1 October 2020

1 October 2020

NEWS

Coronavirus update
Positive ageing icons competition
Adult carers survey
InformationNOW

FEATURES

Age Proud Newcastle
Stoptober
Public health advisory body – closing date for applications 6 November


Coronavirus update

Newcastle City Council keeps you up to date with Covid-19 restrictions for people in Newcastle on their dedicated page. InformationNOW has a link to this page on the organisations and events tabs. The Council has also produced videos on what happens when you got get a COVID-19 test. The videos are in Urdu and Bengali languages,as well as English with captions:

CityLife Line now has a freephone number to call: 0800 170 7001
The NHS with the Government has introduced an NHS Covid-19 app available on Apple App Store and Google Play. There is also guidance on using the Covid 19 app in the following languages: Arabic, Bengali,Chinese and, Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Somali, Turkish, Urdu and Welsh.

The app has a number of tools to protect you, including contact tracing, local area alerts and venue check-in. It uses proven technology from Apple and Google, designed to protect every user’s privacy.

Anyone registered with a GP will have received a text or email or SMS asking them to download the Covid-19 App last week.

  • emails will come from NHS Test and Trace COVID-19 App with ‘Public Health Message: NHS COVID-19 App’ as the subject.
  • text messages will come from NHStracing and begin ‘This is a public health message from NHS Test and Trace.’Please be aware of scams: you will only receive a call from 0300 013 5000 or a text/email from NHStracing. Never provide personal or bank details.

Competition for positive icons related to ageing – closing date 4pm 16 October

It’s older people’s day today and what better way to share a positive message than taking part in the Centre for Ageing Better competition to design an icon that represents ageing and older age groups.

Ageing Better hopes to use new icons to challenge stereotypes and imagery associated with old age – in particular, the familiar illustrations of walking sticks and hunched backs. Research has shown that stereotypes can become self-fulfilling prophecies, as they can affect how older people view themselves, their own capabilities and the kinds of activities they engage with.

Like all icons, the designs need to be simple and instantly recognisable – and appropriate for use in reports, presentations, infographics and other related outputs.

Details can be found here.  Get your creative hat on.  Whilst the designs must be at a required standard, they do encourage designers to work with older people on the brief.


Adult carers – take part in a survey

Are you an adult providing unpaid care for a family member or friend then you may be interested in the Carers Trust survey.  Closing date 18 October 2020.  They want better funding of social care and more support and recognition for the contribution of unpaid carers. Take part.

Are you a carer?  Read our information on Looking after someone.


FEATURES

Age Proud Newcastle

October is the month during which older people worldwide stand proud and celebrate their achievements and the contributions they make to society.  Putting a global spotlight on getting older, the World Health Organisation has this year launched its Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030), looking at how people can fulfil their potential in dignity and equality in a healthy environment.

Many organisations and groups do something special during October to celebrate older people in all their diversity, to demonstrate the very varied ways in which individuals, groups and society approach the challenges and opportunities of ageing.  In Newcastle, instigated by the Age Friendly Newcastle, we have collated all the partner events under the strapline “Age Proud Newcastle”.  Search for Age Proud Newcastle on the events section and then save the events or activities you want to put into your own personal calendar.  To do this, you need to register on the website and then just “add” to favourites on each item.  Much of the activity is online and virtual, but please get involved if you can.  However, this year there are a few fun opportunities to get involved with:

  • Get your voice on the A – Z of Ageing Well Gif Wall Pick a letter of the alphabet and get creative. Tell us about a location, an emotion, an activity – anything, as long as it represents is something that you feel helps you to age well.  You can either film a 30 second clip on your phone or take a series of photos
  • Nominate your Age Proud Champion This autumn we’re shining a light on the often unsung differences older people are making within their communities. Do you know someone who is a great example of ageing well or has helped those around them? Perhaps they’re a volunteer, has supported you through the past six months or simply have an inspiring attitude to life.
  • Get your voice on the LLARC airwaves  share a story; tell us what makes you tick or interview someone about their life and experiences
  • Get involved in either of the Artist in Residencies films or creative writing (link to our news page).

Details on this link.  Please pass this on – you can print any page on the website.

Listen to Anne and Mary from the Elders Council talking about why we celebrate today and tackling ageism.

There are a number of partners working together on Age Proud Newcastle.  These include the Arts Development, Communities and Dementia Leads for the Council as well as:

When posting online about activities or sharing please use the following hashtags:
Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
#AgeProudNewcastle
#olderpeoplesmonth
Instagram
#AgeProudNewcastle@ageproudnewcastle


Stoptober – stop smoking campaign

On Monday 21 September, Public Health England launched Stoptober; the national campaign that encourages the nation’s smokers to make a quit attempt for the month of October and beyond. This is based on the evidence that if a smoker can quit for 28 days, they are five times more likely to quit for good.  Smoking rates began to drop dramatically in the North East from 2005 when the campaign for a Smoke free North East began. Between 2005 and 2017 we achieved the best drop rates in England. We have had some success in Newcastle including a rise in those quitting during the coronavirus. When you stop, you give your lungs the chance to repair and you’ll be able to breathe easier. There are lots of other benefits too – and they start almost immediately:

  • it will prevent you having a long term health condition
  • it will help with weight management
  • you will be able to breathe more easily and your circulation will improve
  • your breath will be fresher
  • you will save money
  • your energy levels will increase

Find out more on our Stop Smoking page.

Listen to Radio Tyneside’s Richard Finch on his Friday show at 4 pm, talking to Tracey about her motivation for giving up and the help she received.  Catch up on the LLARC podcasts too.

Our local Stop Smoking service in Newcastle is available to help despite the restrictions. Give them a call.

The Stoptober resources are held on the Better Health website. You will find a range of information and support on quitting, including several free tools including the Stoptober App, SMS and email support and the local stop smoking service search facility.

There is a Facebook Community to give each other support and encouragement.


Public health advisory body – closing date for applications 6 November

We are all more aware of public health and their role in our local and national health since the Covid-19 outbreak.  Now charities are being urged to consider applying to take part in an advisory body on public health. The alliance is a key element of the government’s health and wellbeing programme, which aims to promote health equalities and reduce health inequalities across the UK

The Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Health and Wellbeing Alliance, which consists of about 20 voluntary sector and other partners, aims to ensure the lived experiences of the people they represent are reflected in the development of health policy.  Organisations can apply individually or be part of a consortium and must be based in England and be a national VCSE sector organisation and/or have national coverage through a consortium.

An annual grant is available for two different roles; Health and Wellbeing Alliance Members and Health and Wellbeing Alliance Coordinator

For more information visit: VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance


Updated organisations

Greening Wingrove 
Disabled Services Centres for wheelchairs
Kenton Distribution Centre for West End Food bank
Your Equipment Newcastle self serve webapp

Last updated: November 26, 2020