Older People's Network

A member of the Surrey Business, Surrey Heath, Guildford and Surrey communities

About Older People's Network

The Older Peoples Network brings together people in Guildford, Waverley and Surrey Heath to share information and encourage best practice in supporting the needs of older people.

Meeting four times a year, Network members include health professionals, council representatives, individuals, and voluntary sector organisations.

Anyone with an interest in ageing or issues of relevance to older people is welcome to attend. If you would like more information please email info@vasws.org.uk

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Visit our website at http://www.voluntaryactionsws.org.uk

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Latest posts

Updates From Age UK Surrey

Coffee Mornings with Catherine

Age UK's social coffee groups have gone online. This is a great opportunity for people to meet and get to know others while having the opportunity to find out information and advice from Catherine, the Information and Advice manager, about issues that matter to them.

The virtual get togethers are via Zoom and digital volunteers can help people to get online if needed. The groups are running every Monday and Thursday 2-3pm. To book please email: enquiries@ageuksurrey.org.uk.

This service is supported by the Surrey Virtual Wellbeing Hub. For other virtual health and wellness activities visit: https://virtualwellbeing.healthysurrey.org.uk

Organisation Update

Age UK continue to work remotely, with limited office visiting. They are not yet receiving visitors but continue to support clients by telephone and virtually. They are constantly reviewing the situation in accordance with Government guidelines. The Information and Advice team can answer questions and provide advice on a range of issues and will triage into services according to the needs of clients. Home visiting is being undertaken by the Home Helps and Gardeners in the Help at Home team, which is now offering a full service again.

Age UK Surrey commits to doing their utmost to ensure the safety of clients; the Home Helps and Gardeners are comprehensively briefed, have access to PPE and, most importantly, maintain social distancing throughout. The wellbeing team of staff and volunteers continue to support clients by telephone and they are currently exploring home visiting guidelines for volunteers.

Warm Homes This Winter

Thanks to Eon’s support, Age UK Surrey has funding to support clients to make sure they stay warm and well this winter. They will help identify benefits that people are entitled to and support them to make the claim. The advice is always free, confidential and impartial.

Distance Aware Initiatives

The Distance Aware scheme is a national initiative enabling individuals and organisations to politely prompt ongoing distancing and respect of individual social space. The scheme was designed to help the group of people with who have underlying health conditions politely enforce their need for social distancing. There are a number of ‘badges’ which can be downloaded to your phone or printed to assist in politely enforce social distancing.

To download the badges, follow this link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/please-give-me-space-social-distancing-cards-or-badges

Sunflower Hidden Disability Lanyards

Please be aware of the Sunflower Hidden Disability Lanyards - anyone wearing one of these lanyards has a hidden disability and may not be wearing a mask or able to socially distance how others do. Please give them a bit of space and understanding. Many people are having a hard time while out and about and about at the moment, a bit of understanding goes a long way.

Right at Home Guildford are giving away 150 official Sunflower Hidden Disability Lanyards to individuals in the local community who have dementia or another hidden disability. Just give them a call on 01252 783426 or email hello@rightathomegf.co.uk with your details. Do share this information, the more people who are aware the better.

For more information about Sunflower Hidden Disability Lanyards, follow this link - https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com

Tech How To Guides

Surrey Coalition of Disabled People has developed Tech How To guides along with app reviews that can be downloaded from their website.

The guides include help on joining a video conference (this is also available as an easy read version) help for android and Apple users, and guides to help you with smart home devices, as well as app reviews.

For more information and to download the guides, here is the link to the website - https://surreycoalition.org.uk/tech-how-to-guides/#apps

Citizens Advice Waverley New Video Advice Service Live In All Waverley Offices From 27th July

Following the success of the pilot Video Advice Service in the Farnham office, Citizens Advice Waverley will be extending this service to all Waverley offices from Monday 27th July.

Please see the below details, opening times and information for those wishing to access the service in any of the Waverley offices:

Farnham

50 South St, Farnham GU9 7RN

Monday - Thursday, 10am-1.30pm

Cranleigh

Village Way, Cranleigh GU6 8AF

Monday - Thursday,10am-1pm

Haslemere

Well Lane, Haslemere GU27 2LB

Monday, 10am-1pm

Tuesday, 1pm-5pm

Wednesday - Thursday, 10am-2pm

Godalming

Baptist Church 5 Queen St, Godalming GU71BA

Monday - Friday, 10am-2pm.

The team will continue to provide advice for those with access to phone or email in the normal way:

  • Telephone: Call Advice line 0344 848 7969 to speak to an adviser
The Video Advice Service is for local people who do not have access to telephone or email or whose information and advice needs cannot be met by the current service and who can safely come to the office (with someone to support them if necessary). It is possible that appointments may be available immediately.

Alternatively, support agencies or carers in Waverley can assist by alerting the team of potential clients who cannot easily contact Citizens Advice via the following email address: admin@waverleycab.cabnet.org.uk

Access to the office can be gained by using the door intercom system. Unfortunately, anyone exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms will not be permitted to enter the office.

Infection control measures and equipment will be in place in the office including hand sanitiser at the entrance (which visitors will be required to use). All visitors will be directed to an interview room where they will access the advice they need via a video link to an adviser. They will be given clear instructions at all times.

The South West Surrey Domestic Abuse Outreach Service will continue to provide a telephone and email based service, (01483 898884, or email swr@swsda.org.uk )

If you would like to discuss anything further about the Video Advice Service, please contact the team via: admin@waverleycab.cabnet.org.uk

Update About The Alzheimer’s Society Services

Alzheimer’s Society in Surrey is still supporting people affected by dementia. Please find details below of the services they are currently providing:

Dementia Navigator one-to-one phone support - While unable to conduct their face to face services during the coronavirus outbreak, they will continue to support people affected by dementia with phone support. Referrals can be made using the referral form and emailing to surrey@alzheimers.org.uk or surrey.alzheimers@nhs.net The referral form can be sent to you independently upon request.

Welfare calls, providing ongoing support can be arranged by the Dementia Navigator - This could be weekly, fortnightly or monthly dependent on need and risk of the person affected by dementia.

Dementia Connect Support line 0333 150 3456 - Dementia Advisers will listen and give the support and advice needed, including coronavirus advice, connecting people affected by dementia to the help they need and referring to the Dementia Navigator service if required. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/dementia-connect-support-line

• Talking Point - Dementia Talking Point is a helpful online community where anyone who is affected by dementia can receive valuable support. It's free, open day or night, and can be accessed online. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/talking-point-our-online-community/what-talking-point

Website - A wealth of information to support people affected by dementia including fact sheets, research information, campaigns and online shop.https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Service Update From Age UK Surrey

Here are a couple more services that Age UK Surrey has set-up to help people get through the pandemic:

Age UK Surrey Call of Friendship and Support for Veterans:

The project has been set up in recognition that veterans, like many older people, are feeling more isolated than ever before. The project wraps their current emergency services and tailors them for veterans (Information and Advice, Emergency Shopping, Check in and Chat and Digital Help Telephone Support). They are also offering veterans, who receive a Check-in and Chat call, the opportunity of joining other veterans in a regular virtual coffee morning.

Please signpost or refer veterans, including people who served in National Service, who would benefit from the Call of Friendship and Support project to Age UK Surrey. The Call of Friendship project will run until mid-November 2020 and has been made possible by the support of the Armed Forces Covenant Trust.

Contact Age UK Surrey on telephone 01483 503414 or email enquiries@ageuksurrey.org.uk

Surrey Virtual Hub – Age UK Surrey Information and Advice sessions:

The Surrey Virtual Wellbeing Hub is a digital platform designed to connect Surrey residents to online resources and support available across Surrey. The Hub has been made possible through a joint partnership between Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership, Surrey County Council, Surrey and Borders Partnership and other voluntary sector partners. It is a one-stop-shop for connecting people to online wellbeing support either through self-referral or referral from a third party. Age UK Surrey are offering free virtual Information and Advice sessions every Thursday at 2pm. Everyone over 50 years old and carers are welcome.

For more information please visit: https://virtualwellbeing.healthysurrey.org.uk/or to book directly email: enquiries@ageuksurrey.org.uk

Service Update from Age UK Surrey

Age UK have Surrey been extremely busy during this unprecedented time setting up new services ensuring all older people in Surrey can be supported and helped during the enforced lockdown/isolation.

Please see below for details about the new services they have introduced and how your clients or anyone you know, can access them:

Age UK Surrey Emergency Shopping Service

This is a free service available to older people who are not able to access online food deliveries or go to the shops because they are staying home to keep safe. The emergency shopping service is for people who need essential items. They can also help with collecting prescriptions.

The team match people who need support with a volunteer who lives nearby. For more information please telephone Age UK Surrey on: 01483503414 or email: enquiries@ageuksurrey.org.uk

Age UK Surrey Check in and Chat - Telephone Befriending Service

The team are offering a new telephone service, Check in and Chat, for older people across the county. One of the best ways of helping someone during this unsettling time is by keeping in touch. They are able to offer this service through the support of volunteers who they match with people who would like to receive a regular telephone call. If you know of anyone who would benefit from this service please call Age UK Surrey on 01483 503414 or email: enquiries@ageuksurrey.org.uk

Age UK Surrey - Help with Getting Online

Staying at home and staying safe has given rise to lots of new initiatives and ways to virtually speak to friends and family, access shows, art collections, quiz nights, concerts, keep fit classes, nature and open spaces plus more, all from the comfort of your own home!

If your clients need digital help to get online to take advantage of the many new initiatives that are on offer, Age UK Surrey's computer drop-in volunteers are offering a free telephone service arranged at a time and day that is mutually convenient. Whatever the question they will have a volunteer who can help. Please call Age UK Surrey on 01483 503414 or email: enquiries@ageuksurrey.org.uk

Virtual Adventures at Home

The Technology department at our local partners, the University of Surrey, has been busy working on bringing us Virtual Adventures from Home, put together by Professor Caroline Scarles, Professor of Technology in Society.

From the comfort of your own home, take a tour around the most amazing sporting venues, theatres, exhibitions, nature and national parks. There will be one tour released a week. For more information and to keep up to date with where you can travel to, here's the website: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2020-03/virtual-adventures-from-home.pdf

Healthy Surrey Virtual Wellbeing Hub

Focus on your wellbeing with the Surrey Virtual Wellbeing Hub. Join a coffee morning from your kitchen, or a Zumba class from your living room!

Here's the link for you to find a session - https://www.healthysurrey.org.uk/mental-wellbeing/adults/virtual

Godalming and Villages Community Store Now Open

Godalming Town Council, in partnership with Farncombe and Godalming Coronavirus Community Assistance Group to supplement the work of the St Marks Food bank, have opened the Community Store at the Wilfrid Noyce Centre.

The store can assist those within our community in need of help with some of life’s basics during these unprecedented and difficult times. It is also working with the organisers of the Community Fridge to offer some fresh produce. Social distancing will be observed.

To book your slot to access the store please call 01483 523575 (Mon-Fri 9-5) or email office@godalming-tc.gov.uk

Please mention if you are shielding or isolating at time of call. https://godalming-tc.gov.uk/community-store/