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Newsletter ¦ 25th June

I hope you and your loved ones are well. 

Like many of our readers, I was looking forward to tomorrow’s celebration day at the Jubilee Centre but this had to be cancelled due to the rise in the infection rate of the virus. The rate in Bury is now as high as it was in January and there is no way we could have done many of the things we wanted to do. However, we remain positive and work is already underway to hold celebration events later this year. Details will follow in future newsletters.  

Today’s newsletter includes changes for Diana’s online activity classes. There is worrying news about a proposal to cut local care services for older people in Bury. Three lucky people will be cheered up as we are announcing the winners of this month’s 100 club. And we have another quiz for you!   

Part One: Coronavirus in Bury

In Bury, on Thursday 24th June, 339.3 people per 100,000 were tested positive for coronavirus – that is an increase of 16% from the previous week’s figure.On the same day, the England average was 105.2 people testing positive per 100,000 – an increase of 36% from the previous week’s figure. 

Bury now has the second highest rate in Greater Manchester and so 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 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!  

Vaccination News 

As of 20 June 2021, a total of 123,477 first doses and 89,104 second doses of the vaccine have been delivered from Bury's four community vaccination centres, hospital hubs and regional vaccination centres. 

Vaccinations are now available to people aged 18 and over. The Bury Council website has an update of all the clinics offering the vaccination.at https://www.bury.gov.uk/coronavirus-vaccine. Alternatively go to the Bury Covid 19 Vaccination booking service at https://covid.nhsbookings.com/gmpcn

Testing for Coronavirus 

For details on testing for Coronavirus, go to https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15451

The rules on what you can and can not do are at this government website site : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do#if-you're-in-an-area-where-the-new-covid-19-variant-known-as-delta-is-spreading

The Bury Update is in this link

Part two: Our support to you

Changes to Diana’s online activities

From Monday, Diana’s online activities will move from Facebook to Google Meet. 

Please click on the following links to join her class 

Google Meet is the same as Zoom and the software allows you to video conference with Diana and have a chat while exercising. Sadly, you can not catch up if you miss an episode. 

We had to move from Facebook as we had massive problems with the sound. We tried everything but we could not solve the problem Diana did a magnificent job of miming her way through the Wednesday session of Pilates and you can enjoy her comic genius at https://www.facebook.com/events/547896599539448 

We will continue with Sue’s Tai Chi and Tea and Chat as usual on  Zoom until Friday 16th July. For more info, please go to https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bury/our-services/online-activities/

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 us to accommodate more people. 

Activities will start when government restrictions are lifted (expected to be from 19th July but don't hold your breath).

Our Charity Shops

Our Ramsbottom charity shop is open from 10 am to 4 pm, Wednesday to Saturday. Due to staff shortage, we will be closed this Sunday but normal service will return next week.  .  

The Bury charity shop is now open on Tuesday to Saturday from 10 to 4. 

We can accept over-the-counter donations if you are able to bring them to the shop. 

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 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…

Consultation on closure of older people’s services in Bury 

Over the next three years Bury Council proposes to make savings of just over £12 million out of the current adult social care budget of £52 million. A consultation is out proposing to change services run by Persona, an arms-length Council owned company. The proposals are to

  • close Pinfold Centre which specialises in supporting people with dementia and relocate the service to Grundy Day Centre for older people.
  • close Spurr House, which offers older people short stays of up to six weeks  
  • create an All Age Disability Service by merging children and adult disability services
  • review transport for people in care.

More at Adult Social Care: Proposed Persona Care and Support Ltd savings | One Community (onecommunitybury.co.uk)

The consultation ends on Friday 2nd July. 

Let’s Do It - an introduction to volunteering

Bury VCFA Volunteering team are hosting a Volunteering ‘Let’s Do It!’ webinar on Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 7th July from 1:00pm to 2:00pm.

The webinar is an opportunity to chat with anyone interested in volunteering across the Borough of Bury and will cover the benefits of volunteering and how to find out opportunities in Bury. 

If you are interested, please click onto Volunteering.... Let's Do it! Tickets, Wed 7 Jul 2021 at 13:00 | Eventbrite

There is a webinar promotional video on YouTube at Bury VCFA Volunteering Lets Do It Session 07 07 2021 - YouTube

Free Online Internet Classes

Learn My Way has free courses for you to learn digital skills to stay safe and connected. Courses include the very basics of getting online, and how to keep in touch with friends and family, and do your shopping. 

For more details, go to https://www.learnmyway.com/

Reopening of the Fusilier Museum 

The Fusilier Museum will open its doors for the first time in 15 months at 10 am on Saturday 26th June which also happens to be Armed Forces Day. They will be marking the occasion with a special Drum Head Service in the Gallipoli Garden and it will be streamed live on Facebook page

For more information go to https://www.facebook.com/FusilierMuseum

Want to return Disability Equipment? 

Do you have any Disability Equipment issued to you by Bury Council that you no longer require? To arrange collection of unwanted equipment call 0161 253 6858 (option 1)  or email them at Community.EquipmentService@bury.gov.uk

Ear syringing

This week, a caller phoned the office asking why she could not get her ears syringed. We found out that Ear syringing is no longer considered to be the first line treatment for the clearing of ear wax and it is no longer a funded service within the NHS for General Practice. The guidelines are that ear drops should be used to soften the wax which will then enable the natural movement of the wax from the ear. Further information can be found here: HMR Ear Care Service (pat.nhs.uk)

Many thanks to Annemari at Healthwatch Bury for passing this information onto us. 

Our 100 Club winners 

Today, we can announce the sixth group of winners in our new 100 Club. 

For the June draw, we had 46 members. The winners this month are:

  • 1st prize: No: 26 Mavis Brooks
  • 2nd prize:  No:29 Robin Isherwood
  • 3rd prize: No: 33 Christine Pickup 

The numbers were chosen using a computerised random number generator and independently verified. The cheques will be in the post today and should be with you soon. 

There are plenty of numbers to purchase and if you would like to join for the July draw, please call us on 0161 763 9030 and we will send you a brochure. Alternatively, click on this link: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bury/get-involved/100club/

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

Ducklings at the Lido this week