On 15 July, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) issued advice on the next COVID-19 booster campaign, to take place this Autumn.

There is a criteria as to who will be offered a booster of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine this autumn:

• residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
• frontline health and social care workers
• all adults aged 50 years and over
• persons aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group
• persons aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
• persons aged 16 to 49 years who are carers

You should be offered an appointment between September and December, with those at highest risk being called in first. You should have your booster at least 3 months after your last dose of vaccine. Please accept the invitation for a booster as soon as you are invited, to help keep you and your loved ones safe.

Appointments will be available from the National Booking Service shortly.

If you are eligible for a flu vaccine, you may be able to have them at the same time – if not please go ahead anyway, you can catch up with the other vaccine later.

Walkfit and healthy habits!

What is WalkFit?

• 15 minutes of walking to music daily (No jumps)
• Health & Nutrition Tips
• Accountability and support with Nicola
• 15 minutes of walking outside (optional but good for the body and mind)
• Tracking your steps and sharing your wins

Getting fit in a fun and easy way at home.

This is a brand new group and concept of indoor walking using great music to help you get started on your fitness and health 

Benefits of WalkFit

• Low-impact, low risk of injury and walking can help develop and keep bones strong. Improve your general health - WalkFit can help raise good cholesterol levels and decrease bad cholesterol levels and help to lower high blood pressure. This in turn will help lessen the risks of illnesses like type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancers and strokes.
• Stress Management- Regular WalkFit helps redirect your focus and concentration away from stressful environments and situations and release tension. Endorphins released in the brain through exercise result in a more relaxed disposition and calmer state of mind and can help reduce symptoms associated with depression, anxiety and self-esteem.
• Group Dynamics - WalkFt in a group, online is an amazing experience. The music, the camaraderie, the friendships and the other attendees all make exercising in a group joyful and fun.

For further details or information about how to join please email Rebecca Waite or call her on: 07522 200 141.

“A Confident You in 2022” is a 14 Day Online Programme for Beginners, to ease you into a ‘Fun’ exercise class and feel confident in the skin you’re in.

All the workouts are pre-recorded so you can access them when it suits you!!

Do you want…

• To improve your mood?
• A workout that’s suitable for beginners?
• To workout at home?
• To exercise without worrying about childcare?
• To feel more confident in yourself?
• To invest in yourself and take care of YOU?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then this programme is for you!

What is included?

• 7 short Burlexercise Workouts including cardio and Resistance
• Supportive Facebook Group (non-essential so don’t worry if you’re not on Facebook!)
• BONUS – Whole Routine ‘Together Online’ 
• Health Tips

What equipment do you need to participate?

• A small set of hand weights – if you don’t have these you can use tins of beans or bottles of water instead.
• A phone, tablet or computer to access the workouts

Explanation of burlexercise and some of the moves

• Cardio – Burlexercise Resistance – legs, arms and abs
• Warm up, cardio & start of a routine
• Warm up, cardio, go over 1st half of routine – then add 2nd part
• BONUS – Warm up – whole routine

For further details or information about how to join please email Rebecca Waite or call her on: 07522 200 141.

A Carers group is going to be held at Herald Lodge Care Home, Canley, Coventry CV5 6AR. The first Tuesday of each month starting 6 September, 2:30pm to 3:30pm

This is open to carers and cared for. There will be a coffee shop area available for carers to chat, have a coffee and socialise. Also there will be staff from the care home providing an activity for the cared for and supporting them where needed.

For further details or information about how to join please email Rebecca Waite or call her on: 07522 200 141.

As you are aware the cost living crisis is significantly impacting on so many people, and because of this Iceland have introduced a 10% discount Tuesday. This means that individuals who are 60 and over, can shop on a Tuesday, and receive this discount off their shopping. There is no minimum spend and applies across all your shopping, all you need is to show a senior buss pass, driver’s licence or a senior railcard as proof. You can receive this discount in either Iceland or The Food Warehouse.  

Alongside this they are also issuing £30 gift voucher for pensioners. When this was launched there were 40,000 vouchers available which are to be claimed by 16 September 2022.

To qualify you must be of state pension age, live independently (but not necessarily alone) or with a carer, and you rely solely on your pension or other benefits to make ends meet. You can apply for more than one voucher per household, so if you are a couple, you can both apply.

If you meet these criteria, you can call the Summer Cheer hotline on 0800 098 7877 to request your voucher. The telephone line is available from 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday. It is a first come, first serve basis, so please act quickly to make sure you don’t miss out.

The gift voucher can be redeemed alongside a Tuesday 10% discount.

Did you know September is World Alzheimer’s Month and on 21 September it is Alzheimer’s day?

During the month the aim is to spread awareness and knowledge about Alzheimer’s Disease and all types of dementia. The campaign this year focuses on post diagnosis support with the aim to highlight the importance of support for those with a diagnosis as well as their loved ones.

If you require support or further information, you can take a look at the Alzheimer’s Society website.  They have a practical guide for carers that you can download or order by post.

If your loved one has a diagnosis, and you feel you need some support you can contact the Admiral Nurses who are qualified specialist nurses. They have set criteria, but they are happy to have a conversation to see if you meet the criteria for your own specific Admiral Nurse.  Even if you don’t quite meet the criteria, they have an advice line that is manned by one of their specialist Nurses Monday to Friday 9am – 1pm.  You can call them for advice and guidance of any sort, and they will try and answer you or guide you to the right place for answers.  Their number is 0300 303 3131.

Please do not feel alone.

A Memory walk brings people together to complete a sponsored walk to help raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. Everyone is welcome and its free to register. You can walk for a loved one, grandparent, friend, or parent, but the money you raise will support people living with dementia.

Once you have registered, you will receive a fundraising pack and a t-shirt to wear on the day. The aim is to raise £160 per person, or as much as you can, so they can support as many people as possible. The closing date for registration is 5 October 2022 at 4pm.

The walk in Coventry takes place at the War Memorial Park on 9 October 2022. You will need to arrive by 10am as the walk begins at 11am and you can choose to complete the 2km or 6km walk. Once you cross the finish line you will receive a medal and a well-earned rest.

If you would like further information, please see the Alzheimer’s Society website which provides details about how to register, access to the site as well as a frequently asked questions list.

Good luck!

Would you like to cope better, feel more in control of your emotions and be more resilient? 

Hope aims to teach you how to become more relaxed, improve your confidence in setting positive goals, learn stress and fatigue management skills, and explore any worries you experience.

Hope are offering free online courses developed with Carers Trust Heart of England, throughout September and October. It is accessible at any time for you to complete whenever you’re able. 

There are a number of courses which may be useful for you and those you care for, such as, anyone living with a debilitating condition or long-term health concern. All are provided free and can be viewed on their Hope for the community website.

September 14 2022 - Hope Programme for Long Covid

September 21 2022 - Hope Programme for Carers

October 5 2022 - Hope Programme for Multiple Sclerosis

October 12 2022 - Hope Programme for Long Term Conditions

They look forward to welcoming you.

The energy crisis is a very real issue. We know that for many people, the huge increase in energy bills is already making life incredibly tough.

What’s more, energy bills are set to rise even more in October. Latest information suggests that your bill could be more than £3,500 a year and the New Year could see another hike with some estimates suggesting typical bills could be more than £4,000.

But taking action now before the winter sets in is really important. And there is help at hand.

Act on Energy – here to help

Coventry City Council has partnered with Act On Energy – an energy advice charity with more than 20 years’ experience. They can help people across Coventry to keep warm and well this winter.

Act on Energy can offer expert advice on:

• Energy efficiency tips to reduce your bills
• Grants and funding for energy efficiency measures
• Grants for replacement heating systems
• Help with fuel bills and Energy debt
• Billing issues with your supplier

The advice is free– simply call on 0800 988 2881 or check out the website: Act On Energy

As well as advice over the phone, home visits can also be arranged, and even free small measures can be provided such as low energy light bulbs.

Some funding schemes require certain criteria to be met – but others don’t, so it’s well worth giving them a call now to see how they can help you. Don’t leave it until the after the summer and the autumn price rises to seek help.

Our top 10 tips – get into the habit now!

Here are some quick tips that people can do around the home to help save energy.  The more people save – the less they’ll pay.  It’s a good idea to get into the habit now while energy bills tend to be at their lowest.

1. Turn your thermostat down by 1 degree. Most people won’t notice the difference – and an extra jumper can always help. The ideal room temperature is 18-21 degrees, but do consider if this is warm enough for anyone who has a vulnerability. Do it now before you need to switch the heating on! This could save you up to 10% a year on your bill.
2. And while we’re on heating….set your timer to come on 15-30 minutes before you need it and switch off 30 minutes before you leave or go to bed.
3. Switch to low energy lightbulbs. Yes, we know people have been banging on about this for years, but it really does work. LEDs use about 90% less energy than standard bulbs. They are more expense to buy – but last up to 12 times longer.
4. Wash your clothes on the lowest heat setting. 90% of a washing machine’s energy is used to heat up the water. And dry them on a line – tumble driers use a lot of energy.
5. Insulate a hot water tank – it will pay for itself within 6 months.
6. Reduce your shower time – it’s easy to lose track of time so try setting an alarm for 3-4 minutes.
7. Thick curtains help to keep the heat in. Keep them tucked behind radiators and pull them at dusk to avoid heat escaping through glass.
8. Draught proof your home – check doors, letterboxes, windows, loft hatches and floorboards. Move furniture away from radiators to let warm air circulate. Keeping the heat in is key – a third of heat can be lost through the walls so think about cavity wall and loft insulation. There may be grants available our team of experts can advise.
9. Be savvy in the kitchen – only boil the amount of water you need, when you need it. Keep a lid on it – trap the heat in your saucepan. Use the dishwasher only when it’s full. Turn the oven off a few minutes’ earlier and use residual heat to finish cooking. Defrost your fridge and freezer regularly for maximum efficiency (and while we’ve got you…keeping a fridge or freezer door open for just a minute means it’ll take three minutes to cool down again)
10. And finally, contact us for free on 0800 988 2881. Our energy experts are waiting to help.

We want to hear from people who live, work or study in Coventry, we need your views on the city’s priorities for the next eight years.

The One Coventry Plan provides our vision until 2030. It outlines how we will work together with our partners and communities across the city to achieve our priorities.  

 The plan is more focused on the needs and aspirations of our communities than ever before. We have listened to, and reflected on what people have been telling us and considered the key issues facing the city. We will build on learning from our citywide response to Covid.  

We describe the way that we work together with residents and partners as our One Coventry approach. The approach helps bring people and organisations from across the city together to work as one to make the biggest, positive difference to the lives of those who live and work in the city. 

Visit Let’s Talk Coventry to read the draft One Coventry Plan, find out more about our priorities, give us your views by filling in our short survey and register your interest to attend one of our workshops.   

This is a real chance for you to get involved and have your say on the One Coventry Plan. 

We look forward to hearing your thoughts. 

If you’d like any more information or you have any questions, please drop the One Coventry team an email.

eBooks

Dive right in to an e-book.  Have you read any of these books?  Let us know what you thought.  Browse and download from the full Collection.

Big Jubilee Read update

Full programme of events is now available online.

Over the six broadcasts,13 authors from the Big Jubilee Read booklist from across the world, from nine different countries in five continents and across seven time zones talk about their work, their literary inspirations and their favourite books from the Big Jubilee Read list.

Dementia Active sessions bring men together who have a diagnosis of Dementia, to participate in gentle sports and physical activities combined with social opportunities delivered in local sports halls.

The session consists of a variety of activities for participants of all abilities. These include badminton, table tennis, soft archery, indoor bowls, basketball, and football. Plus, we have games that are less physically demanding like giant Jenga, cards and other board games.

The idea is to give men the opportunity to practice their hobbies or learn skills in a safe, friendly environment with plenty of professional support, while giving their carers the opportunity for some respite. Participants are welcome to attend with carers/family members or friends and we encourage them to join in also, which helps create a positive atmosphere at sessions.

DEMENTIA Active is now delivered in Coventry, Warwick and Nuneaton. For more information and to refer, please contact Jack Clemons