Author Archives: Caring Together

Caring Together AGM

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We had the pleasure of welcoming a good number of our members, students from the Leeds University Union Music Impact in the Community, the Lord Mayor of Leeds and friends, Hilary Benn and some funders to our AGM Friday.

It is the first one in our premises! It was lovely, it was ended with some wonderful music followed by a cuppa and food.

Thank you everyone in the community for coming along and ‘Caring Together’, what a year.

Pedestrian Study – University of Leeds

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The University have asked us to share this to see if anyone is interested in taking part.

They are conducting some research to investigate pedestrians’ crossing behaviour while interacting with Automated Vehicles and they are particularly looking for people aged 65 or over to take part.

The study will take approximately 1.5 hours in total, and participants will receive £20 in cash as a token of appreciation. They can also help with transport costs.

All participants need to:

•                     Have been in the UK for at least a year

•                     Be a regular pedestrian

•                     Aged between 18-35 or above 65 years old

•                     Have normal or corrected to normal vision

•                     Not be pregnant

•                     Not use any cardioactive medications, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, or anti hypertensives

•                     Not suffer from claustrophobia, severe motion sickness, feelings of disorientation, serious mobility problems affecting the back, knees and hips.

You can apply to take part here: https://leeds.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/hi-drive-hiker-criteria-oct

Cinema@ Charing Cross

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It was lovely to welcome members to our first film afternoon in our Charing Cross premises. Hot drinks and cake were on the menu, as well as popcorn and sweets.

The film was ‘Respect’ – The story of Aretha Franklin and seemed to be enjoyed by all, although it was a bit emotional at times.

The next one is on Thursday 16th November at 1pm (at Caring Together). We can’t tell you what the film is – you will have to come along to find out!

World Mental Health Day 2023

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The theme for World Mental Health Day this year is ‘Mental health is a universal human right’ The day aims to raise awareness of Mental Health and encourage people to reach out to talk about their mental health and to access support when they need it.

You can find out about mental health support in Leeds on https://www.healthandcareleeds.org/health/mental-health-services/

West Yorkshire mental health support line – 0800 183 0558.

The 24/7 service  provides free, confidential support, advice, information and guidance for anyone registered with a Leeds GP who is concerned about their own or a family member’s mental health

Autumn 2023 Cost of Living Payments

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For people on Pension Credit and other low income benefits

The second of three cost of living payments for 2023 will be paid between 31st October and 19th November 2023. This payment is £300 and you do not need to apply -you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits if you qualify. The payment will be referenced with your National Insurance Number followed by DWP COL or HMRC COLS.

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 between 10th and 19th November

You need to have been entitled to the qualifying benefit for at least one day during the qualifying period, which is between 18 August 2023 and 17 September 2023

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

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

A Celebration of Volunteers

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The Inner North West Community Committee held a ‘Thank You’ Event At TJ’s in Woodhouse on Tuesday. The Lord Mayor, and our chair of trustees, Cllr Al Garthwaite was in attendance This was for the many organisations and groups throughout Headingley, Woodhouse, Hyde Park, Little London and Weetwood that contribute in a myriad of ways to making our areas better places in which to live through a commitment to volunteering. Caring Together were delighted to be represented at this wonderful celebration and offer thanks to all of those local councillors who are so instrumental in making this event possible and supporting our groups in so many different ways.

NHS winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme starts today

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This year’s autumn flu and COVID-19 vaccine programmes are starting earlier than planned in England as a precautionary measure following the identification of a new COVID-19 variant. The NHS winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme provides vital protection to those eligible and their families over winter, keeping people from developing serious illnesses, and helping to minimise hospitalisations during busy winter months.

Residents of older adult care homes and those most at risk including those who are immunosuppressed and housebound older adults will receive their covid vaccine first and this starts from today. Eligible people are urged to come forward for their jab as soon as they’re invited.

From 18 September the NHS will start to invite people in priority order of risk and those eligible will be able to book an appointment through the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/covid-19-services/covid-19-vaccination-services/ , the NHS App or by calling 119.

Those eligible for a covid booster this autumn are:

  • Residents in care homes for older adults
  • All adults aged 65 years and over
  • People aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group
  • Frontline health and social care workers
  • People aged 12 to 64 who are household contacts of people with weakened immune systems
  • People aged 16 to 64 who are carers and staff working in care homes for older adults

In autumn 2022, all over-50s were offered an extra dose, but the government’s advisers on vaccines recommended that only over-65s should automatically be included this year.

If you are also eligible for a Flu jab you may be offered it at the same time