News (100)
Marian and the lunch club team pictured here really are superstars. It takes many weeks of planning to put on this event from buying the food, prepping, cooking some things in advance as well as sorting the decorations, crackers, drinks and raffle. There are drivers for the minibuses and pick up schedules to arrange. It was a tremendous success due to all of this hard work that often goes unseen with a 2 course traditional Christmas lunch being served to 56 people. Our thanks also to the Lions Club of Petersfield who gave us a grant to cover the cost of the food, and to Tesco who donated a raffle prize.
Those that attend our weekly chair based exercise classes really embraced the idea of a Christmas social. Attendees from all three classes brought food to share - the table was groaning! One of our clients baked a special Dutch cake that is baked at Xmas time which was delicious. It is wonderful how sociable these classes are, being able to meet like minded people that want to build their strength and mobility all under the skilled tuition of Bobbie, the tutor. Classes start up again in January.
We are looking for new volunteer drivers to join our team. We have a 12 seater minibus and take people to our lunch club and shopping into town. A full induction is provided, and you would join one of our rotas which would mean driving for us once or twice a month. The clients are very appreciative of the drivers as it enables them to get out and socialise. Please see our volunteer page for more information and an online application form, or ring us to have an informal chat about the role.
What a joy it was to present the completed life story books to our participants. It was an unexpectedly emotional event with each book uniquely reflecting the priorities and memories that each person had from their lives. The whole project with the weekly sessions, and the group sharing their memories created so much pleasure. Rachel Lewis from Memories and Milestones facilitated the project, and John Hutchinson, local councillor, funded it. The three clients who received their books were absolutely thrilled. Find out more with this interview with Shine Radio (link below).
Memories and Milestones Books are a treasure trove for families and for life in Petersfield too
We are excited to bring you new weekly crafting classes run by Jo from The Craft Zen. Starts Wednesday 8th October, 10-11.30am in the URC on College Street. No special skills required and all materials will be provided. Cost £60 for a six week block. Contact Sheridan to find out more and book a place.
Attend one of our surgeries with Ellie, Outreach Worker, from Citizens Advice to see if you are eligible for any of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Blue Badge
- Energy Help
- Carer’s Allowance (basic guidance)
If eligible and you need help with form filling you will be booked into the Citizens Advice office who can assist.
Surgery dates are Monday 6th Oct and Friday 17th Oct. Both 10-12noon in the Winton’s Cafe. No need to book - just turn up.
Our outings programme has been in full swing since late Spring with a couple of outings each month to places like a cruise on the Chichester Canal, a visit to the pretty Wickham Village, lunch at the Sinan Warren Hotel, a trip on the Watercress Line. Our latest was an afternoon trip locally up Butser Hill. Everyone enjoyed the views and had a short guided tour from the QE Country Park ranger team, with a stop off at the cafe and shop afterwards. We have such beauty on our doorstep and it was great to be able to take people out to enjoy it.
We had a lovely party this afternoon celebrating and thanking our amazing team of volunteers. We literally could not run any of our services without them. From drivers to lunch club helpers, IT coaches to befrienders, outing escorts to chatty cafe helpers. Myself and the trustees are grateful to them all. And thank you to Shedload who played acoustically for our entertainment.
Come and join like minded people to strengthen every muscle in your body at our Chair Based Exercise classes. The next 6 week block starts on Thursday 18th September, 2.30-3.30pm, at the Winton House Centre. Cost £36. Our experienced tutor Bobbie (pictured here) can adapt the classes to suit your needs and it is also fun!
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Iris Holt has been a volunteer with us for many years and as she approaches 90 years of age she has decided to retire. She worked as a befriender in Petersfield Hospital for many years, and has been a lunch club helper bringing her lively personality to all of our clients, along with her bursts of singing. We shall miss her boundless energy, her compassion and good company which we have had the pleasure of over the years. She won’t be standing still though and is already planning her next charity abseil down the Spinnaker Tower.
I hope you like our newsletter which is now produced in collaboration with the Winton House Centre to bring you news of services for older people that are generated from No.18. We run our charity from Winton House and also work closely with them to run joint activities and projects. Click below to see a copy.
Have you nominated someone to look after your health and financial affairs if you are unable to do so? Any of us could lose the capacity to make decisions for ourselves at any time. It is the number one thing you can do to make things easier for your loved ones. We are raising awareness of how easy and affordable it is to complete the lasting power of attorney forms and have made up some packs for you to collect. Each pack contains an information sheet, a Health & Care decisions form, and a Financial decisions form. The cost is £82 per form which is then registered. Call in to the WInton House Centre to collect your pack.
How exciting it was to have Shine Radio on our Wednesday shopping bus! Here they are chatting to the driver Graham and the passengers discovering what the service means to them. There is also a chat with the manager Sheridan about what else Age Concern do and how you can join in. The whole interview has a lovely friendly feel to is which is just what we try to convey in everything we do. Thanks to Mike and Phill who did the interviews - they were fantastic!
The P pod on the Age Concern Bus!
