited Foot Health Practitioner (Reg No: AR9698). The service costs £20.00 per session.
Each appointment takes about 15 to 20 minutes. It is available at the Jubilee Centre, Mosley Avenue, Bury, BL9 6NJ on Tuesdays between 10 am and 2.00 pm.
From Thursday 9th June, Dougie will be available every Thursday afternoon from 1pm and 3.30pm in addition to Tuesday mornings.
Please phone 0161 763 9030 to book an appointment or call into the Jubilee Centre reception.
Please note this is not a Podiatry / Chiropody service and if you need clinical care, please see your GP.
Changes to Men-Only Keep Fit Sessions at the Jubilee
The sad news is that the Friday morning sessions will end at the end of May.
The good news is that the Thursday morning sessions with Debs will continue at the discounted price of £2.50 for the next three months.
Please tell your friends about the class. We are grateful to Bury Council’s Health Improvement Fund for their support.
Safer driving seminar - Free event for over 60s
Safer Roads Greater Manchester is holding their first FREE Safer Driver Seminar, aimed at drivers aged 60+.
Older people are becoming increasingly over-represented in casualty statistics as drivers, passengers and pedestrians. The seminar is an opportunity for attendees to listen to presentations on a series of road safety and wellbeing related topics from various organisations such as Greater Manchester Police, National Highways, TfGM, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and many more.
The seminar will also be an opportunity for individuals to sign-up for the FREE Safer Driving for Longer courses where the attendee will be involved in a 2-hour classroom based discussion then a 2-hour driving on-road coaching session. This is a great opportunity to boost driving confidence in experienced drivers.
The seminar is an opening to give safety advice to help drivers remain a safer older driver for longer, but there will be presentations from public transport professionals promoting services for those drivers who are thinking of giving up the car for alternative ways to travel.
- Date: Tuesday 14th June 2022, 10:00am-2:00pm
- Venue: AJ Bell Stadium, 1 Stadium Way, Barton-Upon-Irwell, Eccles, M30 7EY (with free parking).
- Book: Phone 0300 123 1518 (open Monday to Friday, 8:30am-3:00pm) - please quote 'SEMINAR' when booking.
- Email: roadsafety@tfgm.com
- Website : drivesafe.org.uk
Green Bowling
Green bowling is now back at Clarence Park on Mondays from 6.30 until 9.30pm at the Green Café, near the Clarence Park Bandstand.
Go along to watch or find out more details at the next scheduled home matches on Monday 23rd May and Monday 6th June.
Free Photography Course
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust are starting an exciting free Photography in Nature workshop 6 week course!
Requirements: Over 18's, access to camera/camera phone & physically able to walk round Philips Park, Prestwich.
For more details, email jlea@lancswt.org.uk
Type-2 Diabetes Online Course
A new FREE two day online course is designed for those with Type 2 diabetes, those that care for them, friends, family and healthcare professionals.. The course takes place on 1 & 2 June 2022
For more information and to register, go to https://bit.ly/3yAc1Ej
Telephone Befriending Service in the Bury TImes
We were pleased that the Bury Times kindly carried news about the award of a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to our Telephone Befriending service.
The article is here https://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/20133527.age-uk-bury-celebrates-grant-national-lottery/
We were sad to hear of the passing of Colonel Eric W. Davidson MBE and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.
Our next newsletter will be out next Friday, announcing the winners of this month’s 100 Club.
Let’s hope the weather stays fine this weekend!
Best Wishes
Andy and all at Age UK Bury.
