Basingstoke & North Hampshire Newsletter Winter 2014 Welcome Welcome to the second of our new look newsletters, which we hope you will enjoy reading. Don t forget to submit any articles in good time for our next edition. We welcome all contributions which would be of interest to older people, their carers and families. Christmas Bazaar Cancelled Unfortunately, we have had to cancel our Christmas Bazaar on 29 th November. There are several similar events in Basingstoke on the same day and many stall holders had already committed to other events. Look out for a similar event next spring/summer. Apologies for any disappointment or inconvenience. UPDATES AND THANK YOU! Our Good Old Fashioned Tea Party was a huge success on Wednesday 10th September. We welcomed lots of our volunteers, supporters & friends to The Tea Bar where we all enjoyed excellent tea and cake. The event raised 160 which is a great amount - just for eating cake! Our sincere thanks to everyone at The Tea Bar and also to Kirsty from Lloyds who came along to help too! Thank you to Jolly Olly s coffee shop in Oakley who ran a Tea Party week and raised 157 and our volunteer, Valerie Randall raised 70. A big thank you to everyone! Our quiz night on Saturday 4th October was also a great success despite some parking issues and not quite enough chips! We all thoroughly enjoyed the evening as always and raised almost 500. It was a closely fought competition for first place but the Last Men Standing were indeed that, and pipped Flaxfield Follies to the post by one solitary point! It was very tense at the end! Our next quiz night will be on Saturday 18th April more details after Christmas. All funds raised, go towards supporting our services. The tea party proceeds will support those with dementia. See inside for a notice from Pat Dominey, Ladies Captain at Basingstoke Golf Club, who has nominated our Charity for her year as Captain - thank you. Also, Barchester Care Homes are holding a beer festival in our honour and to raise funds on Friday 28th November. Contact our office for more information 01256 423874. 1
News & Updates Hospital Radio Basingstoke (HRB) Launches Recruitment Campaign If you would like to be part of the award winning Hospital Radio team now is the time to find out more, as our doors are open for new recruits. All our members are volunteers, but not everyone necessarily has to present on the radio. We have a dedicated team of ward visitors who spend their time visiting patients, tuning them in and promoting the service that HRB provides. Those who do present also visit the wards as this is a very important part of what hospital radio is all about, but full training on all aspects on being an HRB member will be given. Fundraising is also important for everyone to be involved with, as HRB is a registered charity and relies solely on the support of the public to keep its service running. If you would like to become a committee member, help with fundraising, present, or ward visit, then please let us know. Visit our website on www.hrbasingstoke.co.uk to apply on line now. Hampshire Handyperson Service The Hampshire Handyperson service is an assisted living service which helps to provide independent living for people who are older, vulnerable or have a disability. It is operated by Aster Living in partnership with Hampshire County Council. Aster Living can carry out small home maintenance jobs at an affordable rate. Anyone can use the Handyperson service and funding is available to help cover the costs to people over 55 and those who have a physical, mental or learning disability (including families with children with disabilities). Employees who visit customers have an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. This service helps people who wish to keep their independence by living in their own home, but who need help with home maintenance and minor repairs to help them to live comfortably. CALL 0800 694 0303 HITTING THE COLD SPOTS Helping you stay warm Funded by Hampshire County Council Adult Services and Public Health Departments, working in partnership with the Environment Centre, a local charity. Due to continued success the scheme is to run through until 31 March 2015. Their Advice Line and Advisors are ready to help you keep warm and reduce your energy bills. CALL THEM TODAY ON 0800 804 8601 2
Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service. Making Life Safer in Hampshire for people over 65 The Older Person s Campaign Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) will engage with the most vulnerable individuals and groups in our communities to offer a home safety visit. This includes installing up to two smoke detectors per property, offering fire safety advice specific to the house and the occupants lifestyle, and carrying out an informal risk assessment of the home to point out any fire hazards and offering solutions to reduce the identified risks. HFRS has identified the vulnerable members of our communities and they will be offered a home safety visit by local fire crews. We understand that not everyone, who would benefit from a home safety visit, will be identified in this way and that partnership working is vital in assisting them achieve their objective of offering the home safety visit scheme to the people who need it the most. If you have been identified by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, or by one of their close partners, including Age Concern Hampshire, they will be in contact with you to offer a home safety visit. However, the Service is keen to hear from you if you think you are entitled to a free home safety visit or perhaps know an older person, a family member or neighbour, who would benefit from this free service. To find out more, you can either pop into your local fire station or call 023 8062 6809, Alternatively Age Concern Hampshire s Information & Advice team can make on line referrals on Introducing Jenny Faulkner-Quick Hello, my name is Jenny and I am the newest recruit to the team based n the Orchard, Basingstoke. I will be working as an administrator supporting Bev, Pam & Rob in running the office and wellbeing services, as well as their large team of volunteers. The other part of my role, is to support the other services managed by Bev Day Care and Lifelong Learning. Prior to coming to Age Concern Hampshire, I worked in the Basingstoke and North Hamsphire Hospital for nearly ten years. For the first five, I was caring for patients on the wards. For the latter, I enjoyed a very varied role supporting both doctors and patients in the Outpatients Department. Outside of work I am a busy mum of two, who is also an assistant scout leader in Brighton Hill. I also enjoy a range of handicrafts, and if time permits, you might see me on horseback around Oakley from time to time. I look forward to working with you all and hope to meet many of you during the times to come. Jenny 3
OPAL Foot Care Would you, or someone you know, like to Make new friends? Find out about local groups and activities? Try a new hobby? Learn what help, support and services are available in your area? If so, then one of our OPAL Volunteers would be happy to help. Call us on Freephone 0800 328 7154 and ask for OPAL. We are sorry to say that Sarah, one of our Chiropodists will be leaving us at Christmas. This means that we need at least one more qualified chiropodist/podiatrist to help with our very busy clinics. If you or a family member use the services of a chiropodist could you ask them to ring us? Although our service is for toe nail cutting and foot health check only, we do require them to be on the HPC register. We will do our best to fulfil all appointments but please bear with us, if we have to cancel or re-arrange. Our thanks and best wishes to Sarah. Golfing Links! Message from Basingstoke Golf Club Lady Captain It is traditional for Captains to raise funds during their year of office. I am delighted to announce that I have chosen Age Concern Hampshire as my charity for 2015. Most of the fund raising will be from raffles during golfing events supported by golfers from Basingstoke and other Clubs within Hampshire and local areas. I also look forward to planning a charity ladies evening to be attended by golfers and their friends I will be liaising with Beverley Jones regarding the progress of our fund raising during 2015 Pat Dominey 4
Age Concern Roadshows What's On @ the Café? Oakfields Retirement Living, Lychpit (Every 2nd Monday 2.00pm-4.00pm) 10 November 2014 8 December 2014 12 January 2015 Guest Speakers to be confirmed. Join us on Wednesday mornings at the Café this Autumn and Winter See below for details: 05 Nov - Tea & Company 12 Nov - Information & Advice Sherfield Park Roadshow Sherfield Park Community Centre (Every 3rd Tuesday 2.30pm-4.30pm) 18 November 2014 16 December 2014 20 January 2015 Guest Speakers to be confirmed. Roadshows combine friendship and activities with our INFORMATION & ADVICE service. We can help with enquiries about issues affecting older people and often have guest speakers For further information contact us on: 01256 423874 SMILER S CORNER (Courtesy of Tim Vine) I met the bloke who invented crosswords last week. I can t remember his name but I think it s P something, T something R. I saw this advert in a shop window Television For Sale, 1, volume stuck on full. Well, you can t turn that down can you? Crime in multi storey car parks. That s wrong on so many levels. I went in to see my Doctor and she said You ve got Hypochondria. Not that as well, I replied. Conjunctivitis.com. That s a site for sore eyes. 19 Nov - Tea & Company 26 Nov - Information & Advice & LEGAL ADVICE CLINIC 03 Dec - Tea & Company 10 Dec - Information & Advice Christmas Carols from the Children of Fairfields. 17 Dec - Tea & Company. (24 Dec & 31 Dec - Café Closed) 07 Jan - Tea & Company The café offers simple food at very reasonable prices including hot and cold drinks, toasted teacakes, scones, hot soup and toasted sandwiches. St Michael s Church Cottage, Church Square, Basingstoke. Every Wednesday: 10.30am-1.00pm (Last food order 12.30pm) Everyone is welcome! Sorry no parking but public car parks are very close by. 5
New Community Agents Project Following the success of the Village Agent project across Hampshire, Hart District Council have provided funding for Community Agents to be introduced in the more built-up areas of Hart. (These are Blackwater, Eversley, Fleet and Yateley) The aim of the project is for Community Agents to ensure the delivery of a range of interventions that enable older people to remain living independently in their community. Community Agents will primarily act us signposts to the advice, information and support offered by Age Concern Hampshire, as well as a wide range of appropriate services. They can also carry out Home Safety Checks (on behalf of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service). If you are interested in volunteering, would like to be involved in your local community and can spare 4-6 hours a week, we would love to hear from you about becoming a Community Agent. Please get in touch with Project Co-ordinator, Bruce White on 07813368260 Or email bruce.white@ageconcernhampshire.org FIND OUT! RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH PARKINSONS AND LIVING IN OR NEAR BASINGSTOKE? Parkinson s UK Would like you to join them for 3 meetings 1.30pm 3-30pm 24 November 2014, 26 January 2015 and 23 February 2015 The Ark, Dinwoodie Drive, Basingstoke, RG24 9NN Contact Sarah Robinson on 0844 225 9825 for further details and to book. 6
More Dates for the Diary Future Events: BASINGSTOKE & DEANE OVER 55 s FORUM Mon 24 Nov: Birmingham Xmas Market. Wed 10 Dec: Forum Meeting. & AGM Tues 16 Dec: Tea Dance at Carnival Hall. Tickets 5 each. 80 Person limit. Please call Gerald Merritt on 01256 412119 for tickets and information. Volunteering opportunities IT Tutors, Activity Centre Helpers, Café Assistants and Foot Clinic Receptionists. We would be very interested to hear from you if you would like to join our merry team. Most volunteers commit to a regular weekly slot, although we do need some relief cover which could be more occasional. 01256 423874. Gentlemen Do Lunch The Westside Community Centre, Paddock Road, Basingstoke. Monday 17 November Monday 15 December Monday 19 January Pre-booking essential Contact Nicky on 01256 464571 for more information and to book your place. LEGAL ADVICE CLINIC Wednesday 26 November 2014 Over 50? Need legal advice but not sure where to start? Age Concern Hampshire offers free 20 minute appointments at our Legal Advice Clinic St Michael s Church Cottage Church Square Basingstoke 10.30 am - 1.00 pm Call Age Concern on 01256 423874 for appointments. Booking essential. HELP IS AT HAND! Are you Over 50? Would you like to learn how to use a computer? Whether you have a desktop, laptop, IPad or Tablet - let us help you to make the most of it! We offer sessions locally at the Chineham Library, South Ham Library, Overton & Odiham. We request a donation of 4.50 per session to help cover our costs and we can offer up to 8 weeks of lessons. Everything is at your own pace and 1-2-1 with one of our volunteer tutors. Contact 01256 423874 to enquire. (We can even help with your mobile phone!) 7
Doorstep Crime Trading Standards advise you to be on your guard against strangers. It is difficult to tell whether the person is genuine, a rogue trader offering repairs or improvements, or a bogus caller trying to get into your home. You are under no obligation to allow anyone to enter your home and can refuse access. They advise you to say "No to all doorstep cold callers and you should never allow anyone access to your home without valid identification. Legitimate callers will not mind being challenged and will expect you to ask them for identification. They advise consumers never to agree to work that is instigated as a result of a cold call or via a leaflet drop. Do not allow yourself to be put under pressure to buy something you don t want or need. If anyone has any information about traders who are cold calling or requires any advice on doorstep crime they can contact Hampshire County Council's Quick Response Team, where specially trained officers are on hand to provide advice: Quick Response Team on 01962 833666 (Monday Friday 0900hrs to 1700hrs) If help is required outside of these hours please contact Hampshire Police on 101 (non urgent) or dial 999 if you feel threatened Contact Details Basingstoke Office Tel: 01256 423874 The Orchard, White Hart Lane, Basingstoke, RG21 4AF Open 9.30 1pm (or by appointment) SERVICES Activity Centres Café, Wednesdays (Church Cottage 10.30 1) Computer Learning Evergreen Exercise Foot Clinics Information & Advice Roadshows Talks Tea & Company Volunteering Yoga Classes Newsletter for Basingstoke and North Hampshire produced by our Basingstoke office. Contact us on: 01256 423874 (Open 9.30am 1pm Answerphone at other times) Website:www.ageconcernhampshire.org.uk Address: The Orchard, White Hart Lane, Basingstoke, RG21 4AF Editor email: rob.chapman@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk Head Office: 1 St Cross Road, Winchester, SO23 9JA. Telephone 01962 868545 If you have a contribution or suggestion for the next edition please contact Rob Chapman. Deadline: 10 January 2015 for copy. The next issue will be published in Feb 2015. Thank you for reading our newsletter and please feel free to pass it on to friends and family. 8