Services For Older People in the BANSTEAD area.
News Items :
Bereavement Group
Sadly, after many years successful operation, we have decided to suspend our Bereavement Group for the time being. Numbers have fallen away and no new clients have been coming forward. We suspect that this is because of many other local groups offering a similar facility who didn't exist when we set the original group up. If, however,anyone feels that they would benefit from the group re-opening, please get in touch withAnn in the office. We should be more than happy to start up again if there is enough demand.
Posted 25.09.2011
Car Scheme Price Increase
Age Concern Banstead is sorry to have to announce an increase to its charges for use of its car scheme.
This, the first increase in more than 18 months has been brought about by the continued rise in our costs, particularly the cost of petrol.
The rise will be applied on all jouneys from !st April 2011 and will equate to approximately 10%.
Posted 29.03.2011
Silver Surfers
Are you sitting at home and constantly hearing about the internet and all that it can do for you? Do you feel that you MAY be missing out? Are you thinking that you are too old to learn?
Well it may be time that you gave it a try.The new computer centre at The Banstead Centre is now up and running and doing very well.There is a team of dedicated "oldies" who will show you the ropes and help you to overcome any nerves you may have, even if you have never touched a keyboard before.You will be surprised how easy it all seems after just one or two sessions.
You have to be a member of the centre to use the computers (£7.00 per annum) but this gives you full membership and you can then use all the facilities.
Go along and give it a go!
Updated 01.02.2012
News from Chave Croft Club
News item being prepared.
Posted 01.02.2012
Memories Etcetera
A fascinating collection of sories and reminiscences has been created by members of the Creative Writing Circle at Sunrise Senior Living Banstead. Edited by Jill Silsby, the contributions range from an account of a picnic in Saudi Arabia in the 1970s to a production of Macbeth in Belmont Hospital.
The Circle has kindly donated some copies of the book to ACB and we have them in our office. They make very good reading and if you would like a copy, do please pop in and buy one. They only cost £2.00 and all proceeds go to your LOCAL ACB.
Updated 03.02.2012
Hearing Aid Service.
Did you know that there is a hearing aid service in the Day Centre in Banstead on the forth Wednesday of every month? It runs from 12.15 to 2.00 pm and carries out re=tubing and supplying of new batteries. You don't need to make any appointment - just come along.
Updated 01.01.2012
Handyman Scheme.
We are pleased to announce that following the retirement of our old handyman, David Turner, after many years of valuable and reliable service, Roger Harris is now going to take on this role.
Roger can help with those jobs around the home which you find difficult to do, like putting up grab rails or curtain rails or doing a bit of painting. If you you are interested, please call Rebecca in our office.
Updated 29.09.2011
Distraction Burglaries.
We have been advised by Police that a number of "distraction burglaries" have been reported where a male and female have stated that they are from Age Concern in order to gain access to older people's homes.
While not wanting to alarm anyone unnecessarily,we feel it important that folk know that these crimes have been committed in the Surrey area.
Remember doorstep etiquette :-
* Check the identity of a caller before you open the door.
* If in doubt telephone a friend, a neighbour or the Police.
* Keep the doors and windows secure at all times.Always use your door chain.(If you do not have one our handy man can fit one for you)
Updated 24.09.2011
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.
Posted 01.11.10
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.
ACB have now expressed interest in signing up to become a "Friend of Age UK" which will create closer links with Age UK Surrey and provide access to additional support and assistance in carrying out our aims and objectives.
Updated 29.09.2011
Feet First
We have changed the contact telephone number for appointments and information.The new number is - 01737 352156 (Answerphone outside of office hours)
Updated 20.09.2011
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.
Updated 15.09.2011
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 -
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.
Updated 29.09.2011
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