Dear Good Neighbour April / May 2022
I hope everything is going well for you at the moment; remember we are here if you need any one-off odd job doing, or some general advice, and please get in touch if you would like to try any of our activities. We can support you if it would help. The older men’s Tuesday snooker afternoon would like to see a couple more participants, as would the newly started Wednesday exercise session at 1.30pm and the Drama group.
We hosted a successful health event at one of the Thursday coffee mornings in March as part of the local Age friendly work; there were plenty of stalls and lots of information was given out. 73 people came along, including some of our local councillors, and everyone was treated to a goodie bag.
Our Digital Drop in is still on every Thursday 10-12
If you have any query at all about your mobile phone or laptop/ tablet – how to set up WhatsApp, how to do online shopping or book an NHS appointment, or even how to send a text or look something up on the internet. All queries welcome ….it gets our brains working as well!
Lateral flow tests
If you ever need an LFT then I do have some spare tests here in the office so please get in touch with me. At the moment because of high rates of Covid infection the Trustees have decided that all volunteers and staff must continue to wear masks/ visors on site and when visiting older members at home, as well as hand sanitise and encourage as much ventilation indoors as possible.
Congratulations to volunteer Matt and partner Amaly on the birth of their son Alex, born on 4th March. Matt says he is Chorlton’s newest noisy neighbour.
Raffle for Ukraine;
At one coffee morning our generous members and volunteers raised £200 towards the Ukraine disaster appeal. Here is Arthur handing the cash over to the Rotarians in Fylde who are supporting an orphanage, raising £3000 per month for them.
Claiming what you are entitled?
One of our ladies followed up with BT and has managed to have her bill reduced by two thirds so I really encourage you to make a call and see if you could benefit as well.
It is estimated that in Manchester there are thousands of Pension Credit going unclaimed, with around 8,900 people aged 66 and over who are entitled non-recipients (ENRs). Claiming Pension Credit can have major health and wellbeing implications; gaining access to the warm home allowance, money to help improve quality of diet, and to allow more regular social contact helps older people to help themselves and live independent lives.
Pension Credit is made up of two components:
1. Guaranteed Credit tops up incomes to a guaranteed minimum level. There is no savings limit, but when savings surpass £10,000, entitlement reduces.
2. Savings Credit is available to those who retired before April 2016 and have a private or occupational pension.
NB: If you are a career, receive disability benefit, have housing costs, or are a primary caregiver to a child you may be entitled to Pension Credit even if your income is higher than the limit. Pension Credit can open up access to additional benefits which can, in some cases, add up to £1,000s of additional savings a year. Some companies offer additional reductions for those on Pension Credits, such as BT and United Utilities, which offers a ‘Help to Pay’ scheme for Pension Credit claimants which puts a cap on water bills
Greater Manchester Citizen’s Advice can help you to check if you can get a top up You can also call them on 0800 144 8848 Or try Care & Repair on 872 -5500 who can also do a check of your benefits entitlement
Have you had a fall recently or are you frightened of falling?
Have you lost confidence walking outside?
Then why not give the local Falls team a ring on 209-9967 and see if they can give you some specific advice and support. If you prefer me to contact them on your behalf, I can do that for you if you let me know.
Scam aler
A couple of members wish to send a warning for people to continue being vigilant about scams. People are getting phone calls from supposedly “The Council” requesting bank details to enable payment to be made for a fuel rebate. Please be very careful as no one should be asking for your bank details over the telephone.
Queen’s Jubilee Party celebration: Wednesday June 1st up at Houghend Police club we will be having a lovely meal, raffle, music and a chance to celebrate the platinum Jubilee. Please book your place as soon as you can.
Thursday 5th May: there will be no Coffee morning, Melodics singing group or Art session as the main hall will be used for local elections. We will resume as usual the week after.
Chorlton Arts Festival
Please come and support the drama group giving a performance of ‘Spring Chickens ‘at Coffee morning on Thursday 12th May 10.30am. Also, there is an exhibition of Artwork by our members on Thursday 19th May 1-2.30pm Just come along.
Keep well, summer is on the way
Kind regards,
Helen Hibberd, Co ordinator
Chorlton Good Neighbours 