Age UK Worcester & Malvern Hills Spring 2021 Newsletter 2 Contents
3. Feature 13. Service updates 4. Covid-19 update 14. Get involved 5. Latest news 15. Contacts 6. Latest news 7. Feature 8. Shopping with us 9. Donations 10. Volunteer with us 11. Positive stories 12. Service list
Registered Charity No: 1114859. Registered Company: 5688674. @ageukwmh
3 Feature
These handy infographics show the Roadmap from the Government for our recovery from Coronavirus. These are just guides and may change over time.
@ageukwmh Registered Charity No: 1114859. Registered Company: 5688674.
4 Covid-19 update
Following the updated Government Guidance regarding Coronavirus and have taken the following decisions in order to comply with the guidance and to help keep members of our community safe. • Our collection service is now active across Worcester and Malvern Hills. Our van drivers can collect your donations COVID-19 safe, directly from your door. At this time you may submit a collection request, via the online form, or by calling our offices, and we will put you onto our waiting list.
• All 7 of our Charity Shops are now open, in line with the next phase of the Governments Coronavirus roadmap. If you are visiting one of our stores, please be aware that social distancing measures, sanitising and limited capacity will be in operation for the foreseeable future. This is to ensure that our staff and customers stay as safe as possible when shopping with us.
• Our eBay For Charity Shop continues to operate, however please expect longer dispatch times, as we are running with limited staff. Please help us continue to raise much needed funds.
• Our office will remain closed to drop-in visitors but our telephone lines are open as usual for enquiries! Call us on 01905 724294 | 01684 560666.
• Our I&A services will operate via telephone, where possible. We can still carry out face to face appointments, but this will be on a case by case basis and with PPE measures in place.
• Many of our group activities remain suspended, for the time being. Alternative online or at home based activities continue to run.
• Our face-to-face Befriending service has largely been suspended and we have replaced this with a telephone support service wherever possible.
• We are continuing our At Home services on a case by case basis. We have taken extra precautions i.e. none of our workers will be in the same room as clients and in some cases will not be entering homes where work is non-essential.
• We have focussed on shopping for clients and will continue to extend this service. However, as it is still legal to go out to shop for your food, if you require us to collect shopping for you, this will be chargeable under our At Home scheme.
• Our Foot Care clinics continue to operate with restrictions in place, as these are classed as a medical service. PPE requirements will be in place also.
These are unprecedented times and we thank you for your understanding with these changes.
Registered Charity No: 1114859. Registered Company: 5688674. @ageukwmh
5 Latest news
Charity shops and donation collections now open All 7 of our charity shops are now open across Worcester and Malvern Hills. We have also once again begun to operate our free collection service. We collect from your door for free, with our COVID-19 safe, friendly and efficient van drivers. We have an incredibly high demand at the moment but we are working hard to ensure that we get to everyone on our waiting list as soon as possible.
Digital dancing to continue Age UK Worcester & Malvern Hills are pleased to say that our EnJOY Seated Dance classes will continue online for an additional 4 weeks, starting from 21st April. The classes are led by dance artist Fi Petts and emphasises the JOY of dance whilst developing your overall health and ways to unlock your creativity. Our classes have limited space and will run for 4 weeks, starting from 21st April. Booking is therefore essential. You can book your spot by contacting us and we will then send you your personal Zoom link.
New dementia community support services Age UK Worcester and Malvern Hills has launched a community support service to support people with dementia and their family, in partnership with Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest and supported by Herefordshire & Worcestershire CCG.
The service will match trained and skilled volunteers with people, to be companions, to provide regular telephone calls or visits for a friendly chat, to share an interest, an activity or to reminisce. If appropriate, the volunteers will also encourage and support their companion to attend group activities.
The service will also provide online activity sessions – with help from Age UK IT volunteer ambassadors who will unravel the mysteries of getting online.
We will also soon be opening 4 dementia meeting centres. Meeting centres are a great low-cost community-based way of supporting people living with dementia, their families & carers. They provide a place where people are supported to understand and adapt to living with dementia. Each centre is led by trained and experienced staff and volunteers, in an ideal environment. Cont. overleaf
@ageukwmh Registered Charity No: 1114859. Registered Company: 5688674.
6 Latest news cont.
Anyone who has a suspected or confirmed diagnosis for dementia can attend the centres. There is no need for a confirmed diagnosis. Everyone is welcome at our centres. Our centres will operate from Worcester City Centre, Dines Green Worcester, Malvern Link and Wichenford.
New Lasting Power of Attorney service A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that allow you to appoint one or more people to help make decisions or make decisions on your behalf, when you are no longer able to. It is reassuring to know that somebody you have chosen and trust is able to make decisions for you, rather than a stranger that you do not know or trust. Our new service allows us to support you with writing both financial and health Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), provide expert information & advice, expert legal advice and signpost to other legal support services (if we cannot help you).
New Will writing service We know that planning for later life can be daunting and overwhelming, that is why our Will Writing Service is available to give peace of mind to you and your family.
Having a Will allows your relatives to easily sort things out when you pass away. Without a Will, rules that dictate money, property and possessions will come into force, which may not be what you want.
Our Will writing service will be available via our Malvern office and due to COVID-19 will only be available via telephone or email.
New charity shop to open in Worcester We are pleased to announce that a brand new shop will joining our 7 other charity shops soon. This large city centre shop will be dedicated to furniture, household items, small electricals and much more.
The shop will open doors on 10th May 2021 and is located on Broad Street, Worcester, WR1 3LH.
Daily updates can be found on our social media channels! Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
Registered Charity No: 1114859. Registered Company: 5688674. @ageukwmh 7 Feature
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust in partnership with Worcester City Council, are filling Worcester City with Colour. A free, outdoor public art trail across the city centre from the 1st to the 31st May 2021 - the trail will feature a whole host of work from local artists in some places you might not expect, so keep your eyes peeled! Come along and join our FREE socially distanced walk, where we follow the trail. This accessible outdoor trail will weave us through the City of Worcester, leading us to art in some unexpected places! The art that we discover highlights mental health subjects, created by local artists, community groups and charities. Now We’re Talking with Art’ campaign aims to combine art, exercise and mental health. We will provide activities to keep your mind healthy along the way! If you need a little extra support we have that too! We will take a steady pace around the trail to allow time to talk about the art we find. Our walks will take place on: • Wednesday 19th May at 1pm • Wednesday 26th May at 1pm
Please contact Fi, if you are interested in attending, on 01684 560666 or email [email protected]
@ageukwmh Registered Charity No: 1114859. Registered Company: 5688674. 8 Shopping with us
An overview of our current charity shops that are dotted around the Worcester & Malvern Hills areas. Please be aware that social distancing, mask wearing, sanitising and limited capacity measures will be in operation for the foreseeable future.
Ambleside Drive Address: 59 Ambleside Drive, Worcester, WR4 9DA. Opens: 9:00am - 4:00pm (Mon-Sat)
Cranham Drive Address: 24 Cranham Drive, Worcester, WR4 9PA. Opens: 9:30am - 4:00pm (Mon-Sat)
Dines Green Address: Unit 2, 33 Gresham Road, Dines Green, Worcester, WR2 5QR. Opens: 9:30am - 4:00pm (Mon-Sat)
Great Malvern Address: 29 Worcester Road, Great Malvern, WR14 4QY. Opens: 9:30am - 5:00pm (Mon-Sat)
Mealcheapen Street Address: 9a-10 Mealcheapen Street, Worcester, WR1 2DH. Opens: 9:00am - 5:00pm (Mon-Sat)
Tenbury Wells Address: 12 Market Square, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8BL. Opens: 9:00am - 4:00pm (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri)
Upper Tything Address: 40c-e Upper Tything, Worcester, WR1 1JZ. Opens: 9:30am - 4:00pm (Mon-Sat)
Registered Charity No: 1114859. Registered Company: 5688674. @ageukwmh 9 Donations
How you can contribute Visit us in-store Make a contribution online Need a clear out? Or feeling generous? We'll You can easily donate a sum of money to us happily accept most unwanted items that you from the comfort of your own home. Whether it wish to donate to us. Our 7 charity shops are is a one off donation or a regular monthly open and are accept donations. Social subscription. distancing, sanitisation and mask wearing Visit: https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/ restrictions apply to all shops. donation/ageukwmh We collect your donations Leave a Legacy We are welcoming donation requests once Remember Age UK Worcester & Malvern Hills again. We collect from your door for free, with in your Will, so your compassion can live on our COVID-19 safe, friendly and efficient van and make a big difference others. Our charity drivers. details are below. Please note: this service is very popular and Age UK Worcester & Malvern Hills, Bank so it may not be possible to collect your House, 7 Shaw Street, Worcester, WR1 3QQ. donations right away. Registered charity number: 1114859 Raise donations be shopping online Gift Aid Turn your everyday online shopping into FREE For every £1 of value that your donation donations for us, through Easy Fundraising. represents, we can make an extra 25p when Easy Fundraising is the UK's biggest charity you sign up for Gift Aid. Because we reclaim shopping fundraising site and it's free and the tax from the government, it does not cost simple to use. you a penny more than what you have donated. Visit: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ causes/ageukworcesterandmalvernhills Ask us about Gift Aid when making your donation.
£10 £20 £60 £120 Will help pay for a Will help us support Will help pay for a client Will help pay for 50 befriending volunteer to someone to receive a to receive one-to-one people, who may be visit an older person vital benefit such as digital support and lonely, attend our who is lonely. pension credit. training for 6 months. weekly lunch club.
@ageukwmh Registered Charity No: 1114859. Registered Company: 5688674. 10 Volunteer with us
Befriending in your community Helping at our charity shops Could you visit or call a lonely older person? Meet new people, help us raise funds and have Help us fight social isolation in Worcester & fun while volunteering in one of our 8 charity Malvern Hills by becoming a befriender today. shops around Worcester & Malvern Hills.
Helping with our Community Assist to deliver Dementia activities Liaison foot care Support Help us run various Could you be a point Help welcome and Support a person activities and help of contact for Age UK provide assistance living with dementia, create a warm, fun in your community? with minor foot care by providing and friendly Helping to ensure to our clients. companionship, share environment within local residents get the Including nail clipping, an interest and help one of our social or information they cutting and filing. them attend luncheon clubs. need. community activities.
Are you interested in volunteering with us? T: 01905 724294 | 01684 560666 E: [email protected]
Registered Charity No: 1114859. Registered Company: 5688674. @ageukwmh
11 Positive stories
Plant sale Huge thanks go to David It’s our collective goal to ensure Myring, who ran a hugely that over 50s in Worcester & successful plant sale, raising funds Malvern Hills get the support for Age UK Worcester & Malvern Hills. they need to love later life. David saw 519 Dahlia and Canna plants sold over the course of 8th, 9th Care package delivery and 10th April. He managed to raise Over the last 12 months we a total of £1284.50 from the sales and have been successful with delivering care with Gift Aid makes a grand total of packages to some of our clients. These £1625.00 raised. THAT IS AMAZING. clients may have been struggling to get out Special thanks also go to all the to shop, shielding at home and / or not able customers who went to David’s plant to get their essentials delivered. sale, even though it was cold and Fi and her wonderful creative team, enjoyed windy. We hope that you all love your handing out these care packages to our plants. Bilford Court Lunch Club members around the festive period.
What our clients say “I am so grateful to Age UK for giving me a reason to make myself get out. It has given me the confidence to think I can do this, and I will do this”
“You may be very busy because I am going to tell my friends about the support that Age UK have given me” “You saved me from embarrassment and made sure I was confident with what I was doing on my computer”
@ageukwmh Registered Charity No: 1114859. Registered Company: 5688674.
12 Services list
Together, we can help everyone, love later life
Providing services and activities for older people in the Worcester & Malvern Hills areas:
• Information & Advice • Benefit Checks & Form Filling • At Home Services (Handyperson, Homeworking & Gardening) • Later Life Planning (Will Writing, Lasting Power of Attorney & Legal Advice) • Companionship & Bereavement Support • Dementia Community Support • Dementia Meeting Centres • Foot Care • Digital Inclusion • Good Neighbour Network (Malvern only) • Wheelchair Hire • Social activities
For more information, please call 01905 724294 | 01684 560666 email [email protected] or visit ageuk.org.uk/worcester-malvern-hills
Registered Charity No: 1114859. Registered Company: 5688674. @ageukwmh
13 Services updates
Later Life Planning We have merged all of our legal services under one banner. Later Life Planning includes our brand new Will writing, Lasting Power of Attorney writing, funeral advice and general legal advice. This service also provides signposting to an expert third party legal advisor, should our team not be able help.
Foot Care Our Foot Care service is now able to offer home visiting, as an extension to our popular clinics. We encourage clients to continue to attend our clinics and only request a home visit if necessary. A home visit will cost £25 and a one off charge of £15 for your own personal nail care kit.
Dementia Meeting Centres Welcome Kirsty Hughes to our team as the Dementia Meeting Centres Manager. She will help us run our 4 centres across Worcester & Malvern Hills. The centres are planned to open in May. More info to follow…
Malvern gardeners We are looking for more gardeners to join our wonderful team and to help us continue to run our At Home Services in the Malvern area. All of our gardeners work on a self-employed basis. Fancy joining our team, get in touch with us: 01684 560666 - [email protected]
@ageukwmh Registered Charity No: 1114859. Registered Company: 5688674.
14 Get involved
Activities & Events Like many, our activities and events have been drastically affected by Coronavirus over the last 12 months. We have worked hard to provide alternative online or home based activities for our clients to enjoy, such as our hugely popular Enjoy Seated Dance, Minute Your Moves and Creative Friends’ projects.
We hope to be able to restart our regular group activities in the summer, with more information coming by the end of May or perhaps early June. Although, this is all dependant on whether the Government’s roadmap continues as planned.
Run a fundraising event Become a sponsor Could you help raise funds for Age UK Could your organisation help raise funds Worcester & Malvern hills by running an for a particular project or event? event? Your support will be recognised and Perhaps you could run a plant sale, like represented on our website, social David Myring did? Maybe you can run a channels and on relevant marketing car boot like event? Or perhaps you could materials. do a sponsored run? Help us continue to make a difference for Fundraising is hugely important for us and older people in Worcester & Malvern Hills. without it we would not be able to continue to provide our crucial services for over 50s in Worcester & Malvern Hills. We want to hear from you We are extremely grateful for any Do you have any positive stories, fundraising/donations that you can interesting news or wonderful photos of our provide us. communities that you wish to share? If you would like more information or Please send your updates to would like to run a fundraising event, [email protected] or tag us on please get in touch with us. Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @ageukwmh.
Stay up to date with us. Sign up to our regular e-newsletter and never miss an update! Scan the QR using your smartphone camera or visit: http://eepurl.com/gnPHNL.
Registered Charity No: 1114859. Registered Company: 5688674. @ageukwmh
15 Contacts
Worcester head office Bank House, 7 Shaw Street, Worcester, WR1 3QQ.
T: 01905 724294 E: [email protected]
Malvern office Great Malvern Train Station, Station Approach, Malvern, WR14 3AU.
T: 01684 560666 E: [email protected]
Tenbury outreach Tenbury Wells Library, 24 Teme Street, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8AA.
T: 07494762138 E: [email protected]
Website www.ageuk.org.uk/worcester-malvern-hills
Social media Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as: AgeUKWMH.
Shop online www.ebay.co.uk/usr/ageukwmh
@ageukwmh Registered Charity No: 1114859. Registered Company: 5688674.
Spring 2021 www.ageuk.org.uk/worcester-malvern-hills
Age UK Worcester and Malvern Hills Bank House, 7 Shaw Street, Worcester, WR1 3QQ.
Registered Charity Number: 1114859 Company Number: 5688674