Author: Maggie Brown

Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire are launching a variety of much needed services for older people across Herefordshire. Our latest services include:

• Free Home Energy Checks and the Installation of free energy saving equipment

• Our Help at Home Service that offers friendly and reliable support to over 50s that want to maintain their independence for as long as possible by helping with tasks around the house that have become a struggle. This can include light housework, shopping, companionship, taking you to appointments and plenty more (paid service).

• Our Handyman Service that helps over 50’s complete low-level maintenance around the home that local tradespeople often won’t come out for, such as assembling and moving furniture, fitting grab rails and other safety equipment around the home, undertaking decorating and more (paid service).

Receeived from Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Received from Age UK Hereford and Localities.

Who: Age UK Hereford and Localities are delivering the Government Household Support Fund supported by Herefordshire Council

What: 325 Free home energy checks and warm home packs for the over 50s in Herefordshire and 125 free warm home packs for over 50s in social housing.

When: From 12th December 2022 to 31st March 2023

How: Contact us on 0333 0066 299 or email contact@ageukhl.org or write to us at home energy check, Age UK Hereford and Localities, Unit 10 Northern Lights Business Park, Clinton Road, Leominster HR5 0SW. or www.ageuk.org.uk/hereordandloclaities.

Home Energy Check
We are offering a Free Home Energy Check to 325 home owners or private renters in Herefordshire, aged 50yrs or over, who are struggling to heat their home.
The Home Energy Check measures include;
• LED lightbulbs
• Reflective radiator panels
• Chimney balloons
• Around door insulation
• Letter box brushes
• Timers
• Night lights
• A Warm Home pack (contents as below)

Free Warm Home Packs
In addition to the Warm Home Packs that will be offered to all clients having a Home Energy Check, we have a further 150 packs to give away to people aged 50yrs or over, living in supported or Housing Association accommodation, who may not be heating their homes adequately, due to concerns about their bills.
The Warm Home packs all contain;
 Fleece blanket
 Thermal cup
 Torch
 Hat
 Gloves
 Power pack for a mobile phone
 Hot water bottle
 And more

Referral process

To refer a client for a Home Energy Check or a Warm Home Pack, email contact@ageukhl.org or telephone 0333 0066 299 or write to Home Energy Checks, Age UK Hereford and Localities, Unit 10, Northern Lights Business Park, Clinton Rd, Leominster Herefordshire HR6 0SW.

Work Party 11 November

While we have cleared a path from the cottage up to the bench at the top of Yatton Hill, the time for further path clearing will be in the Spring. However, the Aymestrey Parish Commons Association (‘APCA’) never sleeps, and we are arranging a work party at Yatton Marsh (the east end) next Saturday 12th November.

The time will be from 9.30, finishing no later than 12. The aim is to clear some unwanted undergrowth of brambles, bindweed and ground elder for the benefit of wildlife and other flora.  Any saws and hedge trimmer will be on site, please bring loppers and secateurs. Gloves are strongly advised and it might well be wet underfoot – the clue is in the name.

Asking for volunteers to help the enterprise.  Please come if you are willing and able!

Ian Goddard

For APCA

Information from the Safer Neighbourhood Team.

On Saturday 12th November 2022 between the hours of 1000-1300, Leominster safer neighbourhood team will be working in conjunction with Bennetts Vehicle services to offer this catalytic converter marking session.  This will be by appointment only, due to the time needed for each vehicle.

The session will be held at Leominster Police station and will involve Bennetts Vehicle service getting underneath the car (the vehicle will likely need to go on ramps) and then using either a Smartwater marking kit or a Selecta security marking kit to mark the catalytic converter. This will take about 20 minutes in total. 

Please note not all catalytic converters can be marked due to the design of the car. With this in mind we would ask that you check to see whether it necessary to mark your make and model of vehicle to prevent any wasted journeys.  For example; some manufactures have already taken steps to protect catalytic converters by housing them inside secured boxes and so it is unnecessary to mark these catalytic converters. 

There are limited spaces so if you would like to book a place, please contact Leominster Safer Neighbourhood team at leominster.snt@westmercia.police.uk and a member of the team will get back to you. 

On behalf of Leominster Safer Neighbourhood team. 

At 7pm. on Wednesday 19th October at the Parish Hall

CarerLinks
There will be a presentation by CarerLinks, a not-for-profit registered charity providing care at home and support services for carers and people with care needs.
This organisation is dedicated to providing support to those in our communities who need care and to the carers, many of whom are unrecognised let alone supported. The presentation will be short – perhaps 15 minutes – followed by questions.
Search ‘CarerLinks Herefordshire’ for more background information. Even if you are not a carer yourself, you are likely to know someone who is and what you pick up at the presentation may be helpful to them.

Defibrillators
We now have four defibrillators in the Parish and plans for more. While they are said to be easy to use, if you have an emergency and might be in a position to save a life it is unlikely that you
will be able to spare the time to read the instructions. Would it not be much better if you were familiar with the operation of the defibrillator before the need to use one?
That is the opportunity. Paramedics will be at the Parish Hall to show us all how to use the machines and to familiarise ourselves with their operation. Without being over dramatic, your attendance may save a life.

Aymestrey Parish Council

Connexus Housing has advised the Parish Council that it is working on new builds (Housing Association) properties in Orleton. The properties have a local connection tie. If you have a local connection, and would be interested in a 2-bed new build, please contact HomePoint Website: https://www.home-point.info/ Telephone: 01432 260300 Email: info@home-point.info Or contact Hollie Clift at Connexus Housing hollie.clift@connexus-group-co.uk https://connexus-group.co.uk/