Do know a business that goes out of their way to make sure older customers feel comfortable, safe, welcomed and happy? The Age Friendly Tourism Award (part of the Bristol, Bath and Somerset annual Tourism Awards) recognises and celebrates those … Continued
In keeping with the Government’s latest guidance, we will be closing Ash House office again as from Monday 28 September until further notice. The office had been open in a limited way since September 7th on an “appointment-only” basis. All … Continued
As you may have seen, the Government has issued updated guidance according to the new rules on safely meeting with others. The main points from the guidance are: Seeing friends and family You must: Meet in groups of 6 or … Continued
Are you aged over 50? Do you need help to set up Zoom so you can stay in touch with family and friends? Are you struggling with online shopping? The highly experienced and skilled team at Bridgwater’s Engine Room are … Continued
We’ve been getting reports of people receiving “track and trace NHS” phone calls, saying “we need to send you a kit. It’s £50. Can you give me card details?” This is a scam. Tests for Covid 19 are free from … Continued
So far we have sent out over 220 balls of wool and more than a dozen charities have benefited! We’ve been delighted to receive feedback from the recipients of the wool about what a difference it has made during lockdown … Continued
Scammers posing as representatives of online retail giant Amazon are targeting the public via email and telephone in a series of phishing scams. The telephone scam consists of an automated call informing the recipient that they have opened an Amazon … Continued
With services opening up slowly across the UK we wanted to keep you updated on where we are with regards to our services and our office opening. Currently we are all working from home and our Taunton office will remain … Continued
We’ve now sent over 200 balls of wool out to over 60’s across Somerset and North Somerset as part of our Balls for Boredom scheme. The wool, which is new, has been donated by various kind businesses and individuals, and … Continued
This information has been taken from a Somerset West and Taunton Council update. Phased re-opening of Somerset Libraries with new order-and-collect service “We are very pleased to announce that as part of the phased reopening of library buildings, the order-and-collect … Continued
If you are at home and isolated and love a good old fashioned singalong you should join a sofa sing-a-long from Goldies Live! The GOLDIES charity used to have 200 daytime groups meeting up to sing. These are closed for … Continued
The Somerset West Lottery was set up to help charities working across the Somerset West area (previously Taunton Deane and West Somerset). When you buy a ticket you have the chance to win prizes including a £25,000 jackpot but at … Continued
Shape Mendip Lottery was set up to help charities working across Mendip. When you buy a ticket you have the chance to win prizes including a £25,000 jackpot but at the same time 60% of the ticket price is donated … Continued
Our team of staff and volunteer delivery drivers were out again yesterday (30th June) to give a friendly hello and bags of food essentials to older people in need across Somerset and North Somerset. We have now completed 150 food … Continued
National Trading Standards have teamed up with Trucall to offer free call blockers to consumers to help combat the rise of scam calls during the pandemic. They previously paused their call blocker project due to Covid-19 but will now re-open … Continued
Or perhaps you have friends, family or neighbours that might be interested? The sessions will run for 30 mins on ZOOM, dates to be confirmed. (don’t let ZOOM put you off, you will be offered support to use it) Just … Continued
As Age UK Somerset is a Somerset charity, and as one of the most well known things in Somerset is the Glastonbury Festival, and as it is Glastonbury Festival time, we thought we could have a little fun and also … Continued
Do you know anyone over 70 in Portishead, Easton-In-Gordano, Nailsea, Clevedon or Long Ashton, perhaps living alone or a couple, who are isolating, missing people and could do with cheering up? A very kind hospitality professional called Lisa has come … Continued
Tonight we were due to hold a fundraising concert featuring the marvellous Richard Lennox! Of course we’ve had to postpone, so instead here’s a video of him playing the Albert Hall! If you feel like dropping some spare change in … Continued
Marcus Trescothick introduces this short video about how the NHS, Somerset County Council and local charities (including Age UK Somerset) have come together to give emotional support and counselling and someone to talk to if you are feeling isolated or … Continued
As of yesterday (Monday 25 May 2020) at 8am Weston General Hospital temporarily stopped accepting new patients, including into its A&E department. This is a precautionary measure in order to maintain the safety of staff and patients in response to … Continued
Mental Health Awareness Week is the UK’s national week to raise awareness of mental health and mental health problems and inspire action to promote the message of good mental health for all. Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, it takes … Continued
This clip of Margaret and Derek celebrating their 70th Anniversary appeared on BBC Radio Somerset’s feed on Twitter. You may not have access to Twitter so I thought I’d share this lovely story here…..
Full advice on how to wear and to make your own cloth face covering can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering The following information is taken from the Government website: Making your own face covering Using a T-shirt You will need: an … Continued
This week staff and volunteers from Age UK Somerset “knocked and ran” but in a good way as we delivered free food bags to 50 older people in need across Somerset and North Somerset. The bulging bags containing long-life essentials … Continued
Trading Standards have just informed us of a scam related to face masks. In the latest scam, people receive calls informing them that wearing a mask while outdoors is obligatory, with the endgame being selling overpriced masks to the unaware. … Continued
Today (Tuesday 5th May), a team of Age UK Somerset staff will be delivering bags of free food and essential household items to older people in need across Somerset and North Somerset. The receipients have either contacted us themselves or … Continued
In this useful article from the MoneySavingExpert website they cover: – Registering as ‘extremely vulnerable’ on Gov.uk to receive help including: Free deliveries of food parcels. Your local authority will deliver a box with basic supplies such as pasta, cornflakes, tea … Continued
We held a Zoom meeting today so we could record a message to mark the 100th birthday of the awe-inspiring Captain Tom Moore. He may have raised an astounding £30 million for the NHS but his impact on the nation … Continued
Several of the major high street banks have contacted Age UK to share the measures they have put in place to support their older customers during the COVID-19 crisis. Below are the phone numbers of the banks that have set … Continued
So we are around 4 weeks into lockdown. For many its been tough. Cramped living accommodation and no outside space are two very common problems. Many are still finding it hard to get food and all are finding the prices … Continued
UPDATE: As of 20th April, Captain Tom Moore had raised over £25 million for the NHS! A 99-year-old army veteran, who has raised millions of pounds for the NHS, has finished his 100th lap live on BBC Breakfast – the … Continued
A 99-year-old army veteran who has raised more than £5m to help the NHS in the fight against Covid-19 has vowed to keep going even though he has smashed his original £1,000 target. Tom Moore aimed to complete 100 laps … Continued
Anyone who cannot leave home may be able to ask a trusted friend or volunteer to withdraw cash at any Post Office using a single-use voucher. The Post Office scheme is being extended and offered to all banks, building societies … Continued
For Volunteers who are shopping for someone else Asda has now introduced the Volunteer Shopping card. They say the card is a cashless – and less stressful – way for people to help get the shopping in. Ideal for those … Continued
If you are registered with www.nextdoor.co.uk then you can click on the Help Map symbol which looks like this: You will then see a map of your area with dots on. For example here is the map for the area … Continued
Full Fact is an independent fact checking charity who There are lots of misleading claims about Coronavirus and Covid 19 going around and FactCheck “There’s a lot of information out there about the new coronavirus, but not all of it … Continued
Well, that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about. Drivers who have an MOT due from Monday 30 March onwards will be granted a six-month extension because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Government have said that if the expiry … Continued
The Somerset Mental Health Alliance (of which Age UK Somerset is a part) has expanded its services to support adults and older people who may be struggling with their mental health as the county responds to the COVID-19 pandemic. Somerset … Continued
Welcome to our new website. We’ve created this new website especially to help all of us through these difficult times.Age UK Somerset has been supporting older people in our area for over 70 years and we will continue to do … Continued
What the guide is about These are uncertain times, and coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting lives across the country. It’s a new illness, so we don’t understand everything about it yet. But we do know how to reduce the risk of … Continued
To get one of the radios you have to be nominated through your local radio station.
A scam text has been sent telling people they are being given a £250 fine because they have been out of the house “more than once”.
Click here for the Coronavirus Guidance dated 30th March 2020. It covers: advice for those at greater risk current rules on social distancing what social distancing means handwashing and hygiene what you should do if you develop symptoms what you … Continued
The government is working with a partnership of the food industry, local government, local resilience and emergency partners, and voluntary groups, to ensure that essential items can be delivered to those who need it. As at 29th March they had … Continued
For information/new on some of the latest scams please visit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000gxqv/breakfast-28032020
The World Health Organisation is changing the phrase ‘social distancing’ to recommend ‘physical distancing’. This is a nod to the importance of human interaction to our physical and mental well-being. Instead of distancing ourselves socially we only need to do … Continued
By Phil Dolan, Chief Executive, Age UK Somerset Covid 19 is taking us all into unchartered territories. An understatement if ever there was one. Worrying times but also how uplifting to see so many people wanting to volunteer, to help, … Continued