Hi Everyone,
Well that was a crazy week!
I am most definitely NOT a snow or ice lover like so many of you that I talked with on the phone over the last week – it’s scary and slippery! So I am hoping by Monday that all the snow will be gone and we can get back to normal again.
Any classes that were cancelled this week will be made up at the end of the course.
Thanks to everyone who was so patient over the phone with us too as we tried to get to speak to everyone.
I know some of you near hills and country roads have been cooped up all week so hopefully you will be able to get out and about over the weekend.
Stay safe everyone!
Here are some notices of events both in and out of U3A for the next week or two:
U3A Stamp Collectors
Are there any U3A members who ever collected stamps or would like to take up a new hobby?
New members are welcome to join our small friendly group upstairs in the Games Room on the last Friday of the month.
The next meeting of the Stamp Club will be on Friday 27th January at 11am.
Mobile Phone Training
Anyone who registered an interest and signed up for this class has been allocated a space but Michael has had to split the class into 2 groups.
The First group – who have all been contacted – will start on Monday 23rd Jan at 2pm.
The remainder I will either have been in touch with you or will be in touch with asap for a start date of 20th Feb.
Fireside Quiz
Please get all your answer sheets in before the end of the month!
Table Tennis Coaching Opportunity
We are delighted to announce that there will be an opportunity to get some coaching in Table Tennis over 6 weeks starting on Monday 23rd January to Monday 27th February from 1-3pm. We are working in tandem with Table Tennis Ulster to promote ‘Bat & Chat’ – improving your skills in Table Tennis and having a laugh whilst you do it.
Sean McAnaney will be the Coach for the 6 week session.
Everyone is welcome to come along.
Short Walk – NEW GROUP
There is a new Walking Group starting up in a few weeks time – when the weather gets a bit better – on Friday mornings from 10am.
We are taking names on an Interest Sheet so if you fancy getting out to walk regularly and meet new people please sign up in the office.
One Pot Cookery Session – FEBRUARY session
On Thursday 9th February at 11.15am we will be running a One Pot Cookery Demo Session.
There are limited spaces so please register your interest in the front office.
Thanks to some funding from the Community Foundation we will be running a series of these FREE sessions which will advise you on how to batch cook, freeze food safely and make meals which are nutritious and cost effective. You will get a small taster of the goods.
Come in, keep warm, join the very informal sessions, have a cuppa, watch the cooking and have a wee taste.
We will give out the recipes too so you can try again at home.
There is an Interest sheet in the office as we need names & numbers for catering purposes.
Circus Classes
The British Science Foundation has funded the ‘In your Space’ group in the city to deliver Circus Skills to some groups and we have been picked as a potential partner if we have enough interest in running a class in circus skills.
Kate from In Your Space will be coming down to the building soon to get a chat with anyone interested and give a demonstration of what the group can expect from the programme.
If you would be interested in attending please let me know!
There will be a huge skillset to pick from including juggling, balance acts, unicycling and who knows what else?
Hub Session
Alzheimer’s Society Hub Session
Howard Clarke from Alzheimer’s Society will be in U3A Foyle on Wednesday 25th January at 11am to chat about the society, how it can help sufferers and carers of Alzheimer’s and lots more information and leaflets to assist you and your loved ones.
Tai Chi Beginners
Monday’s Beginners Tai Chi class runs from 10.30 -11.15 and would welcome some new members.
Come along and try a class if you’re new to the activity.
Versus Arthritis Talk
Following Wednesday’s postponement, Susan from Versus Arthritis will be in U3A Foyle on Tuesday 31st Jan at 12.30pm to talk about the organisation and the 6 week programme they will be running in U3A Foyle starting Monday 13th February 10.30am. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Spanish
There will NOT be any Spanish Classes next week as Laura is away.
Sunday Lunch Club
The first Sunday Lunch Club of 2023 will take place on Sunday 5th February in the Everglades at 1pm.
Please put your name down on the Interest Sheet in the office if you would like to attend so we have accurate numbers for the Hotel.
(You cannot just turn up on the day as we have to confirm with the hotel in advance.)
Breast screening
Please note that members over 70 have to make their own appointment for breast screening. You no longer get an appointment sent out to you.
To make the appointment, phone the Breast Screening Clinic at Altnagelvin 028 7161 1363 between 9.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
BIG Spring Clean
Planning is underway for the 2023 Northern Ireland BIG Spring Clean and the organisers are hoping to make this year’s event the biggest one yet!
The BIG Spring Clean, takes place between 1st March and 30th April and is Northern Ireland’s largest community clean-up campaign.
Since its inception, 553,571 volunteers have participated in clean-up activities during the Spring months, removing over 800 tonnes of waste!
It is open to individuals, schools, community groups and businesses from all communities wishing to rid their streets of litter and discarded rubbish and I am hoping that U3A Members will want to get involved with a clean up in the Gransha Grounds. If you would be interested in taking part as a volunteer please put your name on the Interest Sheet in the Front Office. We will provide the bags, litter pickers and gloves – although bring along your own too if you have some – and we will try and rid the grounds of rubbish!
Rosie’s Trust Charity
Rosie’s Trust is a unique charity that keeps people and their pets together by working alongside elderly, terminally ill people helping them to look after their dog or cat.
This includes dog walking, trips to the vet and when appropriate help with vets bills amongst many other things. The charity is based in Bangor but works throughout Northern Ireland.
Would anyone be interested in a meeting and a PowerPoint show about the charity?
Please put your name on the Interest Sheet and if we get enough interest we can get a talk set up.
Patient Bank – further information session
There will be an information session at the School of Medicine hosted by Dr Lysa Owen, Clinical Communications Senior Lecturer, on Monday 30th January from 11am for approx.1.5 hours.
Other key staff – Medical Students and Physician Associates will be attending this too.
Although this is for people who have already registered their interest, it will be open for others who are interested but were unable to attend last week.
Government £600 Energy Support Scheme
The roll out of the single one-off payment has started to reach people, from Monday 16th January 2023. All households with a domestic meter and a domestic electricity contract are eligible. The detailed guide by Advice NI will tell you how to receive your Energy Bills Support Scheme payment and answer frequently asked questions.
All you need to know: Click the button to be directed to Advice NI |
How will you get your payment?
Customers who pay by Direct Debit will automatically receive the £600 payment into the bank account used to pay their bill. Direct Debit customers do not need to contact their supplier to receive this payment.
Keypad meter and Standard credit customers will receive a £600 voucher in the post from the Post Office.
Vouchers need to be redeemed at a Post Office branch. The voucher and supporting paperwork will be needed. To receive the funds straight into your bank account you will need your bank debit card or photographic ID to receive cash payment.
Customers who pay for their electricity via a keypad meter or standard credit will receive a voucher in the mail from the Post Office which will look like this. It may be addressed to the ‘Occupier’.
Redeeming a voucher on someone’s behalf if they are elderly/disabled/housebound or otherwise unable to do it themselves
If customers require support with redeeming their vouchers, there will be an explanation on the voucher if they want someone else to redeem their voucher.
Beware of scams!
The payment is automatic.
Communications from any source suggesting you need to provide personal information, phone a number, or follow a link are likely to be scams.
If you pay by direct debit or if you use a keypad meter suppliers generally have all the information they need to get this payment to you. If suppliers need to contact you they will do so directly. Exercise caution. Do not click on suspicious links. You can report messages you think are suspicious at report@phishing.gov.uk.
Suppliers and the Utility Regulator are asking us to be patient before trying to chase up a missing payment.
It will take approximately 4-6 weeks to issue all payments. If by 28 February 2023 your voucher has not arrived, get in touch with your supplier at that stage to enquire.
Vouchers will be valid until 31 March 2023.
WHSCT Monthly Information Coffee Mornings
The WHSCT are holding monthly information coffee mornings for clients with a diagnosis of dementia along with their family and carers.
The events will be held in St Columb’s Park House, 4 Limavady Road, Waterside, Derry / Londonderry BT47 6JY on 27th January, 23rd February and 24th March from 11am-1pm. Please register your interest by contacting Dementia Navigator Stephanie Coyle on 07920087601
Older Peoples Forum
The Resource Centre, Derry is hosting an Older Peoples Forum to discuss scam awareness, crime prevention and the current cost of living crisis on 9th February, with a number of keynote speakers attending.
Anyone interested in attending or for further information please contact Laura McNulty on 028 71 352 832 or email laura.mcnulty@resourcecentrederry.com
Photo competition: Ageing: New Perspectives
A photography competition has been launched to challenge stereotypical depictions of older people.
Ageing Better is joining forces with the content licensing platform Alamy to run a competition for their photographers to challenge old-age stereotypes.
Please visit this link for further information and to enter https://ageing-better.org.uk/news/photography-competition-challenge-depictions
Deadline for submission of entries is 31 March
Average price of Home Heating Oil – Consumer Council
The Consumer Council has produced a comparison of the cost of home heating oil. The average price of 500L home heating oil this week is £433.04 regionally, up just over £7 from last week.
View this week’s prices for 300L, 500L and 900L in your area here: bit.ly/38gO9Lj
Join Independent Age Readers’ Panel
Independent Age produces a range of advice guides, factsheets, leaflets, and online tools for older people.
They would like to know whether their publications are clear, useful, easy to read, attractive and well-designed and are looking for older people to join their Readers’ Panel to share their views to ensure the guides are as helpful as possible.
For more information visit ‘Independent Age Readers’ Panel’
IMBOLC 2023
IMBOLC International Music Festival is one of the highlights of the North West cultural calendar and one of Ireland’s music festivals.
With a jam-packed programme of music, arts, and culture, there’s certainly something for everyone at this year’s IMBOLC festival!
Based in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin and running Sunday the 29th of January to Sunday the 5th of February.
For further information please visit https://www.imbolcfestival.com/
