concessionary bus times extended

As a result of coronavirus and news that some supermarkets will be opening just for older people or those with a disability for their first hour of the day, the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is extending the hours when concessionary bus passes can be used.

Time restriction for use of the Diamond Travelcard (concessionary pass) will be relaxed from Monday 23 March, so people can travel free at any time on journeys starting in the WECA and North Somerset areas. This will be reviewed at the end of June. At the moment holders of a Diamond Travelcard bus pass for eligible older and disabled people can travel on any local bus for free after 9am Mondays to Fridays and all day at weekends.

Happy to Chat?

New ' Happy to Chat' signs are springing up on benches around town. The first ones are at St Mary's Green and Kingsgate Park. Sit there if you are happy to chat to others. Done by Yate Town Council following an idea from the police to combat loneliness. If you know of a bench that should have a sign please tell the Focus Team.

Have your say on housing for older people

With life expectancy increasing and people from the post-war "baby boom" reaching old age, the number of older people in South Gloucestershire is increasing. To help them plan for older people's housing needs, the council are carrying out a survey.

You can find out more and complete the survey via the consultation web page. The survey will run until the 27th April.

Tackling loneliness - information evening 20 March

A recent survey by Contact the Elderly showed that a third of people had noticed a lonely older person in their community and been concerned, and 40% did not feel confident that they knew how they could help.

South Gloucestershire Disability Network are hosting an information evening for community members to find out:

• How to approach this situation
• What you can do to help
• What schemes exist to help isolated people locally

The event will take place on Tuesday 20th March at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Registration starts at 6pm, after which attendees can have some nibbles and a look around stalls of local organisations should they wish. The main event will start at 6.30pm, to end around 8.30pm.

The event is aimed at businesses, workers, volunteers and members of the community who have, or might have, contact with lonely people, but who may not be sure what they can do to help. The aim is to increase confidence and provide some new skills in approaching situations with potentially lonely people, as well as provide attendees with information about schemes which may be of use to others in the community – for example First Contact and Community Connectors.

Booking is essential via Eventbrite.

Consultation events on Ageing Better Plan

We told you recently about South Glos's "Ageing Better" consultation. The Ageing Better Plan aims to guide South Glos's work to support older people (age 65+)

They are holding two consultation events, one of which is a drop in event, open to the public and is taking place on Wednesday 22nd November 2017, Yate Outdoor Sports Complex between 9.30am – 12.30pm. Everyone is welcome and they would encourage everyone to attend, as it is really important that people have their say.

The second event is being held for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, on Wednesday 29th November, 10.00 am – 12.00 pm at The Batch, Cadbury Heath.

For full details of the events,  further information, and copies of all consultation documents, please go to the South Glos Ageing Better Plan website link

Ageing Better Plan - South Glos consultation

South Glos Council's Ageing Better Plan will bring together the outcomes and priorities that will guide work to support older people (age 65+), the way they will measure progress and how they will work to realise their vision. It is based on data, evidence and consultation with older people and wider partners across the area.

South Gloucestershire Council is now opening the Ageing Better Plan to public consultation between until 12th January 2018.

They are keen to hear views from as wide a range of people as possible; find out what you think of the plan, including how it could be improved, whether they've left out anything that you think is a crucial issue, or how you'd like to get involved in making it happen.

You can find out more and make your views known here.

Memory Cafe at Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church

The Memory Cafe is run by the church with the help of the Rotarians and is very relaxed and friendly - family and careers welcome - tea, coffee and cake provided. Activities quizzes, word search dominos etc. Help, support and an opportunity to share experiences.

1st and 3rd Tuesdays 10.30am to 12.00noon
Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church
High Street
Chipping Sodbury
01454 313023
Email office@cs-bc.org.uk

Monday Lunch Club particularly for older members of the community

There is a Monday Lunch Club at St Nicholas Family Centre, Abbotswood, Yate aimed particularly at older members of the community every Monday, starting 11th September (excluding Bank Holidays) at 12 noon for 12.30 pm.

Soup and a roll with dessert only £3.50, which can't be bad!

Contact details -
Tel: 01454 324712
Email: st.nicholas.abbotswood@hotmail.co.uk
Website www.stnix.co.uk

Also on Mondays at St Nix:
Friendship Club 10.00 to 11.30 am (£3) Chair based activities and games with tea and biscuits among friends
This is 4U 2.30—3.30 pm (free) Play table games, chat and make new friends

St Nicholas uses Green Community Travel  - please contact them if you need help getting there.

Future of the Over 50s Forum

The South Glos Over 50s Forum is for all residents who are over 50 years old. They are now holding meetings around the area in a bid to reach out to more people. The upcoming meetings locally are:

• Tuesday 28th March, 10am to 12 noon - Thornbury Methodist Church, High Street, Thornbury
• Thursday 30th March, 2pm to 4pm - The Ridgeway Community Centre, Station Road, Yate

For more information, email southglosover50s@gmail.com

Over 50s facilities in Yate - survey and prize draw

If you are over 50 you are invited for a free cup of tea or coffee in the Pop Inn Cafe, Yate in exchange for completing a survey. You don't have to live in Yate itself to answer it, just be a user of the services in the town.

All surveys completed before Wednesday 23rd December will be entered into a prize draw. The winner will be advised and all results will be posted online.

You can download the survey here.

Local Dementia Awareness Sessions - spend just an hour of your time

As well as sessions for particular local organisations, Yate's Dementia Friendly Town initiative is running three public sessions at Poole Court, Poole Court Drive, Yate BS37 5PP. There are still a few spaces left on the first session, which takes place this Tuesday:

Tuesday April  7th   10.30-11.30
Monday May 11th   10.30-11.30
Monday June 8th     10.30-11.30

For more information or to book your place please contact Debbie on 01454 866512  or debbiewoolley@southernbrooks.org.uk

(You'll probably be OK if you just turn up this Tuesday, but please book for sessions if you can)

Flying start for Yate dementia project

There has been an excellent public reaction to Yate Town Council's "Make  Yate a Dementia Friendly Town" initiative, which Lib Dem Councillors Tony Davis and Sue Walker have been organising. Since recruiting Dementia Community Worker Debbie Woolley, they have convinced Yate Leisure Centre to train their staff, and the project team itself will be training the security and caretaking staff at Yate Shopping Centre and many others. The sessions only last an hour, but people who attend have found them really valuable.

Steve Webb MP says: "I and all of my staff have already been trained. I would really recommend this - in just an hour it opens your eyes to do many small things that can make a massive difference to family, friends, neighbours, customers and people we encounter every day"

If you are involved in an organisation or group that would like this free training, please email Tony Davis on tony.davis@southglos.gov.uk. Please contact Tony as well if you are an individual who would like to attend a public session.

As Tony commented "This is a really good start for Yate as a Dementia Friendly Town. Let's keep the momentum going and get as many people involved as we can"

Dementia friendly town progress

As a result of Sue Walker’s campaign to get action on dementia here we’ve raised money to pay for someone to work part time to lead the change. The worker has been appointed, Tony Davis has been trained as a dementia champion, and more than £100,000 has been raised in grants for action across the area.

Sue and Tony are now working on the big agenda of ideas YOU ‘ve given us for making Yate more dementia friendly. If YOUR group would like a talk about dementia awareness, please contact Tony or Sue.

Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church Seniors Lunch

The Baptist Church has some capacity for people to attend the Thursday Luncheon Club for frail and elderly people living alone. They can provide transport, a freshly cooked meal, someone to talk to and an opportunity to meet other elderly people.

Please follow this link for details


If you know of anyone you think could benefit please contact the Church directly on office@cs-bc.org.uk or by phone on 01454 313023.

Another Living Well with Dementia Roadshow

Another ‘Living Well with Dementia’ roadshow is being held, this time at Turnberrie’s Community Centre in Thornbury next Monday, 17 November. These roadshows offer practical, emotional and health advice aimed at anyone who has recently been diagnosed with dementia, their carers or relatives of people with dementia.

The free event runs from 10.30am to 1pm however places must be booked in advance by using one of the following methods:

• Book online at www.southglos.gov.uk/dementia 
• Complete the booking form found on the flyer/leaflet and return it via freepost 
• Email cchengagement@southglos.gov.uk 
• Phone 01454 862356 

For more information and details of future roadshows visit www.southglos.gov.uk/dementia

Unsure? Close the Door

A nasty scam, this one...

Age UK South Gloucestershire have been made aware of an incident where a bogus caller, claiming to be one of our representatives, cold called an older person offering to undertake some home decorating and repairs.  The rogue caller then asked for money to buy materials.

Age UK South Gloucestershire want to remind older people across the area that we never make unsolicited cold calls to people’s homes.  Their representatives help many older people, either our volunteers who offer a befriending service or our Information and Advice workers who help with benefits advice and form completion.  However, their visit will never be unexpected.  Age UK's professionals always make appointments and never cold call.

In addition Age UK South Gloucestershire will never ask for any money for their advice.  Neither will they ask if you keep money in your home.

Their professionals carry official identification and will encourage you to scrutinise it.  If you are ever unsure about a caller who claims to be from Age UK South Gloucestershire please close your front door and call Age Concern's office number.  The professionals will not be offended if you are cautious.  If you feel unhappy or intimidated please call the police on 999.

If you think that you or someone you know has been a victim of a bogus caller please contact Trading Standards, Age UK South Gloucestershire or the police on 101.  However if you feel a crime is in progress call 999.

Older people set to benefit from Community Grant

A local care provider has decided to give away its first ever Community Grant – a sum of money that could benefit any local group in South Gloucestershire working with older people.

Bluebird Care opened its office in Chipping Sodbury a year ago, and ever since has been working hard to support other organisations in the community.

Jack Whitfield, Managing Director, said: “As well as providing care & companionship services to people living in their own homes, Bluebird Care is passionate about supporting community projects and initiatives. So many neighbourhoods thrive because of volunteers who work tirelessly to run community groups, host events and provide services that benefit others. Much of this work involves supporting older people who, without regular coffee mornings, day-trips or lunch clubs, would be left isolated at home.”

The care provider is making available £250 to a community group or initiative that works with older people within the area. The group that can best demonstrate a need for additional support will be allocated the funds.

Bluebird Care (South Gloucestershire) offers a realistic alternative to residential care by allowing people to stay in their own homes with care and support. Their work can involve one or more short visits a day in order to help with the everyday tasks of life. However, their service doesn’t stop there because longer duration visits are also available, including overnight help and live-in care.

Sophie Rowland-Jones, Managing Director, says support will be offered to the successful applicant to ensure older people get the most from their Community Grant: “The Bluebird Care Community Grant will also come with support and advice. We want to work with a local project that gives older people an opportunity to try something new and that will add benefit to their lives. Examples of the type of projects we are looking for could include gardening, leisure, recreational or musical activities.”

For more details, and to receive an application form contact Bluebird Care can phone 01454 323624, email southglos@bluebirdcare.co.uk or visit their office at 82 Broad Street, Chipping Sodbury.

More on Yate's Dementia Friendly Town initiative

The launch event of the Dementia Friendly Town initiative was very well attended and many people found it very illuminating. Particularly striking was one couple who talked about living well with dementia.

Perhaps you missed the event, but you would still want to find out more? Please email Sue Walker on sue.walker@southglos.gov.uk or ring her on  01454 310980.

Help make Yate a Dementia Friendly Town

Are you living with dementia? What would make life easier for people with dementia in our town? If you have ideas for making Yate easier for people with dementia or would like to know more please come to a meeting in Yate Parish Hall (the middle hall just along from the little Tesco) from 2pm to 4pm this coming Monday, 29th September.

Sue Walker is leading a campaign to make Yate a more dementia friendly place. Sometimes it's about knowing how to assist when someone is a bit confused. Many of the things are little things like numbering in the car park so we can remember where the car is......Our aim is to get a group of residents together to identify what could be done, and then set out about getting buy in. The Shopping Centre has already offered to help, and the Library has set up a Memory Cafe. Now Sue has won funding from Yate Town Council to support the project.

So - what Sue needs now is YOU - and your ideas and experiences. Do please come. If you cannot come, but have ideas or would like to be kept informed please contact Sue Walker on 310980.

Red Cross Healthy Homes project

The Red Cross Healthy Homes project provides information and support with:

• keeping warm at home, energy efficiency and affording your energy bills
• preventing fires and falls
• maintaining independence
• promoting well-being

If you would like a free home visit and free winter warmth pack or if you would like them to visit a centre or group you attend to give a general talk about the Healthy Homes Project please contact Ellen Devine at H&SCWAG@redcross.org.uk or 0117 9415041.