Newsletter ¦ 7th January 2022
Happy New Year from Age UK Bury
I hope this email finds you well, safe, and warm. It’s cold here at the Jubilee and we are missing the warmth generated from our Friday afternoon class of Line Dancers!
We had a new experience this week! Diana, our exercise tutor, came down with the dreaded virus. Having had the booster, she managed to convince me that she was fit enough to proceed with the online class we had planned. As ever, Diana was amazing, despite being the first covid-positive tutor to run a class!
This week’s newsletter includes an update on coronavirus, our services, an advert for our Annual General Meeting and some information on ways to keep warm.
Coronavirus in Bury
As of Thursday 6th January, 2026.1 people per 100,000 in Bury tested positive for coronavirus over the last 7 days – that is an increase of 35% from the previous week. On the same day, the England average was 1702.0 people testing positive per 100,000 over the last seven days– an increase of 37% from the previous week’s figure. The Office for National Statistics reported on Wednesday that one in fifteen people in England has the coronavirus.
The epicentre of the current COVID outbreak has now moved from London to the North-West of England, so it’s us northerners who are bearing the worst of the pandemic. Again.
The Bury Times reported on Tuesday that Fairfield General Hospital had paused non-urgent surgery due to the rising impact of coronavirus and the BBC is now reporting that the military are being drafted in to support the ambulance service in the North-West.
Nationally, hospitalisations in the over-85 age group doubled from 62 in every 100,000 in the week leading up to Christmas to 121 in every 100,000 a week later. Rates were also up sharply in the 75-84s, rising from 28 to 57 per 100,000. There is always a delay in reporting hospital admissions, but this trend is very worrying.
This week's Bury Public Health Briefing is in this link
Vaccinations
We do know is that the booster jab has reduced the number of people needing hospital. If you need that booster jab, a list of vaccination clinics is available at https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15987 Appointments are available this weekend and next week.
Testing
If you need a coronavirus test in Bury, go to https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=16064
From 11 January, if you get a positive rapid lateral flow test result, most people will not need to take a PCR test to confirm the result. You must self-isolate immediately if you get a positive rapid lateral flow test result. For more information, go to https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
Our services
Activities at the Jubilee Centre
We are cancelling all activities for next week – Monday 10th January to Friday 14th January.
We apologise to all our members and tutors and we do hope to get activities back up and running as soon as it is safe to do so.
Diana’s classes on Facebook
Diana will be on Facebook and you can join her on
- Tuesday 11th Jan from 10 to 11 for Fit for Life and on
- Wednesday 12th Jan from 1 to 1.45 for Chair-based exercise.
These events are free and if you miss her, they are available on catch-up. Click on our events page on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ageukbury
Our Jubilee Centre Café
Hopefully, our cafe will be open from Monday to Friday from 9.30 to 4.00. If there any changes, we will send out a special newsletter, and make announcements on Facebook and Twitter
We have brought back table-only service and we ask all customers to wear facemasks if not seated.
Our two shops in Bury and Ramsbottom
Our Bury shop will open on Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and our Ramsbottom shop will be open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.
We are accepting donations over the counter and we can now collect from your home – give us a call on 0161 763 9030 to arrange.
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 keep people safe from the coronavirus, we will hold it online. The AGM will take place on Monday 17th January at 2.00 pm.
To join us, please send an email to news@ageukbury.org.uk and we will send you the link and the agenda.
Our annual accounts for 2020 to 2021 is now available online in this link.
Keeping Warm
Bury Older Peoples Network
The Bury Older Peoples Network will be meeting online on Wednesday 12th January 2022 at 11am and the topic will be about keeping our homes warm. There will be guest speakers from services who offer advice & support.
To book your place & receive zoom link please email julie.bentley@buryvcfa.org.uk
Free Home Energy Checks
We are offering FREE Home Energy checks to make homes more energy efficient and warmer in the winter. Our advisors will discuss energy saving equipment with you and if suitable, these will be installed by our handyperson free of charge. We are offering equipment up to the value of £30.
To benefit from this programme, contact Ruth on 07547 400142 from Tuesday 4th January 2022 or email ruth@ageukbury.org.uk
Warm Home Discount Scheme
At this week’s Prime Ministers Questions, Boris Johnson was asked about support for people struggling to pay fuel bills. He said: "2.2 million people [are] supported with the warm homes discount, Mr Speaker, worth £140 per week".
The Prime Minister was talking about the Warm Home Discount Scheme, but it is only worth £140 for the whole of the winter, not £140 a week.
You qualify for this discount if, on 4 July 2021, all of the following apply:
- you or your partner are getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (even if you get Savings Credit as well)
- your energy supplier is part of the scheme
- your name (or your partner’s) is on the bill.
For more information, go to https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/guarantee-pension-credit
If you would like more information about Pension Credit or help to apply for it, please contact us at the office on 0161 763 9030. Louise or Ruth from our information and advice team, will give you a call back.
The Quiz
The answers to the last Quiz (dated 31st December) 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.
Keep safe and warm
Andy and all at Age UK Bury
