Mental Health Awareness Week 2024

Find Your ‘Moments for Movement’

The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 is moving more for your mental health. One of the most important things we can do for our mental health is regular movement. Moving more can boost your self esteem, help to lower stress and anxiety, and increase your energy.

However this doesn’t have to mean starting a massive exercise program and for many people there are barriers to exercising so the campaign is focused on finding moments for movement in your everyday life – even a stretch in the morning counts!

MindWell Leeds have produced this ‘Move Your Way’ booklet with lots of advice and tips as well as information about local resources.

If you do want to try out an exercise group/class, Caring Together runs lots of activities that incorporate movement at all levels. For adults aged 55 and above. Contact us to find out more

Polling Day Today!

Don’t forget you need ID

Local council elections in Leeds and elections for West Yorkshire Mayor

Polling stations are open until 10pm today for you to cast your vote. To vote in person you will need to take ID.

This includes an older persons bus pass or disabled persons bus pass.

If your photo ID has expired it will still be accepted as long as the photograph is still a good likeness of you.

Acceptable forms of photo ID are:

• Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country
• Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state
• Biometric immigration document
• Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
• Blue Badge
• National identity card issued by an EEA state
• Older Person’s Bus Pass
• Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
• Oyster 60+ Card
• Freedom Pass
• Scottish National Entitlement Card issued in Scotland
• 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
• Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
• Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• War Disablement SmartPass or War Disabled SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
• Voter Authority Certificate or a temporary Voter Authority Certificate

If you received a postal voting pack and have not managed to return it, it can be handed in at a polling station today. If you can’t do this yourself, someone else is allowed to take it for you, You/they will need to fill in a form when it is handed in – the staff at the polling station can help you with this

Cost of Living Payment 2024

The last of a series of 3 cost of living payments for people eligible for certain benefits will be paid between 6th and 22nd February 2024. This payment will be £299 and will be paid into the same bank account as your benefit.

You should get this payment if you are entitled to one of the following benefits:

  • Pension credit
  • Income-related employment and support allowance
  • Income support
  • Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
  • Universal credit (providing you didn’t have a ‘nil’ award)

If you get child tax credit or working tax credit but don’t also get one of the above benefits, you should still get the payment but it will arrive in your account from 16th February 2024

You need to have been entitled to the qualifying benefit for at least one day during the qualifying period, which is between 13 November 2023 and 12 December 2023.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

You do not need to apply. If you’re eligible, you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits. This includes if you’re found to be eligible at a later date.

If you get a message asking you to apply or contact someone about the payment, this is likely be a scam. The DWP will not need to contact you to ask for bank details (or any other personal information) to make this payment so please do not give out any personal information.

If you are over state pension age and on a low income but do not already get pension credit it is worth checking if you are entitled to claim as soon as possible – pension credit can be backdated for 3 months so if you make a successful claim now you would then also be entitled to this cost of living payment. You can check this online https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator or call the pension credit helpline 0800 99 1234

‘Digital Switchover’ Information session

Thursday 1st February 2024

Location: Caring Together Premises, 127 Woodhouse Street, Leeds LS6 2PY

Time: 1pm – 2pm

By 2025, the UK’s phone lines will be switching over to a new digital landline service. For most people this will be a really simple change, and all phone companies have to provide help and support to anyone who might have issues with it.

Come along to learn more about this and how it will affect you. Someone from BT will be on hand to answer your questions. No need to book. Open to all.

image sourced from clipart

‘Winter Warmer’ Soup and a Roll


Location: Caring Together Premises, 127 Woodhouse Street, Leeds LS6 2PY (opposite Post Office/Londis Shop)


Time: Call in anytime between: 11am to 2pm


(Note: soup is usually ready by 12noon)


Our doors will be open every Wednesday for the wintery months ahead where you don’t have to think about what to cook or if the heating is on or off. It will be on and we will have a light lunch covered too.
There will also be some ‘Live Music’ from the students of Leeds University Music in the Community and some Traditional Irish Music & Songs on the some of the weeks. You can come and listen, tap your foot and even sing along if you wish.


So please call in, and take some soup away, or stay a while, with a warming cuppa, some hearty soup and a bread roll. There are also books and magazines to read or take away if you wish. There is no need to book, all are welcome. We would love to see you!