AgeUK Buckinghamshire Winter Edition 2019 Engage Magazine

engage AGE UK MAGAZINE WINTER 2019

AGE UK BUCKINGHAMSHIRE NEWS + WINTER RECIPES + MUCH MORE INSIDE

www.bpcollins.co.uk/personal | 01753 889995

Protect your beautiful things.

by your side corporate and commercial | criminal | dispute resolution | employment | family | property | wills, trusts and probate

Bespoke Live-In Care across Buckinghamshire Benefits of Live-In Home Care • Retain independence & full control of your daily routine • Your confidence will improve; family will have peace of mind

• Save circa £1800 per month compared to a Residential Care Home • Reduce likelihood of falls & hospital admissions

• Stay in your own home amongst possessions, memories & pets

• Have a companion on hand 24/7 for conversation, laugher & trips out

• Remain part of your community, close to friends & neighbours

• Couples can stay together in the family home

Right at Home has a team of 115 compassionate Live-In Caregivers across our 57 branches, employed directly by us and fully trained, insured and DBS Police checked. We offer female and male Carers who speak and write English to a high standard.

How Could a Live-In Carer Improve Your Life?

• Companionship & Stimulating Activites • Personal Care (washing, dressing, toileting) • Medication Support • Housekeeping & Cleaning • Mobility Support • Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care

Call our friendly High Wycombe branch today to find out more.

• Meal Preparation • Shopping & Errands • Looking after Pets • Attend Hospital Appointments • Assist with Rehabilitation Exercises

01494 573 500 highwycombe@rightathomeuk.com www.rightathomeuk.co.uk/highwycombe

engage

Contents Winter 2019

Foreword from our CEO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 05

Christmas Fayre. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Philanthropic Giving.. . . . . . . . 06

New Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Volunteer and Job Ads . . . . . . . 07

Useful Contact Numbers. . . . . 20

We update you on our philanthropic giving news.

Adverts for welfare benefits volunteers, fundraising and Help in the Home jobs.

Our Tombola with Bucks Vision!

Hello and farewell to new and old staff here at AgeUK Bucks

Cut out and keep. A page of really usefull numbers you may find helpful.

Services AgeUK Bucks. . . . . . . 08 Information about the services we offer.

07 09

Fundraising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 09 All about our Swimmathons and FUNdraising.

Community Events. . . . . . . . . . . 10 Great Missenden Lunch Club

Lets Get Talking! . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 We want to hear from YOU!

Winter Competition. . . . . . . . . . 12

© Shutterstock.com / nikkytok

© Shutterstock.com / Ruslan Huzau

Your chance to enter our Winter Hamper Competition

11

In your area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Events and classes in Buckinghamshire.

12

Winter Puzzle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Puzzle Fun

Free Lunches this Christmas . . . 15 Don’t be alone this Christmas Day.

Winter Recipes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Feeling hungry?

Try these 2 easy and tasty Winter themed recipes

Ask Julie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Our member of staff Julie answers YOUR questions.

4 | WINTER 2019

14

17 www.ageukbucks.org.uk

ee enegnagg ag

2019 WINTER age uk magazin AGE UK MAGAZINE e SPRING 2019

AMSHIRE UK BUCKINGH ageAGE uk BuCking HamSHiR e neWS

MORE INSIDE RECIPES + MUCH NEWS + WINTER

+ SpRing gaRden tipSe + muCH mORe inSide

Meet the team…

Editor Caroline Cunningham-Oakes Tel: 01296 431911 Email: ccunninghamoakes@ ageukbucks.org.uk

Age UK Buckinghamshire 145 Meadowcroft Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP19 9HH Tel: 01296 431911 Fax: 01296 330783 Email: age@ageukbucks.org.uk www.ageukbucks.org.uk

Advertising Laurence Tel: 01536 334218

Foreword from the CEO

Welcome to this Winter edition of Engage

W

intertime can seem long and arduous to many of us and I hope that this edition of Engage helps to lift your spirits, provide information that is useful to you and inspire you to get in touch with us to tell us about things that matter to you. I am delighted to announce that we are introducing a new Engage feature on page 11 to invite all our readers to write into us and tell us about •

Email: laurence@lanceprint.co.uk

•

Publisher

•

Lance Print Ltd 1st Floor Tailby House Bath Road Kettering NN16 8NL

•

Tel: 01536 334220 Email: mike@lanceprint.co.uk www.lanceprint.co.uk

Printer Lance Print Ltd Tel: 01733 390564 This magazine is produced on behalf of Age UK Buckinghamshire by Lance Print 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 Buckinghamshire 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 Buckinghamshire. Reg. Charity No. 1078539

Great things that are happening in your area Funny stories that will make our readers smile Stories to celebrate great personal achievement by you or someone you know Bucks People and Places – send in local pictures and stories of times gone by, local memories and nostalgia

We have a competition that you can enter on page 12.

Thank you to everyone who supported our Swimathon, held in partnership with Everyone Active to celebrate National Older People’s Day on 1st October 2019. We raised a staggering £1043, and I would specifically like

suppor ting older people since 1945

to take the opportunity to thank our volunteers Rob Finlay and Olivia Rose for swimming an astounding joint 360 lengths!

It is always important to us to work with others, raising funds and awareness of our work across the county.

This year Calibre Quality Care, Freemantle Trust, Radfield Home Care, Waitrose and Everyone Active have all joined forces with us to help us raise funds. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all. Please get in touch if you think your organisation can help us during 2020.

Age UK Bucks has had a number of staff changes since our last autumn 2019 Edition. Regretfully, we said goodbye to our resident Editor Chantelle Henderson.

We welcome Caroline Cunningham-Oakes to the team who will help us to further strengthen our links to local communities through Engage, our website, Facebook and more recently through Instagram. If you would like us to share any photographs, blogs or

your views on how we can reach out to more people then please contact Caroline via email ccunninghamoakes@ ageukbucks.org.uk or telephone 01296 431911 In September 2019, our long standing First Contact Officer, Mary Arnaud retired after 11 years service. Mary was often the welcome face at our office or, at the end of the telephone, here at Meadowcroft. You can read our send-off story on page 19. We wish Mary a happy and healthy retirement.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New year 2020.

Berna dett e A sh croft Are you following us on Social Media? Stay up to date with all our news and information by following us on twitter and Facebook. @ageukbucks @ageukbucks

WINTER 2019 | 5

engage

Philanthropic Giving S

ince we launched our Philanthropic Giving campaign in the Spring Engage Magazine, we have been contacted by a number of local businesses, charities and a family trust fund.

As a result of these new contacts, we are in the process of organising new and exciting ways to raise funds and make a difference to the lives of older people in Buckinghamshire.

This new Philanthropic support is allowing us to continue our services to help vulnerable and lonely older people in Buckinghamshire.

However, we still need more support and funds to continue our vital work.

Please read the information below and get in touch if you think you could help.

About us

During 2019, Age UK Buckinghamshire supported over 12,000 older people in many different ways. For some this included providing practical solutions such as help from our welfare benefits team, while others required trustworthy information and signposting to the most appropriate help.

We support an increasing number of older people and their families to

6 | WINTER 2019

address difficult and complex issues relating to loneliness, poverty and hardship, mental health and dementia.

As a small local charity, we want to continue to provide this essential support for generations to come, right across Buckinghamshire.

To achieve this ambition, we need the help of the people and businesses in Buckinghamshire who want to support older people in their local community by helping them stay independent and reducing loneliness.

This is why we are asking for your help through Philanthropic Giving.

What is Philanthropic Giving?

Philanthropic Givers are altruistic people who want to make a significant impact on the lives of the most vulnerable people in society by providing financial support and partnership to achieve change.

How you can help

We are actively seeking to develop partnerships and build relationships with people who share our vision. We hope you will join us in helping older people in Buckinghamshire maintain independence and wellbeing, despite unpredictable events such as falls, a bereavement and deteriorating health.

I would be personally delighted to hear from any individual or local business who is inspired by our work and would be interested to connect with us and help support us so that we can in turn change the lives of older people in Buckinghamshire.

Please contact me to discuss ideas or to receive further information. Let’s help older people in Buckinghamshire, together.

Bernadette Ashcroft, Interim CEO of Age UK Buckinghamshire

Get in touch For more information about the work we do, please visit our website: www.ageukbucks.org.uk To talk more about how you can help, please contact us on 01296 431911 or email age@ageukbucks.org.uk with the subject line “Philanthropic Giving: FAO Bernadette Ashcroft”.

www.ageukbucks.org.uk

Vacancies

Welfare Benefits Volunteers

Do you have 2-3 hours a week to help older people in Buckinghamshire?

We are currently looking for Welfare Benefit Volunteers in the Chiltern, Wycombe and South Bucks Districts!

Many older people struggle financially because they do not maximise their incomes by claiming the welfare benefits to which they are entitled. Within this role, you would visit clients in their own home and help them through the process of claiming benefits such as Attendance Allowance.

with a more experienced volunteer to observe and then advise before taking on one-to-one visits.

If you are interested in this volunteer position then please contact Sue Gehnich on: sgehnich@ageukbucks.org.uk or telephone 01296 431911. More information on our website: www.ageukbucks.org.uk

You will need to be empathetic, non-judgemental, patient and professional with a friendly and approachable manner. Attention to detail, good record keeping and a willingness to learn about older people’s benefits is vital.

You can commit to as many visits a week as you wish, with each visit taking around 2-3 hours. We will provide training to successful applicants and at the end of the initial training you will be “buddied”

© Shutterstock/rawpixel.com

Freelance Home Helpers

Do you want to help the older members of our community whilst earning money?

We are looking for self-employed Home Helpers, in High Wycombe, Amersham and Chesham.

When older people are unable to look after their homes and need help with cleaning, Age UK Buckinghamshire provide friendly, competent Home Helpers as regularly as they wish.

in the Home Coordinator) on zstevenson@ ageukbucks.org.uk or call on 01296 438416.

You can also download the application form from our website: www.ageukbucks.org.uk

Local Help in the Home agents are needed to provide help with general cleaning, laundry, prescription collection and shopping for older people in Buckinghamshire.

We are looking for committed, caring and personable adults who want to help older people whilst earning. You will be a self-employed freelance agent, Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) checked and able to provide references.

For more information and an application form please contact Zoe Stevenson (Help

suppor ting older people since 1945

WINTER 2019 | 7

engage

Handyperson

Gardening

A service to help you maintain your home.

Do you need help with your garden?

The aim of our Handyperson service is to enable older people in Buckinghamshire to remain in control of their home and their independence. If you have simple DIY jobs around the house that need doing our Handyperson service may be able to help.

Our gardening service provides regular grass cutting throughout the growing season, together with general garden maintenance all year round. You will be referred to one of our local and trusted gardeners who will telephone you to arrange an appointment, at a time that is convenient to you.

Neat Feet

Help in the Home

Providing toenail cutting and general footcare

Do you need help around the home?

We can direct you to local Foot care services for older people and people with a physical disability who can no longer manage to cut their own toenails. If you struggle to trim your toenails and you would like someone to come to your home to cut them at a time that suits you, we can help.

8 | WINTER 2019

Our Home Helpers can assist with general cleaning, vacuuming, laundry, shopping and prescription collections. You choose which tasks your Home Helper carries out for you each week, supporting you to remain in control of keeping your home the way you like it to be.

www.ageukbucks.org.uk

Our Fantastic

swimmers

raise over £1043!

In October of this year our CEO and two of our volunteers put on their swimming hats and took part in 2 sponsored swims, held at Aqua Vale in Aylesbury and at the Swan pool in Buckingham.

We are extremely proud of their efforts and wish to thank Olivia Rose and Rob Finlay for joining us at Aqua Vale sponsored swim. Between us we

swam over 450 lengths and have raised over £1043 for our work with older people in Buckinghamshire.

Thank you

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at Everyone Active for their support.

And let us not forget!

Another big thank you to everyone who sponsored our swimmers in the event.

It’s great to be involved, set a goal and push your limits. I was blown away by the generosity of friends and family. Swimming alongside others was really encouraging and when it started to hurt, I found a new surge of energy and inspiration by remembering some of the older people I’ve met who just keep on going despite the big challenges they face every day.

- Rob Finlay-One of our super swimmers.

Ways to FUNdraise Hold your own event!

Are you wanting to fundraise for us but unsure what to do? Get inspired by the ideas (right) and help raise funds for our vital services. Using the online service JustGiving (www.justgiving.com) to collect funds is quick and easy to set up and makes it very simple for others to donate. Whether you are jumping out of a plane or hosting a bake sale, you can easily fundraise for us on JustGiving.

Fundraising ideas: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Bake sale Car wash Book sale Film night Busking Coffee morning Darts match Sponsored silence Jumble sale Dinner party Sponsored skydive Obstacle course event

• • • •

Quiz night Running event Bungee jump Host a talent show Bingo night Walkathon Hold a raffle A “give it up” fundraiser Afternoon tea Beard shaving Fancy dress day Karaoke night

Partner with us Take part in the Vale Lottery to be in with a chance to win great prizes every week - all while supporting our community services.

The Vale Lottery operates on the principle of raising money within the community and for the community. They empower local good causes (like Age UK Bucks!) to raise money in a fun and effective way. A ticket for the Vale Lottery costs £1 per week and 60p goes directly to us!

suppor ting older people since 1945

• • • • • • • •

A partnership with us could be beneficial for your business by helping you meet your corporate social responsibility objectives.

It is a great way to motivate employees, gain insight into the over50’s market, get some great PR and help Age UK Buckinghamshire to support vulnerable people in the local community.

Ways to partner: - Choose us as your Charity of the Year - Sponsor one of our events - Display a collection tin - Run a fundraising event You can see this information and more on our website: www. ageukbucks.org.uk

WINTER 2019 | 9

engage

Age Concern Great Missenden Lunch Club

– why not come and join us!

T

his years Lunch Club is going to be held at Age Concern Great Missenden.

It has a thriving community and, has been meeting up every single Thursday in the Baptist Church Hall, at Great Missenden for over 50 years!

We also run a minibus with a monthly rota of volunteer drivers who collect and return those members in need of transport, and who live within a few miles of Great Missenden.

We have a fantastic team of volunteers, cooks and serve lunch to our elderly members, of which there are currently 50.

We also need more volunteers! Particularly more drivers, with good driving skills and a current clean driving licence are essential.

We would love to welcome more members! Š Shutterstock / Tsuguliev

We are looking for people who are warm and friendly and enjoy interaction with people to volunteer.

For more details, please call Julie Needle on 01296 612843 or Judith Rodwell on 01494 864835

Hot meals delivered right to your door.

Meals on Wheels, 365 days of the year Fantastic range of nutritionally balanced meals, with no contracts and no delivery costs.

DBS checked drivers, fully trained to carry out basic safety and wellbeing checks.

Contact us 01296 381976 www.apetito.co.uk

1 0 | WINTER 2019

Community Meals

www.ageukbucks.org.uk

Let’s Get T@lKing! © Shutterstock.com / lunarts_studio

AgeUK Bucks is introducing a new letters page and we want to hear from our Engage readers.

We want to hear from you and, share that with our other Engage readers.

W

hat interests do you have?

What new activities would you like to see and join/be a part of within the Bucks community?

Why not share some of your memories, or maybe you have some wonderful stories/ poems to share?

Tell us about the things that are going on, in and around or near to you.

Tell us about your hobbies, your pastimes/pets.

Do you have any tips and tricks for the house/garden?

How about with cooking?

Send in those recipes!

© Shutterstock.com / vladwel

suppor ting older people since 1945

© Shuttersto ck.com / vla dwel

If you follow us on Instagram, your idea/recipe/poem could also feature on our Instagram gallery.

Email in your letters -to the editor toccunninghamoakes@ ageukbuck.org.uk or you can send your letters by post toC/O Engage Editor C.Cunningham-Oakes AgeUK Buckinghamshire 145 Meadowcroft Aylesbury HP19 9HH

Please do not send any original photographs by post to us.

If you would like us to feature any photo memories, then email them to us.

T h a n k you.

WINTER 2019 | 11

engage

Winter Competition Win a luxury January Hamper!

Thank you to Waitrose of Aylesbury

How do I enter the Winter Hamper Competition?

Easy!

Simply by working out our word scramble (below).

Unscramble the two scrambled letters to form a wintery word (2 words)

© Shutterstock.com / nikkytok

You can send us your answer the following ways Via phone – 01296 431 911

Email –

ccunninghamoakes@ageukbucks.org.uk

Post –

145 Meadowcroft Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP19 9HH

Answers in by 31st January 2020 1 2 | WINTER 2019

www.ageukbucks.org.uk

Missenden In your Area Great Weekly Walk (Level 1 and 2) Things to do, places to go! Stay active! Have fun! Make new friends!

Knit and Natter

Join like-minded knitters for a morning of creating & chatting.

Date Time 08 October 2019

10:00am to 11:30am

Cost

Location

Free of charge

Bell Street, Princes Risborough, HP27 0AA

A gentle 30-45 minute walk every Tuesday morning at 10am.

Date

08 October 2019

Time

10:00am to 10:45am

Organiser

01494 475367 simplywalks@buckscc.gov.uk

We meet at the Memorial Hall on Link Road.

Plenty of free parking and places for refreshments nearby.

No booking required, just turn up on the day.

On the following dates-

• Tuesday, 17 December 2019 • Tuesday, 24 December 2019 • Tuesday, 31 December 2019

Suitable for: Adults with general mobility.

Walk is over flat ground with no stiles

Organiser

Dates available are-

Princes Risborough Library 01296 382415 lib-prr@buckscc.gov.uk Princes Risborough Library

Parking nearby • Tuesday, 17 December 2019 • Tuesday, 24 December 2019 • Tuesday, 31 December 2019 © Shutterstock.com / By jagoda

Location

Memorial Hall, Link Road, Great Missenden, HP16 9AE

Cost

Free of charge

Silver Singers Aylesbury 2:00 – 3:00 pm Every Wednesday £3.50

Practical and fun activities that keep your mind, body and soul active!

Mondays (except Bank Holidays) 10am - 1.30pm at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Church Square, Southcourt, Aylesbury, HP21 8EY Session fee £3.50 For more information please contact Pat Phillips on 01296 334 652 or email NBurke@healthylivingcentre.com Please contact the co-ordinator if you would like to go along for a free trial session

suppor ting older people since 1945

At Healthy Living Centre, Walton Court Shopping Centre, Hannon Road, Aylesbury HP21 8TJ

Our fun, lively and energetic weekly choir is for all older adults, including those with age related illnesses such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, and is run by a Music Therapist at Sound studio in High Wycombe. The choir aims to connect people through music and singing, and improve the lives of those socially isolated in the community. No previous musical experience is needed.

To find out more contact info@chilternmusictherapy.co.uk or 01442 780541

WINTER 2019 | 13

engage

Can you find all of the items

in the picture below?

1 4 | WINTER 2019

www.ageukbucks.org.uk

Christmas Day

Lunches in Buckinghamshire

If you know anyone who will be alone on Christmas Day, they may like to join in on the festivities at one of the following places in Buckinghamshire: PLEASE NOTE: All need to be booked in advance and are on the 25th December.

Aylesbury (FREE): St Mary’s Church, Town Centre, Aylesbury, HP20 2JJ. 12pm – 3pm

High Wycombe (FREE): St Andrew’s Church, Hatters Lane, High Wycombe, HP13 7NJ.

Contact: 01296 437641 (between 10am – 2pm Mon-Fri)

Contact: 01494 529668 (ring between 9.30am – 1pm Mon-Fri)

They will be running a small mini bus for those who may not be able to get there on their own however the places are really limited and it is filled on a first come basis so it maybe full already.

If you want to reserve a place then please call the St Mary’s parish office on 01296 437641 and speak to Kim Hopping or Karen Baker.

or email: office@standrewshw. co.uk.

Please book your place as soon as possible and advise of any dietary requirements.

Transport available in High Wycombe.

Further information: www. freechristmasdinner. com

suppor ting older people since 1945

lso rs will a e e t n lu Vo ted an isola sit with tmas on Chris n o s r e p uld hey wo Day if t any p e com like som ey eat. h whilst t

Thame (FREE): Masonic Hall, 14 High Street, Thame, OX9 2BZ. 12pm – 3pm Contact: Kathy Thomas on 01844 217413 or 07747095563 to book your place and arrange transport.

Further information: wwwcommunity christmas thame.org.uk Volunteers can take Christmas dinners out to people who are unable to get to the hall due to mobility issues.

WINTER 2019 | 15

engage

Winter Recipes

Chicken roasted with winter root vegetables

By Good Food Ready in 1½ hours Serves 4 Prosciutto and chicken is a luxurious combination and this version is good for you as well - high in fibre, vitamin C and folic acid Ingredients 1 small celeriac, peeled and cut into 2½ cm/1in chunks 400g swede, peeled and cut into 2½ cm/1in chunks

2 large sweet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 2½ cm/1in chunks 2 medium parsnips, scrubbed and quartered lengthways 2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced 2 tbsp olive oil ½ tsp cumin seeds a few sprigs of sage 4 skinless boneless chicken breast fillets, weighing about 140g/5oz each 4 slices prosciutto

Snowman biscuits

By Lulu Grimes

Prep: 1 hr Cook: 14 mins, Plus chilling and setting Makes 20 Ingredients 125g butter, softened 125g golden caster sugar 1 egg, beaten 1 tsp vanilla extract 250g plain flour, plus extra for dusting For the decoration 400g white fondant icing icing sugar, for dusting 100g pack mixed red, yellow, black and blue

1 6 | WINTER 2019

ready-to-roll icing tube white icing, for sticking tube black icing Method 1. Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5.

Cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, then beat in the egg and vanilla. Stir in the flour and mix to a fairly soft dough. Tip onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently. Put the dough on a plate, cover and chill for at least 2 hrs.

2. On a lightly floured

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6/fan 180C. Put the celeriac, swede, sweet potato, parsnips and garlic in a large roasting tin.

Sprinkle with the olive oil and cumin, and season with salt and pepper. Toss the vegetables together so they are lightly coated in oil. Put in the oven towards the top and roast for 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, lay a

couple of sage leaves on each chicken breast, then wrap each with a slice of prosciutto to enclose.

3. Take the roasting pan from the oven and turn the vegetables over. Now lay the chicken on top. Roast for 30- 35 minutes more, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is done. Serve with steamed broccoli or lightly cooked Savoy cabbage.

surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of around 0.5cm. Use a cookie cutter or water glass to stamp out 7cm rounds. Re-roll the trimmings and repeat.

3. Transfer the biscuits to two lined baking trays and bake for 8-14 mins until the edges turn lightly golden in colour. Leave to cool.

4. To decorate, roll out the white fondant icing on a surface lightly dusted with icing sugar. Stamp out 7cm circles using the same cookie cutter or glass as before, then use a dab of the white tube of icing to stick a fondant round on each biscuit.

5. Knead together some of the yellow and blue icing to make green icing, then do the same with the red and yellow icing to make orange (alternatively, buy

separate packs of each colour). Roll out one icing colour at a time. Stamp out a 7cm circle of icing, cut in half and stick on for a hat. Cut a strip of another colour and make some markings to make it look like the elasticated band of a hat, then trim to fit and stick on. Repeat with all the biscuits, mixing and matching colours.

6. Decorate the hats with icing spots and stripes, if you like. Roll out balls of coloured icing, poke holes all over with a cocktail stick and stick on as pom poms.

Mould lumpy balls of the orange icing for noses and roll out balls of the black icing for eyes. Press down to flatten, then stick on with white icing. Use the tube of black icing to pipe rows of dots for the smiles. Leave to set. Will keep for up to five days in an airtight container.

www.ageukbucks.org.uk

Ask Julie Q

My husband has recently passed away. I cared for him for several years and rarely socialised, as I did not like leaving him alone.

I now find that I am on my own and quite lonely.

I do not know where to start to try to meet people to make new friends. Can you please help me?

A

I am sorry to hear of your recent loss. You are not alone in feeling like this after spending so long caring for someone else.

Getting involved in activities in your local community can be a way of increasing social contact with others and meeting new people.

These will vary according to where you live, but the chances are you’ll have access to a singing or walking group, book clubs, bridge, bingo, quiz nights and faith groups. Not to mention local branches of regional and national organisations that hold social events, such as the Women’s Institute, Rotary, and Contact the Elderly.

In Buckinghamshire, there are numerous activities you could take up or groups to join according to your interests.

suppor ting older people since 1945

If you have internet access, Buckinghamshire County Council have a very good website – Bucks online Directory.

Here, you can enter your postcode to see what is going on in your area.

There is a wide range of activities listed from social groups such as the Women’s Institute and coffee mornings, to things like walking groups, yoga or bowls clubs. https:// www.buckscc.gov.uk/ services/community/ bucks-online-directory/ Bucks Older Peoples Action Group also has a good website showing information on activities going on in local areas.

Take a look at - http:// www.bopag.org.uk Your local library is a good source of information. Look on their notice boards for what is available. Many libraries also run their own activities. In Bucks, these include knit and natter groups, scrabble clubs and so on.

If you do not use a computer, they also run Learn My Way sessions so you could gain skills that enable you to access the internet.

The website you need to look at for this service

is www.buckscc.gov. uk › services › libraries Library’s also have information on Buckinghamshire Adult Education Classes throughout Bucks if you were interested in taking up a hobby or learning a new skill. Or http://www. adultlearningbcc.ac.uk/ There are branches of the University of the Third Age (U3A) in Buckinghamshire They offer a full range of free or low cost classes and interest groups from book clubs to walking groups. The main contact number is 0208 466 6139 to put you in touch with the local group.

Alternatively you could take a look online at the following website address - www.u3a.org.uk/find What about volunteering?

Local charities are always keen to find volunteers to support them in a

variety of ways, from office administration to working in a Charity shop to befriending an isolated older person.

Volunteering in Bucks has information on local volunteering opportunities on the Community Impact Bucks website.

For more information on this, please take a look at the following website. https://communityimpact bucks.org.uk/ volunteering or give them a call if you would rather speak to a person - 0300 111 1250.

I do hope these suggestions are somewhat helpful to you.

Do not hesitate to contact Ageuk Bucks where we can assist you further with any queries about all of the information and activities above.

We are here to help.

WINTER 2019 | 17

engage

Tombola Fayre

November

A

s you know, the month of November marked the 5th and many fireworks could be seen in the skies all around the Bucks area. November was also a time to honour Remembrance Day on the 11th.

November was also the month when we had our tombola which we held in conjunction with our friends over at Bucks Vision.

We would like to say

1 8 | WINTER 2019

a huge thank you to all of you who came along on the day, to join in on the festivities, having a go on the tombola and winning prizes!

Thank you to Matt Barnes and Katy Cresswell of Radfield Home Care who came along to the office here at AgeUK Bucks, and kindly donated a splendid array of items for our tombola. (pictured) Thank you to those of you who were kind enough to donate any

items for our Tombola.

Your support helps us raise funds to work with older people in Buckinghamshire.

We will have a total of how much we raised, from the tombola in the Spring issue March 2020 copy of Engage.

www.ageukbucks.org.uk

Hello and Farewell to members of staff

W

e would like to say farewell to Chantelle Henderson, and welcome Caroline CunninghamOakes who is our new Communications/ Social Media specialist and Engage Editor.

2019 also says farewell to Mary Arnaud who was with us for 11 years service here at Meadowcroft.

I am sure that many of readers will have been familiar with Mary’s friendly

and helpful voice at the end of telephone and you join us in wishing Mary and her family very best wishes.

Farewell and Good Luck to Mary.

Thank you to Chantelle and good luck to Caroline.

© Shutterstock.com / Ka_Lou

Edward Briscoe MIPW

LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY £250* per person

Covers Health & Finance 2 home visits, advice and certification * OPG charges of £82 per application are extra

WILLS IN ENGLISH

In essence you don’t have a Will if you die without one Wills from £80 if you don’t have one - Compliant with the IPW code of practice Phone: 07962 157843 01491 638075 Email: edward@willsinenglish.com suppor ting older people since 1945

WINTER 2019 | 19

engage

Useful Contact Numbers Subject/Query Safety & Security

Organisation Details Thames Valley Police

Contact Number Emergency 999. Non-emergency 101

Safeguarding

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub

0800 137915

Scams

Trading Standards

0300 123 2329

Home Fire Risk Checks

Bucks & Milton Keynes Fire & Rescue

01296 744477

Memory Concerns

Alzheimers Society Memory Support Team

01296 331749

Hearing or sight concerns

Bucks Integrated Sensory Service

01296 479970

Falls

Community Falls Team

0844 225 2403 / 01494 426868

Health and Wellbeing

Community Response & Reablement Team – all Social Services, Occupational Therapy and Needs Assessment

01296 383204

Telecare Equipment

01296 383774 0345 123 8248 01844 273050 01296 739302

Mobility Equipment Equipment Loans

NRS Health Care Independent Living Consultants Red Cross

Iver Good Neighbour Scheme

Bucks County Council & Community Impact Bucks 01753 358101

Meal Deliveries – Hot Food Frozen Meals

Appetito Wiltshire Farm Foods Oakhouse Foods

0800 090 3622 01525 242220 0333 370 2516

Transport Bus Passes

0845 521 2521

Community Transport Queries

Community Transport Hub

0800 085 8480

Blue Badge Scheme

General Enquiries Applications

01296 382902 0845 3708090

Benefits Personal Independence Payment Helpline

0345 850 3322

Attendance Allowance Helpline

0345 605 6053

Carers’ Allowance Unit

0345 608 4321

Pension Credit Claim Line

0800 99 1234

Future Pension Centre

0345 3000 168

Debt Advice

National Debt / Step Change

0800 138 1111

Accommodation Queries / Housing Related Support / Tenancy Sustainment support

The Elderly Accommodation Counsel First Stop Advice Bucks Floating Support

0800 377 7070 0707 820 1322 01296 484322

Housing Benefit

Local District Councils

Housing

General Numbers Bucks County Council

General Enquiries – Customer Services

01296 395000

Bucks Vision

01296 487556

Carers’ Bucks

01296 392711

Citizens Advice Bureau

Initial Enquiries – all areas

0344 411 1444

Local District Councils

Aylesbury Vale Wycombe Chiltern South Bucks

01296 585618 01494 421325 01494 732077 01895 837515

2 0 | WINTER 2019

www.ageukbucks.org.uk

Our unique 24/7 Hospice at Home nurses will visit day or night to provide holistic care and support and our Day Services and Family Support Services are available at no cost to patients and their families living in the local community.

After taking care of your loved ones, if you choose to leave a gift in your Will to Rennie Grove your kindness will help to make sure future generations will continue to receive the care they need and the choice they deserve.

To speak with our Gifts in Wills team please call 01442 507344 or visit www.renniegrove.org/legacy Registered Charity No 1140386

suppor ting older people since 1945

WINTER 2019 | 21

If you think a care home is inevitable...

Think again Dr Jim Morrisroe With an increasingly ageing population, you’d be forgiven for thinking that spending your twilight years in a residential care home is inevitable. Stick a pin in a map of South Bucks/ Chilterns and the chances are you’ll find one of the 50 plus residential care homes in the area. It’s the one thing that we’re not short of.

But what happens if you’ve reached that stage in life where you need care, but the only home you want to live in is your own? What happens of you enjoy your independence and home comforts, but need a little help around the house, or with the shopping? And what happens if you have a child or young adult with a disability and need a break now and again? Well, the good news is that you now have a choice.

A More Caring Approach...

Eden Care at Home, based in Gerrards Cross offer quality care at home for you, or your loved one, whether a child, young adult or an elderly person. Eden care’s management team have more than 50 years in the care sector and was established by Dr Jim Morrisroe.

Unique care Plan

Eden Care is committed to making a difference, helping their clients achieve optimum levels of independence, health and well-being. Together with their clients and their clients’ families they create a unique, tailored care-package focusing on each client’s individual needs and aspirations.

Live-in care or respite breaks At Eden Care they believe that getting old should not automatically mean moving into a care home. Most elderly people prefer to retain their independence, home comforts, social network and dignity by remaining in their own homes.

However, there are times when we all need a little extra help.

Eden Care offer a range of support from personal care, to help within the home and can also assist with attending appointments, running errands or offering companionship.

Whether you are looking for 24 hour support or a respite break from 30 minutes to a hour, up to 24 hours a day Eden Care can be there for you.

NEW RETIREMENT APARTMENTS FOR SALE

No more winter blues...

When the gales blow, and the temperature plummets, you can either worry about damage to your property and the frightening energy bills that could follow, or you can stay warm and cosy, and let us take care of it – all covered in one service charge.

AYLESBURY – Oscar Lodge, Cambridge Street BERKHAMSTED – Sheldon Lodge, High Street MARLOW – Peel Lodge, Dean Street PRINCES RISBOROUGH – Chiltern Lodge, Longwick Road

CALL TODAY TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

0800 458 1847 Visit churchillretirement.co.uk DON’T MISS OUT

A GIFT FOR YOU... £20 M&S gift card* when you visit us.

• Lodge Manager • Owners’ Lounge with coffee bar • Guest Suite for friends and family • Landscaped gardens • 24-hour support • Video entry system • Free parking • Lift to all floors *Terms and conditions apply see churchillretirement.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full details.

DELICIOUS AND DELIVERED Call now for your

FREE

brochure!

www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com | 01525 242220 Over 300 delicious dishes

Free delivery by friendly local drivers

No contract, no commitment