Local Agent
COMPLIMENTARY SPEAKER
Gwyn James Solicitors, based in Coleford, offer a complimentary speaker to give a talk at your club about one or more of the following topics: the history of wills, estate planning, protecting your home and savings if you are admitted into care and lasting powers of attorney. Contact Miss Natasha Andrzejuk: 01594 834926 or email natasha.andrzejuk@gwynjames.co.uk
CARING WITH CONFIDENCE
Free support for all adult carers If you are an adult carer, a knowledge and skills programme could help make a difference to both your life and that of the person you care for. A carer is defined by Carers UK as someone who provides unpaid help and support for an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner. Carers give so much to society yet as a consequence of caring; they can experience ill health, poverty and discrimination. Caring with Confidence is a programme of 7 sessions which allows you to build on your own strengths, share experiences and gain useful information, ideas and tips about looking after someone. Please contact Chris Cam or Karen Hughes on 01452 500885 or email caringwithconfidence@gloucestershire.gov.uk to find out more.
COPD FORECAST ALERT SERVICE
Supported by the NHS Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the collective name for a group of conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These can be made worse by certain weather conditions and also an increase in the presence of viruses that cause coughs and colds. How does it work? If you opt-in to take part in the service, you will get a recorded voice call by telephone when poor environmental conditions are forecast. The call will: Explain the conditions we are expecting. Refer you to a patient pack you will have been sent that contains extra advice and information about how to keep yourself well. Ask a couple of questions about your medication and symptoms which you answer with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. This information will be passed to your doctor. The patient pack and calls are available in the following languages: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, English, Gujurati, Gurmukhi, Urdu and Welsh. How can you sign-up to the service? Healthy Outlook® is delivered through local GP practices in areas where Primary Care Trusts have signed-up for the service. If you would like to receive Healthy Outlook® please contact your GP surgery to find out if it is offering the service. How much does it cost? Healthy Outlook® is paid for by Primary Care Trusts and, in some instances, GP practices. Individuals will not have to pay to receive the service.
PLAYING FIELD & PLAYGROUND OF THE YEAR COMPETETION 2010
Following on from the successful competitions in 2008 and 2009, we are pleased to announce the launch of the 2010 competition. The two categories are as follows: Playing Field of the Year A public playing field where organised team sports such as cricket, football etc are played. Playground of the Year An area consisting of play equipment and/or informal sports whether on or off a playing field. For example if a playing field also has a playground then the playground will be judged in the Playground of the Year and the formal sports part will be judged in the Playing Field of the Year. The prize money this year will be as follows: Winner in each category: £150 Runner Up in each category: £75 In addition you will also receive a copy of the judge’s report and comments which I know have been most useful for entrants in the previous years. Closing date for entries – Tuesday 7th September 2010. Entry fee – £5.00 For an entry form, please contact Graham Ross, Secretary, Gloucestershire Playing Fields Association. Tel: 01452 530931 or email glospfa@blueyonder.co.uk
CON MAN WARNING
The police are warning people about a con man preying on the elderly in the county. He is posing as a plain clothes policeman claiming to be investigating a burglary and is using this cover as a means of gaining access to property. Apparently he has succeeded in a couple of homes in Cheltenham, and recently was in Newent. On that occasion the local policeman happened to walk past and the chap ran.
MOBILE PHONE FOR THE ELDERLY The mobile phone, which has large buttons, an extra loud ring and a big screen for the short-sighted, has been manufactured by a British company to appeal to the millions of elderly people who find modern mobile phones far too complex as well as far too quiet. The Geemarc Clearsound CL8200 is compatible with hearing aids and has a loud receiving tone, allowing listeners to hear their caller louder than normal. It also has a text message function. You can buy this phone from www.rnid.org.uk www.hearingdirect.com www.connevans.co.uk and www.amazon.co.uk The recommended retail price is £89.99 but some sites sell it for less – shop around. Amazon also sells that same type of mobile phone by different manufacturers so you can compare. (Cheapest I have found is at M2Cshop at £59.57 plus VAT – Ed.)
MOBILE CHEMOTHERAPY UNIT – ASK
If you want to have your chemotherapy treatment at the mobile unit, you will probably need to ASK as the consultants don’t usually offer you the choice: most just book your appointment at Cheltenham Hospital Oncology Department. Patients who do use the mobile unit say that it is more convenient, closer to home, easier parking, less travelling and a better experience all round so stick your hand up and put your foot down!
HOME-BASED FOOTCARE
Best Foot Forward is a personal toe nail care service for people within their own homes, provided by Gloucestershire Podiatry Services and the Adult Care Directorate at the County Council. It provides five aspects of basic foot care: foot screening; toenail cutting; filing of toenails; bathing of feet; and cream application to feet. The treatment is given by Home Support Workers who have received instruction from an NHS Podiatrist and who are also required to undertake regular monitoring by an NHS Podiatrist to ensure their on-going competence. Currently referrals are made through your GP. Ability to pay will be assessed, although those already in receipt of Community & Adult Care may receive the service free of charge. The current charges are £14.13 an hour, and clients will be asked to pay per visit. They will also need to buy a Foot-Care kit comprising nail clippers and a Diamond Deb file – the kit costs £15. This is to reduce the risk of cross infection from other clients.
CAR PARKING AT CHELTENHAM HOSPITAL
Vinci Park has been awarded a 30 year contract. Disabled drivers have been told that they must park in a disabled bay or pay, despite displaying a valid Blue Badge. There aren’t enough disabled bays allocated to the Oncology Centre, unfortunately. The Reception staff will do their best to issue exemption permits in those cases. If you experience any problems, please write to the Chief Executive, Dr Frank Harsent.
SPEAKEASIER CARDS FOR MS SUFFERERS
Speakeasier charity works with speech and language therapists to fund speech aids for people with MS. Part of the effects of the illness is unsteadiness and slurred speech, which has led to many MS sufferers being accused of being drunk and can mean being refused entry or service on a night out or derogatory comments when out during the day. The size of a business card, Speakeasier’s aid reads: “I have Multiple Sclerosis which causes my speech to be slurred. I am not drunk and I am not brain damaged. Please be patient and help me.” It’s free, and can be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope to Speakeasier, PO Box 410, Cheltenham GL52 9GH.
CHEDWORTH ROMAN VILLA
The team at Chedworth Roman Villa are committed to making the experience of visiting our Villa and learning more about Romano Britain possible for everyone. In particular, supporting new audiences such as Older People. If you would like us to help you organise a supported visit to the site, or have our team come out to your group and undertake activities with you, please get in touch. We offer a range of engaging and hands on activities from mosaic making to weaving – a real chance to get in touch with your inner Roman and try something new! If you feel this could be for you, then please call me, Katie Smith on 01242 890 256 or e-mail katie.smith@nationaltrust.org.uk
FREE GARDENING FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED
Graham Foxwell is now back in the UK and able to offer a free gardening service for elderly/disabled again. Contact him on 01594 529286
VISA/MASTERCARD PHONE SCAM
In a nutshell: someone phones you, claiming to be from the fraud department, concerning a purchase for just under £500 on your card. They tell you which bank issued your card. They do not ask for your card number, just the 3 digit security number on the back. (They’ve already got your card number.) They then tell you that the amount will be reimbursed to your card and to check after three days. In reality they are spending money on your card even as you speak. Do not give out your three digit security number.
ELGAR £20 NOTE
The £20 notes bearing the portrait of Sir Edward Elgar on the back go out of circulation in June and will no longer be legal tender. Businesses will refuse them from 30th June and banks will only do discretionary exchanges after that date. The Bank of England will honour them after that but only if they are brought to Threadneedle Street – a bit of a treck for most of us!
ENERGY AMBASSADORS
I have undertaken the Energy Ambassador Training Course run by the Severn Wye Energy Agency. I can give you advice on saving energy, fuel and money and on keeping your house warm. I can give you a leaflet or complete a Home Energy Check. Then, swapping back to my Village Agent hat, I can put you in touch with the people who may be able to help. My contact details are below. For those outside my area, contact the Energy Ambassador Project Manager: Jon Clarke, Severn Wye Energy Agency Ltd, Unit 15 Highnam Business Centre, Highnam, Gloucester, GL2 8DN Tel:01452 835070 Mob:07814 970119
VOLUNTEERS FOR DISABLED AFLOAT RIVERBOATS TRUST
Disabled Afloat Riverboats Trust (DART) take disabled people on canal and river trips for periods of 4 days to a week. We are in need of volunteers to help us during 2010 particularly people to crew and cook. For the crewing positions some experience of inland waterway boating is helpful but we can train you if necessary. Cooks do not need to be cordon bleu but they do need to be able to feed up to 10 people with good home cooked food. There are currently vacancies on
22nd to 29th May on the Kennet and Avon Canal near Devizes (catering only)
5th to 12th June on the Kennet and Avon Canal near Devizes (crewing and catering)
19th to 26th June on the Grand Union Canal near London (crewing and catering)
3rd to 10th July on the Grand Union Canal near London (catering only)
10th to 17th July on the Kennet and Avon Canal near Devizes (catering only)
11th to 18th September on the Kennet and Avon Canal near Devizes (catering only)
For further details and job descriptions please contact:
Paul Treble, 1 Hertford Road, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, GL52 8DA
Tel: 01242 674 092 Email: ptreble@cix.co.uk Web: http://www.glosdart.co.uk
BE A GOOD DIGITAL NEIGHBOUR
For most of the Forest, the digital switchover dates are March 24th and April 7th. Although every household should have received information through the post, there are still people who are unsure about it or just ignoring the whole business of switchover, hoping it won’t happen. If you think your neighbour falls into one of these categories, or you know someone who cannot get out of the house much or lives in an isolated spot, please check that they are ready for switchover and, in April, that it has been done successfully. For many people who live alone, the television is their main companion and connection to the outside world. For them a blank screen is more that just the loss of an evening’s entertainment. If there is a problem, phone your Village Agent. You can also visit www.digitaluk.co.uk
USEFUL LINKS AND MORE INFORMATION
Gloucestershire County Council Adult Help desk Tel: 01452 426868 (8am to 5pm Monday – Friday) Email: socialcare.enq@gloucestershire.gov.uk Online form: Complete the Social Care – the services we provide: will you be able to get help or look at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk Age Concern Gloucestershire , Bleak House, 26 Station Road, Gloucester, GL1 1EW Telephone/Fax General Enquiries: 01452 422660 Office hours: Monday – Thursday 9.00am – 4.00pm Friday 9.00am – 3.30pm Help the Aged . The Help the Aged website offers advice and support on winter fuel bills. NHS Direct 24 hour health advice & information service. Tel:08454647 www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
SILENTCALL-GARD
One way to stop the nuisance of silent calls is to visit www.datait.co.uk, enter your phone number, submit and it’s done. It’s that easy. If you haven’t got a computer, phone 0844 372 2325 to register your number.
WALKING STICK CLIP
A walking stick clip – sometimes called a frog clip – is circular and clips onto the main stem of a walking stick. It has a bit that sticks out from the circle which is used to hang the stick on a table, Post Office counter etc and reduces the chance of the stick slipping to the floor. The average price for a clip is £1.50 – £2. If ordering by post from a shop or by mail order, postage charges range from £1 to £4.99. For those who prefer to shop in person, there is a mobility shop in Coleford and one in Ross but phone first to check stock availability and price. Take a look at www.BenifitsNow.co.uk or The British Red Cross for these frog clips and other useful aids to mobility.Helen Roberts
Village Agent for: Awre, Blaisdon, Blakeney, Flaxley, Littledean, Longhope, Mitcheldean, Newnham, Northwood Green, Westbury
Tel: 07810 630004 Email: Helen@villageagent.grcc.org.uk