Welcome to the Autumn 2016 Edition of News 21
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Autumn 2016 edition WELCOME TO THE newsNews, information and advice for OldhamAU PFIT residentsUMN 2016 EDITION OF NEWS 21 BOWLED OVER! WHAt’s INSIDE? • Around the courts • Money advice • Three weekly bin collections Housing & Care 21 Chambers Business Centre Chapel Road Customer services: 0345 604 4447 Oldham OL8 4QQ Repairs line (24 hours): 0800 032 1215 If you would like this document in a different format, for example large print, braille, audio CD /tape or another language, please contact Customer Services Tel: 0345 604 4447 1 AROUND THE COURTS Hopwood social is a big hit! Hopwood Court tried out its first games & social afternoon on 4th August. 25 people came along to chat and play games, including Scrabble, dominoes, cards, Connect 4 and fun darts. There was a great atmosphere, tea and biscuits and everyone had a lovely afternoon. The games have been funded through Ambition for Ageing Oldham and the sessions will now take place every Thursday from 2pm – 4.30pm run by volunteers. Call in and give it a try if you want to meet new people, have some fun and learn how to play some new games. Red carpet at Old Mill House Old Mill House’s Night at the Oscars Party was a great success with all the residents getting dressed up to mark the occasion. The ladies looked very glamourous in their party dresses and the men very handsome in their bow ties and tuxedos. A number of lucky residents were even awarded their very own Oscar in appreciation of all the help and support they give to help make Old Mill House such a happy place to live and visit. The evening concluded with singing and dancing provided by Elvis impersonator, Darren Lee, an Old Mill favourite. Bowling Fun 15 teams competed in our annual Bowling Competition, sponsored by Crudens with a mix of Housing& Care 21 and Crudens staff and local residents taking part. It was a glorious day, with the sun shining and there was a real feeling of community spirit in the air. Well done to everyone who took part and particularly to the winners: 1st place: Trevor from Brownedge Road & Betty from St George’s Square 2nd place: Housing and Care 21 team: Paul & Tony 3rd place: Marjorie from School House st nd rd & Billy from Walkers Road 1 2 3 2 AROUND THE COURTS Donation allows Tandle View gardeners to carry on growing The levels of soil had sunk dramatically in the raised beds at Tandle View and residents were discouraged from growing. A compost donation was organised by resident, Janice Hayes, who sadly passed away earlier this year. It was her persistence, coupled with her love of gardening and respect for the achievements of the gardening group that resulted in the application being made. The compost donation from Revive has made a huge difference, allowing the group to carry on growing. Thanks to Revive for their donation! Community effort gives garden a makeover Springlees and Dunsford Court residents were struggling with their low garden beds. In June they were lucky enough to receive funding from local Councillors, Councillor Alexander and Parish Councillor Steve Hewitt who organised to have raised planters created, with the work being done by Oldham Council Environmental Services. The group also received plant donations from Sue Palfrey (Oldham Council/Mahdlo), with her organising for the children from Saddleworth School to do some planting. Residents are over the moon with garden makeover and want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who completed our Residents’ Survey, we are currently reviewing the results and we’ll be starting to implement some of the findings and suggestions over the next few months. Our winners from the prize draw were: FRANK FROM LIDO HOUSE (pictured) MR AND MRS RILEY FROM FAILSWORTH BEATRICE FROM HOLTS VILLAGE STAFF NEWS Customer Services Advisor, Kevin Crompton recently completed a 100km hike over the rugged Yorkshire moors, raising a total of £1,300 for Guide Dogs. Accompanied by his son James and sight guide Amy Petterson, Kevin, who is blind, completed the Yorkshire 100 challenge in 28 hours, stopping for just one hour to eat, change clothes and treat blisters! Well done Kevin, James and Amy! 3 MONEY ADVICE BE PREPARED The nationwide roll out of Universal Credit continues, albeit at a slow pace. Universal Credit was first introduced as the time being, it won’t be part of Universal part of the Welfare Reform Act in 2012 Credit. and ultimately will replace all means tested benefits and tax credits, with Universal Credit is a single monthly the exception of Council Tax Reduction, payment and is always paid in arrears. for people of a working age. Universal Credit is what is known as “digital by default”. This means there is no paper This will not apply to you if both you and based application form to enable you to your partner are over pension age; however apply for Universal Credit. The only way to will apply if you have a partner who is under claim Universal Credit is to make a claim pension age. online. Universal Credit will eventually replace the Although Universal Credit has been slowly following benefits –Jobseekers Allowance rolling out nationwide since 2012, the (income based), Employment and Support government announced recently that the Allowance (income related), Income roll out won’t be complete until 2022. This Support, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax means it could be several years before you Credit and Housing Benefit. need to claim Universal Credit, depending on your personal circumstances. All these benefits will be replaced by one single payment of Universal Credit. To find out more about Universal However, if you live in Supported Housing, Credit and if it is applicable to you, your housing costs (i.e. your rent and contact your local Jobcentre Plus office. service charge) will continue to be paid as Housing Benefit by the local authority for 4 POLITE REMINDER TO ALL RESIDENTS Please can we remind you that the 0800 032 1215 number should only be used to report a repair. For all other queries, comments, complaints or compliments call 0345 604 4447 New Healthwatch Oldham NHS Complaints Worker Healthwatch Oldham has now taken responsibility for the NHS Complaints Advocacy Service. Asma Khatun is their new NHS Complaints Worker. Asma can support people through the complaints process and will help at any stage with the following: • Helping you to write down your experience in a clear, logical way. • Helping you to ask for access to your medical records. • Giving you feedback on draft complaints letters, etc. • Supporting you to prepare for resolution meetings. • Helping you to find a formal representative if you need someone to speak on your behalf. Asma’s aim is to help people to make their complaint themselves. If you want to make an NHS complaint it is important for you to be able to say what is important to you in your own words. If you feel that you need to make a complaint to the NHS then call Asma on 0161 622 5700 or email her at [email protected] and she will make arrangements to help you. There is also a self-help information pack that is available on our website which you can access at the link provided below: www.healthwatcholdham.co.uk/self-help-information-pack 5 FALL PROOF YOUR HOME Some great advice from Saga Six out of ten falls happen in the home or garden. Often we don’t notice problems because we’ve lived with them so long. But clutter can present a very real risk for falls. So take a few minutes to look round your home with a critical eye, using the checklist below: LIGHTING • Did you know that 60 year old eyes need three times more light than 20 year old eyes? Consult a trusted, professional electrician about your lighting options- such as branched lights to replace single bulbs- to increase light without glare. • Avoid trailing cables from lamps that could trip you. • Consider installing two way switches on the landing/hall and/or extra stair lighting. Wire in a smoke alarm at the same time- one more hazard sorted! • Always use your bedside light when getting up at night; if the switch is not easily accessible keep a good torch by the bed. LIVING AREAS • Check all rugs have a non slip underlay and replace worn ones. Consider replacing frayed carpets or ask someone to tack well down. • Cable tidies and/or boxes will organise jumbled wires by the TV, computer or music centre. Tape any trailing extension OLGBT GROUP: ‘OUT leads to skirting boards. & ABOUT FRIENDSHIP • Clear away clutter, especially in the hall/ GROUP’ landing and doorways. The ‘Out and About’ friendship • Never store items on the stairs. group is for the Older Lesbian, • A surprising number of people trip over Gay, Bisexual and Transgender their pets. Buy them a bright collar, and a community in Oldham. bell to alert you to their presence. They meet regularly for meetings and KiTCHeN/bATHrOOm social events; bringing people together for friendship and lots of laughter. • Continually reaching up for things? Free and all staff involved are DBS Rearrange cupboards so that frequently checked. used items are within easy reach. Meetings take place on the last • Clear up spills straight away Monday of each month at 1.00 at • Always use a non slip mat in the bath/ Chadderton Over 60’s Centre, 298a shower Broadway, Chadderton GARDEN For further details contact Age UK Oldham, 10 Church Lane, Oldham • Keep paths free of moss and leaves.