It?s heart-warming to hear in these unprecedented times of the valuable contributions older people are making up and down the country but especially in Nottingham. The efforts of individuals such as Captain Tom Wood have been inspiring and have made me reflect on the kindness and determination that is demonstrated on a daily basis by so many older people in Nottingham as they help others - thank you.

I would also like to thank all of you for abiding by the government guidelines to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.?

I hope you find the AFN Bulletin useful and if you have any suggestions on how it could improve, please email [email protected]?.?

It's the VE Day Bank Holiday Weekend starting tomorrow.? Like many of you, I am self-isolating but I shall enjoy the programmes on the television and celebrating safely from my front doorstep.? Stay safe.

Councillor Eunice Campbell-Clark
Age Friendly Nottingham's Older People's Champion

On Friday 8^th May, the country will be marking 75 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.? Although street parties are not allowed under the current COVID-19 measures, many people will be remembering and giving thanks from the safety of their own homes.? Details of activities taking place can be found below:

• Official VE Day website ? go to the ?Get involved? for ideas on bunting and posters to decorate you windows and homes.
• Nottingham City Council ?Home Front? web page
• Nottingham City Libraries web page
• English Heritage?s VE Day Pack has some great photos and video clips
• Programmes on the BBC
• The Royal British Legion
• For more ideas and activities such as quizzes and recipes click here

Highlights of the day will include:

• Voices of War from the Imperial War Museum at 9.00 am
• Two minutes silence at 11.00 am
• The nation?s toast at 3.00 pm - wherever you are, we hope that you will raise a cup of tea or a glass to all those who played their part. Cheering and clapping may well be taking place on doorsteps.
• The VE Day Singalong following the Queen?s speech at 9.00 pm ? a song sheet can be downloaded by clicking here

Ancestry?has made all its UK historical records free from 4th to 10th May, so you can discover personal stories and the role your family played in the Second World War.

If you are interested in finding out more about Nottingham and people who lived here, check out the Nottingham Libraries Local Studies web page.

While everyone is being told to stay at home, it can be hard to know what to do if you are unwell.? It is important to remember that the NHS remains open during COVID-19 and is there to treat you if you need it.

• You could phone your GP?s surgery but DO NOT go to the surgery unless requested by your doctor.
• For urgent medical help use the NHS 111 web site, or call 111 if you are unable to get help online.
• For life threatening emergencies ? call 999
• If you are advised to go to hospital, it?s important to go.

If you are wanting advice on self-managing your long term conditions during COVID, your local GP surgery is there to give you advice but there are also web sites that are useful:

• 10 tips if you are worried about Coronavirus
• British Heart Foundation
• Diabetes UK
• Stroke Association
• Alzheimer?s Society
• Macmillan Cancer Support
• Arthritis Action

Living with dementia at any time brings challenges for those with the condition and the people close to them. Many face stigma and isolation in everyday life and coronavirus (COVID-19) is making things much harder. Now more than ever, it is important that they get the help and support they need.

Sometimes people don?t offer help because they do not know what to do, so the Alzheimer?s Society has produced a free guide ?Coronavirus: how you can support people in your community?

Notts Victim CARE

Please protect yourself and your loved ones from falling prey to scams, particularly at the moment. Here is some key advice;

• Don?t respond to unsolicited emails and texts offering questionable deals.
• Don?t open attachments to suspicious looking emails.
• Never give your personal or financial details to an unsolicited contact.

In the event of you having been scammed, please make use of the free and confidential support that we provide. We can offer advice and guidance in relation to ensuring that it doesn?t happen again. Our caseworkers are available between 9am and 5pm Monday to Saturday on our freephone number- 0800 3047575. Stay Safe.

Nottingham Credit Union

For anybody facing financial hardship you could speak to the Nottingham Credit Union to see how they can help with short and long term money worries. Find out more Nottingham Credit Union or call them on 0115 8283121.

The Warm Homes Hub

The Warm Homes Hub can help you reduce your heating costs and improve the comfort and warmth in your home, leaving you with more money in your pocket and a warmer, healthier home. During this time of isolation The Warm Homes Hub will provide valuable advice to help you tackle your bills. The COVID-19 support includes?benefits checks, energy comparisons and tariff switching, bill discounts, support with broken/faulty heating, food and fuel vouchers and more. Find out more about the support available on Warm Homes Hub/Covid-19 or phone 0115 985 3000.

YourNeighbour.org?

YourNeighbour.org?s National Call Centre (0300 323 9952) is for anyone who needs help during the Covid-19 crisis.?Over 1000 churches in the UK belong to the YourNeighbour.org network and are in every community, providing DBS checked volunteers who are safe and well supported.? They are working with the Government and NHS to provide vital food, advice and other support to people who need help across the country.?

Volunteers can help with a range of activities such as food shopping,?trips to the pharmacy,?dog walking, a listening ear for people who are lonely or other simple tasks. Specialist phone support is also available for issues such as?trauma, bereavement, debt counselling or mental health. Please get in touch as our volunteers are ready to support you.?

For more information visit their web site, or call 0300 232 9952 (Mon?Sun, 9am?5pm) or email?[email protected]

Meals at Home staff go the extra mile to offer additional checks on the elderly

For those of us with loved ones who are included in the category ?vulnerable to covid-19,? it is a particularly worrying time as we think about their wellbeing. The Meals at Home delivery service is a low cost option for ensuring a range of meals can be delivered to people?s homes. The meals are delivered by friendly staff and their regular daily visits also provide much-needed reassurance to relatives of elderly and vulnerable residents during the coronavirus pandemic.??Meals at Home provide:

• Regular welfare updates.
• 100+ hot, chilled and frozen meals to choose from.
• Halal, Indian, Afro-Caribbean options.

You can find out more here Meals at Home.??Watch this short video More than just a delivery service to meet some of the staff and customers.

African Caribbean Cooked Meals

The Marcus Garvey Action Group and partners are delivery African Caribbean cooked meals to the elderly and vulnerable in Nottingham.

For more information?

• Call 0759 8947 966 or 0787 1730 197 or 0115 969 1364
• Email [email protected]

Nottingham Bike Aid?

Free bikes to keep or loan?for key workers and volunteers in Nottingham

If you wish to donate a bike to the project, please contact Ridewise or Nottingham Bikeworks by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]