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Newsletter 24th June

From our Jubilee Centre Garden

Hi

I hope you are safe and well at this difficult time.

This week’s newsletter is earlier, as the editor needs a long weekend in the garden! In this edition, we include the latest links to government guidance, information about the Age UK TV licence campaign and pension credit, and our world famous weekly quiz.

A warm welcome to our new readers in New Zealand – congratulations with your action on coronavirus.

Shielding requirements set to change

The Government have announced important changes for those on the shielding list. From Monday 6 July, individuals that have been shielding will be able to spend more time outside of their homes. The shielding group will be able to gather in groups of up to six outdoors and will be able to form a “support bubble” with another household.

From Saturday 1 August, those who have been deemed “clinically extremely vulnerable” will no longer be advised to shield. Direct support through the supply of food boxes will be withdrawn although there will be support still available from the NHS, local councils and volunteers. Those receiving food boxes or medicine deliveries would continue to receive these until the end of July.

Those who have been shielding who work, can from August, go to work, if they cannot work from home and if the workplace is Covid-secure.

The Government will be writing to people on the Shielding Patient List with updated information in due course.

For more details, click onto https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plans-to-ease-guidance-for-over-2-million-shielding

Opening up at the Jubilee Centre

We are aiming to open the Jubilee Centre Café in mid-August. It is difficult to open any earlier as we need to support staff and volunteers who are shielding themselves or caring for their families through this crisis.  

We have had no clarification from the government as to when we can start activities again.  

A firm date will be announced in this newsletter, on Twitter and on Facebook.

Donations

An enormous thank you to all who have delivered donations of goods to our Jubilee Centre.

We are now at the point that we are unable to accept any more donations for now.

We plan to open our shops in August and then we will re-start our collection service. For now, please help us by storing any donations until we can get our shops open. When we do, shoppers will be pleased to hear that we have many lovely items.

TV Licences

From 1 August, 4 million older people will have to pay for their TV licence unless they receive pension credit.

Our national partner, Age UK, is asking people for their views on what the free TV licence means to them, as part of the Switched Off Campaign to save the free TV licence for over 75s.

You can read more about the campaign at this link https://www.ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/campaigning/save-free-tv-for-older-people/

Join the 80,000 people have responded to the Age UK survey and have your say.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit is a benefit for people over State Pension age. It tops up your income if you are struggling to make ends meet. If you are eligible, Pension Credit will not only give you a bit of extra cash, it could also help you get other benefits too, such as a free TV Licence.

Two fifths of people who are entitled to this benefit – about 1.2 million pensioners – aren't getting it.

For more information, click onto https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/pension-credit/

You can apply online at https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim

If you need help with filling in a claim form, we can offer telephone assistance from July. This is by appointment only - call 0161 763 9030 (Mon-Fri, 10-2).

A message from the NHS Track and Trace team

NHS Test And Trace will email, phone or text if you’ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus.

They will never:

  • Ask for payment
  • Ask about your bank account
  • Ask for passwords or PINs
  • Ask you to download anything

For more information, check out http://nhs.uk/coronavirus

Remember me

An on-line book of remembrance for all those who have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK has been set up. Supported by Prince Charles, the website invites people to record the details of their loved ones.

For information, and to submit a memorial for a loved one, visit www.rememberme2020.uk

Catch up with Diana at Bury Leisure

Diana who leads our keep fit and Pilates is regularly appearing on the Bury Leisure Facebook page. See the timetable at https://www.facebook.com/BuryLeisure/

We are looking into holding more sessions with Diana on our own Facebook page – keep an eye out for announcements.

Staying Connected

During these unprecedented times, it has become more important than ever to stay connected through technology both old and new.

Telecoms providers and the industry regulator Ofcom are working together so that staying connected on the phone and through the internet is kept as easy and affordable as possible.

This guide lists different financial support available such as removals of data caps and calls charges. Please note all information in this guide correct at time of writing on 8 June 2020. The guide is available at this link

The Quiz

Answers to last week’s quiz on British Towns and Cities at this link. Well done if you got all twenty answers! Take a bow! Have another gin or cup of tea! 

This week’s quiz focuses on Football Teams. Again there is no prize other than the honour of being very clever. Good Luck!

…and finally the essential stuff

  • For help with getting food deliveries and prescriptions, please phone Bury Community Hubs on 0161 253 53 53, every day of the week.

 

  • Our Keeping in Touch telephone service offers older people in Bury a regular friendly phone call from one of our volunteers. For more information, call 0161 763 9030 (Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 2.00 pm) or email admin@ageukbury.org.uk to sign up. Alternatively, call Jane Lees, our Befriending Coordinator on 07541 741891.

 

  • The Age UK Advice Line is 0800 678 1602 from 8 am to 7 pm, every day of the year.

 

  • If you would just like to have a friendly natter with another person, please call The Silver Line 24 hours a day on 0800 470 80 90.

 

 

 

  • We are in the office on Monday to Friday and our phone lines will be open from 10.00 to 2.00. Call us on 0161 763 9030.

 

Please share this newsletter with your friends. If you know someone who is not on the internet, please phone and tell them the news. 

Keep Strong, Stay Safe and avoid getting burnt in the sunshine!

Andy and all at Age UK Bury

Ps: If you wish to unsubscribe, please send an email to admin@ageukbury.org.uk