Category: Age UK Network News

Keep up with all the latest news from across the Age UK Network

Age UK Network News Roundup – 21/01/22

Take a look at the latest weekly roundup of news from across the Age UK Network.

It’s a bumper edition of the Network News Roundup this week! We start with news of Age UK Sutton’s age-friendly work, which has been selected as a case study on the Local Government Association website. There’s also details of Age UK Waltham Forest’s new footcare service and a request for help in sourcing some enamel pin badges for Age UK Cambridgeshire & Peterborough. We then have so many new vacancies this week that we can’t fit them all in this introduction – so do scroll right down for all the details! As always, if you have a story from your organisation that you would like us to share with the Network, such as recent events, campaigns, or awards, please let us know at signpost@ageuk.org.uk and we’ll add it to this roundup.

Age UK Sutton’s age-friendly work selected as Local Government Association Case Study

Age UK Sutton are pleased to have been selected as an example of innovation in local government on the Local Government Association (LGA) website. Age UK Sutton have been chosen as a case study for their work with Sutton Council to make the London borough a more age-friendly place and to continue improving life for older people in the community.

As the lead partner in the older people’s strand of the local area plan, Age UK Sutton are leading three pilot projects which have been formed in collaboration with local older people. These projects are: working with local businesses to make the high street more welcoming; encouraging take up of volunteering opportunities; and improving feelings of safety at home.

This work is part of a consultancy contract for research and development, rather than a service delivery commission, which Age UK Sutton believe is the first time that Sutton Council have contracted with a local charity, rather than a big firm, for work like this.

You can read the case study in full on the LGA website. If you have any questions about Age UK Sutton’s age-friendly work, please contact nicola.upton@ageuksutton.org.uk.

Age UK Waltham Forest to launch new Footcare Service

Age UK Waltham Forest are pleased to be launching a new footcare service! They will be offering a toenail cutting service, every Tuesday from 1 February, in a dedicated treatment room at their hub in Chingford. Nailcare will be provided by an experienced nailcare technician, who will also offer advice on maintaining good foot health. The service will be open to all residents of Waltham Forest aged 50+.

Full details can be found on the Age UK Waltham Forest website. If you would like to find out more about how Age UK Waltham Forest set up the service, please contact Community Services Manager Emma Levine.

Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Enamel Pin Badges Enquiry

Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough would like to order some enamel infinity logo pin badges (butterfly clasp) for marketing and fundraising. Do any local partners already order these, or would anyone be interested in ordering a bulk batch with us? Please contact Beverley Young, Communications and Campaigns Manager, beverley.young@ageukcap.org.uk. Thank you!

Age UK Wigan Borough seeking new Trustees

Age UK Wigan Borough are currently recruiting for new members of their Board. They’re looking for people of all backgrounds to bring their enthusiasm and excitement to help them to improve their services and raise the profile of older people in Wigan Borough.

For more information, please head to the Age UK Wigan Borough website.

Three Open Roles at Age UK Plymouth

Age UK Plymouth have three new roles currently available. The organisation are seeking both a Fundraising Manager and a Finance Manager to become important members of the Senior Management Team and contribute to the strategic direction and growth of the charity. They are also looking for a motivated individual to lead, grow and develop opportunities both within their Dementia Day Centre in Plymstock and further afield in the community.

Find out full details on the Age UK Plymouth website.

Closing date: 28th January

Three Open Roles at Age UK Bromley & Greenwich

Age UK Bromley and Greenwich are seeking applications for three roles: I&A Welfare Benefits Advisor, I&A Manager, and Sitting Service Coordinator.

The I&A Welfare Benefits Advisor will provide support to the volunteer I&A Advisors, provide cover for the I&A Manager and support the I&A Manager in keeping information resources up to date. The I&A Manager will be responsible for the effective delivery of the Bromley Well I&A Service and the Greenwich I&A Service, which will be delivered through a range of channels. The Sitting Service Coordinator will lead on the co-ordination of the CQC Registered Sitting Service to facilitate safe and timely discharges and prevent or avoid re-admission to hospital.

Find out full details of all three roles on the Age UK Bromley & Greenwich website.

Age UK Wiltshire seeking experienced Information & Advice Project Worker

Age UK Wiltshire is seeking an experienced Information & Advice Project Worker to join its team on a part-time, temporary contract for 6 months initially. They are looking for someone who is familiar with the benefit system, particularly welfare benefits for people over state retirement age. Having experience in social care and/or housing would also be an advantage.

Find out more on the Age UK Wiltshire website

Closing date: Friday 11th February

Two vacancies at Age UK Somerset

Age UK Somerset currently have two open roles: an Information and Advice Officer for North Somerset and a Toenail Cutting Assistant to cover various locations across Somerset.

Find out full details on the Age UK Somerset website.

Closing date: 4th February

Open Roles at Age UK Calderdale & Kirklees

Age UK Calderdale & Kirklees have several roles currently available, including Service Delivery Executive, Head of Business Support, Driver/Carers for their Huddersfield wellbeing centre for older people, and a Driver/Escort for their Home from Hospital Service. The successful candidates will help to provide an excellent range of high quality and much needed services to older people to optimise their quality of life throughout the local community.

Full details of all these vacancies can be found on the Age UK Calderdale & Kirklees website.

Several roles at Age UK Camden

Age UK Camden have several open roles currently available, including Clinical Lead Counsellor, Care Navigator, and Social Prescribing Link Worker. Meanwhile, linked organisation Opening Doors London are seeking a Trans and Non-Binary+ Engagement Officer and a BAME/PoC Engagement Officer.

Find full details of all roles on the Age UK Camden website.

Three vacancies at Age UK Nottingham and Nottinghamshire

Age UK Nottingham & Nottinghamshire employs over 100 members of staff in a variety of jobs. They are currently seeking three roles: Carer Support Worker, Social Prescribing Link Worker, and One Step at a Time Coordinator.

View full details on the Age UK Nottingham and Nottinghamshire website.

Falls Prevention Programme Support Officer at Age UK Bolton

Age UK Bolton are looking for an empathetic and highly motivated person with excellent communication, engagement and project management skills with an interest in or knowledge of falls prevention as well as a desire to help improve the lives of Bolton’s ageing community as part of a longstanding, trusted local charity.

Find out more on the Age UK Bolton website.

Closing date: Friday 28th January

Two vacancies at Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow & Brent

Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent currently have two open roles available. They’re seeking: a Hospital Discharge Service Coordinator and a Hospital Support Worker. This is an exciting time to join Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent with the launch of their new charity strategy. 

Full details can be found on the Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent website.

Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire seeking a new trustee

Age UK H&W are also looking for experienced and knowledgeable trustees to join their board of trustees. The role is essentially strategic, focussing on the overall direction and performance of the organisation.

Find out more on the Age UK H&W website.

Get in touch!

If you have a story from your organisation that you would like us to share with the Network, please let us know at signpost@ageuk.org.uk.

You can also view a full list of open roles across the network here.

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games seeks local heroes to be Batonbearers

The organisers of the Commonwealth Games are seeking local heroes to be Batonbearers in the lead up to the Opening Ceremony.

This year, the Commonwealth Games will be held in Birmingham from the 28th July to the 8th August. In the lead up to the event, the Queen’s Baton Relay will travel to every region in England, before arriving at the Opening Ceremony of the Games. The organisers are seeking 2,022 Batonbearers, each with inspiring stories, to take on the special experience of carrying the Queen’s Baton through England in summer 2022. If you would be interested in nominating someone for this opportunity, or sharing the details with your networks, you can find out full details on the Commonwealth Games website.

Age UK Campaigns Calendar – First Quarter 2022

Age UK’s External Affairs Team has compiled a campaigns calendar with details on influencing work Age UK will be focusing on in the first quarter of 2022 – including how local partners can get involved.

In response to requests from the network, the Age UK External Affairs team has compiled a campaigns calendar for the first quarter of 2022! The calendar contains details on areas of influencing Age UK will be focusing on from January until March, including how local partners can get involved. Read on for full details and to access the calendar.

This edition includes details on:

  • The Cost of Cold
  • Social Care
  • Access to Banking
  • Upcoming awareness campaigns

We intend to produce an updated calendar for every quarter, to help with planning some of your influencing and campaigning for the months ahead. If you would like support influencing on these campaigns in your local area, or on any other campaigns, please get in touch with Luke Pilot, Campaigns Officer (Local Influencing).

Feedback on the calendar and its contents is also very welcome. If you have any thoughts or ideas on what should be included next time, please contact luke.pilot@ageuk.org.uk.

The Calendar is available to view and download below:

Campaigns Calendar 2022 – Quarter 1Download

Creative Later Life Newsletter – January 2022

The latest edition of the Creative Later Life Newsletter is now available for partners to read.

The latest Creative Later Life e-newsletter is now available to read. As always, the newsletter offers a flavour of what is free, accessible and available online to everyone who wants to get creative this month. The January edition features details of this year’s Age of Creativity Festival, the Arts in Care Homes project, the Art by Post project and a whole host of resources. Click here to view the Creative Later Life newsletter.

Safeguarding Knowledge Share – Upcoming Live Events

Age UK’s Safeguarding team are running 4 lunchtime drop-in sessions covering a variety of different topics associated with safeguarding.

Age UK’s Safeguarding team are running 4 lunchtime drop-in sessions aimed to enhance knowledge and understanding of different topics associated with safeguarding. These sessions are open to all Age UK Network staff and will be delivered live on Microsoft Teams. Each session will also be recorded so that you can view them later. Find out full details of each of the live events below. Please note: You don’t need to book your place at the events, just use the links provided below to join on the day. We will send reminders via Signpost ahead of these sessions too.

13:00-14:00 | Wednesday 2nd February | Safeguarding language

Do you know what an IMCA is? Who works in a MASH? What a section 42 enquiry is?

Working across different organisations can be tricky at the best of times, but when we all use different language and acronyms, it becomes harder still.

This session aims to help you learn more about the different terms used by partners working in social care and safeguarding.

Click here to join the event on the day.

13:00-14:00 | Wednesday 2nd March | Domestic Abuse Myths and Stereotypes

The Domestic Abuse Act came into force in 2021 and – despite this legislation encompassing victims and survivors of all genders, ages and sexualities – older survivors often go unrecognised.

This session will help to dispel some of the common myths surrounding the characteristics of primary victims and survivors of domestic abuse. We will highlight some of the work we are doing at Age UK to raise the profile of older people experiencing domestic abuse and the challenges they face.

Click here to join the event on the day.

13:00-14:00 | Wednesday 6th April | The role of the Local Authority

Are you confident in contacting a local authority and be able to speak with the team you need to?

Accessing social care teams can be tricky. If you’ve tried before, you’ll probably have already experienced being put through from a contact centre to a duty worker and then on to a case worker.

In this session we’ll help you to understand who does what and who to speak with to help you get the advice and action you need.

Click below to join the event on the day

13:00-14:00 | Wednesday 8th June | Understanding Mental Health

1 in 4 people experience a mental health problem each year in the UK.

It’s important that we understand what this means for those with mental ill health and what we can do to support them.

This session will provide some information to increase your knowledge, so that we are better equipped to understand and support our colleagues and beneficiaries who may be impacted. We will also discuss treatments and the support services available.

Click here to join the event on the day.

If you have any questions about any of these sessions, please contact: Carrie.bower@ageuk.org.uk.

Age UK Network News Roundup – 14/01/22

Take a look at the latest weekly roundup of news from across the Age UK Network.

Welcome to the latest Network News Roundup! There’s lots of open roles in this week’s edition, with the CEO role at Age UK Bexley still available, plus new positions at Age UK Bolton; Age UK Nottingham & Nottinghamshire; and Age UK Camden. If you have a story from your organisation that you would like us to share with the Network, such as recent events, campaigns, or awards, please let us know at signpost@ageuk.org.uk and we’ll add it to this roundup.

Age UK Bexley seeks new Chief Executive

Age UK Bexley are looking to appoint a new Chief Executive! The successful candidate will be joining at a crucial and very exciting time for Age UK Bexley as it adapts to meet the challenges of the future. Age UK Bexley has more than 30 staff and 70 volunteers. The organisation supports 4000 local older people and their families every year.

Find out more on the Age UK Bexley website.

Closing date: 19th January 2022

Several roles at Age UK Camden

Age UK Camden have several open roles currently available, including Clinical Lead Counsellor, Care Navigator, and Social Prescribing Link Worker. Meanwhile, linked organisation Opening Doors London are seeking a Trans and Non-Binary+ Engagement Officer and a BAME/PoC Engagement Officer.

Find full details of all roles on the Age UK Camden website.

Three vacancies at Age UK Nottingham and Nottinghamshire

Age UK Nottingham & Nottinghamshire employs over 100 members of staff in a variety of jobs. They are currently seeking three roles: Carer Support Worker, Social Prescribing Link Worker, and One Step at a Time Coordinator.

View full details on the Age UK Nottingham and Nottinghamshire website.

Falls Prevention Programme Support Officer at Age UK Bolton

Age UK Bolton are looking for an empathetic and highly motivated person with excellent communication, engagement and project management skills with an interest in or knowledge of falls prevention as well as a desire to help improve the lives of Bolton’s ageing community as part of a longstanding, trusted local charity.

Find out more on the Age UK Bolton website.

Closing date: Friday 28th January

Three vacancies at Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow & Brent

Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent currently have three open roles available. They’re seeking: a Hospital Discharge Service Coordinator, a Hospital Support Worker, and a Help at Home Assistant. This is an exciting time to join Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent with the launch of their new charity strategy. 

Full details can be found on the Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent website.

Several open roles at Age UK West Sussex, Brighton and Hove

Age UK West Sussex, Brighton and Hove supports thousands of local older people every year, offering activities, events, support services and information. The charity currently has several open roles available, including: Bank Crisis Carer, Home Helpers, Handypeople and more.

View full details on the Age UK West Sussex, Brighton and Hove website.

Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire seeking a new trustee

Age UK H&W are also looking for experienced and knowledgeable trustees to join their board of trustees. The role is essentially strategic, focussing on the overall direction and performance of the organisation.

Find out more on the Age UK H&W website.

Get in touch!

If you have a story from your organisation that you would like us to share with the Network, please let us know at signpost@ageuk.org.uk.

You can also view a full list of open roles across the network here.

The Cost of Cold Campaign – Petition for the Prime Minister

The latest stage of the Cost of Cold Campaign is to petition the Prime Minister to help older people facing unaffordable energy bills. Find out how you can get involved.

Since the launch of the Cost of Cold campaign at the end of 2021, the full scale of the energy crisis and its impact on older people has come into sharp focus. When the cap on energy prices is lifted again in April, millions more older households will join the one million already living in fuel poverty. We’re calling on the Prime Minister to help older people facing unaffordable energy bills and we would be really grateful if your organisation could help to spread the word by sharing our petition online. Find out full details below, including some template wording for social media.

Older people face the ordeal of having to choose between heating or eating. We are asking the Prime Minister to help older people facing unaffordable energy bills and:

  • Remove the 5% VAT rate on energy bills from April until at least the end of 2022.
  • Provide a one off £500 payment to older people on low incomes who qualify for the Cold Weather Payment.

We need to get as many signatures on our petition as fast as possible and we would be really grateful if your organisation could help to spread the word online.

Resources to help spread the word

You can use these campaign resources to write to your MP and your local newspaper editor about our new policy calls and to raise awareness.

Please share the petition online and encourage your supporters to sign. You can find images to share with them in the campaigns resources as well as some suggested wording for social media below:

Facebook

Unless the Government act now, millions of older people could struggle to pay their bills and keep their homes warm this winter. Will you sign our letter and ask the Prime Minister to help stop older people choose between heating or eating?

https://campaigns.ageuk.org.uk/page/96920/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=LAUK

Twitter

Sign our letter and ask the Prime Minister to protect older people from the energy crisis:

https://campaigns.ageuk.org.uk/page/96920/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=LAUK

#CostofCold

Get in touch

Please keep us updated on how the energy crisis is impacting the older people you support. If you would like any support engaging with your MPs or delivering a campaign locally, contact luke.pilot@ageuk.org.uk.

You can also find the Partner Pack for the Cost of Cold campaign here.

Upcoming Live Longer Better Thought Leadership National Event

All Age UKs are invited to attend the next Live Longer Better Thought Leadership National Event on Wednesday 26th January from 10:00-11:30.

All Age UKs are invited to join the next Live Longer Better Thought Leadership National Event. The webinar takes place on Wednesday 26th January from 10.00 – 11.30. Speakers include Dr Lis Boulton, Health and Care Policy Manager at Age UK. Read on to find out more, or click here to book your place.

We now understand better the on-going detrimental impact of the Covid pandemic and the preventable deterioration on the health of many of our older population, notably the evidence that people can take action to prevent and reduce many of the problems that have hitherto been regarded as immutable effects of the biological process of ageing. This will significantly reduce pressure on our health and care systems.

The Government’s recent Adult Social Care Reform White Paper (December 2021) sets out an ambitious 10-year plan to transform support and care in England, putting People at the Heart of Care, by giving them choice, control, and support to live independent lives. Live Longer Better promotes early intervention which will help to reduce the pressures and associated costs on our Health and Care systems, by supporting people’s independence and allowing real choice.  

Join us at the next national event to understand how Live Longer Better’s 2022 New Year’s Revolution aims to reduce the need for Health and Social Care for our older population, by preventing, delaying, slowing and reversing frailty and dementia, by increasing activity – physical, cognitive and emotional.  

Live Longer Better aims to do this through the 3 Rs:

  • Recovery from the deconditioning effects of lockdown and Covid
  • Rejuvenation, regaining the fitness and ability lost in your last ten years
  • Reimagining your future and thinking positive, for example about increasing Brain Health as well as reducing the risk of dementia

The LLB National Events have proved extremely popular – nearly 1,500 delegates have attended our last five events with cross sector representation including local authorities, Age UK, NHS, Care Homes, Leisure Trusts and various voluntary and community sector partners.  Feedback given by delegates confirmed that the events fully met their expectations.  Register for this event now to secure your place!

Further programme details will be circulated nearer the event.

Click here to book your place

This Live Longer Better collaboration between Sir Muir Gray, Optimal Ageing Associates and Active Partnerships provides a unique combination of skills and resources, bringing together the cultures of coaching and health. We look forward to sharing some excellent presentations and speakers around the Live Longer Better work.

SEIB Giving – Competition from SEIB Insurance Brokers

2022 will be the fifth year of the SEIB Giving campaign that gives small to medium sized charities the opportunity to win up to £12,000 in funding.

SEIB Insurance Brokers has relaunched its charity giving competition, with £50,000 to share between good causes. Charities can use their supporter networks to request nominations and the organisations with the most supporter nominations (votes) will go forward to a further vote by SEIB employees. Public nominations can be made by anyone but must be received by 5pm, Monday 17th January. We apologise for such short notice, but we have only just been made aware of this opportunity and wanted to share it with you in case you do still want to get involved. Full details can be found on the SEIB website.

January Finance Network Meeting – One Week to go!

Just one week to go until the next Finance Network Meeting on January 19th from 11:00 – 12:30. This session will focus on the topic “Big Plans, Strategy & Business Models”.

Just one week to go until the next Finance Network Meeting on 19th January 2022 from 11:00 – 12:30. Nick Wilkie, former charity chief executive, government policy adviser and visiting lecturer at The Centre for Charity Effectiveness, will present on the primary topic: Big Plans, Strategy and Business Models – thinking out loud. Find out how to book your place below.

Nick will share his personal perspectives on leading and landing strategy. Sharing experience not expertise, failure more than triumph, he will reflect broadly across the subject including:

  • making sure everyone in the organisation knows where true north is;
  • knowing who the beneficiaries really are;
  • ensuring all decision-makers properly understand the balance sheet and business model;
  • why things go wrong and how they might get fixed.

Book your place

To book your place, and / or to subsequently receive a copy of the recording of the event and the slides, please email John.Fox@ageuk.org.uk  with: your name and role title; the name of the Brand Partner you are representing; and the email address to which the follow-up material should be sent. We would be grateful if you could confirm in your email whether you will be attending on the day or just requesting access to the meeting recording and supporting slides – thank you.

Please share this information with colleagues in your organisation who you feel would be interested in attending and encourage them to do so.

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