Find the spring in your step at our Sheds - Age UK
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FREE
Please ta
ke one
SUMMER 2021
Find the spring
Your local independent charity with a national name
Helping in your step at
you to live
well with our Sheds
dementia
Get some kindness
for your feet
Your local independent charity with a national name
FUNDRAISING + Services + puzzle page + information and advice + much more
Westroyd
House
is a happy
place to live
We pride ourselves on having
a happy home, where residents
and their families can enjoy
spending quality time with each
other and develop new friendships
along the way.
We are located close to local shops
and amenities, and benefit from strong
connections with community groups.
One of the leading care homes in
Leicester, our care team offers residential
care for those who need help with daily
tasks, as well as residential dementia care
where we support people to maintain
their independence and individuality,
encouraging social activity and building
relationships within the home. We also
provide respite care to give family or
friends a well-earned break.
Call our friendly
team today on:
01509 860579 Face-to-face
visits
available!
Westroyd House Care Home
Tickow Lane, Shepshed, Leicester,
Leicestershire, LE12 9LY
www.fshc.co.uk/westroydhouse
WITH FOUR SEASONS HEALTH CARE
2 | SUMMER 2021 www.ageukleics.org.uk
Your local independent charity with a national name
How Can We Help You?
Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland would like to thank its advertisers for supporting EngAGE and allowing us
to produce this magazine at no cost to the charity.
Information & Advice Home Care Respite
0116 299 2278 0116 299 2266 0116 299 2266
A free and confidential service to assist with issues Assistance with domestic tasks to make living at Fully trained Respite Workers offer carers a
affecting your quality of life including: finances & home that little bit easier to manage. Services include: break from the stress and demands of caring for
welfare benefits; housing & property; social care; food preparation; cleaning & ironing; shopping; someone. We also offer dementia respite by workers
and leisure activities. collecting prescriptions; personal care; companionship; experienced and trained in dementia care.
support with appointments & outings.
Befriending Services Handyperson & Gardening Day Care Services
0116 299 2233 0116 299 2254 0116 222 0558
A free service offering a daily or weekly phone call to
carers and those who live alone giving the opportunity A ‘no job too small’ household maintenance service Social support in a community setting including care,
for a friendly chat which can make all the difference. including: gardening; home security & safety; basic entertainment and companionship, with optional
Home befriending visits are available in NW decorating; home maintenance. transport if required.
Leicestershire & Rutland.
The above services were open at the time of going to press but their availability may be affected by local Covid-19 restrictions.
Leicester Shire
& Rutland
Connecting you with
traders you can trust
Visit the Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland Business
Directory today
You will find traders and businesses
including:
Builders
Plumbers
Roofers
Electricians
We are independent and Solicitors
every penny raised locally is and many more
spent locally. For your peace of mind all
businesses are checked and
agree to abide by a customer
charter.
Call us free on
YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO LOCAL PEOPLE
0800 599 9435
or visit us online
www.aubdleicestershire.co.uk
Your local independent charity with a national name
Registered Charity Number: 1146649
suppor ting older people for over 50 years SUMMER 2021 | 3
16
25 09
Contents List Summer 2021
Kindness for your feet. . 06 Action Deafness: Puzzle page. . . . . . . . . . 18 Living well with
Our Footcare Service Generation Brain teasers to get dementia . . . . . . . . . . 22
and how we can help Communication Project ..13 you thinking! We are here for you…find out
Details of a new project ways in which we can help
Find the spring in your helping those with hearing Help us recover and
step at our Sheds . . . . 08 loss to be get online reinvent after News round up . . . . . . 25
New hobbies, friendships lockdown . . . . . . . . .. . . 19 News & exciting developments
& sheds! Information & Advice. . 14 We’re all in this together…
For the latest news, find out how you could help
EngAGE Business. . . . . . 11 help & guidance
Let’s get back to the Valuing carers. . . . . . . 20
new normal together! FUNdraising. . . . . . . . . 16 Carers Week campaign
Get involved and help
us spread the word
4 | SUMMER 2021 www.ageukleics.org.uk
Your local independent cha
Meet the
Team… Foreword
Editor
Tessa Trace
from the
Executive Director
Tel: 0116 222 0560
Email: tessa.trace@ageukleics.org.uk
Deputy Editor
Leonie Purvis
22
Email: leonie.purvis@ageukleics.org.uk It’s so good to be back in an achieved so much in
edition of EngAGE and able partnership. We may be
Age UK Leicester to share the news with you moving through the road
Shire & Rutland of our projects and services map – thankfully quite
Head Office, Lansdowne House
reopening, new services successfully – but, as we
113 Princess Road East
Leicester, LE1 7LA available to support you and emerge from the restrictions,
Tel: 0116 299 2233 of course, some pertinent we need to be mindful that not
Fax: 0116 299 2244 information and advice to everyone is enthusiastic about
Email: engage@ageukleics.org.uk help you avoid scams and returning to a new normal.
maximise your income.
Designer
Laura Lang
I hope you enjoy this long- Many older (and indeed
Tel: 01536 334226 awaited Summer edition! younger) people have simply
Email: laura@lanceprint.co.uk lost confidence, remain fearful
Since March 2020, we have of the virus and of going out,
Advertising Sales never been so much in demand, are grieving, dealing with carer
Laurence Rowe
Tel: 01536 334218
have never witnessed so many strain and many are working
laurence@lanceprint.co.uk people struggling with day-to- through new or escalated
day life or experienced such mental health challenges. I hope
Publisher depths of need. Very few of that the community spirit we
Lance Print Ltd us weren’t touched in some experienced will stay with us
1st Floor Tailby House
Bath Road, Kettering, NN16 8NL
way by Covid-19; we may have and make us thoughtful, gentle
Tel: 01536 334222 been furloughed or learned new and considerate with others who
Email: mike@lanceprint.co.uk ways of working (“you’re on may be finding the transition out
www.lanceprint.co.uk mute” is now a familiar phrase!), of lockdown nearly as hard as
06
we may have self-isolated or moving into it was last March.
Printer
caught the virus ourselves and Be kind to others and be kind
Lance Print Ltd
Tel: (01733) 390564 too many have lost a loved to yourself over the coming
one or seen them struggle months. Just like our crisis
with long Covid. It’s been a response, our recovery will be
year that’s changed us all. so much stronger if it’s achieved
together and as a community.
As the first point of contact
for older people, we helped Stay safe and well.
thousands with their emotional,
practical and mental health
needs. And, in turn, we were
helped by hundreds of people Executive
4 who gave in whatever way that Director, Age
they could – by volunteering UK Leicester
their time, by donating food Shire &
CARING FOR LOCAL PROSTATE CANCER for emergency parcels, Rutland
by fundraising for us and
through generous cash
donations. Our
community
truly
stepped
This magazine is produced on behalf of Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland by Lance Print Ltd. All rights
are reserved by the charity and no part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without up, came
the written permission of the charity. Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland will accept no responsibility for, or
necessarily agree with, any claims made or views expressed in this publication, nor does the mention of
together
any product, service or advertisement imply a recommendation by Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland. Age and
UK Leicester Shire & Rutland Limited, Registered Charity No: 1146649, Limited Company No: 7844309
suppor ting older people for over 50 years SUMMER 2021 | 5
arity with a national name
Health & Wellbeing
By Annette Shaff at Shutterstock.com
Kindness
for your
Feet
Are you finding it hard to get an appointment at your local Podiatry
clinic? Do you need some help for yourself or a loved one with
overgrown nails or problem feet? Let us help with our new home visit As well as looking after
hands and feet, the
service or visit our Charnwood, Rutland and City Centre clinics.
appointment also provides
some much-needed
A
s restrictions begin to healthy feet. We worked with and soften the skin and nails, conversation and
ease across the country, the NHS Podiatry service to a nail trim, followed by hand companionship for our
more and more older develop our Footcare Service or foot cream to moisturise clients, many of whom
people are struggling with the in 2019 and quickly found that and prevent skin dryness or have become increasingly
health of their feet. Many are appointments at our city centre itchiness. Treatments take isolated during the
finding it too difficult to bend clinic were in great demand. 20 – 30 minutes, and longer past year.
and cut toenails, struggling to We are pleased to now be appointments are available for
cut through thick nails or have able to offer new clinics in those wanting to have both a Our prices are
health issues such as arthritis Charnwood and Rutland as hand and foot treatment.
competitive and can be
that make using clippers well as offering home visits
booked through our Home
problematic. for people unable to attend Our staff are provided
Help Department on
a clinic. with appropriate Personal
Despite now being able Protective Equipment 0116 299 2266
to leave the house, many During your appointment, a (PPE) and we have extra
By Suzanne Tucker at Shutterstock.com
older people are finding that member of our fully trained handwashing and hand
their nails have become team will welcome you into sanitising facilities available.
so overgrown that they are a private room for your You will also be provided with
digging into their toes, making treatment. They can help you a personal nail cutting kit to
it painful to walk. remove your shoes and socks, prevent cross contamination.
if needed, and will make sure All appointments are timed
As many Podiatry services are you are comfortable for to prevent client crossover
still only offering emergency your treatment. and to allow for thorough
appointments, our Footcare cleaning and disinfection of
Service can provide much Each treatment will include: a the treatment room between
needed support for maintaining hand or foot soak to cleanse appointments.
6 | SUMMER 2021 www.ageukleics.org.uk
Your local independent charity with a national name
Choosing care?
Free, specialist help is available
A free, independent service How our service works
We have been helping individuals and You will be given your own dedicated
their families to arrange care in their adviser who will:
own home and choose care homes for
20 years. Discuss your individual needs.
All the information you need Carry out a search for suitable
We provide you with all the homes or care services within
information you need to make an your area.
informed choice about the best care
home for you or your relative. We can Collect & accompany you on
also arrange packages of care in your care home visits.
own home. We can help you if you are
paying for your own care or have social Provide advice and support
services funding. throughout the entire process
0116 254 2564
Your local independent charity with a national name
suppor ting older people for over 50 years SUMMER 2021 | 7
Health & Wellbeing
By Stokkete at Shutterstock.com
Find the spring
in your step
at our Sheds
Our Men and Women in Sheds projects run in Charnwood and Rutland.
They provide a workshop space where older people come together to
work on a wide variety of activities including woodwork, gardening,
model making and art and craft projects.
T
he Sheds have been a Attending a Shed means they find a sense of purpose
great success story and something different to each and an invaluable, informal and
have run for several years member; it may be a place of supportive social network that
now, giving older people a respite for a carer, somewhere makes our Sheds such effective
different way of making new to make new friends post- hubs for wellbeing.
friends, engaging in retirement, the opportunity to
new activities and learning learn new skills or to indulge
new skills. in previous hobbies in a social
environment. Many Shed
Like any community-based members have shared
activity, both of our Sheds their stories about
were severely affected by how the
Covid-19 and were hardly Shed has
able to open for most of helped them to
By Ljupco Smokovski at Shutterstock.com
2020 and nearly half of 2021. live with long-term
We were both relieved and health conditions
absolutely delighted that, in and to deal with
May this year, both Sheds other life changing
resumed operation and could events.
welcome back many of their
active members from before It is clear that, for
the start of the national many people who
lockdowns. come to the Shed,
8 | SUMMER 2021 www.ageukleics.org.uk
Your local independent charity with a national name
Irene Bayliss is the wife of weeks we were all back in
one of our Charnwood Shed lockdown for 6 months.
members. Irene wrote to us He was so happy when I
in early May to express how told him it was restarting
much the Shed meant to her on the 17th May and
husband and how much he although he has
was looking forward to it deteriorated a little over
re-opening. lockdown he still has
happy memories of the
few weeks he spent with
My husband Sean was
Owen and I'm sure he
diagnosed with Early Onset
will make many more.
Alzheimer’s in September
2017 aged 51. I stopped
Keep up the good work.
working in 2019 to care
You make a difference
for him.
in people's lives far
more than you will
I discovered Owen and
ever realise.
Charnwood Men in Sheds in
September 2020 and Sean Going forward, Age UK
attended his first session in Leicester Shire & Rutland
early October. will be working with Shed
members with the aim of
From the very first session making these amazing
I noticed a change in his projects sustainable in
mood; he had a spring in the longer term and as
his step and he chatted accessible as possible to
afterwards for a few days older people with a wide
recalling what he had done. range of needs, abilities,
He would ask how many strengths and interests.
more days until he could go
again. It gave him purpose We are actively looking
in his week, it made him for new members to join
happy again which I hadn't our Sheds and enjoy the
seen in him for a few years. pleasure of old and new
He was quite sad and hobbies in a Covid-safe
lonely as his few friends are environment with like-
scattered around the country minded people.
and some have not been in
For more information
touch since his diagnosis.
about our Sheds, please
The Men in Sheds had given visit our website
him confidence to chat to www.ageukleics.org.uk
other men and women in and click on Our Services,
a safe non-judgemental then Helping You Stay
environment. Healthy and Well.
You can also contact our
Sean has always had a love Shed Co-ordinators:
of wood and was a keen
DIY-er but sadly his tools Owen at Charnwood
are no longer used as he Shed on
lacks the knowledge of what 01509 211603
he's got or the inclination to or owen.jones@
do anything. ageukleics.org.uk
Brian at Rutland Shed on
The Men in Sheds
had reignited his love 01572 720319
or brian.lee@
for woodworking but
Your local independent charity with a national name
ageukleics.org.uk
unfortunately, after only a few
suppor ting older people for over 50 years SUMMER 2021 | 9
1 0 | SUMMER 2021 www.ageukleics.org.uk
Your local independent charity with a national nameGet Involved
Our Business Club members:
L
ike many of you, we We’d like to suggest that an Virtual wine tasting…
are at last feeling option to help you re-engage …but the wine was real!
more positive about with customers – and staff Working with Unique Wine
things getting back to - is to consider the value Safaris, we held our first
normal including resuming that is added to brands virtual wine tasting event
business as normal, and organisations through in March led by wine
working back alongside a partnership with a local expert, Phil Humphries,
colleagues, welcoming charity working in your local and Spanish vineyard
customers and clients community, especially one owner, Juan. It was a great
and looking forward with which has been seen as a opportunity for people to
fewer restrictions. Without key supporter of local people be part of an event without
the support of our corporate in their hour of need. For having to leave their living
partners and friends, our many people, an association rooms. One lucky attendee
charity would find it very with a charity like Age UK won a case of the wine
difficult to provide the vital Leicester Shire & Rutland we had enjoyed during
services that are a lifeline shows a commitment to the evening. Please follow
to so many local people, your local communities our social media pages for
especially during the and thus drives more future, exciting events –
pandemic. customers towards your and get in touch if a wine
business and increases staff tasting evening appeals for
We would like to thank the satisfaction and pride in your business.
following organisations for their employer. Take a look
recently donating to our at the organisations already
charity in recognition of
our vital support services:
working with us on the panel
on the right who feel that
Cooking up
Hastings Direct, Interaction
Recruitment, Leicester
lending us their support really
works for their business
support
Rotary, SPS Technologies, and their staff. If you are
S
Lloyd & Whyte, Berkeley interested in working with incere thanks to
Insurance Group Ltd us to help us continue our University students
and Boden. support for local people, we throughout the city who
have lots of opportunities have been busy fundraising All offers are made by the organisation
For many businesses, and a range of partnership for us. Leicester University listed and not by Age UK Leicester
planning to return to trading levels that can be tailored to held a “Take Me Out” Shire & Rutland. Any communication
after so long in lockdown your organisation. fundraiser raising £360 and or correspondence about these
presents many challenges. students from De Montfort offers should be directed to the
University partnered with organisation making the offer.
We’d love to hear from you and to answer your questions. Chutney Ivy and held an
Please contact Nikky Miles on online curry cookery class
and raised £150. Well done
0116 223 7346, 07967 030401 to you all.
or nikky.miles@ageukleics.org.uk
21st Annual Charity
Annual Golf Day GOLF Tournament
W
e were very We already have companies
Lingdale Golf Club, Joe Moores Lane,
disappointed to entering teams, all keen for a Woodhouse Eaves,
Leicestershire LE12 8TF
have to cancel return to happier times and MONDAY 13th September 2021
our 2020 fundraising golf being able to meet again with
tournament last year, so it is old friends. There’s still time Registration 9:30am—10:30am
with great pleasure that we to enter a team or, if you can’t
“Shotgun” start 11:00am
Drinks Reception followed by
dinner and prize giving 4:30pm
can announce that our 2021 make it on the day, we have Dinner will be on a set menu We would like to say a big
thank you to all of our members
basis in the club restaurant.
golf event will go ahead on many opportunities to show Entry £350.00 for a team of
Monday 13th September your support by sponsoring a
Your local independent charity with a national name four players
Entry fee includes: Breakfast and supporters without whom
at Lingdale Golf Club in hole or prize. Contact Nikky
Roll, 18-holes of golf, and
3-course evening meal with
complimentary wine.
we could not provide our
Woodhouse Eaves. Miles for more information. All money raised from this event
support local projects which havewill be used to
services to older people.
been set up to
combat loneliness and social isolation.
For registration and/or sponsor ship
opportunities
Nikky Miles on 0116 223 7346 or please contact
email nikky.miles@ageukleics.org.uk
Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland Limited
number: 7844309 Registered Office: Registered charity number 1146649.
Lansdowne House 113 Princess Road Company limited by guarantee
East, Leicester LE1 7LA
suppor ting older people for over 50 years SUMMER 2021 | 11HOLLYWELL COURT
Privately owned residential care home for
12 service users (65+)
Facilities and services:
•Own GP if required •Wheelchair access
•Own furniture if required •Gardens for residents
•Near public transport •Television point in
•Lift own room
464 London Road, Leicester LE2 2PP Tel: 0116 270 2252
1 2 | SUMMER 2021 www.ageukleics.org.uk
Your local independent charity with a national nameThe Generation
Communication Project
Action Deafness, a Deaf led charity, supplies services such as Telephone It could be that you have a
and Translation, British Sign Language Interpretation services (including tablet or PC already but are
unsure how to use it and would
LipSpeaking and Speech to Text), one to one support at home and in
like further training. Or you
the community and free impartial information and advice regarding may have no technology and
any aspect of hearing loss. would like support with what to
purchase and training on how
T
he charity has been This is especially important Our fully trained Generation to use it.
successful in securing during the pandemic where Communication Officers are
National Lottery Funding many people have been now supporting those in the We can visit you at home
to support those in the isolated at home and unable community that are over should you live in one of the
Community that have a hearing to meet with friends and family the age of 50 and have a geographical areas we are
loss and are isolated due to or reach out to services they hearing loss - whether you currently supporting, full PPE
lack of knowledge on the use may require as so many have have a slight hearing loss, are and risk assessments are in
of technology. moved online. profoundly Deaf or a British place. We are also able to
Sign Language support remotely regardless of
user, our team location if you have access to
are here to help. a webcam or phone.
This service is
free of charge.
We just wanted to say how
The aim of very helpful & lovely the officers
the project have been. Nothing seems to
is to reduce be too much trouble for either
isolation of them & they really are doing
and improve all they can to make things
independence easier for mum. Such a credit
by teaching to your team.
and supporting
those that
require support We also run monthly
with the use workshops online via Zoom
of technology. covering various topics such
This could as how to use FaceTime or
be support how to us WhatsApp - which
with the use everyone is welcome to attend.
of a mobile
phone, tablet,
PC, webcam
apps (Zoom, Please do get in touch if
Microsoft, you, or someone you know,
FaceTime etc), is over the age of 50 and
online services has a hearing loss and
and online thinks they may benefit
shopping, from the project on
mobile phones info@actiondeafness.org.uk
(texting, or
WhatsApp) or
Social Media 07850 796131
Your local independent charity with a national name platforms.
suppor ting older people for over 50 years SUMMER 2021 | 13Information & Advice
Welfare Benefits • Housing • Social Care • Your Rights
Money Matters
Pensioner Avoiding Scams
increasingly targeting older and
vulnerable customers. People are
Poverty called by fraudsters posing as
and Fraud
police officers who claim money
has been, or is about to be, stolen
A
new report shows that from their account and a suspect
pensioner poverty arrested. They ask the victim to
W
levels are rising with e have all heard • Know who is on your hang up and call the local police
18% of pensioners (£2.1 about some doorstep. Check before you to verify who they are. However,
million people) now living in incredible acts of open your door, and do not the fraudster simply stays on the
poverty after housing costs. kindness over the past year as feel bad about asking line so, when the person makes
Caroline Abrahams, Charity individuals and organisations someone to leave if you do the call, they are unknowingly
Director at Age UK said: have supported older and not know them. If someone connected straight back to them.
vulnerable people living in their refuses to leave, you can call They then ask the victim to tell
This worrying increase communities. Unfortunately the police. them their PIN or key it into the
represents 200,000 more however, criminals have • Be wise to cold call scams. phone’s handset. The criminal
pensioners in poverty than used the pandemic as an Ignore unsolicited invitations then poses as a courier and
the previous year and there opportunity to devise new such as letters, emails or comes to collect the person’s
hasn’t been a larger number scams. Here at Age UK phone calls offering a brilliant bank card. Once they have the
of pensioners living in poverty Leicester Shire & Rutland we investment or saying you have PIN and card, they clear out the
for more than 15 years. are regularly hearing about won a lottery. victim’s account.
individuals who have become • Report it. Do not feel
Today’s figures also show that victims of the latest scams. embarrassed or ashamed Remember you should not be
8% of pensioners wouldn’t be if a scam happens to you. afraid to hang up if you are
able to pay an unexpected All of us can be targeted by Unfortunately, it is much unsure about giving personal
bill, equivalent to more than scams and they can be very more common than people details. Never assume a caller is
900,000 older people. upsetting with the impact think. Contact Action Fraud genuine just because they have
This paints a stark picture of being both emotional as on 0300 123 2040 to report it basic information about you,
the grim reality of retirement well as financial. If you have and get help. such as your name and address.
for millions of pensioners in unfortunately been the victim The police and banks will never
the UK. The fact is that far too of a scam, it is important Alternatively you can contact call and ask for someone’s PIN
many pensioners are living in to remember that you are Action Fraud, using their online number or ask them to withdraw
a precarious financial situation, not alone. Sadly, scams fraud reporting tool at money. If you receive a call like
with insufficient income to are becoming increasingly www.actionfraud.police.uk and this please hang up, call someone
cover even their basic costs. common and we can all get you can do this any time of the you trust to make sure the line is
caught out. day or night. clear and report the matter to the
Many of these older people are police. The Age UK information
likely to be in poor health and There are some steps we can Most Coronavirus linked scams guide “Avoiding Scams” has
feeling extremely vulnerable all take to avoid being taken in relate to online shopping, information on more ways older
as the country has been in by scams: vaccinations, testing and PPE. people can protect themselves.
lockdowns for the past year. • Do not rush into anything. Others involve messages
They are likely to be just about If an offer seems too good to claiming to be from the
managing by budgeting be true, it probably is. Government, HMRC or NHS,
Contact our Advice Helpline on
carefully and the smallest • Do your research. Make where recipients are asked to 0116 299 2278
increase in expenditure, such sure a company is reputable open attachments or reveal between 9am-1pm on
as an unexpectedly high by checking for a contact financial information. weekdays if you would like a
utility bill, can quickly tip number and postal address One complex scam to trick copy of the leaflet or indeed
the scales. and membership of a trade people into handing over their any further information.
association. bank details or savings is
Free, confidential Information & Advice Helpline
1 4 | SUMMER 2021 www.ageukleics.org.uk
Your local independent cha• Residential & Nursing Care • Money Mat ters • Leisure
Benefit Checks
A Information
ge UK Leicester Shire • Health benefits - people • Universal Credit - the
& Rutland is urging any aged over 60 can get free basic standard allowance
older person who is prescriptions and eye tests for Universal Credit is &
worried about money to see if
they could be eligible to claim
but you may be entitled to
help with other NHS health
£411.51 per month if you
are single and £596.58 Advice
any additional benefits. costs too for couples
Did You
Members of staff on our • Personal Independence • Heating benefits – Winter
telephone helpline (on 0116 Payment - for people of Fuel Payment remains a
299 2278 between 9am - 1pm working age who may need one-off annual payment
KNOW
on weekdays) can undertake help because of a long-term of normally £200 for
benefit checks and provide illness or disability. The daily individuals under 80 and
information and advice living component has £300 if they are aged
on possible entitlement to increased to £60.00 for the over 80. Cold Weather
additional income. standard rate and £89.60 for Payment is paid at £25 A recent report has
the enhanced rate per week. per week when the revealed that 1.4 million
Some of the most common The mobility component is weather has been, or is older people aged 60+ in
benefits and the payment rates now £23.70 for the standard expected to be, freezing England have been eating
April 2021 -2022 include: rate and £62.55 for the or below for seven days less since the start of the
enhanced rate per week in a row between Coronavirus pandemic
• New State Pension - up to November and March. and could be at the risk of
£179.60 per week depending • Bereavement benefits – The Warm Homes becoming malnourished.
on the National Insurance which you may be able to Discount is a one-off Meanwhile 3.7 million older
contributions made during claim if your husband, wife discount on electricity bills people say that they or
the person’s working life or civil partner has died from energy suppliers others in their household
have been unable to eat
• Basic State Pension - the • Contribution Based • Housing Benefit – can nutritious food.
full, basic State Pension Employment and Support help people of pension
under the old rules is now Allowance - for people age on a low income
£137.60 a week for people who are unable to work to cover their rent All EU, EEA or Swiss
with at least 30 years of due to illness or disability. and sometimes other Citizens, who were resident
National Insurance The work-related housing costs like service in the UK on 31 December
contributions component has increased charges. The level paid 2020, need to apply to the
to £74.70 per week and will vary depending on EU Settlement Scheme,
• Attendance Allowance - the support component has certain circumstances by 30 June 2021, to be
to help those over state increased to £114.10 and criteria given “Indefinite Leave to
pension age, who have per week Remain”. Once granted
personal care needs. This • Council Tax Support - this enables an individual
is now £60.00 per week if • Pension Credit - an helping people who are to live in the UK for as long
you need help in the day or income-related benefit to on a low income or as they want. EU citizens
night and £89.60 per week give you some extra claiming certain benefits who do not make their
if you need help in the day money in retirement. to reduce their Council Settled Status application
and night Guarantee Credit can now Tax bill. The rate it is by this deadline could
By bearsky23 at Shutterstock.com
top up your income to paid will vary depending possibly lose their rights
• Carer's Allowance - for at least £177.10 per week for on certain criteria and to benefits, social care
carers and, even if you do single people and £270.30 circumstances. and other services.
not think of yourself as a for couples. Savings Credit Application guidance can
carer, you may still be able to is now up to £14.04 extra be found on GOV.UK.
claim it. £67.60 per week if per week for single people or
you care for someone £15.71 for couples
0116 299 2278 • Available weekdays from 9am to 1pm
suppor ting older people for over 50 years SUMMER 2021 | 15
arity with a national nameGet Involved
FUNdraising
Scott Graham @homajob unsplash.com
Woolly Warriors
needed! Get yourself a
discounted
T
he Innocent Big Knit
is in full swing and
we are calling on the
With many of us
spending lots of
Will during August
C
knitters and crocheters of time at home it is a ovid sadly disrupted There are no strings attached
Leicestershire & Rutland to great opportunity for our ‘Discounted Will – you work directly with the
get their needles at the ready ‘stitching superstars’ or Writing’ promotion last solicitor and just complete a
to help raise urgent funds for year but it’s back in August questionnaire for our records.
for ‘knitting newbies’
older people most in need. with 26 solicitor practices
to grab some needles
ready to help you write a If you wish you may make a
and give it a whirl!
This is the 18th year that new will or review your donation to our charity or you
‘Innocent’ has been running existing one. may want to discuss with
the Big Knit in partnership We have patterns your solicitor how to leave
with Age UK and ‘Woolly for six exciting new If you are not familiar with a legacy in your will to help
Warriors’ are invited to craft hat designs this our annual promotion, then secure services and
some little hats to sit on the year, including a it simply helps the over 55’s support for older people
‘Innocent smoothie’ bottles. rainbow, a rabbit and to make or update a single, in future years.
For each be-hatted smoothie a cupcake so visit uncomplicated will with
sold, we receive 25p, which www.ageukleics.org.uk professional support from a Our ‘Wills’ pack has all the
will help the charity make a to download them. local solicitor for just £35 + information you’ll need to
big difference to the lives VAT. This year it runs during make an appointment with
of older people. the whole of August and all a solicitor and you'll make a
you need to do is contact us significant saving on writing
to request your wills pack. your will this summer.
To find out more about any of the fundraising
ideas and opportunities on this page, to order your free
wills pack or to chat to us about your fundraising ideas,
By Nataliia Pyzhova at Shutterstock.com
please contact Tracey Pollard on
0116 299 2265
or Tracey.pollard@ageukleics.org.uk
You can also visit the Get Involved section on our
website at www.ageukleics.org.uk
for more fundraising ideas.
We can’t do what we do without you!
1 6 | SUMMER 2021 www.ageukleics.org.uk
Your local independent chaDigital donations Make this a different kind of
are a doddle challenging year
W
e are emerging
Eunice De Guzman @edg0308 unsplash.com
Here’s a couple of our favourite digital donation out of lockdown
websites… they are quick, easy, and cost you nothing so naturally our
to instantly start raising money for your favourite minds are turning to summer
charity (us!) with just one click of a button… holidays and the need to
lose those ‘lockdown lumps’
and ‘Covid curves’ before
we hit the beach. If you’d
like a challenge, you’d like to
get fitter, lose a little weight set up your own
and raise money for a local fundraising page at
charity all at the same time, www.virginmoneygiving.com,
we’re with you every metre, nominate Age UK Leicester
mile or stroke of the way… Shire & Rutland as your
W
e’ve all been Simply visit and anything you raise for charity to support, share
Amazon crazy www.smile.amazon.co.uk, us will make a real difference the link with family, friends
during lockdown follow the simple instructions to local older people. Our and colleagues so that they
but did you know that to select Age UK Leicester team is working hard to help can support you and off
AmazonSmile has exactly Shire & Rutland as your them get back to normal you go! And don’t forget
the same products, pricing nominated charity and start after Covid and we rely on to share some photos of
and delivery as Amazon but shopping! Amazon then amazing supporters like you your challenge and tag us
with the added benefit that donates ½% of the value of to help us continue our work. on social media so we can
some of Amazon’s profits get your purchases to us at no It’s really simple, pick a give you a shout-out and
donated to charity? cost to you. challenge you’d like to do, cheer you on!
With two
Get Lucky with
chances to win on
every card and just
£1.00
the Lucky Fox per play, what’s
not to love?
When you sign up with some retail therapy with the
Now we can get out and about a bit more,
www.easyfundraising.org.uk feel-good factor of knowing how does £1000 spending money sound?
and make online purchases you’re helping your local
through the platform, the charity.
Put it towards a holiday in the sun, a meal out,
retailers you shop with will
donate to us as your charity
a treat for the children or whatever will help you
of choice. shake off the shackles of a Covid-year!
With over 5,000 retailers to You could be enjoying a fabulous summer with
£
choose from including Tesco, lots of lovely cash just by purchasing one of our
asos, Boots, Boden, Marks
Lucky Fox scratch cards
By WindAwake at Shutterstock.com
& Spencer and John Lewis
you’re sure to find what from any of our shops or community centres.
you’re looking for! Signing up
to support us is so They’re a great gift to give to friends and family
simple – visit
for a birthday, anniversary or even as a wedding
www.easyfundraising.org.uk,
choose Age UK Leicester favour… so pop into one of our shops or
Shire & Rutland community centres today and
as your cause get scratching!
and enjoy
suppor ting older people for over 50 years SUMMER 2021 | 17
arity with a national namePuzzle Page
Puzzle Page
Solutions can be found on page 23
Quick Quiz
Test your Travel knowledge
with our Quick Quiz
1. Which two cities did the original
Orient Express travel between?
By Oxy_gen at Shutterstock.com
2. In which Asian countries
would you spend the following
currencies: (a) dong, (2)
rupiah, (c) taka, and (d)baht?
3. Which theme park at the Walt
Disney World Resort in Florida
has areas called Future World
and World Showcase?
Sudoku 4. Where in Britain would you
find a large waterwheel and
Sudoku By Artulina at Shutterstock.com
popular tourist attraction
The game of logic called the Laxey Wheel?
Place each of the digits 5. The three largest of the Balearic
1 to 9 in each row, Islands in order of size are
column and 3x3 box. Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza;
which island comes fourth?
There is only one solution.
6. What name can be a city
in southern Spain, a major
city in Argentina, and a car
produced by Chrysler?
Wordsearch Travel
7. Which lake is called the 'jewel of
the Italian lakes'?
By lagoon_nebula at Shutterstock.com
Pool 8. Fisherman's Wharf is
a neighborhood and
Hat popular tourist attraction
Beach in which American city?
Sun 9. Which European country
Picnic is a good place for beach
quiz from http://www.freepubquiz.co.uk/travel-quiz.html
holidays on the Makarska
Ball
Rivijera or the islands of
Vacation Krk, Rab, Pag and Brac?
Camping
10. The Shelbourne Hotel,
Sandals
By Jag_cz at Shutterstock.com
built in 1824, is the oldest
Park and most lavish hotel in
which capital city?
Campfire
Hot 11. The Alhambra is a palace
Sunglasses and fortress complex located
in which Spanish city?
Ice Cream
Shell 12. ATOL protects you when you
book a holiday with a UK travel
company; what does letters
'AT' stand for in the acronym?
1 8 | SUMMER 2021 www.ageukleics.org.uk
Your local independent charity with a national nameGet Involved
Help us
recover
and reinvent
after lockdown
We’re calling on you to help us continue our work supporting older people as they emerge
from lockdown. For all charities, the past year has been really tough but we are working hard
on our recovery.
O
ur shops, which fell pre-loved items in saleable our services have been able We are privileged and proud
into the non-essential condition to any of our shops to start up again. However, to publicise our charity as the
retail category, had to for us to convert into a we have seen many older largest local charity in Leicester
close for many months; not befriending call for an isolated volunteers choosing not to supporting older people.
only did this mean that we lost older person or a food parcel return to their roles post-Covid With over 800 valued
essential income to support for someone self-isolating. and are heartbroken to be volunteers as our backbone
our services, we were also saying goodbye to many of our in helping provide various
unable to receive donations We would be delighted to long-term and committed services from telephone
of stock. accept donations of clothing, older volunteers. befriending, to shops, day
shoes and accessories, books, care centres and lunch clubs,
At last though, all our shops bric-a-brac and homewares We now face a huge challenge we still need as much help as
are open and we know that in saleable condition at our to change the mindset we can get within our local
shoppers are pleased we’re shops as well as small items around volunteering and are community. If you - or any
back! We’ve welcomed of furniture. If you have larger calling for volunteers from friends or family members – are
lots of bargain hunters and furniture items, we can arrange all backgrounds to help us interested in giving us some of
urgently need to replenish collection from your home. recover. In recent years, the your valuable time and sharing
the stock in our shops and We have furniture shops in whole volunteering culture your skills and enthusiasm with
warehouse across the city and Blaby, Birstall, Oadby and has changed massively, with us, please contact us to hear
two counties. So please, if the Leicester city warehouse an increase in adults under about our current, exciting
you’ve had a declutter during - phone us or pop into the the age of 60 stepping up volunteering opportunities in
lockdown or plan to do so this furniture shop nearest to to volunteer. Having a better retail, befriending, catering,
summer, do bring along your you and ask about a furniture work-life balance, and building day care and meet & greet in
collection. Please rest up your skills and experiences, our community centres.
assured that we are working can lead to countless
Call one of our furniture Covid-safely both in our shops invaluable possibilities, such
shops to arrange a and during furniture collections as boosting your career
collection of larger in your home. You can find prospects, increasing your If you would like further
furniture items: out where our shops are confidence, learning new information about
located and get their opening skills and getting a real buzz our various roles and
Blaby 0116 278 1208 hours and contact details from just giving back to your how to get involved
Birstall 0116 267 4876 on our website community. Volunteering as a volunteer, please
Oadby 0116 271 7989 www.ageukleics.org.uk provides an opportunity contact the Volunteering
to connect with the local Department on
We also need your skills community, contribute to a
We are open 9.30am
cause you care about, utilise
0116 299 2256
to 4.30pm from and your time… or volunteering@
Your local independent charity with a national name
Monday to Saturday. your skills productively, find
With lockdown rules slowly a purpose, and help make ageukleics.org.uk
easing in phases, many of a difference.
suppor ting older people for over 50 years SUMMER 2021 | 19Campaign
By SpeedKingz at Shutterstock.com
Valuing Carers
Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of the invaluable support carers
give to individuals, families and communities throughout the country and highlight the
difficulties they face.
T
his year, Carers Week • Helping with letters or Shire & Rutland will shortly The Office for National
took place between forms be launching a project to Statistics reported that before
7th and 13th June • Collecting shopping or highlight the benefits of the pandemic started 11%
2021, with the theme Make prescriptions identifying family carers of adults in the UK were
Caring Visible and Valued. • Dealing with finances as partners within a timely regularly providing care
Throughout the week • Offering a listening ear hospital discharge process. but after the lockdown was
organisations focused on the • Dealing with doctors or implemented 48% of adults
importance of recognising Adult Social Care They will also be developing said they were providing care
carers and valuing them for an information pack for for someone outside of their
the vital contribution they Sometimes individuals do family carers to support them household.
make every day. not identify themselves as when the person they care
being a carer; they may feel for is being discharged The pandemic has led to
Who is a Carer? that they are a husband, wife, from hospital. more people experiencing
If you provide help to a family partner, son, daughter, relative carer breakdown leading to
member, friend or neighbour, or friend. However, if they Looking after yourself a risk of hospital admission
who cannot manage on their provide any of the support Caring can be a very either for the person they
own, you are a carer. listed above, they are also a rewarding experience, but for care for or themselves,
Carers help in a variety of carer. Leicester City Council, some it can be quite difficult often because they are not
different ways: NHS Leicester City Clinical and tiring. Sadly, for many aware of the support that is
Commissioning Group and carers the challenges they available or because they
• Helping the cared for the Leicester Carers Support face on a regular basis have have been left feeling tired
person to wash or dress Service at Age UK Leicester increased during Covid-19. and stressed.
2 0 | SUMMER 2021 www.ageukleics.org.uk
Your local independent charity with a national nameSupport is available • Register as a carer with although you do not • If you provide help to
Without the right support, your G.P. have to live with them a family member,
advice and information, caring or be related to them. friend or neighbour who
can have a negative impact on • When you are caring for The person you care cannot manage on their
your relationships, finances, someone else it is for needs to receive the own make sure you have
career, health and general important to stay as higher or middle rate a Carers Passport, as
wellbeing. Here are some healthy as possible. care component of it can help other people
suggestions that may help in Try to eat healthily, Disabled Living recognise you as a
your role as a carer: stay active and get Allowance, either rate carer, for example in
enough sleep and perhaps of Personal shops and hospitals.
• Getting help from friends discuss ways to help you Independence Payment It can also enable you to
and family can ease the manage any of your own daily living component, access support or
stress, additionally your long term health needs or any rate of services to help you
G.P. and Adult Social Care with your doctor Attendance Allowance. with your caring role.
should also be able to If you are working you
provide support • Carers Allowance is the must not earn more
main benefit for carers than £128 a week after
• As a carer you do have and if you are eligible, it is deductions (2021) and
certain basic rights and you currently worth £67.60 not be in full-time If you would like any
are entitled to ask for per week (from April education. Carer’s further information or
a Carer’s Assessment and 2021). To claim Carer’s Allowance may not
details about local
have your views taken into Allowance, you must
By Jeanette Teare at Shutterstock.com
be paid if you are
organisations offering
consideration by Adult spend at least 35 hours receiving a State
support to carers,
Social Care when a week caring for Pension or certain other
they are deciding someone, benefits, but it is still
please contact our
how best to meet worth claiming Advice Helpline on
the needs of the because you could get 0116 299 2278
person you extra Pension Credit between 9am -1pm on
care for. and/or Housing Benefit. weekdays.
Your local independent charity with a national name
suppor ting older people for over 50 years SUMMER 2021 | 21Health & Wellbeing
By Rob Marmion at Shutterstock.com
“Knowing that you
are there makes a
huge difference”
Living well
Leicestershire and Rutland To fill this gap, our Dementia
Living Well With Dementia Support Service starts with an
strategy that aims to ensure invitation to a post-diagnosis
that people with dementia information session either
live independent, healthy and face-to-face or on a Zoom
with dementia
fulfilled lives for as long as video call.
possible. We are supporting
people aged 18+ who are The session is tailored to the
registered with a GP in specific needs of the individual
Leicester and Leicestershire. and is accompanied by an
It is well documented that dementia diagnoses We also support their families information pack to read at
are increasing. In Leicester and Leicestershire and informal carers and leisure and refer back to as
recognise that they are not needed. It recognises that
there were an estimated 13,288 people living always living close by so we everyone will have different
with dementia in 2019 and it is anticipated that support them wherever they needs and preferences in
this will rise to around 14,456 by 2025. may live. terms of the information that
they will find most relevant
You can ask us directly for and useful. We also provide
A
ge UK Leicester Shire that living with dementia is a help or you can be referred information online that can be
& Rutland has helped type of journey and that there by a health or social care accessed at any time.
people to live well with will be times when guidance professional. Our team of
dementia for many years
with a range of services and
and support is needed and
that people’s needs will
trained and experienced
Dementia Support Workers “Thank you so
support. From April this year, change over time. It also will then contact you to find very much for
our provision was extended and
we now offer a new Dementia
responds to the broad range of
concerns and challenges that
out what your needs are and
provide you with guidance that looking after
Support Service which works a diagnosis raises including will help you to plan for the us so well. You
with adults who have received
a formal diagnosis of dementia,
employment, finances, family
life and social life.
future - as either the person
living with dementia or an have succeeded
their families and informal carers informal carer. in making both
so that they can continue to live
well and remain independent for
Our service, commissioned
by Leicester City Council, We know that people who of us feel more
as long as possible. Leicestershire County find their lives changed by a secure as we move
Whilst receiving a diagnosis
Council, and the three Clinical
Commissioning Groups
diagnosis of dementia often
find it hard to access the forwards into
of dementia can be daunting, working across Leicester information they need to help new unchartered
our Dementia Support Service
can really help; we recognise
and Leicestershire, is closely
aligned to the Leicester,
them process their diagnosis
and plan their way forward. waters!!”
2 2 | SUMMER 2021 www.ageukleics.org.uk
Your local independent chaAnswers&Solutions
from page 18
1. Paris and Istanbul
2. (a)Vietnam, (b)Indonesia, (c)Bangladesh,
(d)Thailand?
3. Epcot
4. Isle of Man
5. Formentera
6. Cordoba
7. Lake Como
8. San Francisco
9. Croatia
10. Dublin
11. Granada
12. Air Travel (Organiser's Licence)
After the initial information living with dementia and
session, there are a range of informal carers.
services and support options
which can be accessed as • Informal carer learning
needed: sessions that will equip
carers with the knowledge
• One-to-one support from and skills they will need to
our team of experienced continue in their caring
Dementia Support Workers. role. Sessions include help
The support responds to with: understanding
the separate and shared dementia; strategies to
needs of the person living support the person living
with dementia and their with dementia; managing
family/informal carer and money; further support
can be accessed as available; planning for the
frequently and regularly future; looking after yourself.
as needed.
The Dementia Support
• An information and advice Service is not exclusively
service to give the help for older people because
needed to maximise income it’s not only older people
and apply for benefits that who may face a dementia
they may be entitled to. journey; we have resources
and experience to also
• Group support, including help people to live well
memory cafes and social when diagnosed with
groups aimed at people young onset dementia.
You can find out more information about how our
service can help you on our website,
www.ageukleics.org.uk by clicking on ‘Our Services’
and choosing ‘Living with Dementia’.
You can also contact us on
0116 223 7363
or dementia.support@ageukleics.org.uk
suppor ting older people for over 50 years SUMMER 2021 | 23
arity with a national nameVases Planters & Jugs • Mirrors & Wall Decor • Storage & Baskets
Soft Furnishings • Kitchenware • Faux Plants & Flowers • Heart Collection
Candle Holders and Lanterns • Decorative
15 Burghley Rise, Burwell, Cambridge, CB25 0RS, United Kingdom
burghleyinteriors@gmail.com
Free
Royal Mail
Deliveroyveor n
orders
£29.99
At Wright Aromas we create a wide
range of home fragrance products to
suit everyone needs. We are a small
family run business that hand pour all
our beautiful products.
Our candles and wax melts are all
made with soy wax to ensure they are
vegan and eco friendly along with our
packaging.
So if you are in need of new product
to ensure your homes smell incredible
then why not head on over to our
website www.WrightAromas.com to
checkout our products and use
WA10 for 10% off
2 4 | SUMMER 2021 www.ageukleics.org.uk
Your local independent charity with a national nameNews Round Up
What a Covid- Exciting new developments at
awful year! Humberstone Gate
A
fter a difficult year,
T
we feel that we are he builders have been Centre will house our
starting to return to on site at Clarence Information & Advice workers
a sense of normality. and funding awards. We House since the and our Carers Support
made a staggering 124,631 beginning of the year and, team – with staff ready to
Whilst the world starts to befriending telephone calls, as you can see, our new welcome you in and help you
regroup, our services are still helping local older people feel building is ready to welcome with a range of support and
in high demand – we less anxious whilst keeping you. The new Bradbury guidance.
supported over 7,500 older them connected to the
people over the last 15 outside world.
months with food parcels,
shopping trips and befriending Let’s keep sticking to the
telephone calls all thanks guidelines to make sure that
to the fantastic support we can all enjoy the summer
of volunteers, community with our friends, family and
and corporate supporters hopefully some sunshine!
Not just ‘Jam and Jerusalem’
T
he fabulous ladies of the found Nemo! What an
Anstey WI have picked amazing bunch, keep
up their knitting needles knitting ladies, there are lots
to help us get to our Big more patterns to try!
Knit target.
We have received some
Visit us soon at Gypsum Close
wonderful creations, from household waste recycling centre shop
elephants & robins, bees and
W
a Santa, to strawberries, an e are so pleased to Sorry to keep you waiting until
octopus & we’ve finally be taking over the autumn, but we can promise
shop at Gypsum the wait will be worthwhile.
Close Household Waste and When the shop reopens it will
Thank you to... • Hastings Direct, Next,
SPS Technologies, DA
Recycling Centre, opening
its doors in the early autumn.
be so much bigger and better
after an extension and facelift
Group and Interaction We are incredibility proud to and of course packed to the
• Asda in Thurmaston, support the City Council to rafters with bargains of all
Recruitment for their
Oadby and Abbey Lane
donations and support reduce landfill and to welcome shapes, sizes, and varieties!
for their continued support
• Finally, a huge thank bargain hunters keen to reuse
with donations of food,
you to everyone who and recycle pre-loved items.
essentials, and recent
donated to us for our
community grants.
shop & warehouse
• Waitrose in Mountsorrel
re-openings… we have
By kondratya at Shutterstock.com
for a fantastic donation of
lots of fantastic items
£100 worth of Easter Eggs
but keep them coming!
in March – it was very
egg-citing!
… and the very many
• All our Big Knit Knitters out
other individuals and
there who are working so
organisations who so
hard on their creations. We
Your local independent charity with a national name
generously support us.
couldn’t do it without you!
suppor ting older people for over 50 years SUMMER 2021 | 25You can also read
