Voice summer 2013

S U M M ER

2013

Gardening With…

Greenfingered Grandma

Falls & Falls Awareness Week 2013

Community Notice Board

Employment & Support Allowance Age UK Bedfordshire

Meet the Team

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY + WALK DON’T RUN! + PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT + MUCH MORE

Over 50?

Unemployed?

Want some free training?

Central Bedfordshire Council is the administrator of European funding that provides free training mainly to the unemployed or economically inactive across Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough Local Authority areas.

The purpose is to assist a return to work, or in the case of one activity, provide leadership training to employees of small companies (less than 50 staff).The training is entirely voluntary and is carried out by organisations that contract with us.

We are currently funding 5 different activities that are suitable for those who are 50+.

The detail of these activities is listed on our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/esf (select Plan D / Right hand side) The activities are numbered and the relevant numbers are from 5-15.

You will find the name and telephone number of the contact in the detail.

So if you want to develop new skills, or just after some work related guidance, you will receive a warm welcome in a small group setting of like-minded folk. Why not give it a try – you have nothing to lose!

If you require any further information please do contact: Mike Colsell T: 0300 300 6194 E: mike.colsell@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Seasons Garden Centre Garden Centre - Huge Range of Gifts, Shrubs, Garden Furniture, Cane and Pine Furniture, Books, Lots of Special Offers on Gravels, Decorative Chippings and Composts.

Restaurant - Serving Hot and Cold Food from 10.00 - 4.00 and our very popular Sunday Carvery each Sunday from 12.00 - 2.30 only ÂŁ6.95. Lots of Home Made Scones, Flapjacks, and Great Home Made Food.

Open Mon - Sat 9.00 - 6.00 & Sun 11.00 - 5.00

Seasons Garden Centre Bedford Road, Wilstead, (Wixams Village) MK45 3HU

01234 741909 www.seasonsgardencentre.co.uk

Pets and Aquatics

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11 Contents List Summer 2013 Meet the Team............6 Introducing members of our team and their roles within Age UK Bedfordshire.

What’s Happening in Bedfordshire................6 A couple of key events going on in Bedfordshire this summer.

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Walk Don’t Run................7 You don’t have to go on a long, gruelling run to get the greatest health benefits.

Falls & Falls Awareness Week 2013.......................8

You could be forgiven for thinking that falls are a part of ageing, it ‘just happens’ as you get older.

10 Top Tips for Updating Skills............... 10 A few pointers for consideration.

Employment & Support Allowance......... 11 ESA is a benefit for people who are unable to work due to illness or disability.

Community Notice Board................. 12

Personal Independence Payment........................ 14 PIP is a benefit for people of working age with disabilities and due to be phased in from April 2013.

Ginger Cupcakes........... .16 Another recipe for you to try.

Greenfingered Grandma........................17

Getting your garden Summer ready.

www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire

Cover Image From Left to Right: Nancy, Jo, Jenny, Wendy, Emma, Amanda, Hilary, Debbie, Emma, Karen, Victoria, Leanne, Saffron, Klaudia, Steve & Sandra. © Age UK Bedfordshire 2013

Meet the team…

Editor

Amanda Jones Tel: 01234 360 510 Email: amanda.jones@ ageukbedfordshire.org.uk

Sub-Editor

Klaudia Len Tel: 01234 360 510 Email: klaudia.len@ ageukbedfordshire.org.uk

Age UK Bedfordshire

Head Office 78 - 82 Bromham Road Bedford MK40 2QH Tel: 01234 360 510 Email: voice@ ageukbedfordshire.org.uk

Designer

Chris Keller Email: chris@ lancepublishing.co.uk

Sales Manager

Laurence Rowe Tel: 01536 526689 Email: l aurence@ lancepublishing.co.uk

Publisher

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Lance Publishing Ltd 1st Floor Tailby House Bath Road Kettering NN16 8NL Tel: 01536 512624 www.lancepublishing.co.uk

Puzzle Page............... 18

Printer

Charlie Chuckles.........21

This magazine is produced on behalf of Age UK Bedfordshire 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 Bedfordshire 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 UK Bedfordshire. Reg. Charity No. 1090535

A Sudoku, Wordsearch and a Quick Quiz for you to have a go at.

Charlie is back and is trying his best to make you smile!

Foreword from the CEO Welcome to the second edition of the Age UK Bedfordshire VOICE magazine. I sincerely hope that you enjoyed the first edition and were able to share it with family, friends, colleagues or any other interested parties.

The magazine is also available to view on our website at www.ageukbedfordshire.org.uk.

I

n this issue we have included the regular features of Charlie Chuckles, Greenfingered Grandma, What’s Happening in Bedfordshire and our recipe choice. I hope that these will become firm favourites with readers.

We have added to this edition a puzzle page which may give you some brain teasing moments during your day.

Special features in this edition include information on the new Welfare Reform initiatives that have been

launched this Spring and the further information on the Personal Independent Payments (PIPs) which will come into force later this year. These are in addition to information on falls and Falls Awareness Week taking place 17th to 21st June this year.

Last but not least you will meet one of our valuable teams inside. The Welfare Services team are featured with brief details of the services that they provide.

Enjoy finding out a bit more about them.

Happy reading.

Lance Print Ltd Tel: (01480) 492183 www.lanceprint.co.uk

working hard to improve life for older people

Karen Perry CEO, Age UK Bedfordshire

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In this and forthcoming issues of Voice, we will be introducing you to members of our team and giving you a brief idea of their role within Age UK Bedfordshire.

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n this issue we are featuring our Home Support Team. Home Support (formerly Welfare Services) provides practical help in the homes of our customers. This includes a regular home help and gardening service as well as a handyperson service. Our team of home help out workers and gardeners provide - in our opinion and that of many of our customers - an excellent service. Many of our gardeners and home helps have been with us for ten years or more. We pride ourselves in recruiting people who have the relevant skills, but who have a genuine liking for older people. Home helps will visit on a regular pre-appointed day and time.

This can be as infrequent as weekly or as frequent as daily. It all depends on the customers requirements.

Gardeners also visit regularly, but generally they only visit once a fortnight.

This can be weekly if a garden warrants it, but most customers prefer a fortnightly

From Left to Right:

visit. Our handypeople can do light carpentry, electrics and plumbing plus other odd jobs, such as fitting a key safe or fitting a grab rail in the bathroom or outside the front door to help negotiating a step safely.

Debbie is the manager of the department. We divide Bedfordshire into three geographical areas and have the area organisers who co-ordinate the work of the home help and gardeners in their areas. Emma F looks after North Beds, Hilary is responsible for Mid Beds and Emma C has South Beds.

Saffron and Victoria deal with wages, invoices and other back office administration. In all the team have 34 years experience of providing a first class service to older people in Bedfordshire.

To find out more about Home Help, Gardening or the Handyperson service please telephone: 01234 360510, Email: enquiries@ ageukbedfordshire.org. uk or visit our website: www.ageukbedfordshire. org.uk.

Debbie, Saffron, Victoria, Emma C, Hilary and Emma F

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What’s Happening in Bedfordshire?

Key events in Bedfordshire this summer include the regular event that is held in the Corn Exchange in Bedford every year and around the Central Bedfordshire towns and villages.

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n the Corn Exchange on Wednesday 5th June will be the Ageing Well Exhibition. This is where a wide range of statutory, commercial and voluntary organisations all come together to promote the services which are available in the area for older people.

This will include Age UK Bedfordshire of course.

The event runs from 10am to 3pm and is free to everyone. There are also refreshments on offer so you can take a stroll around the event, pick up leaflets and information, talk to stall holders then go upstairs and have a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit while reading all the leaflets and booklets you have collected.

In Central Bedfordshire a similar project runs but this is a mobile information unit which visits towns and villages across Central Bedfordshire. Again we will be joining in and the unit is proposed to be at the following venues: 23rd June Haynes 23rd July Leighton Buzzard 21st August Dunstable 27th September Sandy 18th October Shefford Final confirmations of the above will be nearer the dates.

Other events coming up are the International Kite Festival, Russell Park, Bedford 25th May an annual event and the Elephant BBQ at Woburn 29th June.

Of course to all those children out there don’t forget Father’s Day on Sunday 16th June.

IMAGE: © SERGEY NIVENS, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Meet the Team

www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire

Walk Don’ t Run! You don’t have to go on a long, gruelling run to get the greatest health benefits - a brisk walk is actually more effective at reducing heart disease, according to a US study.

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compared, and for the same amount of energy used, walkers experienced greater health benefits than runners.

The Relevant Statistics

Running reduced the risk of heart disease by 4.5%, while walking cut it by 9.3%.

Walking also had more of an

Science Behind the Results

Study leader Dr Paul Williams, from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, said walking and running provide an ideal test of the health benefits of exercise because they involve the same muscle groups and the same activities performed at different intensities.

The Disconnected Mind study, funded by Age UK at the University of Edinburgh, has shown that exercise and protection of brain function in later life are linked.

Professor James Goodwin, Head of Research at Age UK, said: ‘We already know that exercise

is important in reducing our risk of some illnesses that come with ageing, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.

‘The Disconnected Mind study re-emphasises that it really is never too late to benefit from exercise, so whether it’s a brisk walk to the shops, gardening or competing in a fun run it is crucial that, those of us who can, get active as we grow older.’

Benefits of Aerobic Activity

Doireann Maddock, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said the study shows that any brisk physical activity, not just long runs, can be great for heart health.

‘We know the best type of activity for your heart is moderate-intensity aerobic activity and that includes walking, as long as you feel warmer, breathe harder and your heart beats faster than usual,’ she said.

‘Whether it’s walking, jogging or running, staying active will help control your weight, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol and improve your mental health. In other words, you’ll look and feel great and reduce your risk of a heart attack and stroke too.’

IMAGE: © AGE UK, 2009

oth activities are good for you but when the energy expenditure of both is balanced out, walking is found to have the edge.

Data from 33,060 runners and 15,045 walkers aged between 18 and 80 was

impact on heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol.

The risk of first-time high blood pressure was reduced by 4.2% by running and 7.2% by walking, while first-time high cholesterol risk was lowered by 4.3% by running and 7% by walking.

The risk of firsttime diabetes was cut by about 12% by both walking and running, according to the research, published in heart journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.

working hard to improve life for older people

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Falls & Falls Awareness Week 2013 You could be forgiven for thinking that falls are a part of ageing, something that ‘just happens’ as you get older. Most people do. This is not surprising when they happen so often - around a third of people aged 65 and over and half of those over 80 will fall every year.

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owever, there are many simple things that older people can do to prevent falls, and their potentially devastating consequences.

Some of the facts around falls are detailed below: • 75% of falls are not reported.

• Falls destroy confidence, increase isolation and reduce independence, with 9% of older

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people who fall becoming afraid to leave their homes in case they fall again.

• Falls represent over half of hospital admissions for accidental injury.

• Every year in England, more than 223,000 people over 60 have a fracture as a result of a fall. This is more than the entire population of Northampton.

• Each year, fractures in patients aged 60 years and over account

for more than 1.5 million hospital beds a day in the UK. • The annual cost of falls of people over 60 in England is £2 billion a year, or more than £5.6 million a day.

• A tailored exercise programme can reduce an individual’s risk of falling by up to 50%.

• It has been estimated that as much as 30% of visual impairment in people over 75 is the result of wearing the wrong glasses or no

glasses at all, which can affect a person’s balance and co-ordination.

Each year we at Age UK Bedfordshire join the national campaign to help people to understand what causes falls and how to prevent them happening.

We have an open house for Falls Awareness Week Monday 17th to Friday 21st June 10am till 2pm at our office in Bromham Road, Bedford.

Come along and have a cup of tea or coffee, a biscuit and pick up all the useful information

www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire

also reduce sensation in our feet, thereby potentially leading to falls. Studies have shown that different types of footwear and going barefoot indoors can also contribute to falling.

IMAGE: © AGE UK, 2009

Older people can improve their balance and reduce the risk of falls by:

that can help. Alternatively give us a call on 01234 360510 or Email: amanda.jones@ ageukbedfordshire.org.uk to receive the information.

To give you some ideas about what is available the theme for Falls Awareness this year is Healthy Feet.

Keeping your feet healthy is fundamental to maintaining mobility and independence.

As we get older, we are much more likely to suffer from foot conditions and complaints, such as bunions, difficulty with cutting toenails, and stiffness in toe joints and ankles. These issues can affect balance and walking and

• Taking regular exercise to stretch and strengthen toes and ankles.

• Wearing well fitting shoes with high sides, a firm slip resistant sole and a heel height lower than one inch. Shoes or well fitted, slip resistant slippers should also be worn indoors, rather than walking barefoot or in socks or tights.

• Speak to a GP, chiropodist or podiatrist if you have any foot pain, as this may affect your balance and increase your risk of falls.

Other Falls Awareness information on offer to everyone this year are information on exercise, vision, bone health, medicine awareness, and booklets entitled, Your Falls Free Plan and Make Your Home Falls Free.

You can also see our range of aids and adaptations for sale such as easy grippers, easy reachers, memory insoles, folding walking sticks and many others.

So why not come along and see what we can offer to help you or contact us during Falls Awareness Week 17th - 21st June.

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of all types around the UK. Computer training, in particular, can make you a more appealing employee – try the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) and Computer Literacy and Information Technology (CLAIT). Both introduce you to computers and familiarise you with the internet, email, word processing, spreadsheets and databases.

10 Top Tips for Updating Skills

IMAGE: © YURI ARCURS, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

6. Check What Rivals are Doing

1. Imagine the Future

Think about what you’d like to be doing five years down the line. Do you see yourself in the same role or somewhere different? You might change your views along the way, but a specific target gives you something to aim for.

For example, you may enjoy what you’re doing, but you know that you want to be in a more senior position in five years.

2. P lay with Your Options

Even with limited funds you can realise your dreams. The secret is planning, so list two or three life options on paper.

For instance: stay in the same place but with a better job; fulfil your heart’s desire

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by selling Harley Davidsons; move abroad and be selfemployed. Then ask yourself a few key questions: what can you afford to do? What skills do you need? Think creatively, as well as practically.

3. Pinpoint Your Skills Shortfall

If, say, you want to move to the countryside and be selfemployed, you’ll need to be able to drive; it will also help if you’re at ease making friends.

Of course, you’ll have to be able to earn money too.

Income could be generated by anything from gardening to computer consultancy to dinner-party catering. Read magazines aimed at people doing what you want to do and check the back pages for

details of relevant courses.

4. Get Some Experience

Volunteer for training courses at work. Is there an institute for your field of interest that provides further training? If you’re in a union, speak to a rep about available training.

You could also shadow someone who’s doing the kind of thing you’re interested in.

If you’re thinking about changing professions, try to get experience in that area – for instance if you want to write for a living, offer articles to your local paper or a website.

5. U pgrade Your Computer Skills

Age UK runs introductory courses and Learndirect has details of 900,000 courses

Competition between organisations and individuals is one of the great engines of progress. Employees should see what staff training rival companies offer – it’s a powerful way to persuade your boss to develop you further.

If you’re a one-man band, find out what competitors are up to. Painter and decorator Dave Parnell, 60, says, ‘I need to know about new equipment to keep up with the latest techniques, so I talk to suppliers regularly.’

7. Call a Recruitment Agent

If you want a new job – or you want to ensure you’re doing yours to the best of your ability, get an independent ity check from a recruitment agent. They will tell you frankly what your chances are in the job market, and in which areas your skills are weak.

8. Embrace Change

How you look sends out a powerful message and can transform your view of yourself too. Jo Bond of Right Coutts, a human resources consultancy, says you need to ask yourself, ‘Do I look like someone living in 2010 or 1986?’

But it’s not just about how you look. You can also keep up with change by finding out about iPods, Skype (a system for making phone calls through your computer) and other technological developments.

www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire

IMAGE: © AGE UK, 2009

Reducing your fear of change is important and will give you more confidence.

Read magazines (including those for 20-somethings) and watch TV that’s not on your normal viewing list to find out what new gadgets and trends the younger generation are talking about and trying out.

9. Think Modern

Being able to communicate across generations in a working environment means learning to talk in a relaxed way to 20 and 30 somethings.

John Mattock, 56, of business communications consultancy, Right Brain Training, says, ‘30-yearolds will, in general, be literal-minded due to their more specific, vocational education and young managers value ideas for their immediate relevance.’

Also, younger people tend to have shorter attention spans, so consider updating your presentation style or the way you contribute to meetings.

10. C hoose a Role Model

Study the techniques of people who are successful.

What is it in their behaviour that makes them so?

How can you incorporate it into your approach?

‘Find a role model who has achieved a career change and watch them,’ says Jo Bond, ‘or befriend someone of a similar age and profile to you. It can be reassuring and inspiring.’

If you choose a good role model, you will probably learn far more than just technical points; you will also see, in practice, the importance of dress, presentation, optimism, goal-setting and getting on with other people.

Employment & Support Allowance

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mployment and Support Allowance (ESA) is a benefit for people who are unable to work due to illness or disability.

There are two types of ESA - you may be entitled to one or both of them: • Contributory ESA is based on your National Insurance contributions.

• Income-related ESA depends on your income and savings.

Can I Claim Employment Support Allowance?

To claim either type of ESA you need to be under State Pension age and have an illness or disability that affects your ability to work. You can’t claim ESA if you’re claiming

working hard to improve life for older people

Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support or Statutory Sick Pay. You’ll probably have to attend a medical assessment.

After this you’ll be told whether you’re considered fit for work, or whether you’re entitled to ESA. If you are entitled to ESA, you’ll be placed in the ‘workrelated activity group’ or the ‘support group’. People in the support group are exempt from the benefit cap.

People in the work-related activity group get less money and are expected to prepare for an eventual return to the job market. If you don’t, your benefit can be reduced for a period.

You may be entitled to contributory ESA if you meet the National Insurance conditions. If you’re in the work-related activity group, contributory ESA is only paid for one year; if you’re in the support group there’s no time limit.

You don’t need to have paid any National Insurance contributions to get income-

related ESA. The amount you get depends on your income, savings, whether you’re single or a couple, whether you get disability or carer’s benefits, and the result of your assessment. You can’t get income-related ESA if you have savings of more than £16,000.

How do I Claim?

Call Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688 (Textphone 0800 023 4888). They’ll ask you questions over the phone and fill in the form for you. Or visit www.gov.uk website to download a claim form.

Further Information

If you would like one of our fact sheets please Email: enquiries@ ageukbedfordshire. org.uk or call: 01234 360510.

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Saturday 15th June Dunstable Live!

Annual event, afternoon of music for all ages from 3pm till 8pm.

Sunday 7th, 14th & 28th July Sunday Band Concerts

Traditional and brass bands take to the performance area every Sunday during July.

Saturday 20th July Party in the Park

Annual event, a packed family fun day with rides, stalls, music from 12 noon till 8pm.

Saturday 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th August Saturday Band Concerts New for 2013 five band concerts will be held on a Saturday featuring themes throughout the month from West End to Big Band.

Saturday 31st August Dunstable Rocks Annual event, closes Summer of Music from 12 noon till 10pm.

Venue:

Grove House Gardens, Dunstable

The concerts showcase bands from the Three Counties area and take place from 3pm till 5pm (unless otherwise stated) every Sunday throughout the summer until Sunday 1st September with the exception of the August Bank Holiday Weekend.

Venue:

Parson’s Close Recreation Ground, Leighton Buzzard

Sunday 22nd September Bedford Memory Walk Alzh Society Bedford Branch

Phone: 01525 631916 Email: info@ leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk

Venue:

Contact:

Saturday 13th July Big Tidy Up

Stotfold Town Council is running a ‘Big Tidy Up’ in the town, all volunteers are welcome from 11am

Venue:

Every Thursday from 6th June to 11th July Lea Bereavement Support Service

To help you with practical issues at a difficult time, a free six week course will be from 2pm - 3.30pm

Venue:

Barton Le Clay, Village Hall

Contact:

Phone: 01582 499689 Email: claire@leabsupport.org.uk

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Contact:

Phone: 01462 730064 Email: enquiries@ stotfoldtowncouncil.gov.uk www.stotfoldtowncouncil. gov.uk

IMAGE: © MCCARTHY’S PHOTOWORKS, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

IMAGE: © DUSAN ZIDAR, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Stotfold Football Club, Roker Park, The Green, Stotfold SG5 4AN

Choose between a 1½ or 8 mile w of Priory Country Park. Registratio

Visitor Centre at Priory Park MK41

Saturday 27th July Linslade Canal Festival Leighton Linslade A free community event providing all day fun and entertainment for the whole family from 11am till 5pm.

Venue:

Tiddenfoot Waterside Park, Linslade

Contact:

Phone: 01525 631920 Email: info@ leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk

Saturday 8th June Car Rally

Annual event showcasing pre-war to 1970s vehicles from 10am till 4pm.

Venue:

Priory Gardens, Dunstable

IMAGE: © JON LE-BON, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Community Notice Board

Every Sunday in June, July & August Music in the Park

www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire

walk around the beautiful setting on time is 10am for a 11am start.

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Join us in the Country Park (10am) for a gentle walk (lasting approx 2 hours) to hear how the Park was set up and a little about the surrounding area (£1 - payable on the day and no need to book). Why not finish the morning off with lunch in our Forest Centre Restaurant?

Every Wednesday in June & July Health Walks

Most walks start at Reception (10:30am) but if elsewhere please see the notice board or ring to confirm. Walks are free, no need to book.

Sunday 16th June Conservation Task

Come along to Meppershall Pre-School open day from 10am till 1pm.

Join our volunteer team to do something for the environment, get some exercise and have fun (tea

SSAFA

Every Sunday & Tuesday in July Nordic Walking

Ageing Well Exhibition in the Corn Exchange, Bedford,

Contact:

Phone: 01234 767037 Email: info@ marstonvale.org

Email: info@meppershall-ps. co.uk www.meppershall-ps.co.uk

Come and join in our Big Lunch with seating for over 600 people whilst being entertained by various medieval characters, music and craft workshops providing all day entertainment from 11am till 4pm. This is a free event but ticket is needed for entry. Contact Leighton-Linslade to get your ticket.

Venue:

Leighton Buzzard High Street

Contact:

Phone: 01525 631920 or Email: info@leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk

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Dunstable Car Rally in the Priory grounds,

22nd June

Community/Military Games at Bedford athletic stadium,

7th July

Ampthill Festival Gala,

13th July

Houghton Regis Carnival,

27th July

The Forest Centre, Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford MK43 0PR

Contact:

Sunday 2nd June Medieval Big Lunch Banquet

8th June

Venue:

Meppershall Village Hall, High Street, Meppershall, SG17 5LX

The event takes place from 12 noon till 2pm.

5th June

Nordic Walking burns more calories than normal walking and uses all the major muscle groups in the body from 2pm till 3pm.

Further information contact Dennis Simpson on; Phone: 07508827279 or Email: fortytwa@virginmedia.com.

Venue:

Saturday 1st June Market Charter Celebrations in Leighton Buzzard

Lifelong support for our forces and their families will be available at the following events:

Sunday 9th June Ring of Fire Charity Road Cycling Sportive

A 50 mile or 75 mile circular route of Bedfordshire with a start time between 7:45am and 9:30am.

Venue:

Dunstable Community Fire Station

Contact:

Email: ringoffire@ bedsfire.com

Linslade Canal Festival

IMAGES: © KRIVOSHEEV VITALY, ULTIMATHULE, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Saturday 15th June Open Day

and biscuits provided) from 10am till 4:15pm. Please let us know if you would like to attend by; Phone: 01234 762614 or Email: anna. charles@marstonvale.org.

Sunday 9th June HULA, Purrfect Open Day

Lots of cat themed fun from 1pm till 4pm, with all proceeds going to the Care and Welfare of HULA’s Rescued Animals.

Venue:

Glebe Farm, Salford Road, Aspley Guise MK17 8HZ

Contact:

Phone: 01908 584000 Email: hularescue@ tiscali.co.uk www.hularescue.org

IMAGE: © PIO3, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

IMAGE: © T-DESIGN, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

heimers

Sunday 2nd June Sunday Stroll

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Personal Independence Payment Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people of working age with disabilities. It is due to be phased in from April 2013 and will replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people under 65 by 2016.

P

IP is being rolled out for new claimants across the following areas from April 2013: Merseyside, North West England, Cumbria, Cheshire and North East England. From June 2013, all new claimants will have to claim PIP.

be able to claim Attendance Allowance. If you are awarded PIP before you are 65 it can continue after age 65.

Will I be Able to Claim PIP? Age limit

Evaluation

You may be eligible for PIP if you’re under 65 and need help with daily living activities or help getting around, or both.

If you are 65 or over and you have care needs, you can’t claim PIP but you may

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Savings

PIP won’t be based on National Insurance contributions and won’t be affected by other income, savings or benefits.

PIP will have two parts – a daily living component and a mobility component.

They are paid at different rates, depending on the level of difficulty you have.

You can claim one or both components depending on your ability to perform particular activities.

There will be nine daily living activities: • Preparing food and drink • Taking nutrition • Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition • Bathing and grooming • Managing toilet needs or incontinence • Dressing and undressing • Communicating • Engaging socially • Making financial decisions The two mobility activities that will be assessed are

planning and following a journey, and moving around.

You will be given a score for each activity depending on how much help you need with it. Your scores will be added up and if you get enough points you will be awarded PIP.

How do I Claim?

Claims for PIP will be made by phone, on a paper claim form, or online. Most people will have to attend a faceto-face assessment of their needs. The DWP will consider all the information and decide whether you’re entitled to PIP, what level you’re entitled to and how long you should receive it for.

www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire

IMAGE: © AGE UK, 2009

If you currently claim DLA and you’re under 65, you will be informed when you need to claim PIP. This will be sometime between 2013 and 2016. At the moment the government isn’t planning to reassess you for PIP if you’re over 65 and receiving DLA at the time PIP is introduced.

Further Information

Assistance in completing applications for PIP or Attendance Allowance can be provided by our Information and Advice department. Please call: 01234 360510 or Email: enquiries@ ageukbedfordshire. org.uk.

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SUMMER 2013 | 15

IMAGE: © PICK, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ginger Cupcakes Ingredients

• 115g or 1 cup of flour • 115g or 1 cup of self-raising flour • 2 eggs • 170g or ¾ cup of butter (softened) • 110ml or ½ cup of milk • 115g or 1 cup of brown sugar • ½ tsp baking soda • 1 tsp ground ginger • ¾ tsp ground cinnamon • ½ tsp ground nutmeg • 4 tbsp golden syrup

Method Step One

Preheat the oven to 170°C, 330°F or Gas Mark 3-4.

Line a cupcake baking tray.

Step Two

Sift the flours, baking soda

1 6 | SUMMER 2013

makes 24

and spices into a large bowl and mix together.

Step Three

Place the remaining ingredients in the bowl and beat with an electric hand-mixer for about two minutes, on medium speed (the ingredients should be thoroughly combined and lighter in colour).

Step Four

Spoon the mixture into the cupcake liners, up to about ¾ full. Place in the centre of the oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for five minutes.

Remove the cupcakes from the baking tray and place on a wire rack to cool.

www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire

Strictly Come Teaching

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here is a great need for these classes to improve & maintain joint strength & mobility in an enjoyable way, but at 67 with arthritis it is getting hard for me to continue teaching and impossible to expand to more classes. I have copyright on all the choreography & music I have compiled which, after (free) training, would be available to a new teacher on an ongoing basis so there is great potential for a business opportunity.

Further Information

If there is anyone interested, please contact Jaqui Shaw on: 01296 681191 or 07756 930760 or Email: jaquistar@aol.com.

Greenfingered Grandma

As I sit in my chair knitting some little hats for the Age UK Big Knit this year my thoughts are distracted by the prospect of summer. I can enjoy a walk in the warm sunshine to see my borders bursting into life with lupins, hydrangea and my bedding plants.

J

obs in the garden during the summer time include deadheading to keep your flowers producing more blooms, feeding, watering and weeding.

Autumn flowering bulbs can be planted in mid-summer (August) and the lawn needs to be mown regularly (but not too short, especially in dry periods). Staking of perennials will help to support their stems and keep them in good health.

Mr T from Biggleswade contacted me after my article in the Spring issue of VOICE to say the following: ‘When clearing out an old, large container I found several round, hard balls in the compost which looked like fertiliser granules. I know that I didn’t put any fertiliser in this container and I made sure that the compost was only peat-free. Do you know what these could be?’

I would suggest that they are the eggs of vine weevils (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) whose larvae are found in the soil of containers. The adult weevils lay their eggs in the container and the larvae hatch out and eat the roots of the plants.

The larvae are white, have no legs and have brown

working hard to improve life for older people

IMAGE: © D. KUCHARSKI K. KUCHARSKA, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

I am searching for a mature lady with plenty of active years ahead who has a Dance background and a teaching qualification in either Dance or Exercise to Music to learn unique specialist exercise programmes for 50+ & Seniors classes, currently running in Leighton Buzzard and Toddington.

…

GARDENING WITH

heads (like plump maggots).

They feed from late summer to mid-spring on roots, corms and tubers and love plants that grow in containers. Key signs of vine weevil are plants which look sickly and are struggling to grow as they cannot grow sufficient roots to ensure that they can develop with the nutrients they need.

Plants will eventually die if an infestation is severe. Indoor, outdoor and even plants in the garden can be affected.

The adult vine weevils leave irregular notches in the leaves of plants, especially those close to the ground. Piles of dead leaves can encourage

vine weevils as the adults like to live amongst dead foliage on the ground.

Control can be via products available in garden centres including pesticides and nemotodes. You can also keep an eye out for the adults by searching for them in torchlight and removing them.

I hope that this helps you Mr T; I quite like the adult vine weevils with their slender shape and long antennae but I don’t like what they do to my plants!

Next time we will look towards the autumn season.

Further Information

If you have any gardening questions please Email: greenfingeredgrandmaageukbeds@gmail.com and we will feature some of your questions with answers in our next newsletter. Please note that we cannot answer all questions.

SUMMER 2013 | 17

Puzzle Page

2

The Game of Logic Place each of the digits 1 to 9 in each row, column and 3x3 box. There is only one solution.

Wordsearch Which One is Missing?

Can you find which one of these Bedfordshire Towns & Villages from the list below is missing?

AMPTHILL BEDFORD FLITTON SANDY SHEFFORD SUTTON OAKLEY WILDEN WOBURN

Quick Quiz

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Solutions to all three puzzles can be found on page 25

Sudoku

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2. Who was recently elected as the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner?

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1. A traditional dish consisting of a suet crust dumpling filled with meat and jam is known as what?

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Test your local knowledge in our Quick Quiz.

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4. In which year did Luton Town reach the FA Cup Final?

5. Born at Bletsoe Castle, Margaret Beaufort was the mother of which Tudor King?

6. Which river links Bedford to the Fenland waterways?

7. Which Bedfordshire born Olympic gold medallist was appointed CBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours List?

8. June 21st 2013 sees the re-opening of which Bedfordshire cultural attraction?

Share Your Voice With Us…

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e are looking to publish a selection of articles where readers write into the magazine

1 8 | SUMMER 2013

with their thoughts, views on topics raised in the magazine or support they have received from Age UK Bedfordshire.

Please write to: The Editor, Age UK Bedfordshire,

Voice, 78-82 Bromham Rd, Bedford MK40 2QH or Email: voice@ ageukbedfordshire.org.uk.

We look forward to hearing from you next time…

Remember the next edition will be available from early September so if you have any stories, events going on or photographs please send them in.

www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire

working hard to improve life for older people

SUMMER 2013 | 19

CHICKSANDS PRIORY Near Shefford, Bedfordshire

THE SUMMER SOIREE

with Richard Hills Saturday, August 24 at 6.00pm

£10.00

LEN RAWLE

Chicksands Priory, the only standing remains of the Gilbertine Order, is open to the public, by appointment, on the first and third Sunday afternoons of each month, from April through to October. To book your tour, please email: tours@chicksandspriory.co.uk

We look forward to hearing from you

Theatre Organ Concert Saturday, September 14 at 7.30pm

£10.00

‘Steam on the Screen’ with Wurlitzer accompaniment by

DONALD MACKENZIE

St. Albans Organ Theatre 320 Camp Road, St Albans AL1 5PE

A permanent playing collection of rare mechanical musical instruments, café / dance organs, player pianos and theatre pipe organs.

Live performances are given, together with a commentary.

Opening Hours: 2.00 to 4.30pm on the second Sunday of the month.

Theatre Organ Concerts and special events ticket and information line

Tel: 0300 3 65 65 65

Saturday, October 12 at 7.30pm

£10.00 T: 03003 65 65 65 E: info@stalbansorgantheatre.org.uk W: www.stalbansorgantheatre.org.uk

For all your travel arrangements, local & long distance, UK & Continental

16 - 57 Seat high quality vehicles

01296 661604

email: info@masonsminicoachhire.co.uk 2013 Excursions Brochure Available.

Please contact us for your free copy.

www.masonsminicoachhire.co.uk

Bedford Community Boat

Call 0800 3282 803

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he Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust will be launching the Bedford Community Boat in July 2013.

The John Bunyan is 22m (72ft) long and 3m (10ft) wide and will carry over 60 passengers. The boat is equipped with an access lift and a toilet wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. (Full access details are available on request).Seating arrangements are extremely flexible to suit the nature of the trip, from sightseeing on the beautiful Great Ouse with its interesting locks to floating meetings and educational trips.

Round tables can also be hired for weddings and sit down meals.

And for parties and discos most of the chairs can be cleared for a fun day or evening on the

river (contact us to discuss your seating requirements).

The boat will be available for both public trips and private hire.

Public trips run most weekends and often on Thursdays too.

Trips cost as little as £4 for a one hour adult ticket and longer trips are offered up and downstream from central Bedford. Discounts are available for seniors, children and families.

If you would like exclusive use of the boat for an hour or a day please visit our website.

To book email bmkboat@ gmail.com or call 0800 3282 803 (free from land lines) or from a mobile dial 0330 1239 511 (charged as a part of your call allowance)

Now accepting bookings...

www.b-mkwaterway.org.uk 2 0 | SUMMER 2013

www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire

Every issue Charlie Chuckles will do his best to make you smile!

Charlies Comical Quickies!

Q: What do you call 25 millionaires around a TV watching the FA Cup Final?

A: Chelsea FC

Q: What did the grape say when the buffalo stood on it?

A: N othing, it just let out a little wine!

IMAGE: © GRESEI, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Q: If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?

A: Pilgrims!

IMAGE: © ELENA ELISSEEVA, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

What is Marriage Daddy?

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1. A ‘Clanger’ 2. Oliver Martins 3.

Cardington Hangars 4. 1959 5. Henry VII 6. The River Great Ouse 7. Victoria Pendleton 8. The Cecil Higgins Art Gallery

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working hard to improve life for older people

A

Answers&Solutions from page 18

the wedding ceremony, the reception, etc.

“Now do you understand?” he asked. “I think so,” she said, “is that when Mummy came to work for us?”

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father decided to take out the wedding album, thinking visual images would help.

One page after another, he pointed out the bride arriving at the church, the entrance,

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The child was a typical four-year-old girl - cute, inquisitive, bright as a new penny. When she expressed difficulty in grasping the concept of marriage, her

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IMAGE: © YAYAYOYO, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Charlie Chuckles Short & Snappy A man goes into a pub and seats himself at the bar.

The bartender looks at him and says, “What’ll it be Sir?” The man says, “Set me up with seven whiskey shots and make them doubles.” The bartender does this and watches the man slug one down, then the next, then the next, and so on until all seven are gone almost as quickly as they were served. Staring in disbelief, the bartender asks why he’s doing all this drinking. “You’d drink them this fast too if you had what I have.” The bartender hastily asks, “Why what do you have Sir?” The man quickly replies, “I have a dollar.”

and Finally…

Remember, there is only one thing worse than being talked about. That’s not being talked about at all.

SUMMER 2013 | 21

2 - 3 hour cruises along the historic Grand Union Canal in our wide beam hospitality boats.

We specialise in both small and large group excursions, coach parties and corporate events.

A scheduled timetable service runs throughout the summer offering a variety of cruises i.e with roast lunch, fish and chips, cream tea, evening dinner etc.

We also have self steer day boats for hire which are licensed to carry upto 12 people.

01296 661920 www.grebecanalcruises.co.uk Pitstone Wharf, Cheddington Road, Pitstone, LU7 9AD

What is the key to a happy retirement?

The person you’re sharing it with, says Relate Bedfordshire and Luton.

Life can present you with different challenges that you may not expect when you retire. You might have extra time on your hands, or have differing views on what retirement should mean, for example if one of you wants to start an exciting new life and the other is looking forward to a nice rest!

A recent poll commissioned by Relate, the UK’s leading relationship support organisation and conducted by independent researchers Ipsos MORI, surveyed 1,390 people aged 50 and over across Great Britain, shows that our personal relationships are a key factor in determining how happy our later years will be.

- 91% of older people in couples say their relationship is very important for a happy retirement - 75% of older people who are in a relationship turn to their partner in times of need - One in five over 50s (or 4 million people) said they lacked confidence in forming new friendships and relationships

Angela Foll Chief Executive of Relate Bedfordshire and Luton said, “This can be a difficult stage of life for a lot of people, as they adjust to a life without work or when kids leave home.

At Relate we know how to help people adapt.

Our counsellors understand that things change when you retire. Counselling can encourage better communication and support you to strengthen your relationships so you can get the best out of this stage of your life.”

We offer face to face sessions across Bedfordshire, Central Bedfordshire and Luton during the day and evening. Alternatively we can offer telephone counselling so you can also access the service from home.

For appointments and information on any of our services please contact: Relate Bedfordshire and Luton, 6 St Paul’s Square, Bedford, MK40 1SQ. Tel: 01234 356350 E-mail: appointments@relatebedsandluton.org.uk Web-site: www.relatebedsandluton.org.uk

Modern ApArtMent: SleepS 4

Situated on the top floor of a three storey block the apartment has its own residents’ swimming pool. It has the advantage of being away from the bustle of the town centre but within walking distance (10 minutes to the marina and another 5 to the town centre).

It has a twin bedroom, open plan kitchen and lounge. There is a family sized bathroom.

The lounge has a sofa (which converts into two more single beds) and a table to seat four.

There is ample car parking space in front of the building.

to book ContACt:

For more info or to book please contact Judith: 01536 711884 or Email: judith.hall6@btinternet.com

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