The guide for senior citizens in Barnet
• Keeping well • Keeping safe • Staying active • Making friends
For a paper copy of this newsletter, download and print BSA Newsletter 2 PDF (PDF 631kB, 4 sides A4)
IN THIS ISSUE
- Silver Sunday on 4th October 2015
- Don’t let smoking set your house on fire?
- Support for dementia carers
- Later Life Planning Service
- Looking after someone?
- Advocacy in Barnet
- Out & About in Barnet
Silver Sunday – 4th October
it’s shaping up to be a great day!
Silver Sunday is a national celebration of older people and their contribution to their local communities. As Barnet’s voice for Older Residents, Barnet Senior’s Assembly we know only too well the enormous contribution of older people in so many ways that often goes unsung.
We are working together with a wide range of organisations across Barnet in hosting a variety of free activities throughout Silver Sunday week (28 Sept – 4 Oct). Activities will offer people over 55 a chance to keep active in body and spirit, try new things, meet their neighbours and, ultimately, celebrate what older residents have to offer.
Silver Sunday is a chance to bring everyone together for a day of fun and happiness and to explore new activities for free!
On Silver Sunday itself, Barnet Seniors Assembly and Barnet Council invite senior residents, family and friends to a hopefully enjoyable FREE event Hendon Town Hall, The Burroughs, NW4 4AX from 12.30 – 4.30.
This drop in event promises to include entertainment, opportunities to find out how to get the most out of living in Barnet.
The event will provide you with a chance to get a taste of some of the activities available in the borough as well as some music from a steel pan drum player, playing music from the 40s to the present day. Afternoon tea will be provided free of charge. To help with catering it would be useful to know if you are coming just email bsabarnet@outlook.com or call 020 3778 0151.
Remember, there are a wide range of events primarily aimed at people aged 55+ throughout the week starting Monday 28 September. To get an idea of all on offer, visit www.silversunday.org.uk
We hope that all our visitors will have a wonderful day with us!
Date for your diary
Barnet Seniors’ Assembly Quiz Night with a Fish & Chip Supper
Friday 13 November 7pm – 10pm
Old Finchleians Memorial Grounds, 12 Southover, North Finchley N12 7JE
£10 per person including Fish & Chips
To book call: 020 3778 0151 or email bsabarnet@outlook.com
Don’t let smoking set your house on fire
The most common cause of fire death in the home
Fires caused by smoking materials – including cigarettes, roll-ups, cigars and pipe tobacco – result in more deaths than any other type of fire. Last year around three fires a day in London were linked to smoking and half of accidental fire deaths were related to careless disposal of cigarettes.
How to prevent smoking-related fires
- Never smoke in bed
- Don’t smoke in a soft chair or sofa if you think you may fall asleep
- Take extra care when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs, or if you’ve been drinking alcohol
- Use a proper ashtray that can’t tip over and is made of a material that won’t burn
- Make sure you have enough ashtrays to avoid any overflow
- Don’t leave a lit cigarette, cigar, or pipe lying around
- Stub cigarettes out properly and always dispose of them carefully
- Make sure smoking materials are cold before emptying ashtrays – preferably wet them before throwing them into a bin
- Only smoke legally manufactured cigarettes
- Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach and always buy child resistant lighters
- Never smoke if you use medical oxygen, or an air flow pressure relief mattress
- If you smoke and use paraffin-based creams, ask for non-flammable alternatives
- Consider additional specialist equipment such as fire retardant bedding or nightwear
Arrange a free home fire safety visit
The London Fire Brigade will visit you at home to offer advice on how to make your home safe and where appropriate fit a smoke alarm for free (Strobe light and vibrating-pad smoke alarms are available for those who are deaf or hard of hearing).
Contact the Home Fire Safety on Freephone 08000 284 428 (quoting “BARNET P110”) or visit the London Fire Brigade website and complete the online form at www.london-fire.gov.uk
Help to quit smoking
If you would like to quit smoking visit the NHS website www.nhs.uk/smokefree or your GP practice or call the Barnet Stop Smoking Service on 0800 328 2784
Support for dementia carers in Barnet
by Alzheimers’ Society Barnet
Picture courtesy Alzheimer’s Society
If you care for someone with dementia, and would like to talk about your experiences with others in a similar situation to you, go along to Barnet’s Alzheimers’ Society peer support group.
Carers’ peer support group
Your local carers’ support group meets every first Tuesday of the month from 7pm until 9pm at Community Networks, 27 Castle Road, North Finchley N12 9EE.
For more information, please contact barnet@alzheimers.org.uk or call 020 8937 7171
What is the peer support group?
Alzheimers’ Society Barnet peer support group provides a friendly and supportive environment to talk to other carers about how dementia affects your life. You can discuss issues you might be facing with others who understand, as much as possible, what you’re going through. You can also share practical information and advice about what has helped you. Staff and trained volunteers run the group to help you get the most out of the sessions, and are on hand to offer you information and advice.
Visit a dementia café near you
If you have dementia, or are caring for someone living with dementia, you’ll be welcomed at any of the dementia cafés. Come along to meet others in a similar situation, in a relaxed social setting. You can spend time sharing information and experiences, or simply have a cup of tea and a chat.
Alzheimer’s’ Dementia cafés
Time: Every first and third Monday of the month 2pm – 4pm
Location: Lyonsdown Hall, 3 Lyonsdown Road, New Barnet EN5 1JB
Time: Every last Friday of the month 10.30am – 12.30pm
Location: Eversfield Centre, 11 Eversfield Gardens, Mill Hill, London NW7 2AE
Time: Every second Wednesday of the month 2pm – 4pm
Location: Activity Rooms, Ground floor, Finchley Memorial Hospital, Granville Road, Finchley N12 0JE
Saracens Dementia Club
Time: Every Wednesday (except second Wednesday of the month) 2pm – 4pm
Location: Activity Rooms, Ground floor, Finchley Memorial Hospital, Granville Road, Finchley N12 0JE
Age UK’s Later Life Planning Service
Growing older doesn’t come with a manual
Age UK Barnet’s later life planning service is there to support older people, aged 55 and over to manage and plan for the challenges that ageing brings. It is there to help people retain independence, choice and control as well as to assist them to make informed choices.
The Later Life planning team can help you with:
- Access to personal grants
- Accessing social services
- Bereavement
- Care needs assessments
- Debt
- Health
- Housing
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Pensions
- Welfare benefits
- Wills
Age UK Barnet’s Later Life Planning team provides a holistic, confidential and impartial service. You can book either a face-to-face or telephone appointment with an advisor to talk through your needs and plans for the future. The discussion may focus only on the issues you have raised or it may be that other areas are identified. The adviser will then put together an action plan to achieve your goals, addressing your most immediate needs first.
For More Information
Call or email the Later Life Planning Service with any queries or to book a face to face appointment with an adviser.
Age UK Barnet, Ann Owens Centre, Oak Lane, East Finchley, N2 8LT
Telephone: 020 8432 1417 or email: laterlifeplanners@ageukbarnet.org.uk
Looking after someone?
Who looks after you?
Barnet Carers Trust offers help, advice and services to carers in Barnet, including a carers’ helpline, relaxation sessions, counselling, free training courses, support groups and film nights.
Thursday Talks
The Thursday drop-in Carers Group is an information and support group for carers held at Barnet Carers Centre, 10.30am – 12.30pm every Thursday. It enables carers to meet with other carers to share ideas and experiences and chat over tea/coffee and biscuits. And on every other Thursday, there’s a talk or facilitated discussion and information on a specific topic of interest.
Free training for adult carers
Barnet Carers offer the following training courses for free to carers. They are held at the Barnet Carers Centre in North Finchley. Training sessions must be booked in advance through the Adult Carers Outreach and Support Team (unless indicated otherwise).
Welfare Benefits Overview
An overview of the current state of play regarding the national system of welfare benefits, and its impact on carers. With time available for questions and answers. Run by Dee Solanki of the Department for Work and Pensions
- Wednesday 7th October 11am – 1.30pm
First Aid
Practical and potentially life-saving training. Run by the British Red Cross.
- Wednesday 14th October 9.30am – 12.30pm
For More Information
Email: adultcarers@barnetcarers.org
Web: www.barnetcarers.org
Tel: 020 8343 9698
Advocacy in Barnet
Proud recipients of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2015
Advocacy in Barnet offers free, independent and confidential advocacy service to people aged 50 and over.
Advocacy is taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need. Advocates work in partnership with people they support and take their side. Advocacy promotes social inclusion, equality and social justice.
Advocacy in Barnet can work with you to ensure that you are appropriately supported to enable you to participate in decisions that affect your life, giving you choice and control over your life. They can support with…..
- health and care reviews
- Obtaining services from health and the local authority
- getting the equipment you need
- and much more…………
They do this by speaking up on your behalf, writing letters, making telephone calls, researching information and attending meetings in your home and elsewhere.
Advocacy In Barnet adheres to the principles of the Advocacy Charter and ensures that their advocates are fully trained and CRB checked.
For More Information
Email: admin@advocacyinbarnet.org.uk
Web: www.advocacyinbarnet.org.uk
Tel: 020 8201 3415 / 020 8201 3148
Out & About in Barnet
Burnt Oak & Colindale
Talkie Walkies – walking group that meets on Tuesday mornings at 9.30am and Saturday mornings at 10am at Watling Park. For more information email us@betterburntoak.org.uk or phone 07909 998463
Make friends with a book – reading group meets every Tuesday at 10.30am at Burnt Oak Library. Call 07815 554713 for details.
Movie afternoon – every third Thursday at Woodcourt Sheltered Housing. Show time 3.45pm. 07909 998463 for details.
Board Game Club – An afternoon of fun and games every Tuesday at 2pm at Woodcourt, South Road, HA8 0BF. Phone 07909 998463 for details
Free coffee morning. Open to all, just pop in for a chat and to meet new friends. Help with IT (computers) is available. Mondays 10.30am—12pm Burnt Oak Library, Watling Avenue, Edgware HA8 0UB Contact: Amanda on 020 8432 1415 or email amanda.radonich@ageukbarnet.org.uk
Child’s Hill & Cricklewood
Games Afternoon On alternate Tuesdays from 2pm—4pm St Agnes Centre hosts an over 55s games afternoon. Come along and make new friends while having fun! Refreshments provided and free parking available. At St Agnes Centre, Gillingham Road (off Cricklewood Lane) NW2 1RL Contact: Joan at the Parish Office on 020 8 452 2475 or Amanda on 020 8432 1415 or email: amanda.radonich@ageukbarnet.org.uk
Gentle exercise to music group Mondays 10.30am – 11.30am (£3) at St Agnes Centre, Gillingham Road, Cricklewood, NW2 1RL Telephone: 020 8432 1415
Edgware & Stonegrove
Coffee morning – Every Wednesday 10.30am – 12noon Truth Hall, St. Margaret’s Church. Free entry.
Coffee morning – Open to all. Thursdays 10.30am—12pm Edgware Library, Hale Lane HA8 8NN Contact: Amanda on 020 8432 1415 or email amanda.radonich@ageukbarnet.org.uk
Community Choir – Mondays 4pm-5pm. Larches Community Trust 1 Rectory Lane Contact Nazra on 07909 998463. Free
East Finchley
Computers and a Cuppa. Help to use the internet for those starting from scratch, or those wanting to improve their computer skills. Tuesdays 2 – 4pm at Homefield Gardens , Wednesday 2 – 4pm at Wilmot Close, Thursdays 10-12noon, Seasons Café, 205 High Road, N2 8AN. Call for details: 07909 998453 or us@efab.org.uk
Exercise – gentle exercise to music. £3 each. Mondays 2pm – 3pm, Low impact exercise for the more active, Wednesdays 2.15pm – 3.15pm and Exercise Class, Thursdays 11am 12pm at Age UK, Ann Owens Centre, N2 8LT
Table tennis. Come and play table tennis for free – all ages and abilities welcome. Tuesdays 2:30-4.00pm Shree Aden Depala Centre, Church Lane, East Finchley. Call for details: 07909 998453 or us@efab.org.uk
Friern Barnet
Love to Dance – St John’s Parish Centre Friern Barnet Road N11 3EQ Wednesdays 10am – 12noon Contact: 020 3675 7246 or email lewissones@saracens.net for details and cost
Men’s Shed – Men get together to do woodwork, gardening, bike and vehicle repairs. Freehold Community Centre, Alexandra Road. N10 2EY Call Chris on 07935 324578 or email freeholdcms@gmail.com
Walking Football – Thursdays 11am – noon. Power League Pitches, Bobby Moore Way, off Colney Hatch Lane, N10 1ST. Call Roger on 07817 11642
Finchley
Outdoor Fitness Class – Mondays 9.30am-10.30am. Friary Park, (opposite Ashurst Road) North Finchley N12 9PD. Contact Karen on 020 8150 0967 or email eatwell@ageukbarnet.org.uk Cost £1.50
Hendon
Make Friends With A Book Mondays 1.30-3pm. Cheshire Hall Community Centre, Fosters Street, NW4 2AA. Contact: Paul on 07815 554713. Free.
Available at Barnet Multicultural Centre, Algernon Road, NW4 3TA
Ballroom dancing First and third Tuesday of the month, 11am—11.40am Call 020 8202 3794 for details. Cost: £3
Zumba Gold Tuesdays 10am—10.40am Call 020 8202 3794 Cost: £3
Tai Chi Thursdays 11am—12pm Contact: Lisa or Dawn on 020 8432 1415 Cost: £3
High Barnet & Whetstone
Love to Dance Class incorporates various dance styles – Salsa, Line, Cha Cha Cha, Bollywood, Rock ‘n’ Roll and many more at Underhill Baptist Church Elton Avenue, Barnet EN5 2EA Contact: 020 3675 7246 or email annabelhay@saracens.net Cost: £4.50 Tuesdays 10am—12pm
Yoga – Thursdays 11am – 12noon. Manor Drive Methodist Church, N20 0DZ. Contact Nila on 07800 708824 for more information and costs.
Make friends with a book – reading group meets every Tuesday at 2.30pm – 3.30pm at Chipping Barnet Library. Call Paul on 07815 554713 for details. Free
Mill Hill & Totteridge
Gentle exercise – Fridays 12pm—1pm Mill Hill East Church, Salcombe Gardens, NW7 2NT. Contact: Ken Smith on 020 8922 3464 or email kenjssmith@yahoo.co.uk Cost: £4.00.
Seated exercise to Music. St Paul’ Church, The Ridgway NW7 1QU Fridays 10.15am – 11.15am. Cost: £2 including refreshments. Contact: 020 8906 3797
Tai Chi – Tuesdays 11am – noon. Eversfield Centre, 11 Eversfield Gardens, NW7 2AW Contact Deborah on 020 8432 1420 Cost £3
Tuesday Lunch for a Fiver!
Silver Service takes place in Edgware and East Finchley every Tuesday with several local cafés and restaurants offering £5 set meal deals to customers over 60 years of age, and their guest. Look out for the Silver Service logo on restaurant and café windows.
CONTACT US
If you have material you would like to include in this newsletter, please email info@barnetseniors.org.uk