Welcome to the December issue of the Age Friendly Nottingham Newsletter.? In this issue you will find information on:

• Getting out and about at Christmas
• Keeping warm and well
• Community initiatives
• Council House social events.

There will be one more issue of the newsletter before Christmas so if you have items to include, please send them to [email protected]

You are invited to the Ballroom at the Council House on Old Market Square to enjoy a screening of 'It's a Wonderful Life'.? Shows will take?start promptly at 2.00 pm?(doors open from 1.30 pm) on:

• Tuesday 17 December
• Wednesday 18 December

Tickets are ?4.00 each which include a cup of tea or coffee and treats.

For further details contact 0115 87 65657 or email [email protected]

Nottingham Community Christmas is an event taking place on Christmas Day from 11am-3.30pm at Sherwood Methodist Church Hall for those who would otherwise be alone (part of the Community Christmas initiative by Re-engage). There will be a traditional lunch and perhaps some board games and carols etc. Travel to/from the venue can be provided.

All ages are welcome but we are targeting people who may be more isolated such as the elderly.

If you would like to attend, volunteer or donate to the Christmas Day lunch please contact call 07534006684 or email [email protected]

Age UK Notts realise the?Christmas season can be challenging for some older people.? The Age UK advice line is open every day from 8am -7pm (365 days per year) and can help with all types of queries ? 0800 678 1002.? Our local office will be closed from 25th-27th December and New Year?s Day.

SilverLine offers a friendly chat 24 hours per day (365 days per year) ? 0800 4 70 80 90.

Sycamore Dining?aims to? get? lonely and socially isolated people out of there homes and mixing with others over a quality meal in community rooms close to where they live, at a price they can afford.? If you know someone who might benefit, please signpost them.

More information and December?s social dining calendar is now available here.

Join the Lord Mayor and Sheriff of Nottingham at the annual Civic Christmas Carol Service at 6.30 pm on Tuesday 10 December at St Mary's Church, High Pavement.

Tickets are FREE but MUST be booked by phoning 0115 8765654 or emailing [email protected]

A new campaign aims to support people with disabilities and long term conditions who need seats on local trams and buses, but are embarrassed to ask for one. From 3 December you may see people wearing a ?Please offer me a seat? badge.? The campaign also encourages people who are willing to give up their seats to wear a ?Happy to move for you? badge.? The badges are available from the:

• NCT Travel Centre, Market Square
• NET Travel Centre, near Brian Clough Statue
• Victoria Bus Station

You are invited to an evening of Ballroom Dancing at 7.30 pm?on Saturday 14 December in the Ballroom at the Council House, Old Market Square, Nottingham.

Admission is by ticket only.? Tickets are ?6.50 each.? There will be a bar (cash only) and attendees are reminded not to bring their own drinks.

For more information or to book, please contact 0115 8765657.

Get out and get creative by joining ArtSpeak.?

This is a new programme with people aged 60+ in mind, featuring a range of opportunities to engage in the Arts across?Nottingham.??

Things you can expect from ArtSpeak:

• An extensive Arts programme?- to?create,?participate and spectate.?
• Friendship - a place to socialise and meet new people.
• Value for money - most activities will be free, or charged at a subsidised rate.

Free training and support to keep in touch with family and friends, enhance your hobbies, take an active role in your health and wellbeing and much, much more.

A Digital Support Hub is now available at Nottingham Central Library. A welcoming space where people can learn how to use digital devices through informal learning, including having access to digital devices and guidance:

• Get online on a touchscreen device.
• Download and register for the NHS App.
• Order a repeat prescription and access information on medical conditions.
• Access trusted online health advice and NHS services.
• Search and explore the internet.
• Keep in touch with email.
• Use public services online.

There?s no need to book, just pop in on a Wednesday between 10am ? 2pm, in the Storysmash Room, Nottingham Central Library, Angel Row, Nottingham, NG1 6HP

Further details: [email protected] or 0115 915 2828

U3A?are for retired and semi-retired people and we share learning, fun and friendship in a vibrant, enjoyable and varied way.? Members suggest and organise interest groups in a wide variety of subjects, both educational and social. No qualifications are required and none are given.

For information about all the U3As in Nottingham?go to www.nottsu3anetwork.org or search for Notts U3A Network.?

The flu vaccine is the best protection we have against an unpredictable virus that can cause serious illness in people with underlying medical conditions, pregnant women, and older people.

Flu is a highly infectious disease, and it is much worse than a heavy cold -?thousands of people land up in hospital with flu each year, some very poorly. We are all at risk of getting flu, and we can unknowingly pass it on to other more vulnerable people.

The flu jab is free for everyone aged 65 years and over, as well as for people with long-term health conditions, carers, pregnant women, and frontline health and social care workers. Find out more about flu and flu vaccination on the NHS website, and contact your GP or local pharmacy to arrange your flu jab.

You could get ?140 off your electricity bill for winter 2019 to 2020 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The money is not paid to you - it?s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between September and March.

There are two ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme:

• You get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit - known as the ?core group?.
• You?re on a low income and meet your energy supplier?s criteria for the scheme - known as the ?broader group?

ASKLiON (www.asklion.co.uk) is an online health and social care service directory bringing information and advice to the citizens of Nottingham City. As well as traditional health and social care services ASKLiON includes information about community events, activities and groups that can help connect people at Christmas. ASKLiON has hundreds of events happening across the city targeted at all age groups and communities.

The directory is only as good as the information on it and we would like to encourage local partners to promote the use of ASKLiON and also populate it with all the great events that are happening over Christmas.