Resources
Below we have a collection of resources you may find useful. We have split them into the following sections, Help and Advice, information on Dementia, the Menopause, Scams & Social groups plus links to information from British Gas and our Government.
Help and Advice
Groundwork – Green Doctor Service
“Our team of friendly Green Doctors are trained energy-efficiency experts.
We offer free, impartial advice to help you take control of your bills, save energy where possible in the home, and access other services and initiatives available.
We can provide different kinds of support, whether that’s advice on paying off debt with energy or water companies, or spotting other concerns for a referral to other services. “
Find out more visit Groundwork website.
Energy Advice information.
Even though this booklet was produced in 2020 the information it contains is still more than relevant to todays circumstances. For information on “How to understand energy and save money”.
Download: Citizens Advice Bureau Energy Advice Booklet (.pdf)
Advice guides – free resources for older people, their families and carers
“Independent Age is the only national charity focused on improving the lives of people facing financial hardship in later life.
One of the ways we support older people, their families and carers is via our free advice guides. These are full of information to help people in later life boost their income, find the care they need, choose the right place to live and more.
You can order or download our advice guides, at no cost, by visiting Advice guides, factsheets and leaflets | Independent Age. Or you can order our guides by calling our Helpline
on freephone 0800 319 6789, Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm.”
Safer Ageing
Hourglass is the only charity in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland working exclusively on elder abuse. They provide knowledge, expertise and support to thousands of people every year. Hourglass offers support to victims and others who are concerned about or have witnessed abuse, neglect or financial exploitation. They work to protect, and prevent, the abuse of vulnerable older adults and by doing so also protect other adults at risk of abuse.
If you are worried for the welfare of an older person, for confidential information, support and guidance you can call free on their 24/7 Helpline
0808 808 8141 .
(Open 24/7 – including weekends and bank holidays)
Visit website: Hourglass
Only available during business hours, (Mon-Fri 9 to 5)
Mobile number for the text service 07860 052906
Email: helpline@wearehourglass.org
Radar NKS Key
The National Key Scheme (NKS) offers disabled people independent access to locked public toilets around the country.
The key opens more than 10,000 disabled toilets across the UK.
RADAR keys are used by some 400 local authorities to allow disabled people access to locked, accessible toilets. Most local authorities will sell or give you a RADAR key, or you can buy one online (from Disability Rights UK).
Driving and Passenger Assessment Service
“Our aim is to help people maintain or regain independence as drivers and passengers following a change in health. At North East Drive Mobility, we also conduct powered wheelchair assessments, and work alongside our Mobility Hubs Advice Service for those who are looking for alternatives to driving.”
Driving and Passenger Assessment Service – CNTW095 – for Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.
Visit North East Drive Mobility website.
Online Home Fire Safety Checks
Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service (TWFRS) offer Home Safety Checks to anyone living in the Tyne & Wear area.
They can arrange to visit your home to check for fire risks and help with smoke alarms. They will give you fire safety information and advice. The Fire Service also offer Safe & Well visits for people over the age of 65. They can check for hazards in your home that could lead to you falling and getting hurt.
They can help with advice and make small changes or provide some small pieces of equipment to help you stay safe at home.
You can carry out your own online fire safety check for your home and set reminders to check your smoke alarms.
Visit TWFRS website.
What do I need to keep?
If you are unsure about what paperwork and personal documents you need to keep, for how long or how you can get a copy of a lost document then please Download
NEFA’s Paperwork and personal documents at a glance (.pdf)
Material Focus
A free service run by an independent not-for-profit organisation.
“We’re on a mission to stop electricals being hoarded and thrown away, and ensure they’re reused and recycled instead.
Discarded electricals are one of the fastest growing sources of waste in the UK and in the world. Most people in the UK think that recycling is the right thing to do, but it’s still too hard to do – less than half of us think it’s easy to get rid of unwanted electricals.
Our funding comes from UK WEEE Regulations Compliance Fees. These are paid by electrical producers if they don’t meet annual recycling targets set by the government. The fees are set higher than the average costs of collections to encourage collections to take place. We manage spending of the fees to support reuse and recycling of electricals in the UK.
You can drop off your items at any of our collection points, located at community buildings across the region. We also run free repair cafe’s in certain regions to recycle broken items.
About us: About Material Focus – What we do – WEEE
Partner with us: Partner with Material Focus – Material Focus
Contact us: Contact us – Material Focus
Check your region: Electrical recycling – Where to recycle & donate – Recycle Your Electricals “
Dementia
Dementia Risks & Responses
(from Dr. Alison Killen Research Associate, Newcastle University & Health Psychologist) A big thank you to her for allowing us to use her presentation which provides simple facts regarding dementia, what it is, risk factors, what you can do and how you could help dementia research.
The UK network of dementia groups
DEEP brings the network of individual groups together to share experiences, learn from and to support each other. Some groups are formed for support and friendship in the beginning. then many go on to become involved in campaigning and awareness raising about dementia. They all matter, and they all aim to enable people to have a voice about what matters to them.
Find out more by visiting their website dementiavoices.org.uk
and/or download deep leaflet (gives contact info).
Menopause
House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee Menopause Report
51% of the population will experience menopause … too many people experiencing menopause have struggled with … inadequate diagnosis and treatment …
Unison Menopause Guidance & Policy
(from UNISON the public services union)
The guide is designed to ensure that organisations consider how menopausal symptoms can impact their people.
Though related to nurses the following can be useful to anybody with the menopause and it also outlines employer reponsibilities regarding supporting staff members with the condition.
See the Nursing in Practice: Managing the menopause and work: support for nurses article
The following PDFs have all been provide by Jacqui McBurnie the North East, North Cumbria (NENC) Menopause lead:-
Information on visiting your GP regarding the menopause
What should I know about hormone replacement (HRT) therapy?
Resources for managers: Supporting colleagues through menopause
The following PDFs were created from Jacqui’s powerpoint presentations.
Menopause Champions: Info, signposting & resources
Menopause Toolkit one stop shop: education & resources
Miscellaneous menopause pdf files:
Guidance on menopause and the workplace v6
NEFA – Menopause Matters in the Workplace report
SCAMS
How to spot a pension scam
Pension scams are on the rise in the UK. The internet and advances in digital communications mean these kinds of scams are getting more common and harder to identify. Find out how to spot, avoid and report pension scams.
Visit website: How to spot a pension scam (Money Hekper)
download leaflet: FCA don’t let a scammer enjoy your retirement !
The Financial Conduct Authority ScamSmart website is all about financial scams. Pensions, Investment, Trading and Loan type scams are all detailed. You can also check that any firm offering you financial services is actually registered with the FCA.
Find Out About Online Fraud And How To Protect Yourself. Call The FCA To Report A Scam. Check An Investment Or Pension Opportunity You’ve Been Offered And Avoid Scams. Check The Warning List. Get Impartial Information. Report A Suspected Scam
Scams – Know the tricks, avoid the traps
Scams are crimes, and they’re a growing problem, so it’s important to be aware of what they might look like and how can be avoided. Our website offers a range of valuable information to help people spot, avoid and report scams as well as what to do if someone falls victim to a scam: Scams | Independent Age
Our ‘Scamwise’ guide also covers essential information and advice on scams.
Anyone can order or download our ‘Scamwise’ guide, at no cost,
here: Spotting, avoiding and reporting scams | Independent Age.
Or by calling our Helpline on freephone 0800 319 6789, Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30
We advise everybody to regularly visit the Action Fraud website.
This website is constantly updated and contains:
+ News and Alerts on the latest scams
+ Details of the many fraud categories (from Advance fee fraud to Work from home scams)
+ How to spot the signs of and protect yourself from fraud
You can also report and get advice about fraud or cyber crime by calling 0300 123 2040
Social Groups
Autistic and ADHD Adult Service Tyneside and Northumberland Mind
Their services includes:
• A regular social group in Gateshead at New Century House office, 10am – 12pm first Friday of every month.
• 1:1 sessions with our OT. People will devise and enact coping strategies and receive support to create personal goals.
• Autism and ADHD mental health support service which includes one to one support and a regular social group which meets in Gateshead
• free online and telephone information, advice and support to anyone with mental health problems. This includes general information and signposting and legal advice.
Visit Website: Autism and ADHD mental health support service
Here to Hear – at our monthly drop-ins
“Healthwatch Northumberland monthly drop-ins are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service.”
(They also have monthly Zoom meetings.)
Visit website to find out more about ‘Here to Hear‘.
See Healthwatch Northumberland website.
Good to Know Groups
A free informative telephone group service run by Independent Age for people over the age of 65.
Good to Know Groups take place over the phone most weeks and last around an hour. We invite a different guest speaker to discuss issues of interest. Topics include scam awareness, support during the cost-of-living crisis, finding new social connections – things that are simply ‘Good to Know’ about. Anyone over 65 can attend as many groups as they like.
We also run free webinar sessions available to those over 65, their families, friends, carers, and professionals.
To find out more about this free service, how it works and programme, visit our website:
Good to Know Groups | Independent Age.
SEARCH Newcastle
run Support and Mindfulness/Wellbeing groups on various dates throughout the year.
They have an ongoing group on Tuesdays at Kenton Hub,
Kenton Library 12:00pm – 13:30pm
To find out more about their “Talking Therapies” and other groups and activities Visit website:
https://www.searchnewcastle.org.uk/activities-and-groups/
or telephone: 0191 273 7443
From British Gas
From Gov.UK
All link to the gov.uk website