I hope you will enjoy this Christmas issue of the Age Friendly bulletin. November has been a very busy month working with our partners across the city promoting the work of Age Friendly Nottingham.

The progress on the 'Take A Seat ' campaign has had tremendous support from our steering group members and local people.  The launch on 2nd December in Bilborough, led by Councillor Wendy Smith and the Wigman Ladies, resulted in 12 businesses on Bracebridge Drive signing up on the day to offer a chair to older people.

I would like to encourage as many elected colleagues to get involved in this worthy campaign to get businesses in their local neighbourhoods to sign up to this campaign to end loneliness and isolation.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year. 

Councillor Eunice Campbell
Nottingham City Council's Older Persons Champion

Sharing Christmas Meals

Being alone at Christmas is hard for anybody but it can be especially true for older people who perhaps live alone or are unable to join family and friends. At a time when others come together to share the festivities, those spending it alone can feel a real sense of isolation and loneliness.  Many organisations open their doors to older people at Christmas, particularly churches, and offer free or low cost meals.

Growin' Spaces Christmas Extravaganza

Growin' Spaces are helping to make Christmas special this year for those who are lonely or are struggling to make ends meet.

Join them on 25th December 2015 ,1pm - 5pm (dinner served at 3pm) at the Sneinton Hermitage Community Centre, NG2 4GN for Christmas dinner, gifts, games, festive cheer + much more!

Referrals are welcome but there are limited spaces available so you must book. For more information or to book please contact:-

Steven Doig 07855106215 growinspaces@gmail.com or Charlotte Foster 07961025780 cj.foster@live.co.uk

Christmas at Radford Care Group 

Hidden away in a corner of Radford is a small but busy centre providing a place of warmth, safety and fun, where those over 50 can spend a day with us meeting new friends and be part of their community.  Radford Care Group provides both a friendship group and day care, operating side by side and offering a wide range of services and activities for older people who want to spend time with friends or who may have greater care needs but want support to remain independent whilst enjoying the many activities that Radford.

This Christmas they are having two parties with entertainers and a number of our members are going to the Life at the Centre in Nottingham for Christmas Day.

We are open Monday to Friday 52 weeks of the year with Jim, our ‘Roaming Bistro’, cooking fresh food every day and refreshments are on tap throughout.

Find out more at www.radfordcaregroup.org.uk.  Contact us on 01159786133 or email info@radfordcaregroup.org.uk.

'Relaxed' Pantomime Performances of Aladdin

This pantomime season the Theatre Royal are delighted to offer two relaxed performances of Aladdin! These performances are especially adapted for customers with a wide range of disabilities and those on the autistic spectrum. The show is the same but with small changes made to the lighting and sound in order to provide a more relaxed and supportive environment for those watching.

Tickets are available for Wednesday 6th January at 1.30pm (£11.50) and 7.15pm (£15).

For more information and to book tickets please contact Caroline Pope on 0115 989 5627 or email caroline.pope@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

'Take a Seat'

Age Friendly Nottingham continues to extend its Take A Seat campaign in local areas.  Look out for the Age Friendly sticker in the window of participating businesses in the Clifton and Bilborough shopping areas.  The scheme will be extended to other areas in the New Year.

If your business or organisation would like to become more age friendly please contact sharice.chambers@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or for more information please visit http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/article/30241/Take-a-Seat-Campaign

Dame Judy Dench backs Age UK's campaign to prevent 'heart-breaking' loneliness at Christmas

Age UK launched its new campaign ‘No one should have no one at Christmas’ on 2 November 2015 to raise awareness of loneliness and isolation.

The Charity is urging individuals to check in on older neighbours, relatives and friends over the festive season, and get involved with their campaign  To find out more go to Age UK's website   www.ageuk.org.uk/christmas  

Click Nottingham: connecting people

Click Nottingham is a growing community of local people who are finding friendship, staying healthy and independent and enjoying a more connected and active social life.  Click has plenty happening in Nottingham’s neighbourhoods during the festive season and winter months.  In fact there are too many activities to list here. To view their full calendar of activities click here http://clicknottingham.com/download/1/Click%20Calendar%20NOV-JAN%202016%20FINAL%20LOW%20RES%20PDF.pdf

It couldn’t be easier to join Click. A year’s membership costs just £15 or if money is tight, there is a Pay with Kindness option. Click also takes referrals from healthcare professionals, including GP’s, as part of a year-long Social Inclusion partnership with Nottingham City CCG that aims to reduce reliance on NHS services by reducing loneliness and social isolation. To find out more or make a referral  www.clicknottingham.com or call 0115 9787846

The Silver Line Helpline

The Silver Line is the confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK open every day and night of the year. The specially trained helpline staff:

• Offer information, friendship and advice
• Link callers to local groups and services
• Offer regular befriending calls
• Protect and support those who are suffering abuse and neglect

If you or someone you know feels particularly lonely or vulnerable over the Christmas Holidays, please do not sit in silence – call the Silver Line Helpline on 0800 4708090

Shop-mobility Scheme

Getting around Nottingham City Centre this festive period can be made easier by using the shob-mobility facilities found at both Victoria and Broadmarsh shopping centres in Nottingham.The scheme offers:

• Free loan of self-propelled or powered wheelchairs
• Free loan of 3 or 4 wheeled scooters
• Free parking for up to 4 hours at both Victoria Centre and Broadmarsh car parks when using the shop-mobility services
• Assistance with loading and unloading of shopping and equipment
• Guided shopping assistance when booked in advance
• Booking available up to 3 days in advance

Mobility scooters and wheelchairs can be loaned for up to 4 hours to ensure you have plenty of time. For further information please visit http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/shopmobilitynottingham

Easylink Bus Service

Christmas is fast approaching, easylink can help you to get out and about and enjoy the Christmas get together with friends and family, shopping for presents and of course you’ll need to pick up the turkey and sprouts! Easylink is the new name for Dial a Ride and offers a door to door accessible transport service to the shops, leisure activities, medical appointments or any other journey you want to make.   

• Easylink is free to join
• Provide a door to door accessible service
• Free travel for an escort or companion
• Wheelchair lift to make all our vehicles accessible to all our customers
• 50% fares discount if you show a current valid concessionary travel pass
• Easylink will take you anywhere up to 10 miles from the City Centre
• Regular friendly, fully trained drivers
• The personal touch, if required the driver can help carry your shopping into the house, assist you on and off the vehicle

For all booking enquiries please contact the team Mon-Fri between 8.30am-12.00pm and for general enquires you can contact the team between 12.00pm-4.30pm.  You can call  0115 969 1801; text  0788 966 1950 or visit the website www.ct4nottingham.co.uk/easylink.

2015 Stay Well This Winter Campaign

Winter brings extra health challenges but preventative action can be taken:

• Get a flue jab
• Keep warm – inside and outdoors.  Homes should be at least 18oC (65oF)
• Seek medical advice at the first sign of illness – the pharmacist is a good first advice stop
• If you need advice over the Christmas holiday period when your GP or pharmacy is closed, call the NHS on 111
• Take medicines as prescribed
• Order repeat prescriptions before Christmas

For more information go to www.nhs.uk/staywell/

Free Support with Utility Providers

Join the free Priority Services Registers offered by your gas, electricity and water suppliers for extra support and special services. You can be added to a Priority Service Register if you are of pensionable age; disabled; chronically sick; blind or partially sighted; deaf or hearing impaired.

If your supplier knows you have health issues or essential medical equipment in your home (please be ready to answer medical related questions) you will be prioritised in the event of a break to your supply. For more information please visit http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/priorityservices