Be aware of a Covid Vaccine Passport scam email going around that purports to be from the NHS and informs recipients that they can apply for their “Digital Coronavirus Passports”. Clicking on the link within the email, takes you to a convincing but fake NHS website that asks … Continued
More than two thirds of adults (36 million) have been targeted by a scammer since January, new research by Citizens Advice has found. While over 55s are most likely to be targeted, those 34 and under are almost five times … Continued
This Volunteer’s Week (1st to 7th June 2021) we asked our Volunteers to write a limerick involving volunteering and Somerset! Some are very funny, some are very poignant Here are just a few of the entries we’ve received so far!
A fundraising activity took place over the early May Bank Holiday weekend. A member of staff took requests in return for donations for over 100 animals to be drawn (badly).
We have received reports of a rise in a type of scam known as ‘Wangiri’ phone calls. These are calls in which the scammer will ring a person’s phone number but immediately hang up in the hope that the recipient … Continued
The innocent Big Knit campaign has returned and we are calling on local knitters and crocheters to get their knitting needles out to help raise urgent funds for the local older people most in need. This is the 18th year … Continued
We thought it would make our statistics more interesting if we illustrated some of our achievements over the last year using examples from our county to put them in perspective. Despite the lockdowns the Toenail Cutting service has continued, working … Continued
Warning: contains an image of someone receiving a vaccination! My Mum (77) went to have her Covid vaccine yesterday, and I went with her in case she needed me to drive her home. After the announcement on Monday 18th that … Continued
Millions of people aged 70 and over and those clinically extremely vulnerable to Covid-19 will start to be invited to get their vaccinations from today (Monday 18 January) as the NHS begins roll out of the vaccines to the next … Continued
Lots of questions have been raised about the Coronavirus vaccination procedure so we’ve pulled together some information from different sources that we hope you will find useful. Click on the + next to the questions below to see full information. … Continued
Because numbers have dropped North Somerset is moving down from Tier 3 to Tier from Saturday 19th December. This puts it in the same tier as Somerset and means that pubs can open and people can mix with up to … Continued
We’ve just added the first two weeks worth of online exercise sessions restarting in the New Year. So you can kick off your New Years resolution to get fit by booking ahead. The classes are open to anyone over 60 … Continued
If you are a co-op member, when you buy selected products or services, 2p for every £1 spent goes into your membership account. Co-op splits the same amount and donates it to local causes through the Co-op Local Community Fund. … Continued
Brigstowe have extended their Peer Mentoring service to now include North Somerset. They offer this service to anyone in North Somerset who has recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, or needs help managing it. They match clients up a … Continued
Every year, thousands of local older people call on Age UK Somerset for practical and emotional support. Before the outbreak of coronavirus, we were already facing a loneliness epidemic amongst older people. But as a result of the pandemic, this … Continued
Today an announcement was made putting Somerset into Tier 2 restrictions and North Somerset into Tier 3. Here are some diagrams from the Covid 19 Winter plan (version up to date on 26th November) to show you what you can … Continued
Action Fraud is warning people selling items online to be on the lookout for criminals sending fake PayPal emails. Between January 2020 and September 2020, 21,349 crime reports were made to Action Fraud about fake PayPal emails. Victims reported losing … Continued
A new report from the Journal of Trading Standards warns that Criminals are posing as COVID marshals and medical professionals to gain access to people’s homes. The scam is similar to earlier incidents this year in which fraudsters would pretend … Continued
The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year. This year’s theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is ‘mental health for all’. We all have mental health, just as we have physical health. … Continued
Mrs D OF Taunton WON! Because she bought a ticket WE WON too! Next time IT COULD BE YOU! Mrs D of Taunton (a real person) won £250 through the Somerset West Lottery last weekend! She said “I signed up … Continued
The latest issue of our eNewsletter has been published to coincide with International Older Persons Day (1st October). Make sure you subscribe so you get the next one, hot off the press, by email.
If you’ve recently received a diagnosis of dementia, or you know someone who has, it is worth finding out about. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is a programme of activities, for people with early on-set dementia or with mild to moderate … Continued
28th May 1970 – 18th September 2020 As you may know it was dear Di’s funeral this morning (30th September 2020). Under a grey sky and rain in the pretty village of Kentisbeare, Di’s service took place in the beautiful … Continued
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