News Items :
Another Telephone Scam.
WE have just been advised by an Age Concern employee of a scam that seems new.
The staff member reports:-
I received a call from a "representative"of BT, informing me that he was about to disconnect my telephone line because of an unpaid bill. He demanded payment immediately of £31.00, or it would be £118.00 to reconnect at a later date. I told him I was with Virgin Media, but allegedly Virgin have to pay BT a percentage for line rental - so he continued to ask for the money to pay the outstanding bill.
I asked the guy's name - the very English John Peacock who spoke with a foreign accent! When asked, he gave the following number 0800 0800 152 (which upon investigation did not work).
The man realised that I wasn't believing his story, so he offered to demonstate that he was from BT. I asked how and he told me to hang up and try phoning someone - he would disconect my phone to prevent this.
When I replaced the receiver and picked it up again, my phone was dead - no engaged tone, nothing - untill he phoned me again!
Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof that he was with BT. I asked how the payment was to be made and he asked for my credit card details. I said that I did not know how he had disconnected my phone but I had absolutely no intention of paying him, I didn't believe his name or that he worked for BT.
He hung up.
This is a SCAM please beware of this new trick to take your hard won money. NEVER give out details over the phone without making checks.
Posted 02/08/2010
Volunteers Evening
Nine volunteers were recently given long-service awards for their efforts by ACB.
These helpers were honoured at a special volunteers evening held at the Banstead Centre in the Horseshoe Banstead.
The men and women had notched up at total of 70 years service to the elderly people in the area.
They included David Turner,70,of Burgh Heath who organises the charities car scheme.
Former nurse Hilary Turner,60 also from Burgh Heath said "I wanted to use my nursing background and I also enjoy helping people."
Pamela Limond,78,from Woodmansterne,who is a befriender visiting the lonely or housebound, said "I get far more out of volunteering than I put in.I've met some wonderful people."
Also receiving an award for 10 years service was Garry Beattie,while those recognised for five years help with the charity were Rosemary Baker,Christopher Burke,Sylvia Glendenning and Tina Milne.
Posted 01.07.10
Donations
You may well have seen on television the advertisement for AgeUK, the new charity formed by the agreement to merge Age Concern and Help the Aged.
In these ads. folk are urged to start a monthly donation to help the new charity. Are you aware that contributing in this way does very little for our local community? At a time of financial constraint we at Age Concern Banstead need evey penny that we can get to continue our work with the LOCAL elderly. So if you are thinking of donating either as a one-off or on a more regular basis PLEASE think LOCAL first.
If you interested in making any donation please give us a ring at -01737 352156 when we can discuss how you can help us.
AgeUK
We advised you in April last year that nationally Age Concern and Help the Aged had ageed to merge their operations.This has now happened and the new name for the combined charity is "AgeUK".
You may well have seen TV advertisments about the new charity and we at AC Banstead look forward to working with it long into the future.
At present there will not be a lot of change,we will continue as Age Concern Banstead and will continue to offer our services to the local elderly.
You may be interested to learn that AgeUK will launch a new national web-site during May.
Keep an eye on our News page and we will try our best to keep you updated.
Posted 20.04.10
Office Opening
Our office will now be open from 1.30 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. (Monday -Thursday).
Posted 27.05.2010
Volunteers Wanted
We are looking for volunteers to join our small friendly team in our office during opening hours,
1.30 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
No computer skills required!
If you can spare an occasional couple of hours to help us with our work for the local elderly please have a word with Rebecca in our office to find out more.
Updated 27.05.10
Feet First
We have changed the contact telephone number for appointments and information.The new number is - 01737 352156 (Answerphone outside of office hours)
Posted 27.10.2009
Occupational Therapist
Regretably due to financial constaints Age Concern Banstead will be unable to help with O.T.matters.You can still contact us and we will do our best to advise you of the best alternative.
Updated 22.03.10
Mini-Bus
We have now been able to establish a team of volunteer drivers to man this vehicle and have been able to demonstrate a viable and reliable service.
In these circumstances we are in a position to take bookings from care homes and similar agencies looking for an economic and reliable transport solution.
Phone our office for more details and to arrange bookings.
Updated 31.03.10
Friends of Age Concern Banstead
Just as every other organisation and individual is suffering during this period of financial uncertainty Age Concern Banstead is having financial difficulties.
A falling membership, static or reduced grants and general reduction of income together with ever rising costs is taking its toll. At the same time the calls upon the services which we offer remain high. Age Concern Banstead has therefore had to give very careful thought as to how it can "make ends meet".
To avoid an extra burden on our clients, we have resolved to maintain our charges at last years level for as long as possible but naturally this makes matters all the more difficult.
The cost of Full Membership of ACB has been raised to £10.00 per annum.
For those who find this amount to be too expensive we have taken an opportunity to introduce a new class of supporter/member to be known as "Friends of ACB".
For a minimum donation of £5.00 you can become a Friend and help us to help those whose need is greater. We are lookig to gain a large number of new Friends in the coming months to help us continue our work in the local community.
If you use our services why not think about becomming a Friend?
If you want to help but do not wish to become too involved why not become a Friend?
Please support us, we need every penny to continue with our work.
Posted 26.05.09
Buses 4U
Do you know about Buses 4U ?
This is a completely flexible type of local bus service that has no fixed route or timetable.The route and timings of the bus are determined by the requests made by would-be passengers. If there are no booking the bus does not run. If there is little public transport available in your area, this may be a solution to some of your travel needs.
To find out more telphone:- 01883 732791 or visit the web-site -
www.buses4u.org.uk on our web-links page.
Posted 22.07.08
SMOKE ALARMS
Is your Smoke Alarm working?
Have you checked its operation in the last few weeks?
The latest research shows that as many as 1 in 3 smoke alarms do not work due to flat batteries!
CHECK IT TODAY
If you have no Smoke Alarm Surrey County Council Fire & Rescue Service have FREE alarms and will call at your home to fit them.
Phone freephone 0800 085 0767 or go to www.surrey-fire.gov.uk/besmartbesafe
Updated 31.03.10
Do you have problems finding or remembering things that you need at home? .....
Which company is the house insured with?
Details of the drugs you have to take?
If I am taken sick who to contact?
Well Age Concern has produced a booklet that may help to keep such information together in one place.It's called
Age Concern Lifebook.
The book is free and is designed to help you work through all the things you either need, or wish, to put in order. The book will lead you in a practical, positive, interesting and caring way.
It will be YOUR Lifebook, it will be for you to complete in your own time and to update when required. It is important that someone you trust (for example, your next of kin) knows about your Lifebook and can find it should you become unable to look after your own affairs.
You can claim your FREE Lifebook by calling 0845 685 1061 and quoting reference LFB005 or by visiting www.ageconcern.org.uk/lifebook
POSTED 30.05.2008