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Newsletter ¦ 4th February 2022

Greetings from Age UK Bury

It ‘s been a great week seeing the Jubilee Centre coming back to normal. We now have 18 activities a week and we have received funding from Bury Council to develop some new classes. We will be starting off with Men-Only exercise class in a few weeks and if we find an IT Tutor, digital skills classes will be next. All new classes will be announced in our newsletter.  

Jubilee Centre Activities

Men-only Exercise Classes will begin again on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th February. The new times will be 9.30 to 10.30 every Thursday and Friday morning. More details in the next newsletter.

The Bury Folk Dancers will be holding their first session of the year at the Jubilee Centre on this Monday (7th February) at 8pm to 10 pm.

The Monday evening “Yoga & Mindfulness” sessions, led by Melanie, will begin again on Monday 28th March 2022.  

The Jubilee Centre Walkers are as active as ever. To find out more, go to https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bury/our-services/walkers/

Our timetable is in the link below. 

Timetable for Jubilee Centre Activities for next week

Please do not come into the Jubilee Centre if you have a cold or if you are feeling unwell. 

Vacancy ¦ IT tutor

We are seeking an IT tutor to run 24 classes at the Jubilee Centre, helping people to use their smartphones, tablets, and Ipads.

If you know of anyone with relevant experience of leading a classroom-style IT course, please let us know by sending an email to admin@ageukbury.org.uk or calling on 0161 763 9030.

Coronavirus in Bury

As of Thursday 3rd February, 771.9 people per 100,000 in Bury tested positive for coronavirus over the last 7 days – that is a decrease of 21% from the previous week. On the same day, the England average was 1045.6 people testing positive per 100,000 over the last seven days– a decrease of 8% from the previous week’s figure.

You should continue to protect yourself and others in the following ways:  

For information on vaccinations, testing and support in Bury go to:  https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15318

Do you need help doing a lateral flow test?

Lateral Flow Tests for Covid-19 are difficult for people with eyesight problems and those who find all the bits too fiddly. Pharmacists in Bury are setting up a free service to help people get a test.

  • IQ Pharmacy, 14 Princess Parade, Bury BL9 0QL - Monday to Friday: 9am to 5.15pm, and Saturday: 9am to 3pm.
  • Manor Pharmacy, 367 Brandlesholme Road, Bury BL8 1HS - Monday to Friday: 9am to 6pm, and Saturday: 9am to 1pm.
  • Forman's Chemist, 12 Park Hill, Bury Old Road, Prestwich M25 0FX - Monday to Friday: 9am to 6pm.
  • Fishpool Pharmacy, 14 Parkhills Road, Bury BL9 9AX - Monday to Friday: 9am to 6pm, and Saturday: 9am to 1pm.

More pharmacies will be offering this service soon.  

This service is only available to anyone who DOES NOT have any Covid-19 symptoms. If you have symptoms, you need to have a PCR test. More at  Testing for people with coronavirus symptoms - Bury Council

Energy News

With average energy bills now set to increase by a staggering £693 per year, The Chancellor has announced a package of support to address this rise, including a council tax rebate for some households, and a £200 reduction to energy bills from October. You can read more about these details here.

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.

This week, a petition was delivered to 10 Downing Street. 97,795 people signed Age UK’s open letter to Boris Johnson, calling on the government to take action and help older people facing the choice between heating or eating.

Our national partner is continuing their campaign to call on the government for more help for older people. Find out more here: The cost of cold | Support our campaign | Age UK

Activities for residents in Bury East

A range of new activities, aimed at residents of Bury East, are being planned. These include Women’s-only exercise, art and sewing group, a parents support group, Age 40+ Men’s football group, a Growing & Gardening club and walking groups.

For more details, click on this link Bury East #LetsLiveWell Sessions (PDF)

BBC - Get Creative At Home

Throughout the lockdown, BBC programmes were developed specifically to support you to get creative at home. As the UK's biggest ever celebration of creative participation, all content is still available to watch and enjoy. It includes singing, dancing, drawing, music, Shakespeare, pottery, design, comedy and much more.

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

LGBTQ+ adults over-55 need needed for research

Stefanie Helmrath, University of Manchester, wants to learn more about psychological safety for older LGBTQ+ adults. Current research highlights that older LGBTQ+ adults worry about ‘going back into the closet’, feeling hetero-sexualised and about homophobia/transphobia within care homes.

The University of Manchester, LGBTQ+ Foundation and Manchester City Council would like to understand how these worries can be prevented from happening within extra care housing schemes, to make sure the LGBT community can grow old and finally live without fear of discrimination against their sexual orientation or gender identity. They are seeking insight and personal stories, and wish to speak to LGBT individuals above the age of 55 years. These conversations will be conducted in a group setting.

For more information please visit LGBT housing for over-55s or see the poster attached to this email. You can also contact Stefanie Helmrath at stefanie.helmrath@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk if you are interested in this research or would like to hear more.

Member’s news

We were sad to learn of the passing of Kath Parkinson. Kath has been an active and enthusiastic member of our charity’s Executive Committee for many years and a regular at our café. She will be missed.

Kath’s funeral will take place on Tuesday 8th February at 11.30 at Christ Church, Walmersley Rd, Bury BL9 5JU. Family flowers only. Donations to Bury Society For Blind & Partially Sighted People

The Quiz

The answers to the last Quiz (dated 28th 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.

Our next newsletter is out next week! 

Stay safe

Andy and all at Age UK Bury