June 2023

17 Buckden Roundabout June 2023 Village News Have you heard of the Over 65s Support Service at Buckden Library …. want to know more …? We ’ ve been so lucky here at Buckden Library to have Caroline Wheelan join us once a month with her Over 65s Support Drop - in. We asked Caroline, who works with the charity P3, to ex- plain a bit more about the service she provides and how it can help our local residents. Can you tell me a bit more about the service you offer? What is its aim? Our focus is on supporting people in their own homes – making it easier for them to continue to live safely and confidently at home for longer. So, what does that mean in practice? What can you help peo- ple with? We can help with all sorts of things, and we assess each person individually with a home visit to make sure we offer the right advice for you. We can help with practical things like finding carers to help with needs at home; or the installation of grab rails, an extra stairs banister or low level step to make getting about your home easier. We help make applications for a parking Blue Badge, or bene- fits that are available to increase your available income. We can signpost you to other services such as Occupational Therapists, social clubs to ease feelings of isolation, and per- sonal alarm systems if you are worried about falls. Technology is available to make life at home safer, especially for those with dementia, such as gas hob timers and door sensors. We support carers too and have links with Caring Together. I recognize you from drop - in sessions previously run by Age UK, but who is P3? P3 is a charity – the ‘ P ’ s stand for People, Potential and Possi- bilities and that really sums up the work that we do – sup- porting lots of people for lots of different things. Like Age UK have been, we are commissioned by Cambridgeshire County Council to provide this service in your local area, and I am very pleased to continue to be involved. Is there a charge for the service you offer? No - there is no charge for the advice we offer you. You ’ ve been running these drop - in sessions at Buckden Li- brary for quite a while now, and we get really great feedback about the support you provide - what makes this job enjoya- ble for you? That ’ s a big question! I love the fact that I can help make a difference to people ’ s lives. Knowing that I can help someone to live safely and happily is really rewarding. And I get to meet so many interesting and lovely people too. How can someone get to see you? A chat face to face is always the best starting point, whether it ’ s you or someone you care about who needs our support. I visit Buckden Library on the 4 th Tuesday of each month be- tween 10am and 12 noon . You don ’ t need to book, just drop in to see me. If I ’ m already speaking with someone, we ’ ll make you a cup of tea while you wait! There ’ s plenty of free parking right outside the library building, but if getting out and about is not possible for you, you can leave a message for me at the library or call P3 directly on 0800 048 8192 (please mention this article when you call). FRIENDS IN DEED There are times in our lives when we could all do with a little extra support or companionship whatever our age or circumstance. THE COMMUNITY CAFÉ is our hub. Just drop in to St Mary ’ s Church Buckden 2.30 - 4pm on the 2 nd Wednesday of every month. Please come and join us, whether you are in need of support, would like to volunteer or just fancy a cuppa, chat and homemade cake. Need someone to talk to? - it is not easy to ask for help, but why struggle when there are people happy to listen and to help? When we keep things to ourselves and struggle on, things can feel overwhelming and a little bit of help can make all the difference. Come and speak to us at the Community Café or email friendsindeed@stmarysbuckden.org.uk . We can arrange either home visits or a friendly voice and ear over the phone. This is a free service and can be either a one - off chat or regular chats. Need a lift to an appointment? Our team of volunteer driv- ers are able to provide transport for vaccination / hospital / dental appointments etc when family, friends or public transport are not an option. There are fixed fees for this ser- vice. Please email our transport co - ordinator peter.mount@btconnect.com or call 07914 669967 and leave your name, number, address and details of your appointment (date, time, location). Please do give us 48 hours notice if possible; 24 hours notice as a minimum and we shall do our best to meet your needs. DO YOU FANCY BAKING A CAKE FOR THE CAFE? We have a rota of people who bake for the Community Café. If you fancy baking a cake for us occasionally, please do get in touch, ei- ther at the Community Café or email friendsindeed@stmarysbuckden.org.uk

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