A message from Age UK

Dear friends and partners, we hope that you had the best Christmas possible in the current circumstances and know that we are all wishing for better year in 2021.

Current situation in Tier 4:
The move to Tier 4 was not wholly unexpected and we already had our plans in place, so I wanted to send you an update on how Age UK WSBH are continuing to support people, not only in the Horsham District, but across West Sussex, Brighton & Hove.

The only change at this time is that sadly we have to suspend our Dementia Daybreak Clubs in Tier 4, which we know is a difficult decision for all those that we support. All of our services are kept under review as we follow Government guidelines.

As previously, our centres remain closed to all but essential staff. Although we miss everyone, we need to ask that people don’t pop round, for example to drop things off or have forms checked as we really do need to ensure that we are keeping everyone as safe as we possibly can. There will be the warmest welcome waiting for you when we can open again!

We’re still here for older people:
Our other services are still up and running via the telephone on our main number 01903 731800. All of our Horsham calls are being redirected to this main number, so it doesn’t matter if people call our usual number – they will still get through!

Via a phone call, we can offer:

• Information & advice service: (Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove | Information and advice for later life).
• Home from Hospital service: (Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove | Home From Hospital).

• Take home & settle and relative Support: (Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove|Take Home and Settle Service).

• Help @ Home – paid for service: (Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove | Home Help service).

Please note that this service includes helping people with their shopping needs if no other support is in place

• Befriending Service - currently only phone calls: (Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove - Befriending Service).

Particularly important at this time is our Winter Warmer Campaign

Keep well this Winter: (ageuk.org.uk)

You may recall that we are able to offer help and guidance to older people on how to stay warm and well in the colder months and the website gives full details of the support available.

The Winter Warmer Campaign also includes freshly prepared meals (frozen for safe transportation), with a dessert option if it takes your fancy. There will be a variety of choices and we can cater for all dietary requirements. These meals are for anyone over the age of 50, but particularly helpful for those who may be struggling financially, or have barriers to cooking meals for themselves. People have the choice of having two meals delivered or a whole week’s worth if they would like.

If you know of anyone who would like to receive a meal delivery, please call our main number 01903 731800 and select option 3. You can then arrange to have meals delivered by our volunteers direct to your door. We are asking for a suggested donation of £2 per meal, but of course the food is free to all who need it.

Finally:
The Met Office has issued a level 2 Cold Weather Alert for the Southeast. Please can you inform any older people you support that there is a strong chance of temperatures falling below 2°C until 9.00 Friday 1st January and check that they have everything they need to keep warm and well.

Exposure to the cold can have a devastating impact on older people, who are particularly vulnerable to the impact of low temperatures. As people get older it takes longer to warm up which can be bad for health. Breathing in cold air lowers the body temperature, and raises the risk of chest infections, heart attacks and strokes.

Ask older people to heat their home to a steady temperature throughout the day and night, we recommend at least 18°C (64°F), and wear suitable clothing. It is also best to keep bedroom windows shut on a winter’s night.

More detailed forecasts for individual regions can be found on the: Met Office website here:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/cold-weather-alert/#?tab=coldWeatherAlert

Take care everyone and stay safe 😊

Sending you our warmest wishes for a better and brighter New Year.

Stacey and the team at Age UK WSBH. Stacey Cullen - Development Manager

Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove Lavinia House, Dukes Square, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1GZ

T: 01403 260560. M:07817 845718

E: stacey.cullen@ageukwsbh.org.uk

W: www.ageuk.org.uk/horshamdistrict