10 minute read
Independent Living
HELP AT HOME It is like having a friend come round to help“ “
Age Uk Surrey
The Coronavirus Pandemic has changed life for everyone and as a local community-based charity we are aware that older people are some of the hardest hit. Find out how we can support you and your loved ones.
Information and Advice Service
We provide free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support on all issues that impact older people, for example: care, housing, money, benefit entitlements.
Check in and Chat Calls
One of the best ways of helping someone during this unsettling time is by just keeping in touch. We match friendly supportive volunteers with people who would like a regular chat over the telephone.
Digital Online Help
The pandemic proved that the internet is a key utility for everyday life, and knowing how to use it is an essential skill. If you need digital help our volunteers are offering a free telephone service arranged at a time and day that is mutually convenient.
Online Social Coffee Groups.
Every Monday and Thursday at 2pm you can enjoy a virtual coffee and chat with Catherine our Information & Advice Manager. Everyone over 50 years old are welcome, as well as carers.
To find out more about any of our services and ways we can help you please: Telephone: 01483 503414 Email: enquiries@ageuksurrey.org.uk Visit our website: www.ageuk.org.uk/surrey
To donate: Donations to support our services are gratefully received and can be made via our website or by sending a cheque made payable to Age UK Surrey to: Rex House, William Road, Guildford, GU1 4QZ
Our Home Helps take pride in building relationships with the clients to ensure they feel safe and happy. Start as a client but end as a friend.
Age UK Surrey is your doorway into a world of advice and information for people aged 50+
HOUSEWORK SHOPPING
COMPANIONSHIP AND MUCH MORE
All our home helps are comprehensively briefed, have access to PPE, maintain social distancing and are security checked.
Charity No: 1036450
01483 503414 enquiries@ageuksurrey.org.uk www.ageuk.org.uk/surrey
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Care at Home continued
Alina Homecare Leatherhead and surrounding areas, live in and live out care, 01372 571222 Alina Homecare Walton-on-Thames and surrounding areas, live in and live out care, 01932 901222 Angel Heart Home Care, Surrey, live in, live out and respite care, 01276 804421 Apex Prime Care Surrey, live out care, 01932 903008 Arbour Companions and Care, live in care, live out, respite, 01932 901444 Assisted Bathing, Epsom, 01372 720563 Bluebird Care, Elmbridge and Runnymede, domiciliary care, 01932 567593 Classic Home Care Services, live in, live out and respite care, 020 8393 7117 Crossroads Care Surrey, helping unpaid carers get the break they deserve, 01372 869970 Home Counties Carers, live in, live out and respite care, 01483 224985
Care at Home continued
Home Instead Senior Care Elmbridge & East Spelthorne, live out, live in, respite, 01932 241020 Home Instead Senior Care, Epsom and Mole Valley, live in, live out and respite, 01372 741544 Home Support Elmbridge, live out, 01932 267128 JB Elderly Care, personal care, companionship, Ashtead, home help, live out care, 07741 146469 Mulberry Home Care Services, live out and respite care, 01932 854827 Promedica24, North and West Surrey, live in care, 01483 319052 Right at Home Sutton and Epsom, live in and live out care, 01372 705785 Smartcare Weybridge, a choice of support tailored to your individual needs, 01932 855353 Surrey Homecare Services, live in, live out and respite care, 01372 462118 Tendacare, helping you to remain independent, live out, short visits not nights, 01372 272240 Your Quality Care Services, live in care, live out care and respite support, 020 8393 3544
Mobility Aids, Services and Telecare
Abilitystore Limited, mobility solutions for independent life, Epsom, 01372 450667 Community Alarm, Epsom, 01372 732000 QEF Equipment Services, hire mobility/ assistive equipment + accessible holidays, 01372 841100 QEF Mobility Services: driving/mobility assessments for age related impairments, 01372 841100 Telecare Services (Mole Valley), supporting independence at home, 01372 204500 VASD, Mobility and Living Aids, Leatherhead, 01372 841148
Mulberry Home Care Services Mulberry HoMe Care ServiCeS Delivering personalised assistance and support to people in their own home Please contact: Tel: 01932 854827 Email: care@mulberryhomecareservices.uk http://www.mulberryhomecareservices.uk
Independent Living Support
The Brigitte Trust, help at home for people with a life-limiting illness, 01306 881816 Surrey Coalition for Disabled People, promote equality and to live independently, 01483 456558
Mole Valley Life Welfare Calls
During the period since lockdown began, the Mole Valley Life (MVL) team have been working hard to make sure that our vulnerable and older residents have remained connected and looked after.
We have made over 14,000 welfare calls, assisted over 400 residents with food parcels, made arrangements for 600 residents to receive their prescriptions and signposted 100 vulnerable and older residents to local community groups and befriending services; in so doing, providing vital help and reassurance at an uncertain time.
Over the past months, we have thoroughly enjoyed supporting the vulnerable and older in our district and have built up great friendships with many of those whom we have made welfare calls to.
If you, or someone you know is in need of help, please call the Surrey Community Helpline phone number on 0300 200 1008 (Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 12pm), or the NHS Responder Service phone number on 0808 196 3646 (7 days a week, 8am to 8pm).
Reg. charity 288923
When you’re feeling alone or sad, our volunteers are there to listen.
As Covid cases rise this autumn, Brigitte Trust telephone support volunteers are standing by for any adult in Surrey who is vulnerable, lonely, isolated or a carer needing a listening ear. It’s sometimes easier to talk to someone just a step away from the family circle who will listen without judgement. Maybe you have been recently diagnosed with a life-limiting illness like cancer or Motor Neurone Disease, and are awaiting tests or surgery, or struggling with depression and anxiety. We are there for you. It’s hard to stay calm during these unsettled times when restrictions can mean families are divided - especially for older people with existing health conditions. May we help you, or someone you love? A volunteer makes 2-3 calls each week to the same person – sometimes checking in but mostly spending time building a relationship and making a connection with someone vulnerable, struggling through uncertain times.
Please call us.
Please tell advertisers you found them in the ’Grapevine’ 316 High Street Dorking Surrey RH4 1QX
What does the role entail?
Epsom, Ewell & District Cats Protection is a small but long established branch with experienced volunteers. The role is varied but includes: managing relationships with the public and volunteers; overseeing the functions of volunteers, including the treasurer and fosterers; liaising with volunteers to collect donated goods; liaising with the Volunteer Coordinator to fill vacancies and arrange volunteer social events (in line with Government/CP guidance and social distancing); meeting & welcoming new volunteers; coordinating the annual return of branch activities;
You would also make sure the team observes charity best practice and compliance; collaborate with your Branch Development Manager (BDM) to plan volunteer activity; lead the team to follow Cats Protection policies, procedures and guidelines; monitor expenditure and help ensure long term financial stability of the volunteer group; organise and chair team meetings; act as an ambassador for Cats Protection. We will be here to help with your induction to the role and support
you as you find your feet.
We’re looking for someone with
Strong interpersonal, leadership and people management skills; experience of promoting a positive team environment; confidence and experience of ensuring policies, procedures and processes are met; excellent communication skills with individuals and groups at all levels; organisational skills and the ability to prioritise and delegate; ability to think and plan ahead; patience and diplomacy; good IT skills Our branch coordinator volunteers usually spend 10 to 15 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed. There will be times of year when more hours are required, such as towards the end of the financial year, but support and guidance are always available.
If you would like to find out more about this role, please contact: Janet Richold e: jarichold1949@outlook.com t: 07867 558109.
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The largest of the Woodland Trust’s four First World War Centenary Woods, Langley Vale Wood has pockets of ancient woodland, diverse and fascinating wildlife and flora, and stunning views over the hills of the North Downs.
History of Langley Vale Wood
There is evidence of early human habitation in the woodlands and fields making up the site of Langley Vale Wood. A first-century BC tin coin was found in a field near Round Wood, and third and fourth-century Roman coins have also been found in and around the site. There are several Saxon cemeteries dating from the sixth to eighth centuries in the area. There has been a farm at Langley Vale since the early thirteenth century. It’s likely that the small farming settlement was destroyed by the Black Death in the fourteenth century as it disappeared from the records.
Regiment Sculpture. Credit Keith Lelliott
Later maps show that part of the site was used as arable land from the mid-eighteenth century and there are also several woods shown: Great Hurst, Little Hurst, and Round Coppice. By the early 1800s, the farm had become part of the Ashtead Park Estate, although it was sold off in 1880.
During the First World War, the Walton and Tadworth end of the site was used for army training and there were trenches, a rifle range, a gas training school and a camp. A timber flag pole from the gas training school is still standing in Round Wood, which was known locally as Gas School Wood.
Wildlife and Habitats
Look out for signs of roe deer and badgers, and keep your eyes peeled at dusk when you might spot one of the five species of bat recorded at the site. Enjoy the chorus of birdsong – 59 species have been recorded at the wood, such as the cuckoo and skylark.
Regiment Plaque. Credit James Rice
Beechtree. Credit Kate Harvey
Trees, Plants and Fungi
The site’s three biggest woods- Great Hurst Wood, Little Hurst Wood and Downs View Wood - are designated Sites of Nature Conservation Importance.
Keep an eye on the facebook page www.facebook.com/WTLangleyValeWood for all up to date news.
Advertisers and Contributors
Age UK Surrey, see page 25 Becky Kershaw Fitness, see page 14 Cats Protection, see page 28 Colin Bull Swimming, see page 16 Elmbridge Borough Council, see page 18-19 Elmbridge Museum, see page 31 Epsom Clock Tower, see page 32 Extra Help Surrey East, see page 24 Good Elf Fine Foods, see page 3 Hampton Court Palace Rink, see page 5 Mole Valley Life, see page 23 Mulberry Home Care Services, see page 26 New Neighbours, see page 3 Sight for Surrey, see page 21 Stokebuskers, see page 3 Surrey Shiatsu, see page 4 The Brigitte Trust, see page 17, 27 Woodland Trust, see page 29
Places To Visit
Bourne Hall Museum, telling the story of two thousand years of Epsom and Ewell, 020 8394 1734 Box Hill Country Park, 800 acres of woods and downland, 01306 885502 Brooklands Museum, birthplace of British motorsport/aviation, Weybridge, 01932 857381 Chessington World of Adventures, Chessington, Surrey, 0871 663 4477 Claremont Landscape Gardens, Esher (National Trust), 01372 467806 Cobham Mill, early 19th century mill, on the banks of the River Mole, FREE entry, 01932 867387 Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, 01306 876616 Dorking Museum and Heritage Centre, West Street, limited opening, please call, 01306 876591
Dorking South Street Caves, seasonal opening, call (Museum tel), 01306 876591 Elmbridge Museum, story of the area since prehistoric times and more, 01372 474568 Hampton Court Ice Rink, winter season only, end Novermber- early January, online booking Historical Royal Palaces, Hampton Court Palace, switchboard, 020 3166 6000 Horton Country Park, Epsom nature reserve, FREE to wander, 01372 741191 JGF Passenger Boats, Cruises on the Thames, based in Walton-on-Thames, 01932 253374 Leatherhead Museum of Local History, free entry, 01372 386348 London Bus Museum, (entry via Mercedes world) Brooklands, 01932 837994 Painshill, 18th century landscape garden, Cobham, 01932 868113 Polesden Lacey, National Trust, a beautiful country house and gardens, 01372 452048
Some Out Of Area Attractions
Birdworld, UK’s largest bird park, covering 26 acres, Farnham, 01420 22140 British Wildlife Centre, Newchapel, 01342 834658 RHS Wisley (Gardens), wheelchair friendly, 01483 224234 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, 020 8332 5655 Wey and Arun Canal Trust, boat trips, boating and cruising, 01403 753999
