Guide to keeping healthy and warm this winter
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Preparing for winter • If water pipes freeze, they can burst in cold weather. Be aware of where your mains water stopcock is and that you can turn it off when you need to. • Make sure your smoke alarms are working. If you are unsure how to do so, please contact: London Fire Brigade on 08000 284428 or Essex County Fire and Rescue Service on 03003 030088.
Keeping warm this winter • Dress in plenty of layers and make sure that you have some warm slippers and shoes or boots with non-slip soles. • It’s essential you keep your home warm. The recommended temperature for your main living room is 21°C and for the rest of the house to be heated to at least 18°C. • Make sure you close your curtains at dusk as this will help keep the heat in. During the sunny days, keep them open to let heat in. • Do not block up vents in your property as good ventilation helps to prevent condensation. • Make sure you keep your hands and face warm. Several, thin layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thick layer as the layers trap warm air. • Wear warm clothes in bed. When very cold, wear thermal underwear, bed socks and even a hat; as a lot of heat is lost through your head.
Health and wellbeing Taking part in a range of activities will help you stay fit, both physically and mentally. This can also be a great way to meet new people, who share the same interests as you. There are a range of activities taking place within your local area, we have listed a few on the following pages.
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For London Jubilee Street Practice - E1 0LS
St Hilda’s - Sonali Gardens, E1 0AT
• Mon, 9.30am – 12.30pm: Time to Talk (anxiety and depression)
• Mon, 12.00pm – 1.30pm: Dominoes club
• Wed, 10.00am – 11.00am: Healthy mind and body coffee mornings
• Wed, 11.00am - 2.00pm: Computer drop in
• Wed, 11.00am – 12.30pm: Monthly pain management sessions
• Tue, 1.15pm - 2.15pm: Coffee, cake & crafts • Thurs, 1.30pm - 2.30pm: Tai chi Contact: 07908 250149 or 02077 398066
• Thurs, 9.30am – 11.00am: Wellbeing Walk Contact: Marjia on 07498 862419 or thccg.jspwellbeing@nhs.net Linkage Plus - Toynbee Hall, E1 6LS • Mon, 10.00am – 11.00am: Sitting fit with Alea
Neighbours in Poplar - St Matthias Community Centre, E14 0AE
• Tue, 12.00pm – 1.00pm: Get Together
• Tue, 11.00am – 2.30pm: Exercise, bingo and lunch included
• Wed, 10.00am – 12.00pm: Crochet Circle
• Thurs, 11.00am – 1.00pm: IT Surgery
• Thurs, 12.00pm – 2.00pm: The Art of Wellbeing
• Sat, 9.00am – 1.30pm: Gardening Contact: 02075 310190
Contact: 07949 840569 Sundial Centre - E2 7RU • Tue, 2.00pm – 3.30pm: Bingo
Age UK East London - Caxton Community Centre, E3 2EE
• Wed, 11.00am - 12.30pm: Computer support
• Mon, 10.00am – 11.00am: Light exercise
• Thurs, 2.00pm to 3.00pm: Chi kung
• Thurs, 1.30pm – 2.30pm: Seated yoga
Contact: Philippa on 07785 521182 or philippa.paine@peabody.org.uk
Contact Jackie on 02039 543202 or jackie.tillyard@ageukeastlondon.org.uk
Bromley By Bow Health Centre - E3 3BT
Swan, The Reach Community Hub - E14 0GB
• Tue, 1.00pm – 2.00pm: Walking group
• Mon, 9.00am – 11.00am: Women’s exercise classes
• Wed, 1.00pm – 2.00pm: Space to Connect coffee afternoon
• Wed, 1.30pm – 3.00pm: Pool and darts
• Tue, 9.15am – 11.00am: Sewing club
• Fri, 2.00pm – 3.00pm: Sharing skills
• Wed, 1.00pm to 3.00pm: ESOL classes
Contact: Khadeja on 07951 034656 or Khadeja.chowdhury@bbbc.org.uk
Contact: Gaurangi on 07719 957096 or gpatel@swan.org.uk
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For Essex The Craig Tyler Trust - The Beech Community Hub, SS14 3RZ
Koinonia Community Breakfast - The Beech Community Hub, SS14 3RZ
Hosting an over 50’s lunch club, with a focus on mental health.
Bringing together the community of Beechwood Village and Craylands, to enjoy food, share ideas, fun and friendship.
Takes place every Thursday between 10.00am 2.00pm, until the end of December 2021. Contact: Karen on thecraigtylertrust@gmail.com
Come join the community breakfast session, between 9.30am - 10.30am, on the last Saturday of every month. Contact: Nikki on families@standrewholycross.org
Back Yard Nature, Swan Housing Association The Beechwood Community Garden, SS14 3RZ
The Laindon Activity Centre SS15 6LF
A focus on nature whilst being outdoors. Are you a budding gardener and a potential community champion? We are recruiting for volunteers for our Back Yard Nature Programme.
• Tue, 2.00pm – 4.00pm: Flower arranging
Contact: Will on 07872 033403 or woldham@swan.org.uk
• Thurs, 9.30am – 10.30am: Aerobics • Fri, 10.30am – 11.30am: Pilates Contact: 01268 418833
The George Hurd Activity Centre SS14 2FL
The Pitsea Activity Centre - SS13 3DU
• Tue, 11.10am – 12.10pm: Sit down yoga
• Tue, 1.15pm – 3.00pm: Bingo
• Wed, 10.00am – 11.00am: Keep fit • Thurs, 1.00pm – 2.00pm: Line dancing
• Thurs, 11.00am – 12.00pm: Tap dance
Contact: 01268 205305
Contact: 01268 205272
• Mon, 10.00am – 10.45am: Zumba
Club 50+, The Haven Community Hub - SS0 7LW • Mon, 11.30am – 12.30pm: Cognitive exercise • Thurs, 11.30am – 12.15pm: Supportive yoga with chairs • Fri, 09.30am – 10.15am: Dance fit Contact: 07835 942365 or bookings@acsos.co.uk If you would like more information on any other activities taking place in your area, please call 0300 303 2500 and ask for a member of the Community Development Team. 4
Useful contacts
Swan Housing Association:
0300 303 2500
Axis Repairs:
0800 783 2768
The Police for Emergency:
999
The Police for Non-Emergency:
101
The Samaritans Helpline (24 hr):
116 123
Age UK:
0800 678 1602
Friends of the Elderly:
0330 332 1110
Basildon Dial-a-Ride:
0126 846 5858
London Dial-a-ride:
0343 222 7777
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Financial help Each year up to £3.5bn of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit goes unclaimed by older people (Age UK 2017).
State pension: State pension age is currently at 66 years old, for both men and women and can be claimed as follows: • A man born before 6 April 1951 • A woman born before 6 April 1953 • Maximum £134.25 per week • If born after these dates, you can claim new state pension up to £179.60 per week depending on NI record • You must make a claim
Pension Credit: Can be paid in addition to state and private pension. Pension Credit can be divided into two parts: • Guarantee Credit: Ensures weekly income meets a guaranteed minimum amount £177.10 (single) or £270.30 (couple) • Savings Credit: Extra money, if you’ve got some savings or income is higher than basic state pension. No longer eligible if reached pension age is after 6 April 2016
Council tax reduction and Housing Benefit • If receiving Pension Credit guarantee paid in full • Savings limit of £16,000 • Savings over £10,000 affect entitlement • 25% reduction if living alone
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Other benefits • Attendance Allowance (personal care needs or require supervision to maintain safety) • Carers Allowance (care for someone for more than 35 hours per week)
Winter fuel payments • Entitled if born on or before 26 September 1955 • In 2021/22 maximum amount payable is dependent on circumstances (£200 if under 80 years old and £300 if over 80 years old) • Paid automatically if in receipt of the State Pension or Pension Credit. If not, will need to make a claim
Warm house discount • Helps vulnerable households or those on a low income • Automatic entitlement if claiming Pension Credit • Varies between suppliers • Rebate applied to electricity bill (£140) between October and March • Need to make an application each year
If you would like further help or advice, please call 0300 303 2500 and ask for the Welfare Benefits Team.
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