NEWS Issue 28 Spring 2016
Age UK and E.ON – a message from our Chief Executive We form part of a network of local Age UKs who work in partnership with the national charity to promote the wellbeing of people in later life.
No doubt you will have seen articles in the press recently about the products and advice that Age UK offers to its members and clients, in particular its relationship with energy provider E.ON. I know that many of you will be concerned about this, and I’d like to share some information that will provide some context on the work of Age UK Kensington & Chelsea. Firstly, it is important to clarify that Age UK K&C is an independent, local charity with its own governance, staff and finances.
As part of this network we provide free and impartial information and advice. This includes helping people to switch energy providers, which is one of the easiest and simplest ways to save money. Whenever we help clients to take up better energy deals, we offer at least three options. We do not recommend any specific energy providers ourselves, nor do we receive any commission from them. However it is important to remember that, like mortgage interest rates and oil prices, there are frequent fluctuations in the market. Cheaper deals may appear and disappear very quickly. Unlike some local partners, we are not a trading subsidiary of the national Age UK and therefore receive no income by selling products or services of any kind. As part of the Age UK network, we receive small grants and some specific
funding for projects from the national charity. These are small but useful amounts of money, which mainly support our Information & Advice service. We fully support the Charity Commission’s investigation into the national Age UK’s relationship with E.ON, as I am sure this will shed light on any malpractice. In so doing, this ensures that the charitable sector continues to thrive and retain the support of the many benefactors who believe in the work that it does. I hope this reassures you that we are working for the benefit of older people, and that we maintain our independence in giving support and advice to people in this borough. If you have any concerns or queries about this news coverage, please do get in touch by calling us on 020 8969 9105. Jan Halliday Chief Executive
Age UK Kensington & Chelsea 1 Thorpe Close, London W10 5XL Tel: 0208 969 9105 email: administration@aukc.org.uk website: www.aukc.org.uk
News + Features BBC Radio 1 comes to Age UK Kensington & Chelsea
In December last year BBC Radio 1 launched their #1millionhours campaign, aimed at encouraging people across the country to pledge at least an hour of their time to volunteering for a good cause.
Contents News + Features
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Health + Wellbeing
9
At Home
12
Garden Guardians
13
Friends + Neighbours 14 South Trips
17
Intergenerational 18
2
Activities + Leisure
21
Information + Advice
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And Finally
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When we were contacted to see if Radio 1’s senior management could visit us to do some volunteering, we jumped at the chance. On 15th December seven managers joined 10 of our members to help out with our Card Project, whereby our volunteers recycle old Christmas and birthday cards into beautiful new ones to send to our members. The event provided us with a great opportunity to tell some very influential people about all the great work Age UK K&C does, and under the guidance of our expert volunteers the group made over 100 Christmas cards in an hour!
Due to the size of the group we had to find a local venue large enough to accommodate all of us, and the newly opened Museum of Brands on Lancaster Road kindly offered us their lovely conference room free of charge. We are incredibly grateful to the Museum for Brands for this, and to their staff who were so helpful on the day. If you haven’t yet had a chance to visit the Museum, I highly recommend it – you can find more information on page 3. Brooke Kerr Business Support Officer
Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing
News + Features
The Museum of Brands Just around the corner from the world-famous Portobello Road Market stands a treasure trove of retro design and memories. Imagine walking through galleries full to the brim with oddities and wonders alike, where every corner you turn leads you into a different decade. You’ll see Rimmel cosmetics from the 1890s, First World War Oxo Cubes, Mars Bars, Rolos and KitKats from the 1930s, a 1970s Chopper Bike and around 12,000 other items that will open your eyes to the way we lived and shopped. Featuring original items from the unique Robert Opie Collection, discover how wellloved brands evolved through their creative use of packaging and advertising - and how we evolved with them. The history of consumer culture is revealed decade by decade in our ‘time tunnel’, from the naive charm of the Victorian era to the sophistication of today.
The museum is fully accessible, with all items on display on one level. The museum hosts a beautiful garden, café and shop to help you make the most of your visit. Admission information: Concessions*: £5.00 National Trust Partner: 50% discount to members Groups: 10% discount to groups of 10 or more (prebooking required) Carer for disabled guest: Free *Concessions include over 60s, Students with valid ID and Freedom Pass holders
For 2016 we have launched a new Annual Ticket. The holder of the ticket will get unlimited entry to the Museum for a 12 month period from date of purchase. The ticket also entitles you to 10% off in the Museum Gift Shop. The Museum of Brands, 111-117 Lancaster Road Notting Hill, London, W11 1QT 0207 243 9611 Opening Hours Tuesday - Saturday: 10am-6pm Sunday: 11am-5pm Monday: Closed (except Bank Holidays)
If you have difficulty reading this newsletter, then please give us a call on 0208 969 9105. We can send you a copy in large print or on tape. We can e-mail you a copy- this allows you to alter the size of the text yourself and read on screen.
Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing
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News + Features
Meet the Trustees
Here at Age UK Kensington & Chelsea we are always very grateful to our wonderful volunteers who help us in so many ways. However, not many people realise that our dedicated trustees are also volunteers. They give up their time for free to play a vital role in making important decisions about the Charity. Our new ‘Meet the Trustees’ feature gives you the opportunity to find out a little bit more about them, and in this issue we are talking to our Vice Chair, Christine Vigars. Christine, how long have you been a trustee and how did you become involved with Age UK Kensington & Chelsea?
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Altogether about 13 years; I have been a trustee of Age UK K&C since the merger and before that I was Chair of Age Concern K&C. I had been working with the Social Council and Jane Turner suggested I should join the Board. I became involved because I felt passionately about improving the lives of older people, and that interest has only increased as I have become older myself and have become involved in the care of my husband who is now in his 90s. My husband uses Age UK K&C’s At Home and Volunteer Services and we have been very pleased with the support he has received; I would certainly recommend it to my friends. What do you enjoy about the role of Trustee? It gives me great satisfaction to be part of an organisation that does such good work and really makes a difference to people’s lives. It has also been encouraging to see how successful the merger [of Age Concern K&C and Sixty Plus] has been and how the organisation has grown and developed to offer a wide range of services across all the different communities in the Borough. I enjoy the sense of team working with other trustees and with the staff, and our recent trustee and staff away day was a good example of this.
What do you do when you are not busy being our Vice Chair? I am currently Chair of Healthwatch for the three boroughs and on the local committee for Kensington & Chelsea. Healthwatch is the consumer champion for the NHS and Social Care. Among other things I am involved in the Dignity Champions’ visits to residential homes and hospitals to see how well residents are looked after and whether they are treated with dignity and respect. I also sit on the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee for health and adult social care. It is interesting seeing services both from the experience of older people and from the perspective of the professionals and trying to bridge the gap. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I have always been a keen hill walker and I still enjoy country walks. I also lead walks for a group, often in Sussex because I love the Downs. Over the years I have walked many of the long distance paths but new ones keep being developed so there are always new challenges, and in July I am doing the Three Castles Walk in Wales. I also enjoy spending time with the family and hearing about the doings of my six grandchildren. The two eldest are now off travelling on gap years and I try to keep in touch via Skype and Whatsapp - so my computer skills are improving!
Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing
News + Features
Valentine’s Party 2016
On Saturday 13th February we celebrated our annual Valentine’s party for the older residents of Kensington & Chelsea. As usual we did it in partnership with Open Age and the Venture Community Association, who kindly offered their premises as venue for the event.
A hot menu, plenty of drinks and live music created a great party that lasted for four hours! After lunch and drinks were served, the dance floor was full at all times and it was amazing to see so many great dancers.
I would like to say thank you very much to the volunteers from the three organisations, as well as those from Harrod’s, who worked so hard to make the day a success. We are hoping to be able to hold more regular, smaller tea dances throughout the year, however as always this will depend on the funding available. We would also like to hold them in a wider variety of locations across the Borough, so if you know of any suitable venues, please let us know. Tasio Cabello Volunteer & Community Services Manager
A treasure trove of information booklets In a thousand years’ time when the highly evolved ape archaeologists who rule the planet excavate the Age UK Kensington & Chelsea offices, they shall marvel at how many booklets I stocked. In the dusty ruins of the Information & Advice office where our staff and volunteers once dispensed support, guidance and cups of tea they will find a treasure trove of printed material about life as an older person in the 21st Century. Today we stock nearly 40 different guides about everything from Healthy Eating to Pension Credit.
We’ve got guides for keeping warm in the winter and staying cool in the summer, advice for driving and advice for carers; I even keep a guide to all the guides. All of these are available to collect from our office in Thorpe Close, or I can post them out to you if you give me a call on 020 8969 9105. One-to-one help is a core part of our work at Age UK K&C, but we feel there is still value in being provided information in a clearly written form for you to enjoy and consider in your own time. So please take full advantage of the resources before our future ape overlords do. Will Porter Receptionist/Admin Assistant
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News + Features Pioneering improved health care for over 65s in West London
NHS West London Clinical Commissioning Group, which commissions health services for local people, is developing a care service specifically aimed at breaking down barriers across all organisations to provide more integrated health and social care for everyone aged 65 and over. By the end of April, 23 Local GP practices will be offering the patient–focused service. The sole aim of this new service is to provide proactive and holistic support. The team behind it has spent the last 18 months developing it in collaboration with local patients and partners, including GPs, hospitals, community services, adult social care and voluntary organisations including Age UK Kensington & Chelsea. So far, 14 new staff have joined different GP practices to deliver dedicated health planning for patients aged 65 and over.
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In this issue we are talking to Faith, who is now working at Pembridge Villas Surgery. Faith has been working with Age UK Kensington & Chelsea since July 2014, initially as a Primary Care Navigator, and joined the pioneering health planning service as a Health & Social Care Assistant (HSCA) last September. What do you enjoy about your new role? I enjoy meeting lots of people and having all different professionals in one room, including social workers and GPs, which makes it much easier to communicate with everyone and hopefully provides more seamless care for our patients. I’m also enjoying learning lots of new things and soon I’m going to be trained how to measure patients’ blood pressure and even take bloods! Tell us about a typical day in the life of a Health and Social Care Assistant…
When I get to work I meet with Pam, a Case Manager, to discuss people we feel we may be able to support. The rest of the morning is then spent visiting people in their homes and developing their care plans with them, discussing ways in which we can try and improve their health and wellbeing. In the afternoon I may do another home visit or see someone at the surgery, and will then use the rest of the time to catch up on my admin. This might include making phone calls to invite people in for a care planning appointment with me – sometimes it’s really difficult to explain who I am and what it is I’m doing, but I’m guessing that’s because it’s still all very new! It’s early days, but what do you think will be the main benefits to people living in West London? I think that this new way of working will mean that people will no longer get ‘lost in the system’. They will have all the different professionals who are involved in their care singing from the same hymn book and they will be right at the centre, taking control of their health and wellbeing. If you would like to know more about how this new way of providing services can help you or someone you care for, please ask your GP, call the St Charles Integrated Care Centre on 020 8962 4600 or email wlccg. wholesystems@nhs.net.
Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing
News + Features What the Age UK K&C newsletter means to me With potential changes to our newsletter just around the corner, we’re asking you to let us know what you think. Here Jean Davis tells us why our newsletter is important to her. In 2012 I was given the opportunity to do a series of articles for the Age UK Kensington & Chelsea newsletter on how I coped with sudden sight loss. I was glad to be able to share my experiences with the Age UK K&C readers, particularly with others who have a visual impairment. I am pleased to have had this opportunity and am thankful for the positive comments I have received. However, for me the importance of the newsletter has been as a reader. The newsletter has provided a wealth of information about voluntary services, as well as the lunch clubs where I have enjoyed delicious meals and met wonderful people, and the care services where I have been assisted by support staff who are extremely nice people. I found out about events including the Health Fair, and I also discovered other organisations including the Kensington & Chelsea Macular Society. I think that the newsletter is vital to all older residents in Kensington & Chelsea, particularly those who can
no longer leave their homes. It offers an entertaining read, as well as being extremely informative. Also, the joy of the audio version of the newsletter is that it is very personal. I know some who have expressed how the reader sounds comforting. Being able to access information is very important to me. I believe it is important that all blind and partially sighted people are able to have accessible information, so that they can live independent lives and engage with other members of the community. For me the newsletter has been a source of encouragement and it has been great to learn about services and events available to me. The fact that it is made available in a wide range of accessible formats such as digitally, on cassette tapes and large print means it is available for blind and partially sighted people to read according to their ability, allowing them be independent and be included in the community. Jean Davis Age UK K&C Member
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News + Features Changes to the newsletter – what are your views? For the foreseeable future you will receive the newsletter in April, August and December. We have also streamlined our processes, switched to economy postage and increased the number of people who receive it via email.
• Make a donation towards the newsletter – please make cheques payable to Age UK Kensington & Chelsea and send them to 1 Thorpe Close, London, W10 5XL, or contact us to find out about other ways you can donate.
What else can we do?
• Let us know if you or a friend/family member no longer wishes to receive the newsletter so we can update our mailing list.
NEWS You may have read in the last edition that changes are on the horizon for the Age UK Kensington & Chelsea newsletter. As part of our review into the way things are done, we are asking for your feedback to ensure that the newsletter remains as interesting and inclusive as ever. Why do we need to make changes? Until recently it has cost us a staggering £22,000 per year to produce and distribute our newsletter, and this equates to just over £1.10 per issue. Although we receive a small amount of funding towards it, this is nowhere near enough to cover the costs. In these difficult times of cuts to funding, every penny we can save counts.
One of the easiest and most effective ways to make the newsletter sustainable would be to include advertisements; this is an approach many local Age UKs have taken and works very successfully. However, it is possible that this would require us to move away from the black print on yellow paper to a full colour version, and we would like you to let us know what impact you think this would have. Please note that we would continue to provide large print and cassette versions of the newsletter to those who request it. What can I do to help?
What have we already done to reduce costs?
There are several ways you can help us to reduce costs:
So far we have made several changes, the biggest one being that we have reduced number of issues from four to three per year.
• Let us know if you would be happy to receive the newsletter via email instead of a hard copy – email administration@aukc.org.uk
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Feedback? At our OGM on Friday 11th March we asked our members how they felt about potential changes to the newsletter. The main feedback received was that many people felt that three editions per year will be sufficient. In addition to this, several people said that they would be happy to pay a yearly subscription for their newsletter. What do YOU think? Please let us know how you feel about the changes to the newsletter by emailing viewpoint@aukc. org.uk or call Brooke on 020 8969 9105.
Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing
Health + Wellbeing
Young At Heart visit the Shard On a bright Tuesday morning in February the Young At Heart group gathered together to tackle the 1,000ft climb to the viewing platforms on the 72nd floor of the Shard building. After a stomach turning 30 seconds in the lift, we emerged onto the viewing platform and were delighted to be able to
see for miles in every direction. Hassan and Farah located Buckingham Palace in the distance whilst Len and I admired the Thames in all its glory. Next month we will be going for tea and a tour of the Wallace Collection so we go from great heights, to great sights! Anna Sadler Dementia Adviser
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Health + Wellbeing Health & Wellbeing activities with Age UK K&C DATE
ACTIVITY
TIME
Every Tuesday
Pub Lunch
12.30pm
£5.00 for main course & a drink (alcoholic, soft or tea/ coffee) Every Thursday (during term time)
Back to School Lunch at Queen’s Gate School
Restaurant Lunch
The Blackbird Pub, 209 Earl’s Court Road, London, SW5 9AN Contact Deirdre on 020 3181 0002 to book
1.00pm
£3.00 for starter, main course, pudding & tea/coffee Once a Month
LOCATION
Queen’s Gate School, 131-133 Queen’s Gate, South Kensington, SW7 5LE. Contact Deirdre on 020 3181 0002 to book
12:30pm
Venue varies each month. Contact Deirdre on 020 3181 0002 to book
Tues 3rd May Tues 7th June
My Memories Café (for people with memory loss)
1-3pm
Contact Kate on 020 3181 0002 to book
Cost £2.00 Fri 29th April Fri 27th May Fri 24th June
My Memories Café (for people with memory loss)
St Peter’s Church, Kensington Park Road, London, W11 2PN.
1-3pm
Cremorne Clubroom, Milman’s Street, World’s End Estate, London, SW10 0BY.
Cost £2.00 Contact Kate on 020 3181 0002 to book Thursday afternoons
Gentle exercise for people with memory loss
2:30-4pm
Contact Kate on 020 3181 0002 to book
Cost £2.00 Wednesday afternoons
Gentle exercise for people with memory loss
Salvation Army, 205 Portobello Road, London, W11 2PN.
2:30-4pm
Cremorne Clubroom, Milman’s Street, World’s End Estate, London, SW10 0BY.
Cost £2.00 Contact Kate on 020 3181 0002 to book
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Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing
Health + Wellbeing
My Memories Café
Some older people with dementia can become isolated and cut off from their local community. Age UK Kensington & Chelsea’s My Memories Café provides a regular, relaxed and sociable meeting place for people with memory problems, their friends and families to meet others in the same situation. The group eats lunch together and then we do a range of activities according to people’s interests, for example, listening to opera music and singing along, meeting therapy dogs, knitting, reading books, sharing memories about the past, doing puzzles and quizzes and playing games. Around 20 people with dementia attend each of the
groups, and they are supported by a team of volunteers and two staff members. Chandru Shahani has been attending the group for 18 months and said, “I always enjoy it…going to My Memories Café gives me an objective to go somewhere and do something. After I left my job I had no objective, although I have hobbies. When you’re in the same boat as the others, you start to appreciate what you can do to help yourself”. Leslie Gardiner is a relatively new group member and said after the last My Memories Café: “It was brilliant; one of the best and we had a lovely spread. Going out like that changes my life almost. I think you are marvellous!”
Bernard Doherty has been volunteering at the My Memories Café for around 5 years now. He said, “My mother, having dementia, got me involved in the first place. It’s an enjoyable couple of hours. I enjoy being with the people with memory problems and also meeting the other volunteers. The people who come obviously enjoy themselves… we are helping people and getting a bit of satisfaction back”. If you, or anyone you know, are affected by dementia or memory problems, you would be welcome at the My Memories Café. If you live in North Kensington, we meet at St Peter’s Church, Kensington Park Road, W11 2PN from 1-3pm on the first Tuesday of every month, and if you live in South Kensington, then we meet at Cremorne Sheltered Clubroom, Milman’s Street, World’s End Estate, SW10 0BY from 1-3pm, usually on the last Friday of every month. Call Kate Little for more information on 020 3181 0002.
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Friends At Home+ Neighbours Age UK K&C At Home Care and Support Services “My carer has really helped with my mobility as she takes me out walking, and I also love doing the crossword with her” At Home is a paid-for service which supports older people in the following areas: • Kensington & Chelsea • Hammersmith & Fulham • Westminster • Camden The At Home team works with all individuals to carry out an assessment, in order to ensure that a person-centred approach is taken and that all your support needs are identified.
This means that all the care and support we provide is tailored and delivered with you in mind and puts you at the centre of your care plan. We can help you with the following services: • Personal care, including bathing and hair cutting • Shopping support • Respite breaks for carers • Information and advice on all Age UK Kensington & Chelsea’s services All of our staff receive excellent training and also benefit from the London Living Wage; these
two points ensure that they remain loyal to us and therefore loyal to you. This commitment ensures that all our carers are able to build a trusting and caring relationship with all our clients. For more information, or to arrange a home visit, you can contact the At Home team on 020 8960 8137 or email home@aukc.org.uk.
Free Basic Foot Care Service “The free basic foot care from Age UK Kensington & Chelsea is a wonderful service and they do a fantastic job!”
care from Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (CLCH), previously part of the podiatry service. We are currently offering FREE appointments to people living in Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster to have their toenails cut at local venues, or at home if required. You may be eligible for this service if you:
Age UK Kensington & Chelsea has recently taken over services to provide basic foot
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• Are unable to provide your own personal foot care, or have no other means of support to cut your toenails and look after your feet.
AND • Live in Kensington & Chelsea or Westminster, or are registered with a GP from either the West London or Central London Clinical Commissioning group areas. You can check this with your GP if you are unsure. If you have any questions, or would like any more information on any of our services, then please call the team’s coordinators, Tina, Ann or Joan, on 020 8960 8137 or email us at home@aukc.org.uk.
Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing
Garden Guardians GARDEN GUARDIANS UPDATE Spring seems to have sprung earlier this year due to our mild winter. In fact it has been the warmest winter on record and December had record-breaking amounts of rainfall, resulting in sodden gardens all round. This, alongside the mild temperatures, has fooled some dormant plants into to thinking it’s time rise and flourish. All this rain will help encourage more flowers to bloom as long as the temperatures rise and the sun pops out now and then. Don’t forget to empty your drip-trays if the rain continues. Not that long ago all the rage in horticultural circles was for drought-resistant plants, but they forgot to say that was especially if you lived in Australasia, where they are experiencing drought-inducing high temperatures. My tip is we should go back to the bogs and fens of yore and start planting bulrushes, arum lilies (zantedeschia), gunneras and rheum (giant rhubarbs), irises, primulas and even some duckweed for those totally flooded back gardens. Due to the warm winter rain, quite a few of our garden tasks had to be cancelled leading to a waterlogged backlog. The Council may be changing the garden waste collection scheme soon, but unfortunately I am in the dark at the moment and I will endeavour to let you know as soon as I find out. Better still, you could compost all your garden waste and enter into the wonderful world of compost activators, worms and the joys of decomposition; nature at work recycling itself. If you don’t use a compost bin, make sure you don’t create a compost heap under or around a tree, as the heap will generate heat at its core which in turn will roast the roots of the tree and lead to TIMBER! A fallen tree will result, as the
roasted roots will rot and the tree will eventually topple. Better off with a compost bin. A topical tip from an old Sunday Telegraph gardening tome: ‘To get rid of determined weeds, decapitate them. Not once, but again and again, until they themselves give up in despair.’ Or, hoe, hoe, hoe, hoe. From the book of Garden Rubbish (1936) comes an environmentally sound form of pest control for the Onion fly: ‘A species of fly which, being devoid of original ideas, attacks onions. Withhold the onion and the fly dies. No need to be cruel: don’t keep letting the fly see the onion. Take it right away and hide it.’ Sorted. That tip was for our dedicated allotmenteer gardeners at St. Charles Centre for Wellbeing vegetable plots - keep plotting away up there and bring back another award for our burgeoning trophy room. A big thank you as well to all our regular volunteers, who are out there in the gardens of Kensington & Chelsea, up to their ears in brambles and nettles as they do their bit in the constant struggle against pernicious weeds overrunning our green spaces. We couldn’t do it without you, well done! We are always on the lookout for new gardening volunteers enthusiasm required regardless of experience. Call 020 8969 9105 now or visit our website www.aukc.org.uk. John Nugent Garden Guardians Service
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Friends + Neighbours Our Friends & Neighbours project, funded by The Big Lottery, helps people to lead a full and active life and provides a relaxing and enjoyable social environment.
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 your social life buzzing. With the help of our dedicated volunteers, more than 250 people are involved in this project.
Here is a timetable of the groups we run: Coffee Morning
Mary Smith Court, 17 – 21 Trebovir Road, Earl’s Court, SW5 9NF
Mondays, 11.30–1.00pm
English Lessons
Hilary Daniels House, 115 Cromwell Road, SW7 4DP
Mondays, 2.30–4.00pm
French Lessons
Thomas Darby Court, 133 Lancaster Road, W11 1TT
Tuesdays, 10.00–12:00pm
Knitting & Crochet Club Beginners (Earl’s Court)
St Cuthbert’s Centre, 51 Philbeach Gardens, Earl’s Court, SW5 9EB
Tuesdays, 1.00–3.00pm
Spanish Lessons (Beginners/Intermediate)
Meeting Room, 1 Thorpe Close, London, W10 5XL
Wednesdays 2.30–4.00pm
Knitting Club
Evelyn Fox Court, 2 Kingsbridge Road, Thursdays 10.30–12.30pm W10 6QF
Spanish Speakers’ Group
Chelsea Theatre, 7 World’s End Place, King’s Road, SW10 0DR
Fridays 12.30–3.30pm
OLGTB (Older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Group
Chelsea Theatre, 7 World’s End Place, King’s Road, SW10 0DR
Second Sunday of every month, 12.30–2.30pm
Concert & Afternoon Tea
St Cuthbert’s Church, 50 Philbeach Gardens, Earl’s Court, SW5 9EB
Third Thursday every month, 2.30–4.30pm
All activities are FREE. For more information and to register for any groups, please call Ximena on 020 8969 9105 or email xchiesa@aukc.org.uk. We also have some exciting new activities:
Kensington & Chelsea can take part in sports such as table tennis, tennis and bowls. Sessions are 10am-12pm and only cost £2! Address: Westway Sports Centre, 1 Crowthorne Road, London, W10 6RP.
Wacky Wednesdays Every Wednesday is Wacky Wednesday! People who are over 55 and residents of
Bingo We are going to start a Bingo Club at Ormrod Court on Thursday 28th April, 3-5pm
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Address: Kensington Park Road, London W11 1NP. Fish & Chips Group Come and join this new group at Ormrod Court on Tuesday 5th April, 1-3pm Address: Kensington Park Road, London, W11 1NP.
Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing
Friends + Neighbours Outings
Everyone said how much they enjoyed the day and I would like to say big THANK YOU to them. We are looking forward to working with them again. Other highlights were Valentine’s Party at the Venture Centre and St Patrick’s Day Party at Mary Smith Court. We had an incredible time and we are ready for our St George’s Day celebration and the Queen’s 90th birthday party.
What a busy few months we’ve had! We visited Kensington Palace, the Magical Lantern Festival at Chiswick House, Bejewelled Treasure: The Al Thani Collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum, That’ll Be The Day at the Beck Theatre, free lunches at SPID Theatre and Cromwell Mint Casino, a Classical Concert at HTB Onslow Square, Portobello Orchestra at St Peter’s Church and Our Cup of Tea at Sant’Egidio Carmelite Church. I want to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to the Royal Albert Hall for inviting us to such incredible performances. We had the privilege of seeing Classical Spectacular, Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark Live, Western Music in Concert, Alice in Wonderland Live and Open stages: Away with the Circus.
On 26th January we also had the opportunity to attend the Britain’s Got Talent live auditions at the Dominion Theatre. We joined Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams to play the part of the 5th Judge.
Events We saw amazing performances of our Concert & Afternoon Tea at St Cuthbert’s Church with Opera Holland Park on 18th February and Bruce Ogston and Dorothy Ross on 17th March. Both stunning performances were well attended. Our members were also treated to a wonderful Concert & Afternoon Tea at Ashburnham Community School.
Upcoming events at St Cuthbert’s Church: Thursday 21st April, 2:30-4pm - two choirs from the Sing To Live, Live To Sing Project Thursday 19th May, 2:30-4pm - performance by Bruce Ogston. We will have a big surprise in store for you that day. Thursday 16th June, 2:30-4pm - Opera Holland Park will be returning as part of Creative & Wellbeing Week. continued over
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Friends + Neighbours Channel 5 News interview
On Tuesday 16th February Channel 5 News covered a story about the benefits of attending social groups in retirement.
In a recent study, scientists found that maintaining social links as we get older might even be more important for health than keeping fit. Channel 5 asked if they could interview an Age UK K&C member about their experience of being part of a social group, and our member and volunteer, Noemi Vila, bravely offered.
Get in touch!
Well done Noemi!
Ximena Chiesa Friends & Neighbours Co-ordinator
Some outings or events may have to be booked in advance. If you need some extra information, or would like to receive the programme, call Ximena on 020 8969 9105. You can also follow us on Facebook (www.facebook. com/AgeUKKandC), Twitter (@ AgeUKKandC) and Instagram (@age_uk_kensington_and_ chelsea).
Be the change! What an incredible year 2015 was! For example, the newly launched Spanish Lessons have been great fun, as well as helping participants to become more connected whilst learning a new skill. Many doors have been opened in our local community and we are now expanding more than ever. I wholeheartedly believe that 2016 will be the best year for the Friends & Neighbours Project and we will continue to make a difference to our community - but we cannot do it without you. We are looking for a team of committed volunteers to be
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part of the Friends & Neighbours Project on a regular basis during the week. Our volunteers build relationships and a sense of community by engaging with our members, in order to support them and help to reduce loneliness and isolation. They are people who give their time, talent and energy to make a difference for others. Volunteering is a fantastic way to forge new
friendships, whilst also learning new skills or strengthening already established ones. We love all the help we can get. To be part of this team, please call me on 020 8969 9105 or email xchiesa@aukc.org.uk and I will get back to you. Best wishes, Ximena
Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing
South Trips
South Outings Our programme of South Outings are for Chelsea residents of the following postcodes: SW1, SW3, SW5, SW7 and SW10.
May 2016
Please contact Sam Hatley on 020 7352 4016 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 17th May 2016 – National Theatre backstage tour We will go behind the scenes and find out how the National Theatre stages over 1,500 performances every year, and learn about how props, scenery and special effects are all created. Tour lasts approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Pick-ups will start around 10am Cost: £10
June 2016
Tuesday 28th June - Eastbourne Full day trip. Pick- ups will start around 9am Cost: £5
July 2016
Thursday 19th July - Horniman Museum and Gardens Admission to the museum and gardens is free. There is a small charge for the Aquarium and some temporary exhibitions. Pick-ups will start around 10am Cost: £1.50
Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing
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Intergenerational
Digital Clinics drop-in sessions Have you been having problems using your mobile phone, laptop or digital camera? If so, come along to one of our Digital Clinics.
April 2016 Friday 29th April, 10am-12pm New Horizons, Guinness Trust Estate, Cadogan Street, SW3 2PF
May 2016 Friday 27th May (morning) 10am–12pm Nursery Lane Sheltered Scheme, 1 Nursery Lane, W10 6QD Nearest Station: Ladbroke Grove Bus Routes: 70 and 7 Friday 27th May (afternoon) 2pm-4pm Chelsea Theatre, 7 World’s End Place, King’s Road, SW10 0DR Bus routes: 11, 22, 328 and C3
June 2016 Friday 24th June (morning) 10am-12pm New Horizons, Guinness Trust Estate, Cadogan Street, SW3 2PF Friday 24th June (afternoon) 2pm-4pm Evelyn Fox Court, 2 Kingsbridge Road, W10 6QF Nearest station: Latimer Road and Ladbroke station Bus routes: 7, 316 and 70
July 2016 Friday 29th July (morning) 10am-12pm New Horizons, Guinness Trust Estate, Cadogan Street, SW3 2PF Friday 29th July (afternoon) 2pm-4pm Tavistock Sheltered Scheme, 70 Tavistock Road, W11 1AN Nearest Station: Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park Bus Routes: 7, 15, 28, 31, 52 and 70 All Digital Clinics are free and there’s no need to book. For more information, such as directions, or if you would like to be put on the mailing list, please call Sam Schneider on 020 8969 9105.
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Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing
Intergenerational Goodbye from Sophie Huggins My year here as Intergenerational Apprentice has now sadly ended. I want to say thank you to Age UK Kensington & Chelsea for giving me this opportunity and a huge thank you to those I have met who have made my experience here one to remember. I have had an amazing time with the people I have helped; I will miss hearing all your stories and memories. To the digital wizards who attend the digital clinics and computer classes‌ I know you can do it! I hope to see the Intergenerational Project grow bigger and better and wish everyone the best for 2016!
Speed Listening
2016
On 19th February we organised another Speed Listening event, but this time with the Kensington Youth forum. Some of our older participants had never used YouTube before or even knew it existed. They were intrigued to find out what was in store! We had partners sharing hymns, Beethoven and heavy metal, as well as discussions on how music has changed over the decades. Despite the difference in music taste, everyone enjoyed themselves. After the session was over, older participants were excited to go home and explore more on YouTube. Norman Hillman (Age UK K&C member) said, “It will become addictive!�
If you would like to take part in the next Speed Listening event, contact Sam Schneider on 020 8969 9105 or email intergen@aukc.org.uk.
Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing
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Intergenerational ‘One Potato’ Celebratory Film Screening Join us for the screening of a documentary film which explores the changing nature of children’s play over the past 80 years. ‘One Potato’ is an intergenerational oral history project
involving children from Servite Primary School and a group of local older people living in and around the World’s End Estate. Monday 16th May, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Chelsea Theatre, 7 Worlds End Place, Kings Road, London, SW10 0DR For more information, call Sam Schneider on 020 8969 9105
Computer Corner Too many passwords!
I come across many people at the computer classes and Digital Clinics who find it hard to keep on top of their passwords. The most frustrating situation is forgetting your password and having no idea on how to retrieve or change it. Here are some tips that might be able to help. Choose a memorable password: Some websites will ask you to include a capital
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letter, a number and a minimum of 12 characters. Think of something that will be easy to remember: a favourite location or an oxymoron, for example ‘Kensington1986’ or ‘Yellowcats11’ Don’t use more than one password: If possible don’t create new passwords for different websites; if unavoidable try and keep them similar. Write it down and keep it safe! I know most of you already do, but please write down your password(s) in a fresh notepad and written down clearly. For example: E-mail E-mail: scottsmith66@hotmail. co.uk Password: 1966smith Tesco Online shopping Username: scottsmith66 Password: Scottsmith66
Practice makes perfect:
When websites ask for passwords including a capital letter, some people don’t know how to enable ‘Caps Lock’ on their computer. Before you create your password, you could use Microsoft Word to practice typing short sentences which include capital letters and symbols. For example, try typing “I’m so happy!” a few times until you get the hang of how to enable and disable capital letters. Want some more guidance on passwords and how to keep them safe? Come along to one of our Digital clinics!
Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing
Activities + Leisure
Keeping Active with Open Age Open Age has been running for over 20 years in RBKC, offering around 380 weekly activities for older residents. As well as our full programme of activities, we will be running some one-off workshops and events throughout the warmer months.
Social Cycling Group
Smartphone course
Open Age has teamed up with RBKC’s Sustainable Travel Team to offer free cycling skills training. You might want to brush up your skills, or you might be a complete beginner; everyone is welcome. It’s simply about cycling, being active and having fun.
Are you baffled by mobiles? Unsure as to whether you want to buy a smartphone? Would like to have a go to see if it’s for you?
• Small social cycling group – up to 12 participants • Meet once a week for 2 hours • Bring your own bike or we can provide a bike for you • Please note that you have to commit to the 6 weeks to take part • Training is free, but it is essential to book your place
Open Age is offering a new smartphone course, where you can come and learn how to use a smartphone without having to own one. This course is designed for people who want to find out whether a smartphone is for them and will take you through the basics of how to use one. Open Age will be running two courses between May and the end of June. To find out more and to book a place, call Emma on 020 8962 4141.
Venue: Westway Sports Centre - 1 Crowthorne Rd, W10 6RP
Are you an Expert Patient?
Dates: Wednesdays 8th June – 13th July. (6 weeks) Times: 10am - 12pm Please call Armand on 020 8962 5594 to book your place.
Open Age is running a series of Expert Patient Programmes across the Borough. The course is for anyone with a long-term health condition, and aims to help people to increase
their confidence, improve their quality of life and manage their condition more effectively. Each course is 6 weeks long and there will be a celebration held at the end of the course. It is completely free to attend, and refreshments will be provided. To find out more and to book on to a course, call 020 3713 8736.
Under the Sea… As part of London Creativity and Wellbeing Week, join Open Age for ‘Under the Sea…’ at The Second Half Centre on Friday 17th June, 12-4pm. Discover the hidden depths of the underwater world right here in London. There will be an exhibition, performances, music, workshops, creative art and of course delicious refreshments! For more information call The Second Half Centre on 020 8962 5500.
Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing
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Information + Advice Don’t be a victim of fraud – protect your personal information 6) Always log on to websites directly rather than clicking on links provided in an email.
Every year the British public loses billions of pounds to fraudsters who bombard us with online, mail, door-to-door and telephone scams. These scams can be very difficult for the police to detect and investigate and therefore prevention through awareness is the best defence we have. The good news is that there are a number of simple steps you can take to protect yourself. Here are the Metropolitan Police’s 10 Golden Rules to help you beat the scammers: 1) Be suspicious of all ‘too good to be true’ offers and deals. There are no guaranteed get-rich-quick schemes. 2) Do not agree to offers or deals immediately. Insist on time to obtain independent/legal advice before making a decision. 3) Do not hand over money or sign anything until you have checked the credentials of the company or individual. 4) Never send money to anyone you do not know or trust, whether in the UK or abroad, or use methods of payment that you are not comfortable with. 5) Never give banking or personal details to anyone you do not know or trust. This information is valuable, so make sure you protect it.
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7) Do not rely solely on glowing testimonials; find solid independent evidence of a company’s success. 8) Always get independent/legal advice if an offer involves money, time or commitment. 9) If you spot a scam, or you or someone you know have been scammed, report it and get help. Contact ActionFraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud. police.uk. Contact the Police if the suspect is known or still in the area by calling 101. 10) Do not be embarrassed to report a scam. Because the scammers are cunning and clever there is no shame in being deceived. By reporting you will make it more difficult for them to deceive others. Sadly there are too many different scams out there for us to be able to provide details of them all. However, the Metropolitan Police have created a fantastic resource called ‘The Little Book of Big Scams’ which provides detailed information about different types of fraud and what we can do to protect ourselves. If you would like a copy of the Little Book of Big Scams, you can download a copy from http://www.met.police.uk/docs/little_book_ scam.pdf. Alternatively, you can call FALCON Prevention (part of the Metropolitan Police Service) on 020 7230 1228 to request a copy. They can also provide audio and easy read versions.
Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing
Information + Advice Introducing Muge Ahmet – Age UK K&C’s new Community Outreach Worker
I am working with Catalyst Housing on the Wornington Green Estate to provide support to the residents over the age of 55.
I have been working for Age UK Kensington & Chelsea for over four years, first as a Dementia Support Worker and now as a Community Outreach Worker. My background is in mental health and I am currently training as cognitive behavioural psychotherapist.
If you live on the estate, and require any of the following, please get in touch: • Information and advice on a range of subjects
The Big Conversation Kensington Citizens Advice and Age UK Kensington & Chelsea Invite you to TALK ABOUT DYING 2.30pm - 6.30pm, Thursday 12th May 2016 at Age UK Kensington & Chelsea, 1 Thorpe Close, W10 5XL Dying Matters Awareness Week 2016 is focusing on The Big Conversation. Events and activities are being held across the country to raise awareness about end of life issues and to encourage people to discuss their wishes for their funeral, end of life care and plans with their family and friends. Too many people fear upsetting their family and friends, so they keep their thoughts to themselves and don’t talk about dying, or else they worry alone about arrangements for their funeral.
• Emotional support (especially during the regeneration) • Help getting to access social activities within the community • A general chat about concerns You can contact me on 020 8969 9105 or 07825 639 764, or by email at mahmet@aukc.org.uk.
We hope this event will be an opportunity for you to get information and ideas to make it easier to plan and to make known your preferences, to avoid confusion and uncertainty when the time comes, to take away additional stress and allow your nearest and dearest to concentrate on what really matters. We will have information on wills and power of attorney, affordable choices in funeral planning, end-of-life care and choices, organ donation and support for carers. There will be printed information, expert advice, videos and refreshments. Come and join us to get information and discuss how you can make plans so you can rest easy in the knowledge that your wishes are known. Please call 020 8969 9105 to book your place.
Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing
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And Finally How can YOU help? If you would like to show your support for all the great work Age UK Kensington & Chelsea does, there are lots of ways you can help us to help others. Here are just some of the ways: • Become a volunteer and use your skills to help with tasks such as gardening, shopping and de-cluttering, or befriend an isolated person. If you would like to know more about volunteering, please contact Valerie or Tasio on 020 8969 9105 or email volunteer@aukc.org.uk. • Talk about Age UK K&C: Recommend our services to your friends. Tell your doctors about them so that they can refer others to us. Spread the word! • Come to our events, for example our Annual and Ordinary General Meetings. • Read and contribute to our newsletter, which is still distributed free of charge to everyone on our mailing list. • W ith a gift of money: Without money we can’t exist. All donations, big or small, are welcome. A regular amount can be set up as a standing order; single donations can be paid by cheque, cash or card online. As a donor you would become a Supporter, and all money raised from Supporters is used exclusively for services which benefit local residents of Kensington & Chelsea.
• R emember us in your Will. After you have looked after your loved ones and friends, please consider leaving a gift to us in your Will. Your legacy lives on in our work. Should you have already been kind enough to remember us in your Will, please ensure that our full name, Age UK Kensington & Chelsea, and our registered charity number (1082658) are clearly stated: otherwise your gift may not reach us but go automatically to the national Age UK. If you would like more information on contributing to the newsletter, making a donation or remembering us in your Will, please get in touch with Brooke by calling 020 8969 9105 or emailing bkerr@aukc.org.uk.
EDITOR: Brooke Kerr LAYOUT: Steve Clements
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PRINTER: Rapspiderweb
Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing