Good company, a cuppa, some lunch and a catch up; wonderful! We once again enjoyed some time together last week at the ‘Stick or Twist’ in the centre of Leeds. We were there in August as well and will likely go back into town in the New Year all being well and if safe to do so. If you would like to join us then get in touch. Lisa 07436 530073 or email lisa@caringtogether.org.uk
Our latest newsletter will be on it’s way to members and supporters today and most of them will be hand delivered by our great team of volunteers.
You can read it below and you can find earlier newsletters here
Issue-94-winter-21
Covid rules are changing again this week because of concern over a new variant of Covid19 called Omicron
From tomorrow (Tuesday 30th November):
It will be compulsory to wear a mask or face covering on public transport and in shops and other settings such as banks hairdressers, unless you are exempt. (it is recommended to do this now)
All close contacts of suspected Omicron cases will be required to self-isolate for 10 days. This is regardless of a person’s vaccination status
Anyone entering the UK from another country will have to take a PCR test by the end of the second day after their arrival and will need to self-isolate until they have a negative result. Anyone travelling from a Red List country will have to quarantine for 10 days
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
The Government is describing these measures as precautionary and temporary and they are to be reviewed in 3 weeks.
We are sharing this video from NHS today. Covid is still very much with us and the symptoms, if mild, could easily be mistaken for a cold or other seasonal virus so the advice is to stay at home and get a test if you have any symptoms.
Get a test either here https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119.
With that in mind, we are sharing a summary of carers rights which has been developed by Mobilise – Carers Rights and the Law | Find out what rights you’re entitled to (mobiliseonline.co.uk). Ian Brooke-Mawson, Commissioning Programme Lead (Carers) kindly shared these details with the Older Peoples Commissioning Team at Leeds City Council (who shared it with us) and when doing so stated that the Mobilise website is a rich source of information and support for unpaid carers and as such is worth sharing.
Caring Together have our own Carers Support Group In partnership with Carers Leeds
Venue: Caring Together, 127 Woodhouse Street, Leeds LS6 2PY
(opposite the post office/Londis shop)
Time: 11am – 12.30pm
Last Thursday of each month:
Next Group
Thursday 27th January 2022 and so on
Pop in, or call if you need any more information
Lisa 07436 530073 or email: lisa@caringtogether.org.uk
A few of us met up for lunch at the Hyde Park Pub this week. Fish and Chips seemed to be the most popular choice and were enjoyed by all who ordered them.
We plan to do this again soon so if you want to join us for lunch and a chat let Valerie know. 07483333115 or valerie@caringtogether.org.uk
Everyone is welcome. The cafe is run on a pay as you feel basis, so if anyone is on a low income they can simply pay what they can afford (or even eat for free). Serving tea, coffee, cake, sandwiches and soup
Open initially up to Christmas, but with a plan to continue in 2022 if it goes well
Today – 19th November is International Mens Day 2021
International Mens Day aims to raise awareness of issues that affect men and boys, including mental health. Many men feel that they can’t open up about how they feel. It’s important to check in on the men in your life, and remind them that support is available.
The UK themes for the Day are:
https://ukmensday.org.uk/2021-theme/ for more.
For International Mens Day & every day, you can find Mental Health self-help resources, links to local services, info, helpline details, support group info & lots more on the MindWell website for people in Leeds:
http://mindwell-leeds.org.uk
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021 starts today and we urge everyone in Leeds to get serious about antibiotic resistance. Proper antibiotics use now will ensure we have drugs to beat superbugs in future. Find out more at: https://seriouslyresistant.com/
Seriously is a campaign that aims to raise awareness of antibiotic resistance and encourage people to pledge to keep antibiotics working. If we carry on misusing antibiotics, in the future they could stop working altogether, so it’s now more important than ever that they’re taken correctly.What is antibiotic resistance?
If we carry on taking antibiotics incorrectly, in the future they could stop working altogether. Without effective antibiotics, many common treatments will become increasingly dangerous – including setting broken bones, treatments for cancer and routine operations.
If everyone makes just one simple pledge to always take antibiotics correctly, we will stop bacteria from becoming resistant to antibiotics and ensure they continue to work for future generations.
If we carry on misusing antibiotics:
Public Health are recommending that all adults should consider taking a Vitamin D supplement over the winter months.
Around one in five people in the UK have low levels of vitamin D, especially older adults, pregnant and breastfeeding people, infants, and people with darker skin. Vitamin D is essential for good health. It affects people’s bones, teeth, and muscles as well as mental health and immune systems. A lack of vitamin D can lead to painful bone health conditions in both children and adults and increased risk of falls.
Since it is difficult to get vitamin D from sunlight and diet alone, all adults should consider taking a daily supplement during the autumn and winter months. For people who are at risk of vitamin D deficiency, supplements may be recommended all year round.
This short video highlights the importance of vitamin D and who is at risk of low levels:
For more information about vitamin D and including Vitamin D and Covid 19 https://foodactive.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/VitD_Covid19_FoodActive_Briefing_Update_November2020.pdf
