Category Archives: Health & Wellbeing

October Activities with Caring Together

by

Here’s a short summary of the upcoming activities. More details are in our newsletter.

If no venue is listed, it will be at the Caring Together premises

Wednesday 1st October 11.30am-12.30pm: Tai Chi Qui Gong
Wednesday 1st October 12.30-1.45pm: Midweek meetup – Cuppa and Cake drop in, or bring your lunch and eat together
Friday 3rd October 1.30-2.30pm: Gentle exercise at Woodhouse Community Centre


Wednesday 8th October 11.30am-12.30pm: Tai Chi Qui Gong
Wednesday 8th October 12.30-1.45pm: Midweek meetup – Cuppa and Cake drop in, or bring your lunch and eat together
Wednesday 8th October 12.45-2.15pm BID Hearing & Sight Drop in
Friday 10th October 1.30-2.30pm: Gentle exercise at Woodhouse Community Centre


Monday 13th October: Memory Matinee at Hyde Park Picture House – meeting at café from 1.45pm (film at 2.30pm)
Tuesday 14th October 1.30pm – 2.30pm: Drop in coffee afternoon
Tuesday 14th October 5pm-6pm: Hyde Park & Headingley ward Labour Councillor’s surgery
Wednesday 15th October 11.30am-12.30pm: Tai Chi Qui Gong
Wednesday 15th October 12.30-1.45pm: Midweek meetup – Cuppa and Cake drop in, or bring your lunch and eat together
Thursday 16th October – Caring Together Film Afternoon – Doors open 1pm and film starts at 1.30pm
Friday 17th October 1.30-2.30pm: Gentle exercise at Woodhouse Community Centre


Wednesday 22nd October 11.30am-12.30pm: Tai Chi Qui Gong
Wednesday 22nd October 12.30-1.45pm: Midweek meetup – Cuppa and Cake drop in, or bring your lunch and eat together
Thursday 23rd October – Meet up at Morrisons Café – Merrion Centre, 1.45pm -2.45pm
Friday 24th October 1.30-2.30pm: Gentle exercise at Woodhouse Community Centre

Tuesday 28th October 1.30pm – 2.30pm: Drop in coffee afternoon
Wednesday 29th October 11.30am-12.30pm: Tai Chi Qui Gong
Wednesday 29th October 12.30-1.45pm: Midweek meetup – Cuppa and Cake drop in, or bring your lunch and eat together
Friday 31st October 1.30-2.30pm: Gentle exercise at Woodhouse Community Centre
Friday 31st October 1.30-3.00pm Monthly Drop-in/Coffee Afternon

Meeting re public safety and message from Alex Sobel re Headingley Incident

by

We are sharing this from our local MP, Alex Sobel. It includes details of a meeting tonight which will be held at St Michaels Church between 7.30pm-8.30pm and will be attended by senior police officers and local councillors. You can register to attend here. 

Headingley Incident
I want to begin by addressing the terrible incident that occurred in Headingley on Saturday 26th April. Many of you will already be familiar with the details, and I don’t want to add to anyone’s distress by repeating them here. 
Events like this are shocking and deeply unsettling—especially when they happen so close to home. I know many people are feeling anxious, upset, or simply struggling to come to terms with what’s happened. 
My thoughts are with the two young women who were injured, and with everyone in our community who has been affected or shaken. I want to commend West Yorkshire Police for their swift response, and thank the brave members of the public who stepped in to help at the scene. 
This incident is a stark reminder of the very real and present dangers posed by misogyny, online radicalisation, and male violence in every community—including our own. 
Many people have rightly asked: what happens now? Locally, we are organising a public meeting on the evening of Thursday 8th May. This will be an opportunity for residents to hear directly from senior police and council officers, ask questions, and raise concerns. The venue will be confirmed shortly. You can register to attend here. 
I am also meeting with ward councillors and council officers this week to discuss how we can improve safety along the Otley Run, both for the public and for those taking part. We’ll also be looking at wider measures to tackle male violence. 
If you’d like to receive updates on this, please email me at alex@alexsobel.co.uk with the subject line “Otley Run updates” and we’ll keep you informed. 
In addition, I have spoken with the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper MP, about the incident and about the need to strengthen legislation around the availability of weapons. I raised an Urgent Question in the House of Commons on this issue. You can watch that here.

Easter Eggs Galore!

by

A big big thank you to all the members at Nuffield Health in The Light, Leeds who collected Easter Eggs fur us. We have been busy giving them out over the last few days.

They have been very well received and we do really appreciate you thinking of us.

And a special thank you to David who nominated us to receive them

Energy prices rising on 1st April

by

It’s not too late to fix your tariff

The energy price cap is rising by 6.4% on 1st April so, if you are on a standard variable tariff, the amount you pay for the gas and electricity you use will go up.

If you haven’t already fixed your tariff then it is most likely that you are on a variable rate that will rise with the price cap rise. It will say on your bills what your tariff is.

It is not to late to fix your tariff and avoid these rises, a fixed tariff will fix the rate you pay for each unit of gas or electricity, and a fixed standing charge, for a certain length of time. So this means you will be protected from price rises during this time (note it won’t go down if the price cap decreases) The actual amount you will pay will depend on how much you use.

To see if you can get a better deal by fixing, you could speak to your energy supplier about what tariffs they offer. Or you could compare it with other suppliers by using a comparison tool such as Uswitch or Money Supermarket.

Or you can ask Caring Together if you would like someone to help you look at the options.

Councillors Surgery at Caring Together Today

by

Headingley, Hyde Park and Woodhouse Labour Councillors will be at Caring Together premises today between 5pm and 6pm for their monthly advice surgery.

This is open to all residents in the area and no appointment is needed so you can just call in if you would like to speak to your local councillor.

Caring Together – 127 Woodhouse Street (Charing Cross), Leeds, LS6 2PY

Headingley, Hyde Park and Woodhouse Councillors will be at Caring Together premises today between 5pm and 6pm for their monthly advice surgery.

This is open to all residents in the area and no appointment is needed so you can just call in if you would like to speak to your local councillor.

Caring Together – 127 Woodhouse Street (Charing Cross), Leeds, LS6 2PY

Please note this is a changed date for November only – it will be back to the usual 2nd Tuesday of the month from December onwards

Mental Health Awareness Week 2024

by

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

Cost of Living Payment 2024

by

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

by

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