AGE UK KENSINGTON & CHELSEA MAGAZINE SUMMER 2016
AgeMatters
FREE PLEA SE TA
KE ONE
Writing a Will
Summer Gardening
Health Fair 2016
VOLUNTEERING + WHAT'S ON + PUZZLE PAGE + INFORMATION AND ADVICE + MUCH MORE
Is your home cold or damp? Do you sometimes struggle to pay your fuel bill? If the answer to either of these questions is “yes� and you would like to find out about help, call 0808 202 6204 or email healthierhomes@rbkc.gov.uk The Healthier Homes project has been set up by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea working in partnership with Public Health and third sector partners to tackle fuel poverty and help residents to live in warmer, safer homes. Contact us for advice on heating and insulation, fuel tariffs and tackling fuel debt.
Find out if you are eligible for help to repair, install or upgrade your heating system.
AgeMatters
CONTENTS SUMMER 2016
14 11
12 Contents List SUMMER 2016 Health Fair. . . . . . . . . . 06 The highlight event of the year is coming! Friends’ Group . . . . . . 08 Will you become a Friend of Age UK K&C? Garden Guardians. . . . . 11 Tips on staying safe in the garden over the summer Volunteering with Age UK K&C. . . . . . . . . . 12 We need you! Ways to get involved as a volunteer
4 | SUMMER 2016
Age UK K&C First Volunteer . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Volunteer Isobel Carter interviews member Pauline De Chalus about her time as a volunteer Friends & Neighbours Project. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Details of all our groups and activities to keep you busy Intergenerational Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Need help with your computer? Find out how
New Faces . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Meet the new members of the team at Age UK K&C Meet the Trustees. . . . . 18 Interview with our Treasurer, Jit Bhuva Information & Advice.. . 19 6 reasons why you should make a will Annie’s View. . . . . . . . . . 20 Age UK K&C member Annie Redmile shares her experience of our Decluttering Service
Puzzle Page .. . . . . . . . . 21 Exercise your brain with our Sudoku and wordsearch puzzles Open Age. . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Details of Open Age’s current groups Volunteering at New Horizons. . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Puzzle solutions. . . . . . . 23
Meet the Team…
22 19
Foreword from the
Chief Executive
Editor Brooke Kerr Tel: 020 8969 9105 Email: bkerr@aukc.org.uk
Age UK Kensington & Chelsea 1 Thorpe Close, London, W10 5XL Tel: 020 8969 9105 Fax: 020 8206 6589 Email: administration@aukc.org.uk
Designer Laura Lang Email: laura@lanceprint.co.uk
Advertising Sales Laurence Rowe Tel: 01536 526662 Email: laurence@ lancepublishing.co.uk
Publisher Lance Publishing Ltd 1st Floor Tailby House Bath Road, Kettering, NN16 8NL Tel: 01536 512624 Fax: 01536 515481 Email: mike@lancepublishing.co.uk www.lancepublishing.co.uk
Printer Lance Print Ltd Tel: (01733) 390564
ON THE COVER
Cover Image © Age UK
19
11
www.aukc.org.uk
06
This magazine is produced on behalf of Age UK Kensington & Chelsea by Lance Publishing Ltd. All rights are reserved by the charity and no part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the charity. Age UK Kensington & Chelsea will accept no responsibility for, or necessarily agree with, any claims made or views expressed in this publication, nor does the mention of any product, service or advertisement imply a recommendation by Age UKKensington & Chelsea. Age UK Kensington & Chelsea Limited, Registered Charity No: 1086258, Limited Company No: 03926026
W
elcome to the first edition of Age UK Kensington & Chelsea’s new magazine, Age Matters. Our colourful new-look magazine brings you all the regular features, as well as some new ones such as the puzzle page. By including advertisements we have been able to work towards reducing the cost of producing the magazine, so that we can continue to send it out to over 4600 local residents for free. I hope you enjoy reading it and that you find the content as useful and informative as ever.
funding, whilst the demand for our services is ever increasing. For this reason funds received through voluntary donations and legacies are more vital than ever, to ensure we can continue to support thousands of older people in this borough. To find out how you can support us, turn to page 8. Although it feels as though summer is only just beginning, autumn is just around the corner and for Age UK K&C staff that means the Health Fair is fast approaching! This year it will take place on Friday 7th October between 12 and 4pm and you can find more details on page 6. As always it’s sure to be a wonderful day and I hope to see you all there.
Jan Jan Halliday, Chief Executive, Age UK Kensington & Chelsea
Like many charities, Age UK K&C faces difficult financial times due to deep cuts in
SUMMER 2016 | 5
Health & Wellbeing
AgeMatters
Age UK K&C Health Fair...
THE HIGHLIGHT EVENT OF 2016 IS ON THE HORIZON!
E
ach year Age UK Kensington & Chelsea’s Health Fair brings together community groups, voluntary organisations and local businesses to showcase the best this borough has to offer over 55s.
lunch, try out new activities, experience therapies and meet up with friends old and new.
This year it will be taking place on Friday 7th October at Kensington Town Hall between 12pm and 4pm, so come along for a fantastic day out.
This year we would like to thank our main sponsors: the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, The Key Safe Company, Waitrose, Peter Jones and West London Clinical Commissioning Group, as well as those exhibitors who are purchasing stalls.
You will have the opportunity to find out more about all aspects of good health, enjoy a free
If you wish to take part in the event as a stallholder or a sponsor, or to find out more,
6 | SUMMER 2016
please contact Kathe Jacob on 020 3181 0002 or email kjacob@aukc.org.uk.
Pioneering improved healthcare for over 65s in West London
Y
our local NHS is introducing a new integrated care service to better meet the physical, emotional and social needs of patients aged 65 and over who live in Kensington & Chelsea and the Queen’s Park and Paddington areas of Westminster. The new service, called My Care, My Way, is being introduced in response to feedback from people aged 65 and over who said they wanted their health and social care to be more consistent and coordinated. The pioneering service is a collaboration of many local organisations working together as partners including: local GPs, local hospitals, community services, social care, charities such as Age UK Kensington & Chelsea and other voluntary organisations. My Care, My Way will give patients more time with their GP and access to a host of other professional staff who will collaborate with the individual to
Are you over 65? plan their care. As Henry Leak, the Development Manager at the Violet Melchett Integrated Care Centre explains:
“It’s good to have all your illnesses and ailments considered at the same time. It’s tiring to see people at different places”.
“The patient is at the heart of My Care, My Way as it focuses on what the patient needs in terms of health and social care. It puts the patient in partnership with their GP and with other health and social care professionals so together they can actively plan care specific to a patient’s needs”.
GPs have also discovered the benefits of the service: “I have been the patient’s GP for the past 15 years but I found out more about them in the session at the St Charles Integrated Care Centre today than I have in the 15 years of looking after them - this is really positive for patients”.
The two newly opened Integrated Care Centres at the St Charles Centre for Health & Wellbeing in Ladbroke Grove and Violet Melchett Clinic in Chelsea mean that patients can access a wide range of services, conveniently all under one roof. These include basic foot care, diabetes clinics and social care services. A patient seeing their GP at one of the centres can access all of the services in one place and reduce the number of appointments in different places. After a visit to the St Charles Integrated Care Centre one patient said:
One essential part of the My Care, My Way service is ‘self care’. This offers an approach for everyone on keeping well and looking after themselves with ideas and supportive information on various activities. Self care goals are things you can decide you want to do in order to keep yourself as well and as active as you can. Goals can range from deciding to eat more vegetables in your diet, to trying out a class or workshop with some new people.
Want to know more? For more details about My Care, My Way, talk to your GP, or visit www. westlondonccg.nhs.uk/yourservices/older-adults-aged65-and-over
www.aukc.org.uk
SUMMER SUMMER2016 2016| |7 7
How can you Help
AgeMatters
Will you
Become a Friend of
A
ge UK Kensington & Chelsea is part of the national Age UK family, but it is an independent charity and has to raise its own funds. We now offer more services than ever to around 6,000 older people in this borough. The recent increase in demand, coupled with severe cuts in official funding to the charitable sector, mean that voluntary donations are now more vital than ever. We asked some members of our Friends Group (originally the ‘Supporters’ Group’) what they liked about Age UK K&C. Greta Trevers said, “I am a Supporter because in recent years I have
Age UK Kensington & Chelsea?
been so helped by all Age UK Kensington & Chelsea’s services and they have made my life much easier”. Norma Peacock told us she enjoys our Friends' events, as well as taking part at New Horizons, an activities centre in Chelsea run in partnership with Open Age and the Guinness Trust. Friends of Age UK K&C make regular donations to the charity and pledge to tell their friends and neighbours about the work that we do. In return they are invited to special get-togethers, receive updates about our work and know that their support makes a huge difference to the
lives of their older neighbours and friends. Now we are asking you to help us grow this network so that we can continue to provide companionship, advice, support and care services for thousands of older people in our community. As an independent, local charity, every penny raised in Kensington & Chelsea stays in Kensington & Chelsea. To join our Friends group, please see the form on the opposite page. All you need to do is fill it in and return it to us; we’ll do the rest and send you our thanks.
For more information about our Friends’ Group or any of the other ways you can support us, please contact Brooke Kerr on 020 8969 9105 or email bkerr@aukc.org.uk.
8 | SUMMER 2016
:
_____ / _____ / _____
_____ / _____ / _____ (
_____ / _____ / _____ (
S
©Alexander Raths/shutterstock.com
ummer is upon us again. Oh, the joys of summer rain with the occasional thunderstorm and the odd flood here and there to remind us how lucky we are not to be troubled by earthquakes or tsunamis - yet. As gardeners we endure all Mother Nature has to throw at us and you will find us in the garden shed with a cup of tea and the latest seed catalogues waiting for the flowers to dry. The rain brings out all the slugs and snails to munch on your plants and remember they don’t like red plants or plants with hairy, tough or bitter leaves. Our friends the worms will pop up due to their burrows being flooded. Some news from my
friends in the undergrowth: the biggest species of one our most common earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris, has been discovered on the Scottish island of Rum. It measures 40cm long and weighs 12.5 grams, known in America as the Night Crawler due to its nocturnal ramblings. It’s the only nocturnal worm in Britain and the main reason for its extra growth is lack of predators, which are probably all tucked up in bed to avoid the cold Scottish nights. All this talk of worms reminds me of compost; at the moment you can’t put garden waste outside unless you have signed up to the new collection scheme. If you’re not signed up, the Council has a temporary scheme whereby you can buy a large compost bin (but no base) for about £9 which includes postage - call me on 020 8969 9105 for details. Here are a few tips on health and safety in the garden: • When using canes to support plants always use caps on the top of the canes to prevent a poke
www.aukc.org.uk
in the eye; I have a few spare caps to give away. You could also use old film containers, small plastic bottles or anything to cover the top of the canes. •
Don’t leave garden tools uncovered in the garden, especially wooden handled ones as the wood soaks up the rainwater and then when you use it the handle snaps. Also try not to leave any tools out in the garden, or keep them covered and out of sight.
•
Be more careful when you are in the garden after a downpour due to possible slip hazards.
Enjoy the rest of the summer and don’t forget your brolly. John Nugent I’d like to say a big THANK YOU to all our volunteers for their relentless endeavours in helping with the upkeep of your gardens. Also thank you to the hard workers at Talk Talk who cleared a very overgrown garden; they literally talk talked the weeds away to a large compost heap in the corner, so well done to them. We are always in need of more volunteers, so if you could help, call us SUMMER 2016 | 11 now on 020 8969 9105.
Community Engagement
AgeMatters
Volunteering with Age UK Kensington & Chelsea
E
ach year Age UK Kensington & Chelsea provides hundreds of people with the opportunity to volunteer and give something back to their community. Many of our services rely on the support of our dedicated volunteers, and we are extremely grateful to each and every one of them. Due to ever increasing demand for our services, recruitment of new volunteers is always an ongoing process. We need help with a wide range of services, including befriending, escorting, shopping, gardening, supporting people with dementia, providing gentle exercise tuition and information & advice. If you happen to have a bit of spare time and would like to get involved, please call us on 020 8969 9105 and ask for Valerie Williams (Mondays and Wednesdays) or
1 2 | SUMMER 2016
myself. We will be most grateful to you for offering your time to support our older residents. I would also like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to our late volunteer Tony Morris, who sadly passed away a few weeks ago. Tony volunteered with us since 2001, supporting some of the frailest older residents to do their shopping every week. For the last 15 years Tony has been part of all of our lives, making an enormous contribution to the work we do, and he will be greatly missed. I hope you will join me in taking a moment
to remember all those dedicated volunteers through the years who sadly are no longer with us. A big THANK YOU to all of them. Tasio Cabello, Community Engagement Manager Tony Morris 13.06.1960 - 25.05.2016
Age UK
Kensington & Chelsea’s First Volunteer As a current volunteer at Age UK Kensington & Chelsea I am lucky enough to regularly visit a lady called Pauline De Chalus. As I got to know Pauline I was delighted to discover that she herself was one of Age Concern K&C’s first volunteers, and I asked her to tell me her story
P
auline de Chalus is a small, dainty lady, welldressed and alert, who seems much younger than her 93 years. She is used to handling responsibility as she was the eldest of six girls and one boy. When Pauline retired from the Foreign Office she wanted to keep fit, so she enquired at her local branch of Age Concern in Kensington & Chelsea – then made up of two ladies who worked in Adam and Eve Mews. She had an unlooked-for piece of good luck: she was informed they had free tickets for the Savoy Theatre that evening, not only for her but also for two Canadian friends who were staying. As there were only two members of staff shouldering a large workload, Pauline asked if she could volunteer to help them. Thus she landed her first job as an Age Concern Kensington & Chelsea volunteer, phoning round members and asking them if they would like tickets for various London shows donated by the theatres. “It was a marvellous job” she said, “Those I contacted were so thrilled!” Pauline’s career as a volunteer went from strength to strength, and one of her greatest successes was her tea dances. Attended by as many as 200-300 people, these
www.aukc.org.uk
were from 3pm until 6:30pm. Everyone dressed up in their best clothes and the Chelsea Pensioners, always keen to dance, attended in their scarlet uniforms. Pauline’s day, however, was much longer; often from 9am to 8pm. She had to arrange and decorate the tables, make the sandwiches, cut the cakes donated by local businesses and clear up afterwards. It was for work such as this that Pauline was awarded a certificate by Helen Fraquet, Chief Executive of Age Concern Kensington & Chelsea, for “outstanding assistance as a volunteer”. In 2005, she received a certificate and Medal of Appreciation in “recognition of voluntary service” by Mayor of Kensington & Chelsea Councillor Warwick Lightfoot and Christine Vigars, Chair of the Board of Trustees. Pauline had no inkling that the ceremony was organised for her benefit and went forward, stunned, to receive her award. Her colleagues later upbraided her: “You might have smiled” they said! Later the number of
volunteers grew, and Pauline worked with them at Charles House opposite Olympia. She attended Board Meetings for some time, but when the move was made to 1 Thorpe Close in Ladbroke Grove, it proved a little far for her to travel. When I asked what advice Pauline would give to those who may be considering giving time as a volunteer, she said: “Be sure you really want to do it. For me there was no question: I gave but also received so much pleasure from helping others.”
Pauline De Cha
lus.
By Isobel Carter, Volunteer
SUMMER 2016 | 13
AgeMatters
FRIENDS & NEIGHBOURS PROJECT
O
ur Friends & Neighbours Project can help you to lead a full and active social life by connecting you with others with similar skills and interests. Whether you want to meet new people, try a new hobby or take a trip, we offer a huge range of events, activities and clubs to keep you busy. With the help of our dedicated volunteers, more than 250 people are involved in this project.
Friends & Neig hbours Group at on 6th May 20the Isabella Plantation 16
Update from Ximena We have had an incredible few months. There have been visits to Kew Gardens, Hastings, Brighton, the V&A, Burgh House & Hampstead Museum, Museum of Childhood, Memories Match at Lord’s Cricket Ground, Isabella
Plantation, British Museum, William Morris Gallery, Classical Spectacular at The Royal Albert Hall, The One Show (BBC1), The Wright Stuff and New Wimbledon Theatre where we saw Save the Last Dance For Me. Particular highlights included our St George’s Day celebration at Mary Smith Court, the Queen’s 90th birthday celebration at St Cuthbert’s Church, the Tea Dance at the Royal Albert Hall and our spring concert with Opera Holland Park at the Venture Centre. We are excited to announce that Opera
1 4 | SUMMER 2016
Holland Park will be returning with “Movies in Concert” on Thursday 15th September. We have a whole host of exciting things coming up over the few months, including our Summer Party, Friends Matinee at the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Opera House tour, Imperial War Museum, Halloween Party, a tour of Buckingham Palace, Silver Sunday events and Oktoberfest. For more information and to register for any groups, please call Ximena Chiesa on 020 8969 9105 or email xchiesa@aukc.org.uk
Why not try something new? Here is a timetable of the groups we run as part of the Friends & Neighbours Project Group Coffee Morning
When? Mondays, 11.30–1pm
Where? Mary Smith Court (17–21 Trebovir Road, Earl’s Court, SW5 9NF)
Lunch Club
Second Tuesday of the month, 12.30-1.30pm
Ormrod Court (71-117 Kensington Park Road, W11 1NP)
Lunch Club
Last Wednesday of the month, 12.30–1.30pm
Evelyn Fox Court (2 Kingsbridge Road, W10 6QF)
Knitting & Crochet Club
Tuesdays, 1–3pm
St Cuthbert’s Centre (51 Philbeach Gardens, Earl’s Court, SW5 9EB)
Knitting Club
Thursdays, 10.30–12.30pm
Evelyn Fox Court (2 Kingsbridge Road, W10 6QF)
OLGTB* Group *Older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
Second Sunday of every month, 12.30–2.30pm
For more information, call Tasio Cabello on 020 8969 9105
Spanish Speakers’ Group
Fridays, 12.30–3.30pm
Chelsea Theatre (7 World’s End Place, King’s Road, SW10 0DR)
Bingo
Second Tuesday of the month, 2-4pm
Ormrod Court (71-117 Kensington Park Road, W11 1NP)
Bingo
Last Wednesday of the month, 1.30–2.30pm
Evelyn Fox Court (2 Kingsbridge Road, W10 6QF)
Mondays, 2.30–4pm
Hilary Daniels House (115 Cromwell Road, SW7 4DP)
English Lessons (Intermediate/Advanced) French Lessons (Intermediate)
Tuesdays, 10–12:00pm (Starting again on Tues 6th Sept)
Spanish Lessons (Beginners)
Wednesdays, 12–1.30pm (Starting again on Wed 31st Aug)
Spanish Lessons (Intermediate)
Wednesdays, 2.30–4pm (Starting again on Wed 31st Aug)
Thomas Darby Court (133 Lancaster Road, W11 1TT) 1 Thorpe Close Meeting Room (W10 5XL) 1 Thorpe Close Meeting Room (W10 5XL)
Internet Café
Mondays to Fridays, 10-4pm
Computer lessons
Wednesdays, 11–1pm
Evelyn Fox Court (2 Kingsbridge Road, W10 6QF)
Concert & Afternoon Tea
Third Thursday every month, 2.30–4.30pm
St Cuthbert’s Church (50 Philbeach Gardens, Earl’s Court, SW5 9EB)
Evelyn Fox Court (2 Kingsbridge Road, W10 6QF)
AgeMatters
Intergenerational Project
Have you been having problems using your mobile phone, laptop or digital camera? Here are details of our upcoming Digital Clinics – all sessions are free and you can drop in at any time. August 2016: Morning Friday 26th August, 10am -12pm New Horizons, Guinness Trust Estate, Cadogan Street, SW3 2PF Afternoon Friday 26th August, 2-4pm Ormrod Court, 71-117 Kensington Park Road, W11 1NP September 2016: Morning Friday 30th September,10am–12pm New Horizons, Guinness Trust Estate, Cadogan Street, SW3 2PF November 2016: Morning Friday 29th November, 10am -12pm New Horizons, Guinness Trust Estate, Cadogan Street, SW3 2PF
1 6 | SUMMER 2016
MiCommunity
I
f you would you like to learn some computer skills, why not get involved in our MiCommunity project. Students from schools and colleges can provide you with one-to-one tuition at the level you need, for as long as you need. All classes are 1 hour and will take place every week, starting in October. They will be at St Charles Sixth Form College on Wednesdays (1.30- 2.30pm) and at Holland Park School on Tuesdays (3–4pm). You can use the computers at the school, or it may be possible to bring your own laptop. If you are unable to attend a session at a school due to health or mobility problems, it may be possible for volunteers to visit you at home.
For more information and if you would like to be put on the mailing list, please call Molly Blacknell on 020 8969 9105
Help from Home We are currently seeking older people to join our Intergenerational Reading, Language and Computer Projects.
Do you need help sorting your mail, with writing letters, or would you like someone to read a book or newspaper to you? Our Reading Project volunteers can help you. Do you or someone you know need to learn English or would like more conversation practice? Our Language Project volunteers can help you. Do you need help learning how to use your computer or tablet? Our Computer Project volunteers can help you. The volunteers, aged 16-25, are from local schools and colleges. They are fully trained by us to visit once a week for an hour. The service is free of charge and open to anyone over the age of 55 who is a resident of Kensington & Chelsea. If you, or anyone you know, could benefit from this service, please call Molly on 020 8969 9105 to find out more.
New Faces
South Outings O
©a_bachelorette /shutterstock.com
ur programme of South outings are for Chelsea residents of the following postcodes: SW1, SW3, SW5, SW7 and SW10. Please contact Sam Hatley on 020 7969 9105 or email shatley@aukc.org.uk for more information about each outing. Please note that I work from Monday to Thursday. Transport will be provided. The EXACT pick-up times will be confirmed nearer to the date of each outing.
Tuesday 23rd August
Kew Gardens Cost: £1.50 Pick-ups will start around 10am
Tuesday 13th September
Dulwich Picture Gallery Winifred Knights Exhibition Cost £1.50 Pick-ups will start around 10am
October 2016 – date to be confirmed
Lord’s Cricket Ground - Tour Cost: £15.00 Please let me know as soon as possible if you are interested.
!
o l l e H ere h t M
y name is Molly Blacknell and I am the new Community Engagement Apprentice. I am taking over from Sophie Huggins, who I’m sure a lot of you know,
and over the next year I will be helping to organise and oversee all of Age UK Kensington & Chelsea’s Intergenerational events. When I am not at work I love art and literature, and as a trained Milliner I am always sketching ideas and searching for new materials! I look forward to meeting a lot of you out and about, and can’t wait to get stuck into all of Age UK Kensington & Chelsea’s brilliant events.
H
ello, my name is Sharlene Glover and I am the new Safe At Home & Decluttering Co-ordinator. I am very pleased to join the team and work within my community; I have lived in Kensington & Chelsea all my life and am very keen to support residents. The Safe at Home & Decluttering service aims to improve safety, health and wellbeing by reducing the risk of falls and injuries in the home.
www.aukc.org.uk
I can do this by visiting you to carry out an assessment and working with you to remove any hazards, such as clutter or trailing wires. I can also recommend any equipment or repairs which would improve safety in your home and refer you on to other services if necessary. If you would like to know more about this service, contact me on 020 8969 9105 (Tuesday-Friday) or email me at sglover@aukc.org.uk.
SUMMER 2016 | 17
AgeMatters
Meet the Trustees F
ew people realise that our dedicated trustees are actually volunteers who give up their time for free to play a vital role in making important decisions about the Charity. This feature gives you the opportunity to ‘Meet the Trustees’, and in this issue we are talking to our Treasurer, Jit Bhuva. Jit, how long have you been a trustee and how did you become involved with Age UK Kensington & Chelsea? I have been a Trustee for well over two years now. I retired from full time employment in 2013 and wished to give some of my time back to the community. I am a Chartered Accountant and had worked at various large companies in a senior financial position. My motivation for applying was the fact that my wife and I looked after my Dad in his later years, so I had become aware of the care and support older people need in later life. In addition to this, my son qualified as a doctor at Imperial Medical School and had his accommodation in the area, so I had developed some affinity to Kensington & Chelsea. What do you enjoy about the role of Treasurer and Trustee? As Treasurer I am responsible for the finances of the charity. This covers a very wide spectrum of duties
1 8 | SUMMER 2016 1 8 | SUMMER 2016
which include overseeing the Finance department, monthly preparation of the management accounts, producing the annual statutory accounts, working with our auditors and evaluating the financial implications of any proposals for new services. The role enables me to contribute my financial skills and knowledge for the benefit of Age UK K&C. It also gives me an opportunity to meet and discuss various issues with the Senior Management Team and my fellow Trustees. There is so much happening and it is exciting to be involved. What do you do when you are not busy being our Treasurer? I am also a member of the Audit Committee of an engineering body, a Trustee of a company pension scheme and a Financial Governor of a local primary school in Harrow where I stay. These all provide an opportunity for me to give my financial knowledge and experience to these organisations on a voluntary basis. I enjoy
meeting colleagues from diverse fields and continuously learning about their activities. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I love travelling and experiencing the cultures and history of various places. The pyramids of Egypt, the Roman ruins at Pompeii, the Acropolis in Athens and the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul are some of my favourite places I have visited. We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary on an Alaskan cruise many years ago. I also love walking in the countryside. Golf is what I would like to take up seriously, but am struggling with my swing at the moment!
6 M
Information&Advice
Reasons why you should make a will
aking a will is vital if you want to be certain that your wishes will be met after you die. It can be easy to put it off, but the process may not be as difficult as you think. Here are 6 reasons why it's important to make a will: 1. Reassurance A will is the only way to make sure your savings and possessions (your estate) go to the people and causes that you care about.
on your estate after your death. For example, Inheritance Tax isn’t normally paid on anything you leave to a spouse or civil partner who has their permanent home in the UK. Inheritance Tax is only payable if your estate is worth more than a certain amount. 6. Your funeral Your will can be a way to let people know whether you would prefer to be buried or cremated, and the type of funeral service and music you would like.
How do I go about making a will? There are a number of different ways to make a will, however in most cases it’s usually best to get advice from a solicitor. It is possible to make your own will using kits purchased from stationery shops and online, however it’s easy to make mistakes and this can cause problems for your beneficiaries and executors after your death. If you decide to use a solicitor, check they are licensed with the Law Society by visiting www.lawsociety. org.uk or calling 020 7320 5650.
2. Avoiding disputes between relatives Disputes over wills can cause arguments among family members and may even need a solicitor to resolve them. Leaving a will should remove any doubt about who you want to leave your estate to.
4. Protecting your assets for future generations A will can ensure that assets are kept within the family and are passed on down the generations. 5. Saving on Inheritance Tax With a carefully-planned will, you can also cut the Inheritance Tax bill
www.aukc.org.uk
© William Potter/shutterstock.com
3. Looking after your loved ones Although it’s hard for loved ones to talk about death, talking about your will can save everyone a lot of worry. Deciding who you want to leave your possessions to (your beneficiaries) can help you make sure they go to the people you intended.
For more information on wills, you can call Age UK Kensington & Chelsea on 020 8969 9105 and ask to be put through to the Information & Advice team. They can give basic information and advice on wills, as well as free will schemes that may be available to you. You can also pop into our reception in Thorpe Close where we stock information guides and fact sheets. Our reception is open Monday to Friday between 9:30am and 5:30pm (closed 1-2pm for lunch).
SUMMER 2016 | 19
AgeMatters
Annie's View
'De-cluttering Clears the Mind!' "...a lot of thrills with a few spills for good measure..."
Age UK K&C member Annie Redmile tells her 'story of ageing' and the part that Age UK K&C has had to play.
I
want to start off with a confession. When I hit 60, I found fears were creeping in to my daily thought processes! I have had a life full of thrills and spills! I became the world’s worst secretary - as I tried to make up my mind what I really wanted to do. I then joined BOAC (as it still was then, it became British Airways) as a cabin attendant. I have described it since as my ‘finishing school in the air’. I moved on to journalism. It had been my ambition for some years and I quite conveniently started specialising in aviation and travel. And so my life unfolded, travelling around the world – a tough life but somebody had to do it! I subsequently had a business providing editorial services to the travel and leisure industries. I kept on travelling. And so, a lot of thrills with a few spills for good measure – untidy things like losing a business, going bankrupt, losing my home. An every day story of a ‘risk taker’ I suppose. The
2 0 | SUMMER 2016
important thing was to fight to keep my sense of humour. Well now back to the fears creeping in at 60. I had a health challenge or two and no partner or family. I had a safe home for the rest of my life, I thought - a dangerous irony as it happens. I knew that I had to do as much as I could to help myself and learn that it was not a ‘bad thing’ to ask for help. Enter stage left Age UK K&C and its wonderful volunteer Ramesh. Having had a couple of falls, I was strongly ‘advised’ to start de-cluttering my home. Could I really do it - get rid of all the files, papers, books that I had read, clothes that I no longer wear? Ramesh and his gentle personality and quiet ways helped to make me, well if not ruthless, certainly decisive. In many of the self-help books and articles I had read, it was supposed to be a ‘cathartic experience’ – and it was, so very much! Books and clothes and some household things went to the British Heart Foundation’s charity
shops. They do a pick up – I got neighbours involved as well – and it was really worthwhile. I have continued the ‘exercise’. I should have counted the number of black sacks that went down the rubbish chute – but there were a lot. It cleared my mind to do other things and to start to research what is ‘out there’. I would like to share that knowledge in future issues. And, if you have a story to tell, do get in touch with the Editor. If you would like more information about our Decluttering service, visit page 17
Puzzle Page
Puzzle Page
Wordsearch
Quiz
Turn to page 23 for the solutions
Test your general knowledge with this quick quiz...
1 Which is the most
expensive property on a standard London Monopoly board?
2 ’In the Bleak
Midwinter’ is a Christmas carol based on the work of which poet?
3 On which island
6 What is the correct
scientific term for the kneecap?
7
Which city was capital of West Germany until reunification in 1990?
8
Which actor appeared in the most ‘Carry On’ films?
9
‘Breslau Tumbler’, ‘Saxon Monk’ and ‘Ptarmigan’ are all types of what?
10
Madonna was born in 1958. True or False?
would you find Beaumaris Castle?
ANNUALS BEANS BEETS BIENNIAL BROCCOLI CARROTS COMPOST CULTIVATE DAISIES DIGGING FERTILIZER FLOWERS FUCHSIA GARDEN GERANIUMS GLOVES GNOME
Riddle
GREENHOUSE GROW HOES HORTICULTURE HOSE HYDRANGEA LILACS LILIES MARIGOLDS ORGANIC PEAS PERENNIAL PETUNIAS PINWHEEL PITCH FORK PLANTING RAIN
RAKE RELAXING ROSES ROWS SEEDS SHOVEL SOIL SPADE SUNSHINE TOMATOES TROWEL TULIPS VEGETABLES WATER WEEDS WHEELBARROW
4
Which letter sits farthest to the right on a QWERTY keyboard?
5
What is the capital of Senegal?
Sudoku The game of logic
What tastes better than it smells?
www.aukc.org.uk
SUMMER 2016 | 21
AgeMatters
Getting to Grips with your health
© oneinchpunch/shutterstock.com
Open Age provides over 380 activities a week for anyone over the age of 50. As well as a wide range of activities which include socials, trips, lunches, languages, IT courses, creative and performing arts and physical activities, Open Age also has some specialist activities on offer:
“The groups are wonderful, they keep my mind busy”
A
re you housebound but interested in socialising? Open Age is running free social groups, creative writing classes and book groups over the phone for anyone who would like to chat to others in their local community. All the groups are free and our Phone Group Coordinator Alexandra
2 2 | SUMMER 2016
can come and meet you at home first to talk through the practicalities of joining the group. As one participant said,
“The phone groups have helped me to get things off my chest, to discuss how I am feeling and to hear others' opinions… The groups are wonderful, they keep my mind busy”
Do you have a health condition such as stroke, arthritis, diabetes, epilepsy, chronic depression, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, severe back pain, chronic pulmonary disease or another condition which affects you on a regular basis? Open Age is running a series of FREE six week courses to help you feel more in control of your health. We can help you feel more confident speaking with health professionals, help you to manage pain and fatigue, help with problem solving and much more! Courses will be running at the Second Half Centre (St. Charles Centre for Health & Wellbeing, Exmoor Street, W10 6DZ) and at New Horizons (Guinness Trust Estate, Cadogan Street, SW3 2PF). To find out more, or book on to a course, call the Second Half Centre on 020 8962 5500 or New Horizons on 020 7590 8970.
Healthy Lungs
A
re you interested in keeping fit, but have a lung condition? Would you like to improve the amount you can do before getting breathless? Our Healthy Lungs class is a clinical exercise session for anyone with a diagnosed lung condition. The tutor works with you to increase lung capacity and improve strength. Classes take place across RBKC; to find out more, please call Hansa on 020 8962 4141.
N
Volunteering opportunities at New Horizons
ew Horizons is a "multi activity" centre located in Chelsea which provides social and cultural activities for those aged 50 and over. It is a consortium between Open Age, Age UK Kensington & Chelsea, and the Guinness Trust Estate. We currently have the following volunteering opportunity:
Front Desk Volunteers Working alongside the Support Services Coordinator on the reception desk, this role involves logging members into the centre, dealing with a cash till, answering telephone calls and processing membership forms onto our database. We are looking for someone who can dedicate a minimum of 2 hours per week. Computer literacy is a must
for the front desk, as it involves registering members for classes on our database. People skills are also very important (and the front desk is a great place to continue developing them) as you can be dealing with multiple member requests at any one time, and as a
centre we pride ourselves on being friendly and helpful. Full training will be given by our Support Services Coordinator. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Fiona at New Horizons on 020 7590 8970
Answers&Solutions from page 21
ď ł
Riddle: A tongueď ł
www.aukc.org.uk
1. Mayfair (ÂŁ400) 2. Christina Rossetti 3. Anglesey
4. P 5. Dakar 6. Patella
QUICK QUIZ
7. Bonn 8. Kenneth Williams 9. Pigeon 10. True
SUMMER 2016 | 23