The next broadcast of the Elders Council Older Voices Radio programme is on Friday 15th May at 2pm.
You can find this on your radio by tuning in to 102.5fm or on the Nova Radio North East website here.
Why not try the Radio Garden app on your mobile phone and just look for Nova Radio North East!
For the first time this will be live streamed on the Older Voices Facebook page so please take a look.
You can Listen Again to the show recorded on May 1st via mixcloud here.
☎ phone: 0191 208 2701 or email info@elderscouncil.org.uk
What's the Elders Council doing?
We thought you would like to hear that some of our members have recently been making washbags for scrubs using left over or donated material, threads as well as plenty of personal commitment.
This came about when one of the people we contacted wanted to help but didn't have the contacts or material so another member dropped some off. Now there is a small group sewing the bags and the first batches have already been delivered to local Care homes, thanks to our very busy friends.
If you are able to sew and would like to help, or maybe you have suitable material that you would like to donate, please let us know and we will try to connect you to a local contact person.
☎ phone: 0191 208 2701
or email info@elderscouncil.org.uk
The Elders Council Communications team continues to make contact with members who do not have computers or online access. This is an invaluable way of supporting those who are feeling distressed by the effect of social distancing, away from their loved ones at this time.
If you are providing support in your community why not let us know what difference this has made to your life as well as to those you are helping! We would really like to hear from you all.
☎ phone: 0191 208 2701
or email: info@elderscouncil.org.uk
FACEBOOK
Thank you to our members and friends who continue to 'like' and 'follow' our facebook page.
We do this to keep you up to date with timely information, so do keep telling us what is going on near you and what you enjoy about it.
Also, do you know that you can connect from the link near the bottom of this page?
If you haven't already visited us, please take a look today.
☎ phone: 0191 208 2701
or email info@elderscouncil.org.uk
Interests and Activities
Jesmond Library is now online
You can find out more about the latest news and find out what's happening at Jesmond Pool in their activities timetable by viewing the links.
St Oswald's Hospice have a knitted rainbow yarn-bombing project on the go.
If you have any coloured wool to donate or would like to help by knitting strips, please contact Diane Carter for more information - diane.carter@blueyonder.co.ukInformation Now
There is a wealth of information gathered by the Information Now team. In this issue there are tips on gardening and health.
Opera North Online Trouble in Tahiti is the latest offering from Opera North to keep you from missing live performances too much. This is available to view until the 1st June.
The National Theatre at Home programme has been extended for another 4 weeks. The next 2 shows are as follows:
week commencing 14th May - Barber Shop Chronicles
week commencing 21st May - A Street Car named Desire
YHN Community Spirit Fund is offering grants of up to £250 to community groups to help them respond to COVID 19 in a way which helps their local community. You can find more details here.
Online Learning and Research Opportunities
Free Online Skills training
If you are considering refreshing your skills or would like to try something new then have a look at the Skills Toolkit option here.
Control and Disability Rights UK
There is a register to record people’s experiences of getting health, social care and treatment for Covid-19 during the time of the Pandemic. It is important to hear the experiences of disabled people and people with long-term health conditions, their carers and family members. Your views, both good and bad, of getting support will help the organisation support where they can, and learn for the future. Your name or personal details will not be recorded unless you are happy to provide this. Report your experience of getting care or treatment during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic here: https://puttingpeoplefirst.limeask.com/949771?lang=en
Staff at Northumbria University, together with an NHS Trust and others, have been working on a project to designed understand how music influences mood and how it can be used to improve peoples wellbeing. Would like to help test it?
Don’t worry if you don’t, that’s fine. If you do you would need to: Go to https://www.recoverycollegeonline.co.uk/music-for-wellbeing/
Then choose a music playlist
Once in the playlist you scroll down and will see something like the following that talks about a diary. Please follow the link to that and complete the first part of the diary. When that is done, there is a button to return to the playlist you came from. Your diary entries can be completely anonymously.
You are also invited to a Thursday listening together, every Thursday at 7 15 pm, and you can send in songs that you like in advance.
SEARCH-the older people charity for the west of Newcastle Older people in Newcastle need more support than ever during the Coronavirus pandemic and SEARCH is finding new ways to make a difference.
They are providing ‘Shop and Drop’, a free delivery service for older people who are self-isolating and need someone to do shopping on their behalf, to keep them from being exposed to the virus. Lots of older people have no internet access, bank accounts or family or friends close by so SEARCH are also providing a rolling chemist pick up service for any older person in the west of Newcastle who needs help. They will charge up gas and electricity meters too.
If you need help with benefits or money problems, they offer a Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 12.30pm phone service. Just call 0191 2737443 and you can speak to a welfare rights advisor who will help you fill in a form or sort out a housing, blue badge or help with any other advice issue. Normally you will be able to speak to a worker in Newcastle straight away.
Usually SEARCH runs dozens of groups and activities in venues across the west and they have come up with new activities to overcome the physical separation and lack of stimulation.
SEARCH is posting out regular bulletins and activity packs to everyone on the existing mailing list and to all newcomers. These feature local history, quizzes, crafts and art projects, competitions and an ever expanding list of activities. They are also setting up telephone buddy groups to connect people who belonged to SEARCH groups and to people who want to make new friends and overcome the isolation we all face together.
Coronavirus and your wellbeing
It is very important to take care of our mental health during this time of social and physical distancing. If you are concerned about your own health, or that of a relative or close friend, then take a look at the advice and resources available here.
Coronavirus Testing
The Government has now included unpaid carers in its list of essential workers and those prioritised for COVID 19 testing in England. You can find out more and keep up to date at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested
Food Banks and FREE Emergency Food
Thanks to our community we have received many recommendations for businesses selling and delivering groceries, however there are so many people in our community who are struggling with financial and health issues that in this bulletin we are asking if you are in a position to make a donation, large or small, to the food banks in Newcastle.
If you need help for yourself, or would like to help others, please use the Information Now contact list and do not give money to doorstep or telephone callers.
Showing Racism the Red Card
As Britain continues to battle COVID-19, the importance of the NHS has never been more evident. However, our BAME and migrant NHS workers are still subject to racism and the video here will show you what is happening.Newcastle United Foundation
The foundation plays a big part in the community of Newcastle and in their latest programme they are providing craft activity packs for vulnerable children as well as providing help to the local food banks. You can find out more by clicking on their website here.Caring Hands Newcastle
Some services in the East of Newcastle are still available from Caring Hands and you can find out more about what is currently still being offered by checking our their website here.
Please continue, where you can, to support the local charities providing essential services during this time.Home isn't always a Safe Place
Boots pharmacies are working with Northumbria Police to offer support to victims of domestic abuse. If you or someone you know requires this support please read the information on Northumbria Police website here.
Living Safely at Home As most accidents occur at home it is vitally important that people have access to information that can enable them to live safely and well. Since the Covid19 outbreak even more older people are spending nearly all their time at home so Care and Repair England have produced a practical guide to help and you can view it here. Please share it with family, friends and volunteers who may be concerned about the safety of their older relatives and neighbours. The information can help people spot possible housing hazards and find practical help.
Health and Well being at Home
We have seen some valuable booklets providing information on mental wellbeing, physical health, home exercise routines and many other useful tips for managing your time at home safely.
You may wish to take a look at the following two: The Healthy Ageing Research Group Manchester NHS Central and North West London
Citizens Advice Newcastle
Residents can get in contact with Citizens Advice Newcastle for advice during the current circumstances whilst our face-to-face drop-in sessions are closed. We are still able to advise on the full range of advice issues, benefits, employment, housing, energy, debt, consumer etc. You can Email: citycab@newcastlecab.org.uk
Or use the online web form: http://www.citizensadvice-newcastle.org.uk/contact A specialist adviser will get in touch with advice.
Report scam emails
A new service has started where you can now forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk
More information about this and other fraud services can be found on the website here.
Dementia Volunteers
If you use local services to provide help and assistance to a loved one living with dementia, then you can download a checklistwhich when completed can be shared with the volunteer. This will provide helpful tips to navigate the time spent with this person. This next link will take you to a help page which also has videos for you and/or the volunteer to watch.
Newcastle Hospitals - Keeping in Touch
There is a new "Keeping in touch" virtual visiting tool which allows you to have face to face conversations with either your relative or friend, or their clinical team whilst they are in hospital. When you next call the hospital to ask after, or speak to, your loved one ask the staff for more information.
Face Covering in public People should now aim to wear a face covering when in confined public spaces, such as some shops and public transport, the Government has advised.
Nexus have now issued their own guidance to ensure passengers, and workers, on public transport in and around Newcastle stay as safe as possible.
Recycling Centres in Newcastle
The centres have been reopened to the public but with strict measurers in place. If you need to use the services to dispose of recycling then make sure you read the new requirements before travelling there.
