Have your say on housing for older people

With life expectancy increasing and people from the post-war "baby boom" reaching old age, the number of older people in South Gloucestershire is increasing. To help them plan for older people's housing needs, the council are carrying out a survey.

You can find out more and complete the survey via the consultation web page. The survey will run until the 27th April.

Tackling loneliness

A recent survey by Contact the Elderly showed 1/3 of people had noticed a lonely older person in their community and been concerned, and 40% did not feel confident that they knew how they could help.

South Gloucestershire Disability Network are hosting an information evening for community members to find out:

• How to approach this situation
• What you can do to help
• What schemes exist to help isolated people locally 

The event will take place on Tuesday 20th March at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Registration starts at 6pm, after which attendees can have some nibbles and a look around stalls of local organisations should they wish. The main event will start at 6.30pm, to end around 8.30pm.

The event is aimed at businesses, workers, volunteers and members of the community who have, or might have, contact with lonely people, but who may not be sure what they can do to help. The aim is to increase confidence and provide some new skills in approaching situations with potentially lonely people, as well as provide attendees with information about schemes which may be of use to others in the community – for example First Contact and Community Connectors.

Booking is essential via Eventbrite.

Ageing Better Plan - South Glos consultation

South Glos Council's Ageing Better Plan will bring together the outcomes and priorities that will guide work to support older people (age 65+), the way they will measure progress and how they will work to realise their vision. It is based on data, evidence and consultation with older people and wider partners across the area.

South Gloucestershire Council is now opening the Ageing Better Plan to public consultation between until 12th January 2018.

They are keen to hear views from as wide a range of people as possible; find out what you think of the plan, including how it could be improved, whether they've left out anything that you think is a crucial issue, or how you'd like to get involved in making it happen.

You can find out more and make your views known here.

Future of the Over 50s Forum

The South Glos Over 50s Forum is for all residents who are over 50 years old. They are now holding meetings around the area in a bid to reach out to more people. The upcoming meetings locally are:

• Tuesday 28th March, 10am to 12 noon - Thornbury Methodist Church, High Street, Thornbury
• Thursday 30th March, 2pm to 4pm - The Ridgeway Community Centre, Station Road, Yate

For more information, email southglosover50s@gmail.com

Driving refresher roadshow for older drivers

A free refresher driving roadshow for people aged 60 and over in South Gloucestershire is being held at Longwell Green Community Centre from 1.30pm to 4pm on Thursday 9th March.

The roadshow aims to address modern changes to vehicles, and also how your own driving skills and habits may have changed, with advice on how you can go about updating those skills. The event will be relaxed and friendly with useful information to help improve people’s knowledge and confidence, as well as offering valuable health advice.

There will be a number of information stands on offer, a driving simulator to test reaction times, and free eye tests, along with a presentation covering subjects such as driving licences, changes in the highway code, safer driving at night, and effects of medication. Representatives from public health, the fire service and the local neighbourhood policing team will be present, and anyone who attends will also receive a free copy of the latest edition of The Highway Code.

Distraction burglars posing as "Age Concern" staff

Age UK have warned that in a recent scam, people posed as "Age Concern" staff to gain access to older people's homes. Areas affected included Kingswood in South Gloucestershire.

The charity has urged all older people not to open their door to someone unless they are absolutely sure of their identity. If you’re suspicious or the caller won’t leave, call 999 and ask for the police. If you are specifically concerned about the credentials of someone who claims to be from Age UK or one of their founding charities – Age Concern and Help the Aged – then they would also urge you to contact their free advice line for further advice on 0800 169 65 65.

A free guide Staying Safe can also be downloaded from www.ageuk.org.uk. If you would prefer a paper copy, you can get it from your local Age UK Office or charity shop.

All local Age UK staff visiting older people in their homes are advised to take some form of identification, such as an ID card, or visit by appointment only. All collectors for Age UK shops are required to carry Age UK ID cards and present them if requested.

Have your say on Extracare Housing service charges

South Glos is consulting on proposals to change how they charge for Extracare Housing services, in order to cut £200k from the budget.

Extracare Housing is housing designed with the needs of frailer, older people in mind and offers different levels of care and support on site. Currently, service users are charged using a series of charging bands as opposed to an hourly rate, as used for services in the community. There are only 3 bands, which no longer reflect the actual service provided, so they are proposing to increase the number of bands to 7.

The council will be holding drop-in surgeries in each of the five Extracare schemes, including one from 10am to 12 noon and 4.30pm-6.30pm on Thursday 18th February in Cambrian Green Court, Yate. You can also find out more and have your say at:

https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/consult.ti/Extracarehousing/consultationHome

The deadline for comments is 30th March.

Over 50s provision in Yate

If you are over 50 you are invited for a free cup of tea or coffee in the Pop Inn Cafe, Yate in exchange for completing a survey. You don't have to live in Yate itself to answer it, just be a user of the services there. All surveys completed before Wednesday 23rd December will be entered into a prize draw. The winner will be advised and all results will be posted online.

Have your say on services to help people live independently

South Glos wants your views on proposed changes to Housing Related Support.

Housing Related Support (previously known as Supporting People), includes services to help people to live independent lives in the community, especially around acquiring and retaining suitable accommodation. It does not include personal care or domestic services.

The council is proposing to bring the several different services currently in place together into a single, Housing Related Support service

You can find out more and have your say at:

https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/consult.ti/Housingrelatedsupport2015/consultationHome

Concerned about abuse?

If you are concerned that a child, young person or adult is being abused, you can find out what to do on the new South Gloucestershire Joint Safeguarding Board Website. This brings together information that was previously held in different places. The clear message is if in doubt, speak out - and the website tells you how to do that.

Refresh 2 Impress

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College are holding a "Refresh 2 Impress" event aimed at the over 50s.

The course offers:

• Free Maths qualification
• Option of choosing 3 fun and interactive sessions including:
•  2 Art options – Painting/Photography
• Sport options – Gentle gym (strength and conditioning) or bowls/Table tennis/Golf 
• First Aid at home
• Technology – Tablets, Skype, Emails/Using the Internet to save time & money – Ebay, Uswitch, Online shopping, On line banking, Booking trips
• Free Lunch each day
• Free tea/coffee with biscuits/cakes
• Chance to have an amazing 3 days, meet like-minded people and just have fun…

There are 2 start dates: Monday 13th July – Wednesday 15th July and Wednesday 15th July - Friday 17th July. Each day will start at 9.30 finishing no later than 4pm. Both taking place at WISE campus, New Road, Stoke Gifford. Bristol, BS348LP (plenty of free parking available). For more information read the online flyer or contact 0800 056 6940.

Unsure? Close the door

A nasty scam, this one...

Age UK South Gloucestershire has been made aware of an incident where a bogus caller, claiming to be one of their representatives, cold called an older person offering to undertake some home decorating and repairs.  The rogue caller then asked for money to buy materials.

Age UK South Gloucestershire want to remind older people across the area that they never make unsolicited cold calls to people’s homes.  Their representatives help many older people, either their volunteers who offer a befriending service or their Information and Advice workers who help with benefits advice and form completion.  However, their visit will never be unexpected.  Age UK's professionals always make appointments and never cold call.

In addition Age UK South Gloucestershire will never ask for any money for their advice.  Neither will they ask if you keep money in your home.

Their professionals carry official identification and will encourage you to scrutinise it.  If you are ever unsure about a caller who claims to be from Age UK South Gloucestershire please close your front door and call Age Concern's office number.  The professionals will not be offended if you are cautious.  If you feel unhappy or intimidated please call the police on 999.

If you think that you or someone you know has been a victim of a bogus caller please contact Trading Standards, Age UK South Gloucestershire or the police on 101.  However if you feel a crime is in progress call 999.

Drop-in session for the retired

"Now I'm retiring" is a drop-in marketplace of clubs, volunteering opportunities and hobbies to inspire people who have retired or are about to do so. It's being held on Saturday 18 October between 11am and 2pm at Yate Library. For more information please email cchengagement@southglos.gov.uk or call 01454 862356.

New memory cafe opens Thursday 11th

If you or someone you know is affected by dementia, there is a new memory café launching at Emersons Green library this Thursday 11 September.

Come along to the new memory café and meet other people in a similar situation. This is a friendly and supportive atmosphere where people and families affected by dementia can get together and share their own experiences over a cup of tea and a slice of cake.

Staff and volunteers from the Alzheimer’s Society will be on hand to provide you with information and offer support. Although the café is run by the society with support from South Gloucestershire Council, the café is also suitable for people with other forms of dementia.

The library will be open as usual so you can also take the opportunity to borrow books or DVDs, use the computers free of charge, and find out about library services.

The café is open monthly between 2.30pm and 4.30pm on Thursday 11 September, Thursday 9 October, Thursday 13 November and Thursday 11 December.

If you’d like to find out more contact your local Alzheimer’s Society on 0117 961 0693 or email bristol@alzheimers.org.uk

Red Cross Healthy Homes project

The Red Cross Healthy Homes project provides information and support with:

• keeping warm at home, energy efficiency and affording your energy bills
• preventing fires and falls
• maintaining independence
• promoting well-being

If you would like a free home visit and free winter warmth pack or if you would like them to visit a centre or group you attend to give a general talk about the Healthy Homes Project please contact Ellen Devine at H&SCWAG@redcross.org.uk or 0117 9415041.

Senior Siren magazine

The Senior Siren magazine is the bi-monthly magazine of the Senior Citizen Liaison Team (SCLT). The SCLT is a hybrid police/charity project that aims to provide a tailored crime prevention, victim support and social advocacy service to vulnerable older adults in the community.

You can read the latest version online.

Breast cancer in over-70s

Avon, Somerset and Wiltshire Cancer Services Network (ASWCS) is coordinating a campaign focusing on breast cancer in women over 70 years on behalf of the 6 primary care trusts/ CCGs in the Network (NHS Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, North Somerset and B&NES). The campaign runs to 15^th March 2013. Why not complete the short online survey hosted by the Care Forum to help understand local levels of awareness of breast cancer risks for women over 70 and raise awareness of the risks?

Share the gift of time

Some older people feel lonely and isolated or need help to get out and about. South Glos Council has funded 5 organisations to help support older people.

You can find out more on the Precious Time website. There's information for residents, potential volunteers and organisations, stories about some of the amazing work already going on and a section where you can pledge an action.

There is also a "Being a Welcoming Organisation" toolkit to help groups welcome and involve older people.

 If you would like more information on volunteering or are in need of support, email precioustime@southglos.gov.uk or call 01454 862356.

Could you help older people get cooking?

Let's Get Cooking for Older People is a new national project funded by the Health Lottery targeting people over 55. It aims to reduce isolation, increase confidence and independence, help people cook for themselves more often and provide information on healthy eating.

Now they are looking for volunteers to help set up two Cooking Clubs in South Gloucestershire. An information session is being held on January 16th and training will take place in February over 2 days.

You can find out more at Let's Get Cooking's website www.letsgetcooking.org.uk or there is a flyer on the South Glos website.

Survey for older people

If you are an older person or work with older people, Age UK in South Gloucestershire need your opinions. You can access their short survey online at http://www.ageuk.org.uk/southgloucestershire/ .