Newsletter ¦ 29th July 2022
Greetings from Age UK Bury!
I hope you are keeping well. The big message this week is that if you have been meaning to check if you are eligible for pension credit but keep putting it off, then this is the week to check – it could mean getting an extra £650 if you apply before 18th August.
Sadly, I could not join you at last Saturday's Party in the Park as I was recovering from the dreaded Covid, but I have spent the week hearing how well it went. A big thank you to all our volunteers, staff, and tutors for all their hard work and thank you to everyone who braved the rain and joined us.
Cyber Surgeries – Appointments available from September
Need help with your smartphone or tablet? We are offering free 1-hour sessions so you can chat with an experienced person about how to use your IT device more effectively.
Cyber Surgeries take place on Thursday mornings at the Jubilee Centre. You can book up to three one-hour sessions by seeing Leisa or Diane at the Jubilee Centre reception, or calling us on 0161 763 9030 or emailing admin@ageukbury.org.uk
We are extremely grateful to Charlotte from the Creative Living Centre for running these sessions and to Bury Council’s Health Improvement Fund for funding this project.
Time Is Running Out For Older People To Qualify For £650 Cost-Of-Living Payment
Older people have until Thursday 18th August to put in a claim for Pension Credit in order to qualify for the Government’s £650 cost-of-living payment
Announced as part of a support package in May, the government’s Cost of Living Payment will be paid to those in receipt of Pension Credit (and other qualifying benefits) in two lump sums of £326 and £324 – the first will be paid automatically between mid-end July and the second will be paid in the Autumn.
To be eligible for the first lump sum, older people must have been entitled to a Pension Credit payment (or later found to be entitled to a payment) in the period 26 April – 25 May 2022. Because a successful application for Pension Credit can be backdated by three months, those who begin the claiming process before 18th August are guaranteed to meet the eligibility criteria.
For most people, if you are of state pension age (so currently 66 or older) and have total weekly income under roughly £200, then you may qualify for pension credit. You can still be eligible for pension credit even if you are a homeowner or claim other benefits or live with grown-up family.
It's worth spending five minutes to check. The worst that can happen is they say no. Get online at www.gov.uk/pensioncredit or call the Pension Credit Helpline on 0800 99 1234.
Our Information and Advice Service are here to help people make claims – call 0161 763 9030 to book an appointment. If you, or you know someone who is really struggling, please direct them to us.
Bury Older Person’s Network
The next meeting of the Bury Older Person's Network will be held on Wednesday 10th August 2022 at Bury Unitarian Church, Bank St, Bury BL9 0DN starting at 10.30am and finishing by 12.30pm followed by lunch.
To book your place or for more information, please contact Bury VCFA at networks@buryvcfa.org.uk
Coming Soon – Community Choir
Our new Community Choir will begin on Wednesday 7th September from 10.30 -11.30 in the Jubilee Centre Hall.
The Choir is open to all older people including those with dementia and other medical conditions or disabilities along with their carers. We will bring people together through songs and music.
The Community Choir will be led by the wonderful Emma from Happy Signs CIC.
100 Club - This month's winners
Today, we can announce this month’s group of winners in our 100 Club. For July 2022, we had 67 members, and the winners are
- 1st prize - No 46: Beryl Sixsmith
- 2nd prize -No 35: Pauline McCann
- 3rd prize - No 60: Shirley Waller
The numbers were chosen using a computerised random number generator and independently verified. The cheques are in the post.
There are plenty of numbers to purchase and if you would like to join the 100 club, 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/
Tai Chi is cancelled next week
Sue, our Tai Chi Tutor is taking a well-earned holiday and so Tai Chi will not be taking place on Thursday 4th or Friday 5th August.
We wish our Lionesses - England women's national football team – the very best for their match against Germany on Sunday. We are keeping our fingers crossed that football may be coming home, after all these years!
Andy and all at Age UK Bury