Volunteer Newsletter Spring 2021

Volunteer Newsletter - Spring 2021 Registered Charity Number: 1116662 Date Created: March 2021

Hi everyone Welcome to your Volunteers Newsletter, Spring 2021! I am sure you are as pleased as me to put winter behind us and look forward to some brighter days. It's been a year since the first national COVID-19 lockdown and so much has changed in these last 12 months. Our staff have been mainly working from home and we've had to reimagine almost every aspect of the way we work. Our aim is the same though - to help the most vulnerable older people in Hertfordshire. With your help we've continued to support more than 3,000 people each week as well as respond to more than 50,000 enquiries in the last year. We are cautiously optimistic that soon we can get back to a new version of normal with face-to-face visits starting up, clubs re-opening and we can celebrate you all in person! We've dedicated some of these pages to photographs of the amazing work that you have been doing to continue to support our charity and older people in Hertfordshire. We know we always say it, but we can't say it too many times, that we really could not do what we do without you, and we're immensely grateful for your continued support. Many Thanks Mark Hanna Interim Chief Executive Officer 1 Age UK Hertfordshire Volunteers Newsletter Summer 2021

Age UK Hertfordshire Volunteers Newsletter Summer 2021 2

Roadmap out of lockdown Step 1 - 8th March Practical Higher Education Indoor entertainment and All schools and collages courses attractions open for all students Rule of 6 or two households Organised indoor sport Practical Higher Education outdoors. Household only (adult) courses indoors Remaining accommodation Exercise and recreation All retail Remaining outdoor outdoors with household or Personal care entertainment (including one other person Libraries & community performances) Household only indoors centres Domestic overnight stays Wraparound care, including Most outdoor attractions allowed sport for all children Indoor leisure inc gyms International travel subject to Stay at home (individual use only) review) No holidays Self-contained Most significant life events Funerals (30) accommodation (30) Weddings and wakes (6) All children's activities Indoor events: 1,000 or 50% Outdoor hospitality Outdoor seated events: Step 1 - 29th March Indoor parent & child groups 10,000 or 25% Rule of 6 or two households (max 15 people, excluding Outdoor other events: 4,000 outdoor. Household only under 5s) or 50% indoors Domestic overnight stays Organised outdoor sport (household only) Step 4 - No earlier than 21st (children and adults). No international travel June Outdoor sports and leisure Funerals (30) facilities Weddings, wakes, receptions All schools and collages All outdoor children's (15) open for all students activities Event pilots Practical Higher Education Outdoor parent and child courses group (max 15 people, Step 3 - no earlier than 17th No legal limit on social excluding under 5s) May contact Minimise travel Remaining businesses No holidays All schools and collages including nightclubs to open Funerals (30) open for all students Domestic overnight stays Weddings and wakes (6) Practical Higher Education allowed courses International travel allowed Step 2 - no earlier than 12th Maximum 30 people No legal limit on life vents April outdoors Larger events can take place Rule of 6 or two household All schools and collages indoors (subject to review) open for all students Indoor hospitality 3 Age UK Hertfordshire Volunteers Newsletter Summer 2021

A huge thank you to Volunteer Audrey! After 28 years of volunteering for us in our 10 to 3 Club, Audrey has decided to step back from volunteering. We wanted to offer her a massive Thank you!!! - and to say how valued she has been to the club and we wish her well for the future! HomeHealth Study: New study on keeping independent & fraility prevention in Hertfordshire For some older people, day-to-day The HomeHealth study asks if a life can be challenging. They may one-to-one service focusing on these not feel as strong as they used to, issues could help older people living may lose weight without trying, lose at home stay independent and feel confidence or find everyday activities better about everyday living. more difficult than before. It can also mean recovering after a fall or illness takes longer than it used to. For more information please contact 4 Sarah Kalwarowsky on: [email protected] | 07823 686 071 Age UK Hertfordshire Volunteers Newsletter Summer 2021

1950 to 2021 - a tiny bit of time travel Sarah McKie, from our e) To discover if there are friends remember the saying ‘never talk partnership Nutrition & Dietetics and relatives and if these visit often about anything on the stairs except Service, found a National Old or only occasionally the weather.’ People's Welfare Committee guide f) To do all in one’s power to widen in her Grandmother's belongings. the old person’s interests by reading, 2. A bunch of flowers or picture It's from March 1950 and we bringing picture papers, or starting papers may help to break the ice of a thought it might be fund to share crafts. first visit. The visitor will probably their tips on visiting 'Old People' g) Do not take any notes during the have to take the conversational lead and see what has changed in the course of the visit, only after leaving at the first visit and then become a last 71 years! Interestingly, much the house. good listener. Old people are at their of this still feels like really N.B – It is very unlikely that all the best as hosts or hostesses; they are relevant and thoughtful advice! above information will be obtained always more at ease entertaining you by the Visitor at the first visit and it is then when they are being entertained. Notes for the Visitors of Old People - important to ask as few questions as From The National Old People’s possible but get the information 3. The length of the visit will vary, but Welfare Committee (March 1950) indirectly. old people often tire easily especially if they are bed-ridden. Preparation for Visit General Hints 1.It is important to send a letter (not 1.As old people are sometimes deaf 4. Where incomes are found to be a postcard) suggesting possible day you may get no reply from the front inadequate, or there is a need for and time for paying the first friendly door. If you have to go to the back meals on wheels, glasses of hearing visit, unless this has been done by door remember to apologise for what aides, nursing in the home, home the organiser. may be considered a breach of help, etc., Visitors are asked to etiquette. In shared houses telephone or write to the Secretary of 2.Before making the visit it is a good the Old People’s Welfare Committee, plan to run over in one’s mind what when the problem will be dealt with are the objects of the visit, i.e.: promptly. a) To establish a happy friendly relationship with the old person, and 5. Regularity of visits – these should to mitigate loneliness be at least once a fortnight and more often if possible. The important thing b) To make a mental note of housing is that the old person should know conditions and any difficulties in when next to expect the Visitor and housekeeping that arrangements once made should not be altered. c) To report if the income seems inadequate - the right relationship 6. Reports on Visits – a note should will be destroyed if monetary needs be kept of the dates of the visits and are met from the visitors own pocket. any service and special advice given. The Secretary will be grateful to have d) To find out the general health of these sheets once a quarter – any the old person and whether he or correspondence should be attached. she is attended by a doctor or district &. All the information gained must be nurse, and if he or she is on a regarded as strictly confidential and doctor’s list under the Health Act. should only be passed on to the Secretary! 5 Age UK Hertfordshire Volunteers Newsletter Summer 2020

Help in the Home Do you or your loved one need help staying on top of household tasks? Our carefully selected Home Helpers can help you maintain your independence if you need help with domestic tasks, shopping or to offer some companionship, for £18.24 per hour. Call us today: South & West Herts: 01932 224 472 Mid, North & East Herts: 01707 386 066 www.ageuk.org.uk/hertfordshire Registered Charity Number: 1116662

Volunteer Inductions on Zoom We will be running 3 one hour The dates are: So whether you are just starting as a Volunteer Inductions in March. Wednesday 24th March - Volunteer or you would like to refresh 12pm - 1pm your knowledge then get in touch and At your request we are offering them Saturday 27th March - book a place. at different times, so that people who 11am - 12pm are working or have other Tuesday 30th March - We'd love to see you! commitments can choose the best 6:30pm - 7:30pm date and time for them. For more information or to book Please let us know if you would like your place, please contact us on: to come along! We will be covering [email protected] Boundaries and Safeguarding, as well as some frequently asked questions. At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished… it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” - Denzel Washington 7 Age UK Hertfordshire Volunteers Newsletter Summer 2021

I & A Audit Success! Thank you to all of our Information & quality of their reports, how Jana Kycinova said: Advice Volunteers for your incredibly quickly and efficiently they \"I can’t find the right words to dedication to our organisation. adapted their ways and continued to support our clients during pandemic. thank all I&A Volunteers and staff We have received the most amazing members but I hope they know how audit outcome, the best outcome One auditor commented: proud I am to be a member of such ever! an amazing team.\" We were able to achieve these high standards only because of you and \"It was extremely difficult your coordinator’s passion to help. for me to pinpoint any Age UK National's auditors were areas for improvement very impressed by our Benefits during the assessment! Outreach Volunteers knowledge, This is a testament to the hard work put in by Hertfordshire, especially in such challenging times. Very impressive.\" Lasting Power of Attorney Service What is Lasting Power of your bank accounts and pensions, if and support needed to make a Attorney? you lose the capacity to do so decision about whether you need an yourself. LPA, and the options available to you Registering a Lasting Power of for obtaining one – for example, doing Attorney (LPA) is a way of giving There are two types of LPA : it yourself online; going through your someone you trust, known as your An LPA for property and financial local solicitor, or using the Age UK ‘attorney’, the legal authority to make decisions Hertfordshire service. decisions on your behalf, if either An LPA for health and welfare you no longer wish to make decisions If you would like our support or to find decisions for yourself, or if in the out more information about pricing, future, you aren’t able to make What does Age UK Hertfordshire’s please contact us on: important decisions about your LPA service offer? property and finance or about your [email protected] health and social care. Our experienced, and Quality 0300 345 3446 Assured, Information and Advice An LPA will give your ‘attorney’ the (I&A) Team will provide you, free of right to deal with matters such as charge, with the information, advice Age UK Hertfordshire Volunteers Newsletter Summer 2021 8

Are you living with dementia? Are you worried about memory loss? There are many ways we can help people living with mild cognitive impairment, memory loss or dementia and their carers Specialist information and advice over the phone or at one of our dementia hubs Groups and one-to-one support provided Carer support groups and advice For more information please contact HertsHelp on: 0300 123 4044 | [email protected] | https://hertswise.org.uk/ Do you speak more than one language? Our Befriending Service would love We’d like to keep a list of the to hear from Volunteers who speak languages our volunteers speak so more than one language. From time that if we get a client who only to time we have clients who speak speaks Russian, for example, then Spanish, Polish, French or Gujarati we can get in touch with you to see if and they’d love to have the chance you can help! to chat to someone who speaks the same language as them. Let us know! For more information please contact us on: [email protected] 9 Age UK Hertfordshire Volunteers Newsletter Summer 2021

Zoom sessions with clients As many of you will know we are We have an amazing team of IT now running Zoom sessions for our Volunteers who are ready and willing clients. to come out and train clients in basic tech skills and get them online and Please get in touch with your connected. coordinator if you would like to know more. Make sure you mention this to If you know of a client who could your client as it might be a nice bit of benefit from this then let us know, of fun for them to come online and and we’ll try to help! chat! Talking of which, we have been donated some tablets to give to clients who need them and who may have never used a tablet before, but are interested in learning. The Gas Safe Charity The Gas Safe Charity is offering a free, online Zoom workshop aimed at front line staff and volunteers who visit or work in the homes of vulnerable people. The workshop lasts about an hour and explains the sources, signs and symptoms of high and low level carbon monoxide risks in the home and includes relevant scenarios to explain what steps to take if carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected. To find out more and book one of the nine workshops taking place before the end of March 2021, please click on the link: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/115618952399 Age UK Hertfordshire Volunteers Newsletter Summer 2021 10

Training still available Are you wanting to be First Aid The dates of the sessions are: If you are interested in joining the trained? Tuesday 27th April - 1:30pm First Aid Training course, or would Wednesday 26th May - 10am like some more information about it, The Red Cross are offering you the Thursday 24th June - 10am chance to be part of their First Aid please email us on: Training via Zoom. [email protected] “The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” - Helen Keller Virtual Volunteering ID Badge Age UK National, are offering all volunteers the opportunity to have their own 'virtual' volunteering ID badge. This can be used when you are visiting your client or as a form of identification if you do not have your Age UK Hertfordshire ID badge on you. If you think this is something that you would use, then please let us know and we can find out more for you! [email protected] “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead 11 Age UK Hertfordshire Volunteers Newsletter Summer 2021

What's your lockdown challenge? The last year has been so tough Maybe you can get your family and Please get in touch – for everybody and after a year in friends involved too and make it [email protected] lockdown, we want to make sure competitive!? we can continue to be there for or visit: our clients who desperately need Whether it’s £10 or £10,000, every www.ageuk.org.uk/hertfordshire/get support. penny counts and will help us to continue helping older people in -involved/fundraising-is-fun/ We know how much you already do Hertfordshire. for us but if you have some extra time or want to help out even more, \"The challenge gave \"I always pride urgently need some fundraising us a focus during myself on having support. lockdown, we were a positive impact on others; this is Whether you are a keen knitter and staying active whilst would like to knit some little woolly raising funds during one of my core Innocent Smoothie hats, or if you values and have been inspired by Captain Sir a time when the beliefs.\" Tom Moore and want to walk a mile days felt endless.\" every day or even if you have your own idea for a fundraiser then we would love to hear from you! Age UK Hertfordshire Volunteers Newsletter Summer 2021 12

Age UK Hertfordshire Podcasts! Are you an avid podcast listener? The series covers: Whilst they are still in progress, Well watch this space! Lasting Powers of Attorney please keep your eye out for us on Pension Credit social media and Spotify for updates! We have teamed up with Radio State Benefits for older people Verulam and St Albans Citizens Our Services Advice Bureaux to bring you our Volunteering series of podcasts. Fundraising Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” - Dr. Seuss Sudoku Answer 13 Age UK Hertfordshire Volunteers Newsletter Summer 2021

Age UK Hertfordshire are here if you need us... We know that this is a difficult time for everyone, but especially for older people; so we are 'Here if you need us'. We are a local independent charity working to support over 10,000 people each year. Our strategic objectives are to alleviate loneliness and isolation, tackle poverty and inequalities and build resilience within communities across Hertfordshire. We provide a range of services, including: Befriending...If you need some company InTouch... If you need to talk Information & Advice... If you need answers Help in the Home...If you need help around the house Active Ageing...If you want to enjoy some activities and meet like minded people We also work in partnership with other charities and social enterprises We're here if you need us ... ...following a hospital stay ...if you need help with ...if you have concerns or need some support at memory issues, cognitive about your nutrition or impairments or dementia home overall health Hertswise Hospital & Community Dementia Support Nutrition & Dietetics Navigation Service Service

...Local Charity, Local Impact www.ageuk.org.uk/hertfordshire 01707 323 272 Registered Charity Number: 1116662