News  ‘We truly have a lot to learn from Manchester’. Last September Manchester hosted a delegation of 25 elected mayors and their chief officers from the Rogaland region of Norway who wanted to find out more about the city’s age friendly work. They spent time with AFM, the Board, the GM Ageing Hub and Universities. They were so impressed with what they saw that they organised a conference last month to launch their new regional age friendly programme and invited AFM to Stavanger as key note speakers. AFM shared a platform with mayors, senior officers, older people’s groups and the national government minister for health and care. Elaine Unegbu, Chair of the AFM Older People’s Board, recorded a video which was shown at the event where she talked about older people’s voice and the role of the Board and the Assembly. The event made TV news and newspapers where the message was “we truly have a lot to learn from Manchester” and launched Norway’s new age friendly bench design.  Manchester’s cost of living advice line The Council’s free telephone cost of living advice line offers support with benefits and help with your rent, advice about debt and paying bills , food support and help to get online (support to access the internet, laptops, phones and data). The advice line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm 0800 023 2692or text 07860 022 876 or visit manchester.gov.uk/coladvice  Free SIM cards with internet access Any Manchester resident (over the age of 18) who is on a low income and struggling to pay for internet access can now get a free SIM loaded with free data. SIMs come with free internet access for up to 6 months! All you have to do is pop into your local library and ask for help. Click here to see the list of local libraries: list of libraries where you can access free data  New Book: Covid-19, Inequality and Older People: Everyday: Life During the Pandemic – Policy Press Our colleagues at the University of Manchester have launched a new book about Covid-19 and social exclusion experienced by older people living in areas of deprivation during the pandemic. Age Friendly Manchester was a sponsor of the work as we felt it provided a unique insight into the impact of Covid-19 on older people’s lives over the period of a year. Through older people’s voices the research reveals how older people adapted and coped (or not) during that period and crucially what changed for them over time. The book was launched on Monday 26 June at Manchester Museum and Elaine Unegbu, Chair of Age Friendly Manchester Older People’s Board and Dave Thorley from AFM were part of a panel reflecting on the legacy of covid on older people in the city. To order a copy visit this website: COVID-19, Inequality and Older People – Everyday Life during the Pandemic | Bristol University Press (bristoluniversitypressdigital.com)  Funding for North and some East Manchester Groups Are you a voluntary, community or social enterprise organisation in North Manchester? Would you like to work with a mentor to develop your organisation? Having already successfully supported seven local groups, Conversation 2 Cash is back to help small not-for-profit organisations in North and parts of East Manchester to develop their governance knowledge, skills and confidence as well as getting a £2,500 grant to develop their organisation and activities for local people. Your group will be matched to one of our six mentors, all with extensive experience of working in North Manchester and the voluntary sector. If you have been constituted for 12 months or more, have at least three board members and can commit to six months working with a mentor on a development plan, get in touch. We can help you complete the application form. We are open to applications from Monday 26 June 2023 until Monday 24 July 5pm. Find out more and apply at https://manchestercommunitycentral.org/conversation-2-cash  New pictures added to Centre for Ageing Better’s Positive Image Library The latest Ageing Better image library collection offers a realistic response to the poor representation of women aged 50 and over in adverts, film and on TV. The need for better representation is highlighted by a new survey the Centre has carried out jointly, which reveals nearly nine in ten (88%) women say the over 50s are represented poorly. The vibrant and dynamic images of six women with limited to no experience in the industry are the latest addition to Ageing Better’s image library which can use for free for a wide range of uses. There are many more images for people to use, go to the website to download images of your choice: https://ageingbetter.resourcespace.com/pages/home.php Active Travel Community Grants Transport for Greater Manchester are pleased to announce a new £535k grants programme, funded through the Department for Transport and Active Travel England Capability and Ambition Fund, that will support Greater Manchester’s active travel mission. Grants of up to £15,000 are available to small independent businesses, VCFSE sector organisations, community groups, schools and more. The grants can be used to buy accessible/ adaptive cycles, purchase cargo bikes and trailers and to deliver sustainable local initiatives or projects. Full guidance documentation and an application form can be downloaded here or requested by emailing Active.Travel@tfgm.com. The application deadline is on Friday 21 July 2023. Job Vacancies for Breakthrough Manchester’s Lived Experience Leaders Project Are you a disabled person, or do you have lived experience of disability or a long-term health condition? Do you live in the city of Manchester? Could you use your lived experience and knowledge to make Manchester a better place for disabled people? If so Breakthrough would love to hear from you. They have a new project funded by Manchester City Council with ten paid project team positions which are funded for three years. You can find out more at their website where they have information in many different formats: https://breakthrough-uk.co.uk/job-vacancies/ Pride in Ageing Releases ‘Box of Me’ Article and Podcast A group of Pride in Ageing volunteers have produced a new podcast and article which tell the story of the Pride in Ageing Advisory Group’s ‘Box of Me’ project. ‘Box of Me’ is a fun and informative group workshop for LGBTQ+ adults which invites you to think more about the plans you could put in place for the future, to ensure you can be your authentic and true self right to the end of your life and beyond. It was devised by LGBT Foundation’s Pride in Ageing programme in collaboration with St Ann’s Hospice. The podcast is now available here and forms part of a wider article for the Talking About my Generation website. Please note: the podcast and article contain frank discussions of death and dying, and a brief mention of suicide. For information on future ‘Box of Me’ sessions, please contact prideinageing@lgbt.foundation Household Costs Survey – Independent Age Last year, Independent Age carried out a survey into how the increase in cost of living was affecting people aged 65 and over in the UK. Since then, expenses have continued to rise. Now, Independent Age would like to know more about people’s experiences with these bills, including broadband, water, energy and council tax and views on the support that’s available from the government and service providers. Please fill out the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HSNB2PL  Free App to Help People Get Moving KOKU -Keep on Keep Up is an NHS approved digital program that has been developed with older adults to encourage people to move more and build strength. It enables older adults to access a tailored, evidence-based strength and balance exercise programme in addition to games on how to maintain bone health, home safety and stay hydrated. For a brief introduction to KOKU, please see this website www.kokuhealth.com. The exercise programme is low impact, slow and controlled and has been tested in many clinical trials. Trials have found KOKU is viewed very positively by older adults and people often have improved outcomes in balance, health status and confidence after 6 weeks independent use. It is available to download on tablets (not mobile phones) via the Apple App store for iPad users and Google Play Store for Android tablet users (please search ‘Koku Health’).  Free Home Delivery Service for Books Books to Go provides a home delivery service for Manchester residents of any age who have difficulty leaving their home or have issues with access. With over 30,000 items of stock there is bound to be something you will like to read. Manchester Libraries have books in ordinary and large-print size, talking books, music CD’s and films on DVD. You can also access digital services anytime, where you can download e-books, digital versions of your favourite magazine, audio books and use our online reference library. The staff can show you how to get started. How does it work? When you join the service you will be asked to give the experienced staff an idea of what you like to read and they will choose books for you according to your preferences. Is there a charge? No, the service is completely free. Anyone who has difficulty leaving their home, or is caring for someone who does, can register for the free Books to Go service. Call Manchester Libraries on 0161 227 3800 or email the Books to Go team at bookstogo@manchester.gov.uk Let’s Talk Bowl Screening The NHS really want to know about your experiences of bowel cancer screening, how people feel about it and help them to make changes as to how they promote screening. The survey is for people aged 54+ who live in Manchester or are registered with a Manchester GP and will take about 5 minutes to complete. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LWH2X8M  Community Guide to Levenshulme Levenshulme Inspire recently produced a community guide to Levenshulme to help local and new residents to the area to better connect to their community and to better negotiate local amenities. You can download the guide by clicking this link. Events and Activities  Recruitment Event – Manchester Central Library Are you a Manchester resident looking for a job? Book your slot on our forthcoming recruitment event where twenty plus multi sector employers will be on hand with jobs ready to fill. Manchester Central Library – 4 July Book your slot here: Recruitment Event (Work and Skills) Tickets, Tue 4 Jul 2023 at 10:00 | Eventbrite  Elders Mondays – Royal Exchange Theatre Want to meet new people and feel morecreative? Curious about theatre? Want to feel inspired? Then Elders Mondays Inspire at the Royal Exchange Theatre might be for you. On the first and third Monday of the month (excluding Bank Holidays), Elders Inspire sessions 11:00-11.40am are a chance to chat with some of our Elders, take part in creative activity (don’t worry you don’t need to be an expert) and find out how you can get more involved. “I get real enjoyment from being part of a supportive, enthusiastic group.” “Coming here, you’ve got a sense of purpose, it’s about belonging to something.” “I feel so happy, so confident, so creative, and I feel so safe and respected. You have helped me to shine” To find out more and arrange a visit, call Katrina on 0161 615 6721 or email katrina.heath@royalexchange.co.uk Inspire sessions are free to attend and we may be able to help with travel costs through our Arts Pot. https://www.royalexchange.co.uk/elders-mondays   Badge making workshops at Gorton Central Community Centre, Highmead Street, Manchester, M18 8PE. Sessions are free to attend and start at 10am and run until 12pm. Dates are: 3 July, 17 July, 31 July and 14 August To book email khulood.hussain@outlook.com or call 07827387965  Over 55s Monthly Book Club In Levenshulme Needs You! Do you like reading? Are you over 55? Can you get to Levenshulme? If so, you may be interested to know that our next Over 55s Monthly Book Club takes place on Wednesday 5 July from 1.00pm to 2.30pm. There are three new spaces available for any avid readers who would like to get involved. The club, hosted by Ria, occurs every month at Arcadia Library in Levenshulme. Each month a different book will be supplied by the library for reading in advance of the monthly discussions. All books are voted for by the group and all genres are welcome. The group has been going for several months now, and previous books read have included Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, which received a rather lukewarm reception and The Respectable Trade by Philippa Gregory, which had rave reviews. If you would like to get involved please contact Ray at Levenshulme Good Neighbours on 07396 321 077 or email ray@levenshulmegoodneighbours.org.uk Absolutely everyone, regardless of background, is made to feel very welcome at Levy Book Club. Teas and coffee and great chat are all provided! See you there! Online event – Sexual health and HIV in older adults – HIV Prevention England Thursday 6th July, 12:00-13:00 Join this event to hear from speakers Dr Gemma Spiers, NIHR Older People and Frailty Policy Research Unit, and Professor Kaye Welling, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, NIHR Public Health Policy Research Unit, who will be presenting their research findings on promoting sexual health in older adults. Alex Sparrowhawk from Terrence Higgins Trust will also be talking about his work on ageing with HIV. For more information visit ‘Sexual health and HIV in older adults’  Gorton’s Annual Carnival in the Park Come along to this very popular event at Debdale Park on Sunday 9 July, from 11am to 4pm. There will be a fun fair, stalls, live entertainment, classic cars and music.   Why not try learning new digital skills this summer? Manchester Adult Education are offering weekly digital skills drop-in workshops at venues across Manchester during July. Skill Up workshops can help you to access services, learn how to use a particular device, search for information quickly, or save money. Personalised learning in a friendly atmosphere Learn at your own pace, all abilities welcome No need to book in advance Bring your own device or use one of our computers Find a drop in near you: *Forum Learning, Wythenshawe, M22 5RX (0161 935 4080): Tuesdays 9.30-11.45 am *Greenheys Adult Learning Centre, Moss Side, M14 4HZ (0161 254 7314): Tuesdays 9.30-11.45 am *Hulme High Street Library, M15 5NN (0161 227 3739): Tuesdays 1.00-3.00 pm *Newton House Adult Learning Centre, Newton Heath, M40 1NY (0161 254 7706): Wednesdays 9.30-11.45 am *Gorton Hub, Hyde Road M18 8HE (0161 227 3737): Wednesdays 9:30-11.45 am (please note no session at Gorton Hub on 5 July) *Abraham Moss Adult Learning Centre, Crumpsall, M8 5UF (0161 219 6735): Tuesdays 12:45- 15:00 and Thursdays 9.30-11.45 am *Withington Adult Learning Centre, 24a Burton Road, M20 3ED (0161 234 5687): Thursdays 9.30-11.45 am *Fallowfield Library, The Place at Platt Lane, M14 7FB (0161 227 3744): Thursdays 1.00-3.00 pm *Longsight Library and Learning Centre, 519 Stockport Road, M12 4NE (0161 227 3706): Fridays 9.30-11.45 am For more information about workshops and other digital skills courses on offer, please visit the Manchester Adult Education website at https://manadulted.org.uk/courses/digital/ |
