Welcome to our February newsletter, which includes a great selection of upcoming events and activities. We featured Calderdale Heritage Walks (read about them here) in last month's newsletter and we have more walking opportunities in this edition.
Although winter isn't yet over, our thoughts are perhaps just beginning to turn towards the brighter and warmer days ahead and how we might get out and about a bit more. As well as getting exercise, you might be thinking about a bit of gardening and we have some suggestions as to where to find the best horticultural advice online.
Also in this newsletter is a link to our Accessibility Survey. We want to know if you are having difficulties accessing public facilities and getting out and about. Meanwhile Calderdale Council are opening up to face-to-face meetings again and we have details of the locations and opening hours.
As ever, you can access the very latest news and events on our website at any time, but you can also tell us about events that you've got planned, or news that you'd like to share with us, by sending details to info@calderdaleforum50plus.com - we are always happy to spread the word about anything relevant to the over-50 population of Calderdale and their families and friends.
We wish you an enjoyable and productive February.
The Forum 50 Team
What's On - on our website
For up to the minute information on what's on in Calderdale please visit our website's events and activities page.
Gardening - Where To Get The Best Advice Online
Here are a couple of websites that might prove helpful if you're looking for inspiration and good advice as we head into spring: The RHS (The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity and are committed to "inspiring everyone to grow"). Gardener's World (website of the long-running BBC TV series and popular spin-off magazine). The Soil Association (organic-focused website including advice on how to build a nature-friendly garden).
Annual "Young at Heart" Concert returns this March! The very popular "Young at Heart" Concert returns to the Victoria Theatre on Tuesday 21st March. Free tickets are available to book from Stage Door Studio by emailing anne@concertfortheyoungatheart.co.uk or apply by post to Concert for the Young at Heart, c/o The Studio Rooms, 11, St James Street, Halifax HX1 5SU. Read about last year's concert on our website.
Short Walks for Women In Halifax
Interested in getting fitter and finding out about green spaces in Halifax? Greener Together is running a series of FREE short, 2-hour Thursday walks for women in 2023. Join them on their walks, connect with the environment and meet new people. All walks run every Thursday. Meet at The Women Centre, 23 Silver Street, Halifax, HX1 1JN at 11:00. More Info: Contact Kim Evans 07485388885 or email: kim.evans@womencentre.org.uk to book your place or leave a message.
Walks For Heart Patients and Diabetics
CREW Heart support offer a programme of guided walking groups of about 5 miles (over 2 hours) to help improve your physical health and mental wellbeing. The walks are aimed at people who have suffered some trauma based on cardiovascular problems. Diabetic patients are now included due to the at-risk nature of future cardiac problems. View their website for all their latest information on upcoming walks, plus all the other fitness activities they run - see website.
History Talks
The Square Chapel is running a series of monthly history talks by David Glover. They are a varied look at local history, all tied in some form or another to Calderdale's colourful past. Full Details
Museums Gearing Up For Spring
Calderdale's museums are gearing up for Spring, with Shibden Hall re-opening in March and many new exhibitions and events planned. Find out what's on on our website in a special article - Full Details
Disability Partnership Calderdale Meeting
Disability Partnership Calderdale (DPC) are holding one of their regular meetings on the last Tuesday in February. Their meetings are free to attend and open to all – whatever your disability. Friends, families and carers are also very welcome. There's a free buffet, travel expenses get covered and there are usually a series of short presentations on a range of subjects, plus time to socialise. The date is Tuesday 28 February 2023 and the venue is King’s Centre, Park Road, Halifax HX1 2TS. More Details.
Stay "In Touch" with local health & wellbeing activities
Our website's directory of health, wellbeing & fitness groups has just got a lot bigger, with lots of new listings added in the last few weeks. If you're from Brighouse, Rastrick, Sowerby Bridge, Ripponden, Elland, Greetland, Hebden Bridge or Todmorden, you'll find new entries, all helpfully grouped geographically. Explore them all on our In Touch page.
Our New Accessibility Survey
Accessibility is all about being able to get to the services and support you need when you need them most. This includes day-to-day shopping, healthcare, social & leisure activities, transport and also online services and information. At Calderdale forum 50 Plus, we would like to know what you think about accessibility in Calderdale and any specific problems you may be experiencing. fill in our short survey and help us to identify the accessibility issues that bother you most - Take Survey
Colt Enterprise – Activities & Social Enterprise
Colt Enterprise is a social enterprise that collects, sells and delivers second-hand furniture, whilst offering an alternative recovery support service for people living with addiction. All the profits from any sales or services in Colt Enterprise help support the work of the charity. Nearing its 20th year, Colt Enterprise now offers a range of valued services to the local community. Their three huge sales rooms (Bridgefield Mills, Elland Bridge, Elland, West Yorkshire HX5 0SG) offer quality new and used furniture and household goods at low, affordable prices as well as products made by local artisans.
They also run activities and training courses – including arts classes, barista training, gardening and planting, furniture upcycling and much more. To see what they are currently offering, visit their EventBrite listing. where you can see what’s coming up and register.
Carer Support From Local Hospitals
Calderdale and Huddersfield Hospitals, which work closely together, have provided a news document to help carers get the best support, if the person they care for is taken in to hospital. This really helpful and comprehensive leaflet that you can download, packs in a lot of advice and information. A carer lanyard and card are also available and which should make your life easier when visiting the person you care for in hospital.
Stroke Survivors' Programme
The Better Living Service run a programme of one-to-one support for anyone who has had a stroke within a 2 year period, to increase/maintain their levels of physical activity and ability. Following an initial assessment, each client sets their own goal and over the next 12 weeks, the trainer supports the client through a programme of exercises and activities to achieve that goal.
On completion of the programme, the client is matched to other relevant services that the client can access in order for their recovery to continue. For more information, see their website or email them at blt@calderdale.gov.uk
Live Healthier & Lose Weight With The Better Living Service
Would you like to improve your health and wellbeing? Do you feel you need some support to get started? The Better Living Service are here to do just that! They support the residents of Calderdale (aged 18+) to lose weight, become more active and reduce alcohol consumption. If your BMI is over 25 (check it here), you may be eligible to access 12 weeks free at Slimming World.
If you would like to become more active, The Better Living Service can support you to take the first steps and provide the motivation and advice to keep going! The Better Living Service can also support you to reduce your alcohol intake if you feel it’s time to cut down.For more information, please see their website or email them at blt@calderdale.gov.uk
Cost of Living hub on our website
We've brought together all our Cost of Living advice onto one helpful page of our website. There you will find links to the key support information and support organisations out there. Plus there are regular news items with up-to-the-minute updates. Find out more on our website
Warm Spaces – New Map Of Warm Spaces in Calderdale
Calderdale council have created a map of all the “Warm Spaces” in the area. These are venues of various kinds, including libraries, where people can go to find a warm and welcoming place to go to relax, work or just spend time, during this winter. The aim being to help people who are struggling, for one reason or another, to heat their homes. The map isn’t terribly user-friendly, but with a little patience you should be able to find you local Warm Space! Two national directories of Warm Spaces have also been produced:Find a Space – Warm Welcome | and Spaces – Warm Spaces
Visiting Calderdale Council’s Customer First Service In Person
If you need help with any council service or have a complaint, then you can now call into the Customer First Service points as follows:
Halifax: To make an appointment to complete a Blue Badge or Concessionary Bus Pass application, please phone: 01422 288011. For anything else you can visit in person at Customer First, 19 Horton Street. (Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.) Please note: On the last Thursday of the month, the building is closed to the public from 10am to 12.30pm.
Todmorden: Drop in either Monday or Tuesday between 10am and 3pm, at the Library. (Closed for lunch from 1pm to 1.30pm)
Brighouse: Drop in on any of the Mondays listed below between 10am and 3pm, at the Library. (Closed for lunch from 1pm to 1.30pm): 6th and 20th February, 6th and 20th March, 3rd and 17th April, 1st and 15th May 2023 (closed 29th).
Renewing Blue Badges & Concessionary Bus Passes In Calderdale
To make an appointment to complete a Blue Badge or Concessionary Bus Pass application, please phone: 01422 288011. Alternatively, you can apply online via the Council Website
Domestic Abuse – Finding Support in Calderdale
Calderdale Staying Safe is a service for any individual aged 16+ who experience domestic or relationship abuse. Their service is free and confidential, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, disability, religion or ethnic origin. A diverse, experienced and skilled staff of female and male advisers is available to listen and where necessary, signpost you to the right organisations. If English isn’t your first language, they may have advisers who can speak your language or access a team of interpreters. Visit their Website
MEN: Men can call 01422 323339 to make an appointment with a male victim support worker and can arrange a suitable venue at that time. Calls are answered between 9am & 5pm. There is a voicemail facility to leave a message at other times.
WOMEN There is a free Drop In sessions for Women every Wednesday 10-12noon at the Women Centre, 23 Silver Street, Halifax, HX1 1JN. These drop-in sessions focus on: Domestic abuse support and Safety advice. Or call 01422 323339. Calls are answered between 9am & 5pm.
The Herbert Protocol helps keep family members with dementia safe Living with dementia is challenging and planning ahead is important. West Yorkshire Police report that more than 60% of people living with dementia can at some point start to “walk about” and may get lost or go missing. This leads to feelings of confusion, fear and vulnerability – particularly if it occurs at night time or in extreme weather. The Herbert Protocol is a system which has been put in place nationally to help give emergency services the best possible information should a missing person’s search be required. It isn't difficult to sign up and we recommend it for family members diagnosed with dementia or awaiting a diagnosis. Read more.
SPREADING THE WORD If you would like to read or perhaps share a PDF version of this newsletter for people who are not online, you can download a copy here. Download a copy
About Calderdale Forum 50 Plus We are a voluntary group that supports and represents people aged 50 and over in Calderdale and highlights information and issues which are useful and important to this age group. We collate guidance on key later life issues such as housing, benefits and finance, care of all kinds and physical and mental health. The Forum is represented on the Council's Ageing Well Alliance Board which aims to develop more age-friendly policies across Calderdale.
The Community Foundation for Calderdale supports charities and voluntary groups across Calderdale, working alongside these groups to address inequalities and create opportunities for those who need them the most. Calderdale Council provides support for specific projects and we work closely with them to communicate the older person's points of view on issues that really matter.
