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Welcome to the November 2015 Issue of the Age Friendly Nottingham (AFN) Bulletin October was a busy time for AFN steering group members: We developed a video demonstrating the aspirations of AFN and the Nottingham Older Citizens’ Charter.  It can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhJ-cboK5ss&feature=youtu.be Partners across the city held activities to celebrate International Older People’s Day. We launched our ‘Take A Seat’ initiative and throughout the month have been working with shops, faith organisations and businesses to make their premises more age friendly.  This work has started in Clifton but will be extended to Lenton, Bilborough, Wollaton and Bulwell soon. On 19 October there was a forum attended by over 80 people to discuss reducing loneliness in older age in the city. Our next Bulletin will be circulated at the beginning of December so if you have articles that you would like to be included (particularly any ideas on how to reduce loneliness in Nottingham at Christmas), please send them to healthandwellbeing@nottinghamcity.gov.uk by no later than 4 December 2015. Kind regards Councillor Eunice Campbell Nottingham’s Older Citizens’ Champion

Older People in Nottingham ‘Take A Seat’ Older citizens staged a ‘sit-in’ on the Old Market Square on 28 September 2015 to launch the AFN ‘Take A Seat’ initiative. They were raising awareness of how older people sometimes struggle to get out and about because there is not enough seating available for them to rest and catch their breath for a few minutes. In order to encourage more older people to venture out to their local shops, AFN is raising awareness with local businesses of the importance of offering a seat to an older person should they need it. If you know of any premises that would be suitable to join the scheme please contact healthandwellbeing@nottinghamcity.gov.ukfor more details.

Clifton Takes a Seat The roll out of the Take a Seat initiative has commenced in Clifton.  The campaign has already got the support of Clifton Police Station, Clifton Leisure Centre, Rivergreen Medical Practice, Well Pharmacy and Clifton Cornerstone, but the list of participating businesses, who display the ‘We are Age Friendly’ sticker in their window, is growing daily.  Participating businesses are offered a free chair as part of the scheme and are listed on the Take A Seat web page. For more information please contact Sharice Chambers on 0115 8763445 or email healthandwellbeing@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Relaxed Pantomime Performances of Aladdin This pantomime season the Theatre Royal are delighted to bring you two relaxed performances of Aladdin! These performances are especially adapted for customers with a wide range of disabilities and those on the autistic spectrum. They are also ideal for bringing young children to their first pantomime! The show is the same but with small changes made to the lighting and sound in order to provide a more relaxed and supportive environment for those watching. Tickets are available for Wednesday 6th January at 1.30pm (£11.50) and 7.15pm (£15). For more information and to book tickets please contact Caroline Pope on 0115 989 5627 or email caroline.pope@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Dementia

Information Programme for Carers of People with Dementia

Radford Care Group are offering a drop in information programme for carers of people with dementia every Monday until the 14 December 2015 between 10.30am -12.30pm at Castle Cavendish Works, Dorking Road, Radford. NG7 5PN

The groups are facilitated by specialists in dementia group work and will consist of about 10 carers. Help with respite services and transport may be available and the carers are asked to contribute £2.50 per session towards refreshments. To refer a carer, or for further information about the programme, please call Radford Care Group on 0115 9786133.

Imagine Training Imagine is a 3-year project that uses the arts to enrich the lives of older care home residents - involving them in the wider community and support them to connect with people of all ages. There will be a training session on Thursday, 26 November 2015, 9:45am to 4:00pm at City Arts Nottingham.  This training day, which would normally cost £90, is subsidised by the Imagine: arts and older people programme and costs ONLY £20 and will include lunch. For more information go to the Imagine website.

Dementia Friendly Arts

The Age Friendly Museums Network have created a ‘how to guide’ based on best practice examples of work taking place nationally to support people affected by dementia in arts venues. This guide gives Arts venues of all sizes the opportunity to select options from practical guidance to create a dementia-friendly approach tailored to their organisation. Check out the Age of Creativity website here and the full ‘Becoming a Dementia-friendly Arts venue’ guide here.

Public Health Forum on Dementia

On Wednesday 16 December 2015 from 12.15pm until 1.45pm, there will be a public health forum on Dementia in Nottingham at Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3NG.

Should you wish to reserve a place please email healthandwellbeing@nottinghamcity.gov.uk  

Keeping Warm This Winter

Warm Home Discount Scheme 2015

For Winter 2015-2016, you could get a one-off discount between September and March of up to £140 off your electricity bill through the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The discount won’t affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment. To check if you qualify, click here.

The Warm Homes Campaign 

This is National Energy Action’s annual winter initiative provides grants of £500 to raise awareness of fuel poverty and what help and support is available locally for those struggling to heat their homes. The campaign launched on 5th November 2015 runs until 26th February 2016, which is Fuel Poverty Awareness Day.  The fund is for 40 not-for-profit and statutory organisations to support relevant events and activities during the campaign period. Closing date for applications is Monday 23rd November 2015.  For more information click here.

Little Things Mean a Lot

There is a new winter campaign called ‘Little Things Mean a Lot’ showing that by making small changes to how you use energy can mean big savings on your energy bills. This can be doing things such as turning down your thermostat and wearing more layers instead, or ensuring the radiators are not covered when they are on.

For more information please contact Doreen Whittaker at energyteam@nottinghamcityhomes.org.uk or call 0115 87 65930

Fuel Poverty Action Guide 2015

This practical guide helps answer queries on energy bills, heating, home insulation and energy efficiency. Provided in conjunction with the Age Action Alliance, though relevant to energy consumers of all ages, this is a practical document that will help you identify the best solutions for householders worried about their energy bills and keeping their homes warm. Find out more through here.

General Information

Nottingham on Call – Peace of mind for you and your family

Nottingham on Call is the 24 hours a day/365 days a year monitoring and response. The service offers immediate help for people when they are in difficulty or need support at any time, for example if they have a fall, can't get up, or are ill.

The system works by using a clever combination of state of the art technology and human interaction, giving customers peace of mind that someone’s there to help in an emergency, a personal service from friendly, knowledgeable local people, and a manned response within 30 minutes. The equipment is easy to install and is discreet, with no unsightly wiring. It’s serviced annually and customers get regular test calls to make sure it’s working correctly.

To find out more about Nottingham On Call and how it can help people live independently, please call 0115 915 1640.

State Pension Top Up

Increase your State Pension and get a guaranteed extra income for life with State Pension top up. You can get between £1 and £25 extra per week by making a lump sum payment before 5 April 2017. You must be entitled to the basic State Pension or Additional State Pension and be either:

• a man born before 6 April 1951
• a woman born before 6 April 1953

You can download the State Pension top up information pack: www.gov.uk/government/publications/state-pension-top-up-booklet.

Nuisance Call Blocker Scams

Trading Standards are highlighting a rise in the number of people being affected by fraudsters claiming to offer a nuisance call blocking services in exchange for a small fee. For those who are particularly vulnerable, it is important to encourage them to never buy or give their payment details over the phone.

Trading Standards advise that you sign up to the Telephone Preference Service and Mailing Preference Service. However, only legitimate marketing organisations are included within this and you can still be contacted by those who aren’t legitimate. True Call have been recognised by Nottingham Trading Standards as providing a legitimate nuisance call blocking service to those who receive nuisance calls regularly and those who are considered vulnerable.

If you would like further advice from Trading Standards Citizens Advice Consumer Telephone Service on 03454040506. For further information on the services provided by True Call you can visit their website at www.truecall.co.uk or call them on 0800 0336330 or 020 89404111

The Centre for Ageing Better

The Centre for Ageing Better is an independent charitable foundation working to help everybody enjoy a good later life. Their new website has been launched to develop, share and apply evidence to help people age better, bringing fresh thinking to the challenges and opportunities that everyone faces as more people live longer. Working in partnership with various people and collaborating with a diverse range of organisations. Check out the new website here.

Your Linkbus Network These brightly coloured mini buses are all low floor and easy access. Just ‘beep’ your pass when boarding the bus and find a seat. Nottingham City Council’s Public Transport team have built up a network of these little buses to offer local estates, villages and communities an option for public transport that the commercial bus companies don’t. Here are just some of the services: Centrelink City Centre circular service runs every 10 minutes. It connects Broadmarsh Bus Station, the Market Square, Theatre Royal and the Victoria Bus Station. No need to struggle with shopping, just hop on and off as you need. Shoplink - access to the larger supermarkets running once or twice a week. You can get to know fellow regular passengers whilst doing your weekly shopping, plus have a cup of tea or a bite to eat before coming home again. Locallink - these bright green buses serve the estates and villages of Nottingham offering a regular daily service connecting you to your local centres and shops. Medilink  - runs every 10 mins Monday to Friday connecting Queens Drive Park and Ride, Queens Medical Centre, Wilkinson Street Park and Ride and The City Hospital For more information please email public.transport@nottinghamcity.gov.uk  or call (0115) 876 1306 or go to www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/linkbus

Health and Wellbeing

Getting the Flu Jab

As winter approaches, coughs, colds and flu start to circulate. We're all much more likely to catch the flu at this time of year. It’s unpleasant for anyone, but for certain people, flu can be really dangerous or even fatal.  Some people are eligible for a free flu jab and if you fall into any of the groups below:

• anyone aged 65 and over
• pregnant women
• children aged two, three or four
• anyone living in a residential or nursing home
• people with certain long-term conditions including heart problems, kidney or liver disease, lowered immunity, diabetes, neurological conditions or stroke.

Contact your GP now to arrange your jab, or see the NHS Choices website for more information and full details on who is eligible. 

Cancer Services Awareness Event

This event is being held for African and African Caribbean communities on Thursday 19 November 1pm-4pm at the Afro Caribbean National Articstic Centre, 31 Hungerhill Road, St Ann's, NG3 4NB.

Come along to:

• Speak to specialists in confidence about any concerns about cancer you might have
• Learn about the support services available to you
• Get information about prostate cancer which can affect 1 in 4 African Caribbean men
• Get information on bowel cancer which will affect 1 in 50 people at some time in their life
• Meet with people from your local hospitals and community

There will be free health checks and food being served from 1pm – 2pm. Transport can be provided. Please contact Aimi Townsend on 0115 924 9924 ext. 76242 to arrange. No registration is required.

Older People and Cancer

The Older People’s Advocacy Alliance (OPAAL) have released a series of short films bringing to life their programme of advocacy support for older people affected by cancer.  The ‘Older People’s Cancer Voices’ project, funded by the Department of Health, supports people to engage with healthcare professionals, to raise awareness of issues that are important to them, and to disseminate messages about the benefits of advocacy support. This project is about amplifying the voices of older people affected by cancer so that healthcare practitioners and commissioners can see the value of advocacy. Access links to these four short films here.