Green Homes Grant Scheme is now open

The Green Homes Grant gives homeowners in England vouchers to help cover the cost of energy efficient improvements to their home – such as low carbon heating systems, insulation or double glazing to replace single glazing.

For most, the vouchers will be worth about two-thirds of the cost of the energy efficient improvements, up to a maximum of £5,000 per household.  If you are a private tenant your landlord can apply.

However, if you’re on a low income or certain benefits, you can get vouchers of up to £10,000 to cover the entire cost of installing the measures. (Homeowners only)

Qualifying benefits: income-based/contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-based/contribution-based employment and support allowance, income support, pension ‘guarantee’ credit, working tax credit, child tax credit, universal credit, disability living allowance, personal independence payment, attendance allowance, carer’s allowance, severe disablement allowance, industrial injuries disablement benefit and housing benefit.

Vouchers must be used to install at least one primary home insulation, (solid wall, under floor, cavity wall, loft, flat roof, room in roof), or low carbon heating measure.

If you install at least 1 of these, your voucher can also be used to help cover the cost of any of the following secondary measures: draught proofing, double/triple glazing (where replacing single glazed windows), secondary glazing (in addition to single glazing), external energy efficient doors (replacing single glazed or solid doors installed before 2002), heating controls or hot water tank thermostats and insulation. This can only be up to the same value as the primary measure.

All work must be completed within 6 months (by the end of March 2021) so if you want to take advantage of this scheme you need to do so as soon as possible.

There is now a Government website where you can find all the infomation and apply for a Green Homes Grant

Simple Energy Advice has lots of information as well as tools to help you check eligibility and find accredited tradespeople:  www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk   Or you can call them on 0800 444202.

Alternatively, if you want to chat to Valerie about this – call 0748 3333 115 or email valerie@caringtogether.org.uk

Creative Voices free workshops

A course of 12 free workshops for anyone who has experienced mental health/wellbeing challenges during the Covid-19 outbreak.

To book: https://www.huddlitfest.org.uk/event/creative-voices-workshops/

Update: there are very limited places left so you will need to be quick if you want to book

The course comprises:

  • 10 x weekly one-hour online creative writing workshops (Oct-Dec) delivered by a number of workshop tutors
  • 1 x online music workshop delivered by musician Rachel Ireland to transform work into a piece to be performed by a local choir (January 2021)
  • 1 x Spoken Word Performance workshop delivered by Michelle Scally Clarke (late Feb or early March, in person, Covid restrictions permitting)

Plus the additional option of either performing or seeing your work performed as a spoken word piece or sung by the Holmfirth Soul Choir (or another local choir) at a special Festival event at the end of March (date tbc).

There are four workshop groups to choose from – simply select your preference from the drop-down menu when you book:
Group 1: Tuesdays 11am-12 noon (start date: Tuesday 6 October for 10 weeks)
Group 2: Tuesdays 1pm-2pm (start date: Tuesday 6 October for 10 weeks)
Group 3: Thursdays 1pm-2pm (start date: Thursday 8 October for 10 weeks)
Group 4: Thursdays 7pm-8pm (start date: Thursday 8 October for 10 weeks)

Please ensure that you are able to attend at least 8 of the 10 autumn workshops before booking.

 

This project is being delivered in partnership with TSL Kirklees project Words in Mind and is supported by Kirklees Council’s ‘Do Something Now’ fund.

Dancing Through the Ages – an invitation

AVSED – the Neighbourhood Network Scheme for the Aireborough area are inviting you to join them on Thursday 1st October at 2pm for a celebration of International Day of Older People.

Every year Leeds finds new ways to celebrate older people and their contribution to society. This year’s theme is Age Proud: time to feel good about Ageing. This theme is about celebrating ageing and challenging the perception of older age and turning the perceived negatives into positives. Raising awareness of the diversity of activity for older people across Leeds and supporting the ambition for Leeds to be the Best City to Grow Old In.

We have decided to celebrate through dance this year so please join us to watch our video which showcases members of our community from age 3 to 93 as they dance through the decades.
Please join us on Zoom and watch the dance video, followed by a chat about your favourite music and dancing. We will be joined by the Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Eileen Taylor too!!!
The Zoom info is as follows:
Thursday 1st October 2pm
Password: IDOP2020″

‘Monday Mind Workout’ – answers for Monday 28th September 2020

Answers from yesterday’s ‘Monday Mind Workout’

WERE YOU ON SONG?

1 This hymn is often labelled as a credible national anthem rival: Jerusalem

Lyrics: “Bring me my bow of burning gold!

Bring me my arrows of desire!”

2 From a 1950s classic musical, it certainly won’t put a ­dampener on your mood: Singin’ in the Rain

Lyrics: “I walk down the lane

With a happy refrain.”

3 This rock masterpiece was rumoured to be the most expensive single ever made on its 1975 release: Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen

Lyrics: “Because I’m easy come, easy go

A little high, little low.”

4 This ballad was written to comfort one of the band member’s sons: Hey Jude – The Beatles

Lyrics: “Take a sad song and make it better

Remember to let her under your skin.”

5 Patriotic song associated with the Royal Navy: Rule Britannia

Lyrics: “When Britain first, at Heaven’s command

Arose from out the azure main.”

6 The unofficial anthem of ­Yorkshire: On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘At

Lyrics: “Wheear ‘ast tha bin sin’ ah saw thee, ah saw thee?”

7 Ol’ Blue Eyes made it one of the most famous tunes in the world: My Way – Frank Sinatra

Lyrics: “Regrets, I’ve had a few

But then again, too few to mention.”

8 Fun times in a Yorkshire seaside town: Scarborough Fair

Lyrics: “Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

Remember me to one who lives there

She once was a true love of mine.”

9 This band certainly had an Edge in it: With or Without You – U2

Lyrics: “Through the storm, we reach the shore

You give it all but I want more.”

10 A regular feature of Last Night of the Proms: Land of Hope and Glory

Lyrics: “Wider still and wider shall thy bounds be set

God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet.”

11.It only hit the number one spot in the British charts after the singer’s untimely death in 1980: Imagine – John Lennon

Lyrics: “I hope someday you’ll join us

And the world will be as one.”

12 Typical Cockney’s song, according to the musical Me and My Girl:   Lambeth Walk

Lyrics: “Any evening, any day

You’ll find us all

Doin’ the ——- —-.”

13 This 1997 movie theme song’s success did not sink like the ship: My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion

Lyrics: “Far across the distance

And spaces between us.

You have come to show you, go on.”

14 The band’s warring brothers hate each other: Wonderwall – Oasis

Lyrics: “And all the roads we have to walk are winding

And all the lights that lead us there are blinding.”

15 Always Sung before the FA Cup Final: Abide With Me

Lyrics: “Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;

Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away.”

16 A favourite from The Forces’ Sweetheart: (There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover – Vera Lynn

Lyrics: “I’ll never forget the people I met

Braving those angry skies

I remember well as the shadows fell

The light of hope in their eyes.”

17 It was the first record by a Welsh artist to top the US chart: Total Eclipse Of The Heart – Bonnie Tyler

Lyrics: “And I need you now tonight

And I need you more than ever.”

18 Popular in New Orleans and football grounds: When the Saints Go Marching In

Lyrics: “Oh when the trumpet sounds the call

Oh lord I want to be in that number.”

19 Found fame a second time around thanks to one of a hit film’s most romantic scenes: Unchained Melody – Righteous Brothers

Lyrics: “Lonely rivers flow

To the sea, to the sea.”

20 Penned when the writers were just 17, it features a famous sax riff: Careless Whisper – George Michael

Lyrics: “So I’m never gonna dance again

The way I danced with you.”

sourced:www.mirror co. uk quiz lost for words

‘Monday Mind Workout’ Monday 28th September 2020

Good morning,
 
Today’s ‘Monday Mind Workout’ is: Name that Tune:
 
1 This hymn is often labelled as a credible national anthem rival.
Lyrics: “Bring me my bow of burning gold!

Bring me my arrows of desire!”

2 From a 1950s classic musical, it certainly won’t put a ­dampener on your mood.

Lyrics: “I walk down the lane

With a happy refrain.”

3 This rock masterpiece was rumoured to be the most expensive single ever made on its 1975 release.

Lyrics: “Because I’m easy come, easy go

A little high, little low.”

4 This ballad was written to comfort one of the band member’s sons.

Lyrics: “Take a sad song and make it better

Remember to let her under your skin.”

5 Patriotic song associated with the Royal Navy

Lyrics: “When Britain first, at Heaven’s command

Arose from out the azure main.”

6 The unofficial anthem of ­Yorkshire.

Lyrics: “Wheear ‘ast tha bin sin’ ah saw thee, ah saw thee?”

7 Ol’ Blue Eyes made it one of the most famous tunes in the world.

Lyrics: “Regrets, I’ve had a few

But then again, too few to mention.”

8 Fun times in a Yorkshire seaside town.

Lyrics: “Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

Remember me to one who lives there

She once was a true love of mine.”

9 This band certainly had an Edge in it.

Lyrics: “Through the storm, we reach the shore

You give it all but I want more.”

10 A regular feature of Last Night of the Proms.

Lyrics: “Wider still and wider shall thy bounds be set

God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet.”

11 It only hit the number one spot in the British charts after the singer’s untimely death in 1980

Lyrics: “I hope someday you’ll join us

And the world will be as one.”

12 Typical Cockney’s song, according to the musical Me and My Girl.

Lyrics: “Any evening, any day

You’ll find us all

Doin’ the ——- —-.”

13 This 1997 movie theme song’s success did not sink like the ship.

Lyrics: “Far across the distance

And spaces between us.

You have come to show you, go on.”

14 The band’s warring brothers hate each other.

Lyrics: “And all the roads we have to walk are winding

And all the lights that lead us there are blinding.”

15 Always Sung before the FA Cup Final.

Lyrics: “Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;

Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away.”

16 A favourite from The Forces’ Sweetheart

Lyrics: “I’ll never forget the people I met

Braving those angry skies

I remember well as the shadows fell

The light of hope in their eyes.”

17 It was the first record by a Welsh artist to top the US chart.

Lyrics: “And I need you now tonight

And I need you more than ever.”

18 Popular in New Orleans and football grounds.

Lyrics: “Oh when the trumpet sounds the call

Oh lord I want to be in that number.”

19 Found fame a second time around thanks to one of a hit film’s most romantic scenes.

Lyrics: “Lonely rivers flow

To the sea, to the sea.”

20 Penned when the writers were just 17, it features a famous sax riff.

Lyrics: “So I’m never gonna dance again

The way I danced with you.”

Good luck.

sourced: mirror co.uk

NHS doctors look to tackle misinformation about coronavirus

The local NHS has bought together NHS doctors and public health to talk about misinformation about coronavirus on Tuesday 29 September, from 6 to 7.30pm on NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) Facebook page www.facebook.com/nhsleeds

The speakers for the evening are Dr Mo Sattar, Dr Andrew Lee, Dr Mizanul Hoque, and Dr Najeeb Rahman. This first session is part of a number of online health education sessions that the CCG will be looking to hold in response to feedback from local people looking for trusted information online.

Dr Mohammed Sattar, GP in Leeds, said: “There’s a lot of misinformation about coronavirus, you hear different things from a number of sources and feel overwhelmed with so much information that you don’t know what to believe.

“The purpose of this Facebook Live session is to explore some of that misinformation, this includes social distancing, how you can reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus, when to get tested and myth busting. We want people to hear what GPs and other health professionals are saying to take away that learning, and to share with family, friends and people within their communities.

“There’s so much information on social media, some of it which is true and some of it isn’t. Some of us will take in what’s being said on the news whether this is in England or your home country. However, we need to feel assured that the information we hear and read is accurate and reliable. Having this live session, we’re hoping to uncover some of the information which may be misleading and inaccurate.”

Dr Jason Broch, GP and Clinical Chair at NHS Leeds CCG, said: “By running the Facebook Live session we’re hoping to provide misinformation about coronavirus.

“It’s an opportunity for people learn more and they can submit their questions to the speakers in advance or on the day of the live session. I would strongly encourage Leeds residents to join the session, we can only overcome misinformation about coronavirus if we hear the truth from healthcare professionals who will give advice in line with the current government guidelines. Visit the NHS website which has the most up to date and accurate information about coronavirus.

“Over the coming months we will be looking to deliver more of these sessions, this will include winter health and cancer signs and symptoms, as well as prevention.”

Join the Facebook Live session on Tuesday 29 September, from 6 to 7.30pm on NHS Leeds CCG Facebook page www.facebook.com/nhsleeds

Questions to the speakers can be sent in advance of the live session, they can be sent by email leedsccg.comms@nhs.net or by Facebook www.facebook.com/nhsleeds or Twitter https://twitter.com/nhsleeds

Image may contain: text that says "NHS FACEBOOK LIVE SESSION: MISINFORMATION ABOUT CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) -NHS DOCTORS GIVE YOU ACCURATE INFORMATION TUESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 6-7.30PM FACEBOOK.COM/NHSLEEDS The local NHS will be looking to deliver a few online health education events. The first the series will look misinformation about COVID-19, this will include social distancing how to prevent the infection, when to get tested and myth busting. Speakers: DR MO SATTAR GPinLeeds Leeds DR MIZANUL HOQUE GPi East ondon DR NAJEEB RAHMAN Consultantin Emergency medicine DR ANDREW LEE Reader GlobalPubli Global Healthatt Jniversity Sheffield f LIVE"

New restrictions to be introduced to keep Leeds safe from COVID-19 from midnight tonight (Friday 25th September 2020)

Dear all,

Further restrictions on different households mixing have been introduced in Leeds from midnight tonight to help curb a rise in cases of COVID-19 and keep people in the city safe.

The latest seven day COVID-19 rate in Leeds is 98.5 per 100,000 people, with 8.4 per cent of those tested being positive and cases showing a consistent upward trend for a number of weeks.

Following detailed discussions between Leeds City Council, the government, Public Health England and partners, Leeds is expected to be named as an area of intervention today, meaning extra measures will be put in place to control the spread of the virus within the community.

Being named an area of intervention means new rules and guidance which is specifically geared towards how COVID-19 is spreading in Leeds are due to be introduced.

These measures will mean that from midnight today [Friday, September 25]:

  • People in Leeds cannot meet or host people you do not live with in private homes or gardens unless they are in your support bubble. A support bubble is where a household with one adult joins with another household.
  • You cannot visit someone else’s home or garden even if they live outside of Leeds, unless they are in your support bubble.
  • People can still come inside your home or garden for specific purposes. These include where everyone in the gathering lives together or is in the same support bubble; to attend a birth at the mother’s request; to visit a person who is dying; to fulfil a legal obligation; for work purposes, or for the provision of voluntary or charitable services; for the purposes of education or training; for the purposes of childcare; to provide emergency assistance; to enable one or more persons in the gathering to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; to facilitate a house move; to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person.
  • Existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children where the children do not live in the same household as their parents, or one of their parents will remain exempt.
  • Friends and family can also still provide informal childcare for children under 14.

In addition to these restrictions, people in Leeds are also being advised:

  • Not to socialise with people you do not live with, unless they are in your support bubble, in any public venue either in Leeds or elsewhere. Examples of public venues include pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions and parks.
  • Not to visit friends or family in care homes, other than in exceptional circumstances. Care homes should restrict visits to these circumstances.
  • To follow all relevant transport guidance when making a journey into, within or out of the areas affected, wear a face covering on public transport and try not to share a car with those outside your household or support bubble.

Restrictions will be continually monitored and reviewed and additional measures could be brought in the coming weeks if required.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council said: “We are acutely aware that nobody wants to see further restrictions placed on life in Leeds and alongside our partners we have been doing absolutely everything within our power to avoid that.

“But the safety of the city and the public simply has to come first and we have now reached a point where we all need to take additional steps to contain the spread of this terrible virus within our communities.

“How long these new measures last and how much further they may need go in the coming weeks and months will depend on everyone playing their part. We know there has already been some excellent partnership work taking place across the city and this will continue to manage outbreaks and help everyone stay safe.

“Building on that sense of community spirit, I’d appeal to everyone to follow these rules, consider the impact your actions could have on others and take your share of the responsibility for protecting our city.”

The new measures come after months of extensive work by agencies and partner groups across the city which has seen increased testing, community engagement and public awareness campaigns. This has also been supported by work alongside the city’s universities to prepare for the imminent arrival of students to start the new university year in Leeds.

Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s Director of Public Health said: “Any restrictions on seeing the people close to you are incredibly difficult to take but these rules have been put in place to protect families, friends and neighbours from a virus which is spreading at a dangerously rapid rate.

“It’s vital that we all play our part in containing that spread by sticking to the latest rules and guidance and ensuring that we don’t put ourselves or each other at unnecessary risk.”

General advice continues to be:

  • Wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds
  • Keep a safe distance wherever you can
  • Cover your face in enclosed spaces 
  • Stick to the national rule of six and try to limit contact wherever possible
  • Isolate when you need to/are advised to e.g. after a holiday abroad, contact with someone with the virus, contacted by test and trace, in a bubble in education with a positive case – and draw on community support where needed.

For details on all current coronavirus guidelines and advice visit the government website or Leeds City Council coronavirus information pages.

WYTS News alert Issue 19 25.09.2020

Good Afternoon

Please find attached the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Newsletter Scam Alert. This Monthly alert outlines trending fraud patterns during the current COVID-19 pandemic and what we can do to stay protected. There have been further reports of scams, doorstep Crime and business complaints all relating to the COVID-19 pandemic here in West Yorkshire. This news alert will give you an indication of the current situation here in West Yorkshire

 

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The Shows Must Go On is back!! (tonight at 7pm)

The Free streaming of musicals each weekend finished in July but with a promise to return and this weekend they are back.

The new season of productions begin with Fame!   The definitive 30th anniversary tour of Fame: the Musical, starring Keith Jack and Jorgie Porter with Mica Paris, from the Peacock Theatre in London’s West End

Based on the 1980 phenomenal pop culture film, Fame The Musical is the international smash hit sensation following the lives of students at New York’s High School For The Performing Arts as they navigate their way through the highs and lows, the romances and the heartbreaks and the ultimate elation of life.

It will go live from 7pm Friday 25th and will then be available for 48 hours to watch for free. (Click the picture to watch)