Author Archives: Caring Together

Lord Mayor to lead Remembrance Sunday tributes in Leeds

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Lord Mayor to lead Remembrance Sunday tributes in Leeds: War Memorial

Members of all communities across Leeds are warmly invited to join the Lord Mayor on Victoria Gardens to mark Remembrance Sunday.

For those who are unable to attend this year there will also be the opportunity to watch the service via a live stream at: https://www.facebook.com/Leedscouncil/

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Asghar Khan, will lead the tributes to service men and women who have lost their lives in times of conflict on Remembrance Sunday.

Held on Sunday 14 November, the people of Leeds are once again invited to join the Lords Mayor as he lays a wreath at the war memorial on Victoria Gardens on behalf of the people of Leeds.

 A procession will leave Leeds Civic Hall and head to Victoria Gardens at 10:50am where a number of wreaths will be laid.

This procession will as tradition, follow ex-service men and women plus members of ex-service organisations and current serving military organisations who will gather near to the City Museum on Rossington Street at 10.30am before marching to the war memorial.

Amongst those joining the Lord Mayor in the parade will be the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Mr Tim Hare, the Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Jonathan Pryor, and the Leeds Children’s Mayor Zulaykha Hussain.

Led by the Bishop of Kirkstall, Rt Reverend Paul Slater, the multi-faith service will be shown on two big screens around the war memorial to allow members of the public who are not near the front to watch the proceedings.

At 11am there will be a two-minute silence which will be preceded by a bugler who will sound the Last Post.

After the service, the Lord Mayor and civic representatives will proceed to the steps of the Town Hall where a salute and march past will take place.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Asghar Khan said: “Remembrance Sunday is a time when the city comes together to honour the heroic efforts, achievements and sacrifices made by so many of our armed forces during times of conflict.

Last year we had to remember from our homes and mark the occasion individually, it is therefore wonderful that we are once again able to come together as a city and remember in person once again this year.”

Public Health Information

Members of the public are politely requested to take a lateral flow test before attending the remembrance event at Victoria Gardens and check for Covid-19 symptoms (a high temperature, new and persistent cough, or a loss of/change in sense of taste or smell). If you test positive or develop any Covid-19 symptoms you should self-isolate and get a free NHS test. You should also not attend the event if you are required to self-isolate, for example because you have had a positive test, or have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace.

Caring Together Festive get together with Leeds University Union Music Impact in the Community Choir

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You are warmly invited to a festive get together at our new premises on Wednesday 8th December @ 1.30pm. We are delighted to have the Leeds University Union Music Impact in the Community Choir (@LUUMIC) coming along to bring some festive cheer. There will be hot drinks and home made mince pies and vegan cake. And some hot chocolate too. It will be in the square just outside our offices so if you are able to join us then a coat and maybe a hat will be recommended. Our doors will be open so you can go in if needed and look around, there will also be a gazebo up outside too.


Date: Wednesday 8th December 2021

Venue: Caring Together, 127 Woodhouse Street, Woodhouse Leeds LS6 2PY

Time: 1.30pm

All welcome!

Don’t miss out on Warm Home Discount

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Warm Home Discount would give you £140 towards your winter fuel bills. It is paid in the form of a credit on your electricity bill from your supplier (if you get both gas and electricity from the same supplier you may be able to ask for it to be transferred to your gas account).

To get it your supplier must be part of the scheme – all the larger companies have to take part but it is voluntary for smaller firms although many of them do take part.

There are 2 ways you might qualify for this:

Core Group: If on the qualifying date (this year 4th July 2021) you were getting Guarantee Pension Credit and your, or your partner’s name was on the electricity bill, you will be eligible in the core group. You shouldn’t need to claim – the DWP should write to you with the details and you should get the discount on your bill sometime between November 2021 and March 2022. If you are in this group and DWP have not written to you by December contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline on 0800 731 0214 to check.

Broader Group: Most suppliers who are part of the scheme will also give this discount to customers who are on a low income and/or get some means tested benefits. The exact qualifying criteria varies from different suppliers and you do have to appy for this so if you think this applies to you, contact your supplier directly to find out if you can get it.

Most suppliers have a limited fund for this so apply as soon as you can.

What if your energy supplier fails? If you are in the Core Group and your supplier fails, you should still be paid automatically to your new energy account, If you are in the Broader Group then you would need to re-apply to your new supplier as soon as your new account is set up.

Details can be found on https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme and including a list of all energy suppliers who are part of the scheme https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/energy-suppliers

If you want help with Warm Home Discount please contact Valerie on 07483333115 or email valerie@caringtogether.org.uk

Are You missing out on Pension Credit?

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Nearly a million households are entitled to, but not receiving pension credit  and in Leeds alone there are thought to be over 10,000 households missing out on this.

Pension Credit is extra money for people over state retirement age to top up their income.

The basic amounts to qualify are weekly income less than £177.10 for a single person and £270.30 for a couple but you may still be able to get it if your income is higher depending on your circumstances – for example there is an extra amount if you have a disability, if you care for someone, or if you have certain housing costs.  And if you reached pension age before April 2016 you may be also be able to claim savings credit.

There is NO savings limit for pension credit although savings over £10,000 will reduce the amount you can get.

You can claim if you are still working if your income is low enough for you to qualify.  It’s tax free and you don’t have to have paid NI contributions.

What counts as income includes:

  • State Pension
  • other pensions
  • earnings from employment and self-employment
  • most social security benefits, for example Carer’s Allowance

If you’re entitled to a personal or workplace pension and you have not claimed it yet, the amount you’d expect to get still counts as income.

Not all benefits are counted as income. For example, the following are not counted:

  • Attendance Allowance
  • Christmas Bonus
  • Child Benefit
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment
  • Social fund payments like Winter Fuel Allowance
  • Housing Benefit
  • Council Tax Reduction

You could do a quick benefit calculation on https://benefits-calculator-2.turn2us.org.uk/

Pension Credit is worth claiming even if you only qualify for a very small amount, as it can entitle you to lots of other things including:  full housing benefit, reduced council tax, warm home discount, cold weather payments, free tv licence if you are over 75, help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments.

Pension Credit can be claimed by phone: 0800 99 1234 or online: https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim.

Or ask Caring Together if you need help.

Need a place to rest those legs?

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72 park bench painting ideas | painted chairs, painted furniture, hand painted furniture

Leeds Older Peoples Forum have made us aware of this offer. Let us know what you think.
 
Take a Seat 
Time to Shine has linked up with Leeds Civic Trust to fund benches across the city, deadline is 30th November. Applications are welcome from all areas but they need more from the West and South areas of the city. So if you know of an area in your Neighbourhood Network that needs a bench and is perfect for the opportunity for people to sit and natter, rest, watch the world go by, then get your application in.

Leeds Civic Trust is bringing colour to Leeds! Would you like to be a part of a city-wide community of colourful benches? We have a small funding pot available for you to customise a bench that will benefit your community – we’ll provide the bench, and your community will provide the creativity!

This opportunity is open to all – including parks, green spaces, local high streets, and community or charitable organisations.

To enter your nomination for a bench, you will need to consider the following;

  • A creative and imaginative way of referencing the current Covid-19 pandemic and how the people of Leeds came together and helped one another so readily. There are many ways of doing this but examples could include; a suitable poem, plaque, painted images – please feel free to be as creative as you like!
  • Have a suitable place in mind for the bench, with local support and permission sought. (The Trust can offer help).
  • Be able to incorporate the Trust logo onto the bench.
  • Be in a position where people will find the use of the bench helpful.
  • Be within a Leeds postcode.
  • Be able to participate in a special ‘Take a Seat’ launch day in June 2021.

Guidance and Timescales

  • In addition to the bench itself, the Trust will provide a donation of £450 towards materials to decorate the bench.
  • The bench to be in place by 1 June 2021 (unless there are unforeseen delays due to the current Covid-19 situation).
  • For the bench dimensions and details click here.
  • The local community should be engaged during the process.
  • The Trust should be shown the final design before any decoration is begun.
  • Where possible to source materials and resources locally; from independent traders, any commissioned artists/makers that you may use to be Leeds based.
  • The final design should be non-political and secular.
  • The Trust reserves the right to prioritise applications for benches in areas where there is greater need.

‘Monthly Bereavement Support Group’ at Caring Together

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Come and meet other bereaved people for group support and understanding. A warm welcome, cuppa and biscuits will also be on offer too. We are meeting together on the first Monday of each month.
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Next one is this Monday 1st November @11am – 12noon
Venue: Caring Together, 127 Woodhouse Street, Leeds LS6 2PY
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If you are interested, or just want to know more then please do get in touch. Call Lisa 07436 530073, or email if you wish: lisa@caringtogether.org.uk

Skills Share: crafting together

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We have loved getting together for our skills share sessions. We are having a break this week but we are back next week. Due to ill health our first get together back we will continue with Crocheting/Knitting and Sewing. We will commence the card making for the following 2 sessions all being well thereafter. We will review this nearer the time.
We look forward to seeing you next week for some good company, nattering, sharing, a cuppa and a bit of creativity.
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When: Wednesday 3rd, 10th & 17th November 2021
Time: 11am to 12.30pm
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Venue: Caring Together, 127 Woodhouse Street, Leeds LS6 2PY at 11am
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Contact Lisa 07436 530073, or email: lisa@caringtogether.org.uk if you require any further information. Note: We can also bring something to you as well if you are not able to get to us.