Welcome to the February 2017 issue of the Age Friendly Nottingham (AFN) Bulletin 

2017 has got off to a busy start for Age Friendly Nottingham with more premises signing up to Take a Seat in Sherwood, Clifton and Bilborough.  We now have over 235 locations in the city and local neighbourhoods where older citizens can be assured of a warm welcome and a seat if they need to catch their breath when out and about.  A full list of participating venues is available here or look out for the AFN logo in their windows.

Councillor Eunice Campbell
Age Friendly Nottingham Champion

Healthwatch Nottingham's new website is now up and running. Not only can you now easily share your experiences of local health and care services but also find a range of information on health and care including details of local consultations, news, publications, engagement events and activities.

Healthwatch ‘Enter and View’ is a statutory power which gives Healthwatch the ability to enter social care or health venues helping services to identify ways in which they may improve. Healthwatch Nottingham will be publishing their report on the care homes they recently visited in the coming months.  If you would like to see a copy contact Healthwatch at 0115 8599510.

Fuel Poverty Action Guide

This recently updated practical guide helps to identify the best solutions for older people who are worried about keeping their homes warm and paying their energy bills.  The guide is free to download  

Click Nottingham – Connecting people and communities

Contact us for information about friendly inclusive environments that helps bring people together, offering activities that will improve health and well-being and other support.

Click To You is one day set aside every month to make social visits to members who are alone, feeling socially isolated and unable to get to an event.  To find out more visit www.clicknottingham.com or call us on 0115 9787846.

Dementia-friendly performance of Touched at The Nottingham Playhouse Thursday 23 February at 1.30 pm

Touched is a play set in Nottingham in 1945, centred on the lives of a family of working class Nottingham women.  This special dementia-friendly performance offers some opportunities for reminiscence beforehand from 10.30 am to 12.00 pm.  This creative session touches on the WW2 ‘make do and mend’ and the end of war street parties.  Participants will make VE bunting with vintage fabrics and lavender bags.  The session is free for people booking for the dementia-friendly performance of Touched in the afternoon but places are limited.

For more information or to book go to http://www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/whats-on/drama/touched-dementia-friendly-performance/. The theatre offers a free membership called ‘HotHouse’ for charities and community groups which offers reduced priced tickets on selected dates.  

Healthwatch report on experiences of dementia diagnosis

In 2016 Healthwatch Nottingham and Healthwatch Nottinghamshire launched a joint project which aimed to find out about patient and carer experiences of being diagnosed with dementia. The report has found experiences to be mixed, with voluntary sector services proving to be invaluable to patients and carers.

To download a copy of the report go to www.healthwatchnottingham.co.uk/reports or to request a copy, please email info@healthwatchnottingham.co.uk or phone 0115 859 9510

Exercise in your own home with Notts TV - daily from 6 February until 7 May

Notts TV are working in partnership with Nottingham City Council to get the city moving.  Short fitness videos will be shown on Notts TV at 11.00 am and 2.00 pm that provide hints, tips and fun ways to get fit and active in your own home.  Notts TV can be found on Freeview channel 7, Virgin 159, Sky 117 and on demand. 

Over 50’s  Novice British Triathlon Training Day, Sunday 19 March from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm

Are you a beginner or novice looking to try triathlon for the first time?  Come along to a training day in a fun and friendly environment supported by coaches who take time to ensure participants are comfortable in all disciplines of the triathlon.  The British triathlon training is held at Harvey Hadden Sports Village and costs £10.00 for the day.  For more information contact Adam Gunby on 07739 526561 or email adamgunby@britishtriathlon.org

Swim and relax for less than £5 per week

Nottingham City Council leisure centres are offering Swim and Health packages where you will receive unlimited access to swimming and health suites (including Jacuzzis, saunas and steam rooms).  For those wanting a little more there will be aqua fitness classes including Aaqua Zumba and Hydro Spin.  For more information visit one of the leisure centres, call 0115 876 1600 or check out the web site 

Free 50+ Tennis Sessions at Southglade

Come along and join friendly sociable groups from 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm on Thursdays or Fridays at Southglade Leisure Centre.  For more information contact 077534 28641 or email suzanne.garnett@lta.org.uk.

Ladies Only Swimming

‘This Girl Can Swim’ sessions have been introduced at all 7 Nottingham City Council Leisure Centres.  This dedicated swim time for girls aged 14+ to 100+ offer female lifeguards and pool helpers and is for all abilities.  In addition to swimming you will also have access to the health suite for up to 30 minutes after the swim (subject to availability).  Standard swim prices apply.  For more information go to http://www.nottsgirlscan.co.uk/whats-new/this-girl-can-swim/   

Museumand – free Caribbean social history project at the Nottingham Contemporary

Museumand is a mobile social history project, or a museum without walls, featuring the contributions made by Caribbeans to British Society.  Come along to the Nottingham Contemporary on:

Wednesday 15 February, 10 am to 12 pm

Thursday 16 February, 10 am to 12 pm

Wednesday 1 March, 6 pm to 8 pm

Trapped in the Well of Loneliness
Sunday 5 March from 1.00 pm to 4.30 pm

A workshop is being held at the New Art Exchange in Hyson Green to discuss loneliness within the LGBT+ community.  Booking is required.  For more information email learningtobeu@gmail.com or call 07582 668558 

Training on Nottingham Credit Union, Wednesday 24 February 2017 from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm

Debt is a major issue in Nottingham. Helping people with issues around credit and borrowing is a key to improving people’s financial situation and quality of life.  Those interested in learning more are invited to find out about :

• Credit Unions and what Nottingham Credit Union offers
• Loan sharks and how the Illegal Money Lending Team can help

For more information email Ella@nottinghamcu.co.uk

Ageing in Britain Today – a short course at NTU

On 15 March 2017 Nottingham Trent University will be launching the second part of our new course for older learners “Ageing in Britain Today”.  Lasting for 9 weeks, the course is designed for older people, looking at how our increasing life-span is changing British society.  Using examples from the UK and elsewhere, we will examine what can be done to affirm and celebrate the joys of later life, and address its challenges, creating “a society for all ages”. Topics studied will include loneliness and social relationships, the role of technology in later life, and the crisis in health and social care. Based on successful models in Spain – we’ll take an international perspective.  A key aim of the course is to offer the chance of university study to all who can benefit, whatever their age. For details contact Chris Ring (Course Leader) christopher.ring@ntu.ac.uk or 0115 848 2632