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| Community Information |
The aim of the Community Information page is to provide short articles of relevance to U3A members, with links to more detailed information.
Please note that each article has a date indicating when it it was added to this page.
Older articles may not be current and links may have changed.
EDUCATION
Stockport College Summer School
Stockport College is again running its successful Summer School for U3As in the week beginning Monday 15th July 2013. The topics are:
| Mon 15 July | Universal Suffrage in 19th century Britain |
| Tue 16 July | Modern Electronic Technology and How it Works |
| Wed 17 July | Exploring the Universe from Jodrell Bank |
| From Crime Scene to Court | |
| Thur 18 July | Richard III |
| Fri 19 July | Crime Scene Investigations |
Click here for the Application pack and click here for the Enrolment form. Enrolment forms should be printed off and sent by post to Stockport College.
This article last modified Friday April 05, 2013
FINANCIAL
Attendance Allowance
If you, or someone you know, is over 65 years and need help with personal care because of physical or mental disability they may be entitled to Attendance Allowance. For example, does the person need help with getting in and out of bed, with washing and dressing or need supervision by day or night? When completing the form, do not underestimate your needs.
There is a lower rate for day or night care and a higher rate for both day and night care. There are special rules for someone who is terminally ill, who receive the higher rate straight away. The benefit is non-taxable and is not affected by savings or income that the person has. Receiving the benefit may entitle that person to an increase in the amount of other benefits.
For up to date advice go to
- Attendance Allowance, HM Government
- Disability Benefits, AgeUK
- Ring the Benefits Helpline on 0800-88-22-00
This article last modified Monday April 22, 2013
Credit and Debit Card Scam
With every form of new technology there is usually a risk. New credit and debit cards are starting to be issued that enable you to wave the card over a reader, say at a supermarket check-out, and pay for items of small value without entering a pin number. Clearly this system is quicker and more convenient. However, there is a very small risk that a thief can “skim” your card and pick up your card details (such as card number and expiration date, although not the 3-digit security number on the back of the card).
These new cards have a small chip called Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and carry a symbol 
. The thief can stand next to you with a scanner and collect the information without you knowing (“electronic pick pocketing”). Banks claim that the risk is very small and that they have several security measures in place. If you are concerned, you can ask your bank to supply you a card without the RFID chip. Alternatively just put some aluminium foil in your handbag or wallet around your card and the information cannot be extracted.
For further information go to:
- You Tube, the Risk inside your credit card
- RFID credit cards are more secure than magnetic strip cards, says ITRC
This article last modified Thursday April 12, 2012
Pension Credit
Do you know that up to one third of pensioners are entitled to Pension Credit but a third of them are not claiming it?
Are you one of them?
It is a means-tested benefit so depends on your income and savings. There are two types of Pension Credit – Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.
The first type, Guarantee Credit, is to ensure that everyone over the state pension age has a guaranteed minimum income. Currently there is a lower minimum income if you are single and a higher minimum income if you have a partner. It is a means-tested benefit so depends on your income and savings.
The second type, Savings Credit, is paid to people who are 65 and over and who have made some provision for retirement, such as savings or a second pension.
There is a limit to your weekly income.
For up to date advice go to
- Pension Credit, H.M. Government
- Age Concern
- Ring The Pension Service on 0800 99 1234.
This article last modified Monday April 22, 2013
GENERAL
101 – the non-emergency number for the Police
101 is the new national phone number for you to use to contact police in a non-emergency, such as:
• Report a crime that has already occurred (e.g. vehicle theft, your property damaged)
• To report a minor traffic accident
• If you suspect drug dealing in your area
• To obtain crime prevention advice
• To contact your Neighbourhood Policing Team
Dialling 101 anywhere in the country will automatically put you through to your local police force. If you have a speech or hearing impairment, use textphone 18001 101. The cost is 15p per call, no matter how long you are on the phone, from landlines and mobile phones.
999 is still appropriate in an emergency such as when reporting a crime in progress or violence is being used.
This article last modified Friday April 05, 2013
Cold calling
Dorothy Chesterman, Chairman, raised the issue of cold callers in the October 2010 Newsletter. If at any time you are uncomfortable about cold callers, do call the police on 0161-872-5050.
For example, some people have had cold callers who say they are ex-prisoners on a scheme set up by the probation service. They are selling small household goods and say that if they show they can make a go of this work, they will be helped to obtain a permanent job. The police do not know of this scheme and ask anyone approached to contact them.
The police are promoting NO COLD CALLING AREAS in order to protect older people from scams.
For further information see
http://www.gmp.police.uk
You can obtain a free NO COLD CALLING sign to put in your window, which should reduce the number of cold callers at your property. To obtain the sign go to http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/no-more-junk#freesign
This article last modified Monday December 17, 2012
Computer Scams
Computers can be extremely useful but your PC can be misused by fraudsters, such as:
• You are sent an email with a story promising that if you pay a small sum, for example to help someone move money from one country to another, then you will be rewarded with a much larger sum.
You will lose your money and never receive the reward.
Another example is you receive an email from a friend who has lost his wallet and could you send him money. Your friend's email will have been hacked and the email will be from the scammer.
Advice: Ignore and delete the email. Remember “If something is too good to be true, it probably is”.
• You are sent an email with an attachment from an unrecognized address.
Opening the attachment can place a virus on your computer.
Advice: Don’t open the email and delete it.
• You are sent an email purporting to be from your bank asking for your username and password (known as phishing).
Banks will never use email for requesting such information.
Advice: Ignore and delete the email.
You could forward the email to the fraud department of your email provider, e.g. gmail-abuse@google.com
• You receive a phone call, e.g. someone says that they are from Microsoft Technical Support and that there is a problem with your computer.
You are asked to switch on your computer, which they take over and correct the “fault”.
Software can be implanted which reads your information such as passwords and you can be charged a fee.
Advice: Put the phone down. There is nothing wrong with your computer as no external party should know whether you have a problem or not.
• Some shopping websites are fakes, although they can look very realistic, and then take your debit or credit card details.
Advice: Make sure that the web address begins “https:” as the “s” ensures that the site has an official security certificate. Also, check that there is a physical address and phone number for the company.
More Advice: Always ensure that you have up to date anti-virus software installed.
For further advice on scams contact Consumer Direct, the government-funded consumer advice service
http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk tel. 08454-04-05-06
If you think you have been the victim of a scam contact the police at Action Fraud
http://www.actionfraud.org.uk tel.0300-123-2040.
This article last modified Saturday June 11, 2011
Telephone and Mailing Preference Services
If you prefer not to receive unsolicited sales or marketing calls, the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is a free official opt out register.
You need to register your phone online at
http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps or call 0845-070-0707.
After registering it can take 28 days to become effective. If you continue to receive calls after that time, you should take the details of the company calling you and register a complaint.
Registering with the TPS will not stop calls from overseas companies,
although it is supposed to stop calls from overseas for UK companies, e.g. UK banks.
This Service will not stop silent calls as they are generated by automatic dialers.
However, there is a separate service called Silent CallGuard and you can register with them online at
http://www.silentgard.com/register.aspx
or by phoning 0844 372 2325.
There is a similar service, called the
Mailing Preference Service, if you wish to reduce the amount of unsolicited direct mailings from marketing companies.
Important mail, such as from your bank, from local authorities, etc. will still be sent to you. You can register at http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/mpsr/mps_choosetype.html or phone 0845-703-4599.
You can also register the details of someone who has died with the
Bereavement Register to remove their details from mailing lists and marketing databases.
For more information go to
Telephone Preference Service,
Mailing Preference Service and
Bereavement Register.
This article last modified Monday December 17, 2012
HEALTH and MEDICAL
Healthy Stockport – Helping you make positive change
NHS Stockport’s Public Health Department have launched a ‘Healthy Stockport Website’
This is a new health and wellbeing website featuring lots of information and advice to help those who want to make
positive changes to their health and lifestyle. The site covers a range of topics including Healthy Eating, Move More, Smoking, Mental Wellbeing and Alcohol.
By clicking on ‘Other Topics’, you can access the Getting Help Directory that lists organizations in Stockport that can help people to lead a healthier life.
To access the website click on http://www.healthystockport.co.uk
This article last modified Thursday January 03, 2013
Medical Care Out of Hours
Do you know what to do if you need non-emergency medical care out of normal GP hours and you don’t feel the need to go to A & E at Stepping Hill hospital? Well, if you live in Stockport, call Mastercall Heathcare on 0161-476-2299. They provide the out of hours service for all GPs in the Stockport area.
They are open Monday-Friday 18:30 – 8:00 and on Saturdays/Sundays/Bank holidays there is a 24 hour service.
Ring 0161-476-2299 and give your personal details, the name of your registered GP and information on your illness. They will prioritise the urgency of your call:
• Emergency – an ambulance will be called
• Urgent – you will be contacted within 20 minutes
• Routine – you will be contacted within 60 minutes.
You will be given either advice by phone, asked to come to their centre, which is 226-232 Wellington Road South (on the A6 near Longshut Lane/Hempshaw Lane), or in certain circumstances (e.g. bed bound) you will receive a home visit. You cannot walk in without an appointment.
For further information see Mastercall Healthcare
This article last modified Monday April 18, 2011
PARIS – Physical Activity Referral in Stockport
PARIS is designed to help people with moderate medical conditions (such as diabetes, COPD, angina, have had a heart attack or coronary artery bypass, or suffer from anxiety, depression or joint pain) become and stay physically fit.
Trained staff work with you to produce a personalized physical activity plan. One element is discounted membership at fitness centres where staff work with you one-to-one. A second element is in the community where you do group activities such as extension or yoga. A third element, for the less able, is training in exercises for you to do in the home.
You have to ask your GP to refer you. All local health centres, but not Bramhall Health Centre, are in the scheme.
For further details ring PARIS on 482-0900 or go to the PARIS website
Physical Activity Referral in Stockport
This article last modified Friday September 28, 2012
Recognizing a Stroke
If you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
The main stroke symptoms can be remembered with the word FAST: Face-Arms-Speech-Time
• FACE: their face may have fallen on one side and perhaps they cannot smile
• ARMS: they may not be able to raise both arms and keep them there or there may be numbness or weakness
• SPEECH: their speech may be slurred
• TIME: if any of these symptoms are seen, it is time to act fast and ring 999
The quicker someone with a stroke receives treatment the more successful it is.
The symptoms of a transient ischaemic attack are the same as for a stroke but only last from between a few minutes to a few hours,
then completely disappear. Do not ignore as a transient ischaemic attack may warn of a stroke in the future so requires investigation.
See NHSDirect http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stroke/pages/symptoms.aspx .
This article last modified Saturday June 11, 2011
Screening for Aortic Aneurysms
The NHS has introduced a screening programme for aortic aneurysms.
An aortic aneurysm is where a weakened section of the aorta (a major blood vessel) bulges outward.
If it ruptures it causes severing bleeding and may be fatal. The 3 requirements are that:
- you are male (these aneurysms are much more common in men)
- over 65 years (more common over 65)
- your doctor's surgery postcode is in Greater Manchester.
The programme is being rolled out across the country.
In the Greater Manchester area they are writing to men who pass the 65 year mark within the first year
but men aged 65 years can self-refer and older men need to self-refer.
You just need to ring 0161-291-5716 to make an appointment.
You will need your NHS number, which you can obtain from your GP surgery if you don't have it, and the postcode of the surgery.
They will try to find a place for the scan that is close to you.
Nearby locations are the Shaw Heath Health Centre, the Abacus Childern’s Centre in Adswood and Brinnington Health Centre.
For further information click here http://aaa.screening.nhs.uk/greater-manchester and
here http://www.gmpublichealthpracticeunit.nhs.uk/aaa-screening/.
This article last modified Wednesday March 20, 2013
Stockport FLAG (For Local Advice and Guidance)
Stockport FLAG offers free, confidential and independent advice and guidance to health and social services in the Stockport Area for anyone aged over 18 years.
They aim to be a one-point contact for people to deal with the many statutory and voluntary services in the area.
The organization will direct you to the most appropriate services or they can do the leg-work for you.
They always follow up users to find out whether people received the service they were seeking.
Examples of the work they do are:
- identifying aids to help disabled people or those people coming out of hospital to live at home
- seeking support for carers
- finding a nursing home for a relative
- advice on community transport
- helping with housing problems
- dealing with domestic violence
Stockport FLAG has an office at Graylaw House, Chestergate, Stockport, and you can just drop in or phone (0161-474-1042) to make an appointment.
Information can be found on the
Stockport FLAG website.
In addition, there is a very user-friendly website called
My Care, My Choice that helps you identify appropriate Adult Social Care services in Stockport.
This article last modified Friday December 02, 2011
Patient Education courses
Stockport NHS runs two group courses to help people manage long-term illnesses. One course is called Diabetes X-Pert and helps people with Type 2 diabetes, whether newly diagnosed or who have had the condition for a while. The other course is called Expert Patient Programme and is to help anyone living with a long-term health condition to manage their symptoms better and feel more in control of their life.
The courses are free and are run in various venues across Stockport. Each course runs for 2.5 hours each week for 6 weeks.
For further information on the Diabetes XPert course click here
and for further information on the Expert Patient Programme click here.
New courses run throughout the year, but you can ring 0161-426-5576 for an application form to go on the waiting list.
Further details at www.stockporthealth.nwest.nhs.uk/patients-and-services/healthy-living
This article last modified Thursday April 11, 2013
LEGAL
Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) provides free, confidential and impartial advice on a wide range of topics, such as tax, benefits, money management, health, education, consumer affairs, civil rights, family matters and the legal system. The Stockport branch is located in Fred Perry House, Edward Street, behind the Town Hall, with a drop in service from 9.30am to 1pm Monday to Friday. The telephone advice service is open from 2pm to 7pm Monday to Thursday and 2pm to 4pm on Fridays on 0844-826-9800. The Cheadle CAB is in Cheadle Library 10am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday.
Stockport CAB has about 80 volunteers and is always interested to hear of more people wishing to volunteer. Training lasts one to one and a half days a week for a year with volunteers gradually taking on a more independent role during that period. The CAB is looking for people willing to commit to a day a week after training.
For more information:
Stockport CAB - http://www.stockportcab.org.uk/
National CAB - http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
CAB Online Advice Guide - http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/
This article last modified Friday August 12, 2011
Free Legal Helpline for U3A Members
As a member of the U3A you are entitled to a free legal helpline on all personal matters (car, house, etc.).
Assistance is obtained from First Assist, which has a 24 hour Legal Helpline (Tel. No. 01455 251 500).
If they are busy they will ring you back within the hour; they are quieter in the evening.
Should any member require to use the facility, they should phone U3A National Office (Tel No. 020 8466 6139) and seek the Code No. from them before telephoning the helpline. Alternatively, members can email enquiries@bramhallu3a.org.uk whereby the Member’s current membership can be verified before the Code No. is disclosed by email.
This article last modified Wednesday September 07, 2011
Wills
Did you know that if you die without leaving a will your estate is distributed according to the intestacy rules? For example, if you are not married nor in a civil partnership, the intestacy rules mean that your partner will not inherit. Similarly step-children do not inherit from their step-parent unless named in their will. If you are separated but not divorced, then your ex-partner will inherit the first £250,000 of your estate. To ensure that your estate goes to whom you want have a will drawn up. Also, you can minimize inheritance tax paid on your estate by an appropriate will.
You can make your own will, use a will writer or use the services of a solicitor but be aware of possible problems with the first two methods. Every November is Will Aid month during which many solicitors will draft wills for free as long as you make a minimum donation to charity (see http://www.willaid.org.uk/ ).
For advice on wills:
An article in the Daily Telegraph
Citizens Advice Bureau
Government information
Money Savings Expert
This article last modified Wednesday October 12, 2011
LOCAL SERVICES
Community Transport
Communicare is a Bramhall and Woodford charity providing friendly and personal transport for elderly and disabled people in our area to doctors, dentists and hospitals normally in the Stockport area.
To book transport ring 439-6000 on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday from 9am to 5pm between a few days and 10 days in advance.
There is no charge for the service but donations are appreciated.
Communicare is in real need of people to be drivers; the time commitment is totally flexible.
Communicare also needs people to be telephonists 1 or 2 days a month from 9am to 5pm to take bookings and arrange drivers.
The calls are taken in their own home and routed from a central number on that day.
If you would like to be a volunteer driver or telephonist ring 439-6000.
Ring and Ride is a transport service provided by Greater Manchester Accessible Transport Ltd, a charity funded by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority.
It provides a door-to-door service for people of all ages who find it difficult to use public transport.
You can use it for journeys such as for shopping, travel to work, school or college, attend health appointments, go to day care centres or visit places of worship.
The service operates 7 days a week from 8am to 10pm and covers not only Stockport but the whole Greater Manchester area.
There is a small charge, for example £2 for a single trip before 9:30am and £1.60 for a return trip after 9:30am in the Stockport area.
You need to register first by ringing 0845-688-4933.
Bookings can be made by phone 0845-688-4933), by post "(Stockport Ring and Ride, 20th Floor Portland House, Portland St., Manchester M1 3LD) or by email
enquiries@gmatlcallcentre.info and can be made between 7 and 1 days in advance.
For further information ring 0845-688-4933 or go to http://www.tfgm.com/ringandride/Pages/default.aspx.
This article last modified Friday April 05, 2013
Leisure Key from Stockport Council
A Leisure Key gives discounts on leisure and cultural activities for certain Stockport residents. You can obtain discounts at swimming pools, recreation centres, heritage sites (such as Bramhall Hall), Stockport F.C., the Garrick Theatre and other places. For example, Bramhall Hall is free (normally £3.05 for an adult) and table tennis at Bramhall Recreation centre is £2 (normally £4 for an adult) but do check with each place.
There are several categories of people who are eligible. Of particular relevance to members of Bramhall U3A is Band B, which covers people over 60 years of age and people with registered disabilities of any age plus their carers.
Band B Leisure Key card costs £6.15 for the first year and then an annual renewal fee of £3.10. You can obtain your Leisure Key at any Stockport Library, the Tourist Information Centre in the Market Place, Stockport, or at Fred Perry House behind the Town Hall. You need to provide proof that you live in Stockport (e.g. Council tax bill or recent fuel bill), a passport-sized photo and that you are over 60, disabled or a carer.
For further information go to
Stockport Leisure Key, ask in any Library or phone 0161-217-6009.
This article last modified Sunday February 12, 2012
Library Services
We all know we can borrow books from Bramhall Public Library but are you aware of the wealth of other services available in your local library?
• Borrow large print books, talking books and DVDs
• Learn the basics of email and searching the web with FREE taster sessions
• Search Ancestry online for your ancestors
• Pick up a wide variety of information leaflets (e.g. on benefits, consumer advice) and see an advisor on Stockport services
See Bramhall Library for opening hours and services.
Stockport Central library has an excellent heritage section useful for searching local and family history -
Many services are available online from your own PC, such as
• You can renew your books or reserve books or search the catalogue
• Search sources such as business and legal information, encyclopaedias and The Times for the last 200 years
• You can download e-books and audio-books from their website. For further information click here
If you cannot go to the library, the library service will come to you as there is a free home library service.
For details of Stockport libraries and their services click here
Stockport Direct
Stockport Direct provides residents and business users a choice of ways to access services from Stockport Council.
It also offers advice on benefits, tax credits, consumer issues, employment rights, environmental issues, Leisure Key applications, money matters, planning applications and more besides.
There is a town centre facility in Fred Perry House, Edward Street, Stockport (just behind the Town Hall).
It is open 8.30am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday for face to face contact.
Alternatively, you can contact Stockport Council by email on stockportdirect@stockport.gov.uk, or you can obtain telephone numbers of specific departments from the
Stockport Direct Contact Centre.
There is a
Stockport Direct Local Centre in Bramhall library.
It offers both a drop-in and appointment service on part of 4 days of the week.
Bramhall library holds leaflets on many of the above topics.
For more information go to
Stockport Direct.
This article last modified Friday April 05, 2013
Stockport Talking Newspapers
Stockport Talking Newspapers is a free service for the visually impaired (blind or partially sighted). Each week a CD is sent with local news taken from the Stockport Express and of other events. A bi-monthly magazine is also produced.
For further information ring 430-7808 or 285-5691 or 494-1197 or click here
http://www.stockporttalkingnewspaper.org.uk.
This article last modified Wednesday March 20, 2013
RESEARCH
Volunteering for Research on Depression
Researchers at Manchester University are investigating the factors that determine the vulnerability and resilience of older people to developing depression. They need volunteers who are currently healthy who may or may not have had depression in the past. You will be asked to complete some questionnaires, have an interview with a trained researcher, take part in some computer tests (no knowledge of computing needed) and provide saliva samples to investigate hormone levels and DNA. You can opt to participate in a brain scan.
For further information and details of how to contact the researcher click here.
This article last modified Wednesday June 13, 2012
Volunteering for the Effects of Ageing on Multisensory Integration
A researcher at Manchester University is seeking healthy volunteers, aged 65-89 years, to take part in several computer based experiments related to how we see, feel and touch things; how we make sense of things;
and how we behave (N.B. no computer expertise needed).
Participants will be asked to take part in one testing session initially, but may be invited to take part in up to 5 different testing sessions (on separate dates).
All experiments will take place at the University of Manchester.
For further information and details of how to contact the researcher click
here.
This article last modified Wednesday March 20, 2013
This document last modified Friday May 24, 2013
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