Calderdale is looking forward to the Queen's Jubilee celebrations taking place from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June. The Monday Spring Bank holiday has been moved to Thursday to preceed the additional Jubilee bank holiday and enable a long weekend of festivities!
Plans for events and activities throughout Calderdale are well underway, from music and performances to gatherings and displays, and many more are expected to be announced over the coming weeks. Read more below.
We have extended our Spring survey to 31st May. If you haven't already responded, it will take only 5-10 minutes to tell us what you most want to read about and what the local issues are that concern you right now?
Tell us your views
Jubilee Celebrations in Calderdale The four day Jubilee weekend begins in Calderdale on Thursday 2nd June with Civic Celebrations at the Piece Hall followed by a Family Fun Day on the Saturday. A picnic Jubilee lunch with vintage musical entertainment is lined up for the Sunday. Read about this and more activities on our website.
More members sought to help represent older people in Calderdale With Calderdale Council signing up to the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing, Calderdale Forum 50 Plus is expanding its information provision for older people and looking for new members and contributors who can help shape its direction. Join our insight panel and respond to our surveys about the issues that concern you most or attend our friendly and informal bi-monthly committee meetings and share your views.
Renewing or applying for your senior travel pass We have updated our very popular information page on renewing or applying for a West Yorkshire Travel Pass. Included is a short video explainer for how to apply online. Included are links to the West Yorkshire Metro website online application pages plus the documents you will need to complete your application.
Calderdale Big Band Tea Dance Staying Well and the Arch-Way Project are hosting a free event featuring Calderdale Big Band and afternoon tea at Arden Road Social Club, Halifax on Saturday 14 May from 2pm to 4.30pm.
Halifax Star Boxing Club drop-in sessions Whatever your level of activity you can get fit, have fun and meet new friends at Halifax Star Boxing Club. Boxing combines athleticism, physical and mental conditioning, sportsmanship and self-worth! The gym on Gibbet Street is open to the public for drop in sessions Monday and Wednesday mornings from 7am – 12pm and costs £5 per session.
Friendship Groups & Coffee Mornings in Calderdale Our website lists over 15 friendship groups and coffee mornings in Calderdale. Our latest additions are Snack Attack, running from 10.30am to 1pm every Friday at Southgate Methodist Church in Elland and a monthly Companionship Cafe starting on Tuesday 10 May at 10am at the Morrison's in-store cafe.
2022 Halifax Charity Gala - 11 June Preparations are well underway for the 65th Halifax Charity Gala, happening on 11th of June at Manor Heath Park. The Gala begins with a procession from Eureka at 11.30am and half-price tickets are available now to buy in advance.
Updates from Memory Lane Cafe Sowerby Bridge & Boothtown Memory Lane Cafe is now running afternoon-only sessions (1.30-4pm) for their regular meetings for the elderly and people with dementia and their partners at St.Paul's Methodist Church, Sowerby Bridge and Boothtown Methodist Church. Each cafe lasts two and a half hours.
Weekly support group for men: Men United Men United was established to combat isolation and loneliness in older men, typically those aged 60 plus. They meet every Wednesday morning at Halifax RUFC in Ovenden for conversation, discussion, talks by speakers, demonstrations and games including indoor bowling.
Activities with Calderdale Community Coaching Trust The Trust is supported by the Halifax Panthers Foundation and runs a range of activities – both social and sporting including a twice-monthly heritage lunch club, weekly over 50’s walking football and an over 50’s club every Thursday at the Shay Stadium.
No increase to prescription charges for first time in ten years The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed that the NHS prescription charge will not be increased in 2022. The NHS prescription charge is reviewed annually with changes usually made in April, but this year the Government has has confirmed the charges will not be increased in 2022.
Thousands set to benefit from new osteoporosis treatment Thousands of women in England and Wales with severe osteoporosis who are at high risk of fracture are set to benefit from a new treatment. The National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Romosozumab for people after menopause in final draft guidance published Friday 1 April 2022.
Covid-19 vaccinations – free transport for those in need If anyone is invited for a Covid vaccination, including boosters, but does not have their own transport and cannot use public transport, then contact your GP. The GP practice will give you phone numbers for taxis and Community Transport Calderdale and codes to use so that you can book transport without paying.
Calderdale Covid Vaccine Report Published NHS Calderdale CCG working with partners in Calderdale recently surveyed the views and experiences of people living in Calderdale of the COVID vaccine. They’re now passing on their thanks and offering the opportunity to look at the report they have published as a result.
Lots of Advice On How To Reduce Those Bills As prices for energy bills and food continue to soar many ‘people are struggling to afford even the basics. Turn2Us’s excellent guide provides useful and practical information on benefits, charitable grants, support from local authorities and advice on reducing out goings and expenditures.
Fuel Poverty – Who To Call There are three types of support available to help people out of fuel poverty. If you are unsure of the type of support that is needed, please make a referral to Citizen's Advice who will make any onward referrals that are necessary to Newground Together and/or Calderdale Council.
Benefit & Pension Rates 2022 to 2023 The Department for Work and Pensions has published the Benefit and pension rates 2022 to 2023. The publication, which is on the government’s website, lists the benefit rates and pension rates for 2022 to 2023.
Ukraine fundraising scams Action Fraud have seen a high number of Ukraine fundraising scams in circulation.
They wanted to make you aware that these scams are doing the rounds and you should exercise caution if you receive any emails relating to raising funds to help the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. If you do receive an email which concerns you, you can report it by forwarding the email to report@phishing.gov.uk
Funding for Calderdale Forum 50 Plus Thanks to recent funding from Community Foundation for Calderdale and Calderdale Council, we are adding more essential information, advice and guidance for you and your families to our website and working with the Council to help develop more age-friendly policies across Calderdale. If you like what we do, then please share our newsletter or social media posts so more over 50s in Calderdale can find us and complete our Spring opinion survey
The Community Foundation for Calderdale supports charities and voluntary groups across Calderdale, working alongside these groups to address inequalities and create opportunities for those who need them the most.
