with family, friends and colleagues. Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

I would like to send Seasons Greetings to you and your families and hope that whatever you do at Christmas brings some joy.? It's going to be an unusual Christmas for all of us this year - we shall all be spending time away from loved ones, but there is hope on the horizon for 2021 with the new vaccines. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those individuals and organisations that have really made a difference to the lives of so many in the past year.? Health and care staff, community workers and volunteers, to name but a few, have worked tirelessly to keep us well and safe - you are all Christmas Stars! Councillor Eunice Campbell-Clark Nottingham's Age Friendly Champion

Making a Christmas Bubble with friends or family

The arrangements around forming a Christmas Bubble for 25 December can be quite confusing.? As Nottingham is in Tier 3, people must not form a bubble with anyone from Tier 4 and they are advised to:

• Keep their bubble as small as possible ? two other households is a maximum, not a target.
• Stop all unnecessary social contact outside their immediate household.
• Stay local ? avoid travelling from a high prevalence to a low prevalence area.

When meeting in your ?Christmas bubble?, you should keep taking steps to reduce the spread of the virus. This should include:

• Meeting outdoors where possible
• Ensuring indoor spaces get as much fresh air as possible (open a window)
• Making space between members of different households wherever you can
• Washing your hands regularly and for 20 seconds.

More guidance on making a Christmas bubble with friends and family is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-a-christmas-bubble-with-friends-and-family/making-a-christmas-bubble-with-friends-and-family.

Nottingham?s Civic Carol Service Online

If you haven?t managed to get to a carol service this Christmas, why not enjoy the online Nottingham Civic Carol Service which was held at St Mary?s Church.? The service is available here.

?Have a Chat? and help to reduce loneliness

During the pandemic, more of us have been affected by loneliness than ever before.? The Campaign to End Loneliness have launched #HaveAChat to encourage us to take the time to check-in with those around us. ?From a friendly smile to a stranger to helping a neighbour with their shopping ? little moments of connection can mean so much.? #HaveAChat suggests ways you can make a difference:

• Smile and wave to someone you know ? it can really brighten their day.
• Stop and say hello (socially distanced and taking precautions of course) ? you may be the only person that day that someone connects with.
• Ask someone how they are ? check-in with people you know are alone or whom you haven?t seen for a while.

Christmas at Wollaton Hall Jigsaw

Why not spend a few minutes completing this edition's digital jigsaw and enjoy some of the Christmas Lights at Wollaton Hall.??

A short history of the Nottingham and Beeston Canal

If you would like to learn more about the history of our local canal, visit Tales of the Towpath on You Tube.

Use music to connect to personal memories

Evidence shows that music can help people to feel and live better.

• Listen and create a playlist?

ArtSpeak at Home

ArtSpeak at home is a book of activities, ideas, resources, and news for anyone wanting a bit of inspiration and motivation whilst looking for ways to stay creative and digitally connected at home. It can be browsed at your leisure and is designed for you to dip in and out of as you please. Have a go at some of the activities, maybe you'll learn something new. Find out what some other ArtSpeak members have been up to, and see what's coming up in our programme. The online Artspeak book is free and is available here.? Alternatively you can order a hard copy from Artspeak or download the .pdf version.

Feeling alone and need to talk to someone this Christmas?

The Silver Line is a free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people.? It?s open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, so if you are 55 or over, call for a cheerful chat on 0800 470 80 90.

Feeling anxious, depressed or need mental health support?

Sometimes it can be tricky to know where to go for support for your mental health and wellbeing but the following may help:

• Every Mind Matters is a great starting point
• Nottingham's Ask LiON Directory has dedicated mental health pages that include the contact details for local services
• The new Nottingham Mental Health Helpline - for emotional support and information about mental health
• Wellness in Mind - for information, advice and support for Nottingham residents
• The Grief Line -?for those who need immediate support following bereavement
• Mental Health CRISIS Helpline - for people in mental health crisis (support available 24/7)
• Harmless Tomorrow Project?- offers support for those in suicide crisis.? For support email?[email protected] or phone?0115 880 0282

Dementia Helplines

• Dementia UK offer a free helpline - call 0800 888 6678 or email [email protected].? More information is available here
• The Alzheimer?s Society offers a free Dementia Connect helpline ? call 0333 150 3456 or click here for more information

Take good care of your feet

Age UK offer a footcare service which includes a short soak, nail trim, the filing of hard skin and application of cream.? The service is for people aged 60+ who have a long term health condition, are unable to cut their own toenails, are registered with a Nottingham City GP and do not qualify for NHS Podiatry Services.? The service is available at: St Ann's Valley Centre Clifton Cornerstone Sherwood Rise Health Centre Sherwood Health Centre Health Point, Top Valley Old Basford Health Centre For more information go to the website or to book an appointment (walk-in services are not available), please call 0115 697 6333?or email [email protected]?