AGEING WELL

Free Dementia Friendly Cinema Club is for those living with Dementia and their carers, where you can see classic television and film. Taking place on the first Friday of the month from 2pm – 3pm at Cotman House, Garfield Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7PU. To book a place contact Chantal on 0808 2235321 or email csencier@caringhomes.org 

Ageing Well Session In Eye – The sessions run by Communities Together East Anglia are taking place every week on Tuesdays from 10.30am – 12pm at The Hexagon, Broad Street, Eye, IP23 7AD. The friendly sessions include exercise and a time to socialise over a cuppa. For more information contact 01449 707030 or email: info@communitiestogether-ea.org 

Participate Workshops from BrittenPears Arts aim to bring people in the community together to explore objects and music. Their friendly workshop leaders and musicians are providing activities that you can take part in and they are all suitable for those living with long term health conditions including Dementia and Parkinson’s.  The sessions are free and run for 2 hours with refreshments provided. For more information on dates up to April 2025 and to book your place click on the locations available Leiston, Kesgrave, Woodbridge  and Saxmundham.

Ortego Strengh & Balance If you are aged 65+ and have fallen recently or feel unsteady on your feet, you may really benefit from 12 strength and balance sessions to help you with flexibility and co-ordination.  You can do a self referral by clicking on the QR code on the poster or via the Active Suffolk website or by calling 0333 016 2000 to find out more.

St Raphael Thursday Club is a friendly club for adults with disabilities or infirmities run by United Response fortnightly on Thursdays from 10am – 2.30pm at the St Raphael Club, 26, Highfield Road, Ipswich, IP1 6DA. There is a range of activities available from bingo, quizzes, keep fit, games and flower arranging and you can enjoy a 2 course lunch.  For more information call 07865 804338 or email: carol.lipscombe@unitedresponse.org.uk

Memory Lane Support Groups are for people living with dementia and their carers in the Felixstowe, Trimley & Peninsula area. Taking place fortnightly at the Salvation Army Hall, Cobbold Road, Felixstowe IP11 7EL from 10.30am – 1pm and at the Trimley Memorial Hall, High Road. Trimley, IP11 0RJ from 10am  – 12pm. For more information contact Home Instead on 01473 272301

Ageing Well Guide The Ipswich & Suffolk Alliance have created a practical guide to help you age well to help you live healthily, happily and independent for longer. Click on the link to view the guide or for more information on their services visit their website 

Digital Instruction Guides  Getting to grips with digital technology can be daunting and confusing. Age UK have creating s wide range of step by step guides to help you get started. Learn how to send & receive emails,  using apps,  video calling, online shopping and so much more. The guides are all designed to help you feel more confident about using technology and making sure you stay safe online. All the guides are available to download on the Age Uk website

Free Strength & Balance Classes  Have you had a fall or are you worried about falling? If you are 65+ an ‘Otago’ class may be just want you need to help with your strength and balance to help reduce the risk of falling. If you think this is something that would benefit to you then you will need contact your GP or medical professional for a referral.  The course is for 12 weeks, which can start at any time and is completely free. Classes are taking place on Tuesdays at Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre from 1.30pm – 3pm and at Stradbroke Swim and Fitness Centre on Fridays from 1.30pm  – 3pm. 

Community Memory Assessment Service (CMAS) provides an assessment and diagnosis of mild to moderate memory problems. It is carried out locally for patients convenience and is often at a GP surgery. Their customer service team offer confidential advice, support and information to help answer any questions you may have on the service. CMAS can be contacted on 01473 296194 and the customer service team on 01603 421486 or by email at customer.services@nsft.nhs.uk

Suffolk Young Ones is a social group that connects and supports people in Suffolk under 60 years of age who are concerned about or have received a memory diagnosis. For more details contact 01449 707030

Walking Football programme Age Uk along with England Football and Sport England have are launching ‘Walking Football’ groups. its a good way of learning a new skill and connecting with others.  To find out how you can get involved click on the image below.

Care UK are running a monthly Carers Café on the first Monday of the month. Taking place from 10am – 12pm at the Davers Court Care Home, Bury St Edmunds IP31 1BN. A Care UK Dementia Champion will be at the event to answer any questions. To find out more or to book to attend call 01284 530459 or email bonnie.hall@careuk.com

Independent Age – are a national charity that help, support and advise older people, as well as offering befriending services. You can call Independent Age‘s free Helpline on 0800 319 6789 if you would like advice on a range of issues from care and support, money and benefits, and health and mobility; if you would like to order one of their guides or leaflets, or if you would like to discuss receiving regular friendship calls. There’s also a great online quiz on their website you can take, to test to see if you are ‘Scam-wise’, posing examples of fake and genuine messages you might receive to see if you can tell the difference. Take a look at the full list of free advice guides and fact sheets they have available by clicking on the picture below, many of which we have been glad to take along on our Rural Coffee Caravan village visits.

Our local, Suffolk, Independent Age representative is Simon Sinclair who can be contacted via email.

The Silver Line is a confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK that’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year. They also offer telephone friendship, matching volunteers with older people based on their interests,  plus facilitated group calls, and helping to connect people with local services in their area. Call Silver Line on 0800 4 70 80 90.

Silversurfers Community. A website aimed at the over 50s, at the heart of Silversurfers community is a philosophy of Trust, Honesty, Friendship and Enjoyment. After registering on the site you can start a chat & create a group chat with other members; you can voice your opinion in polls and current affairs; showcase your creativity in their exhibition section; visit the forum to find posts to engage with. Elsewhere on the site are a variety of articles such as food, lifestyle, culture, books, technology and nostalgia; advice on health issues, finance, insurance and more, and a dating section.

Brain Health Drop-In Sessions  The Alzheimer’s Society are hosting a weekly drop-In sessions to help you to improve your brain health. Taking place at Framlingham Library every Tuesday, from 10am – 2pm, starting on the 3rd September 2024. 

Home Instead Monthly Drop In  Home Instead are running a monthly ‘Drop In’ anyone who has worries about someone’s memory and would like to have a better understanding of what to do. A member of the Home Instead team will be there to answer any questions you have with Dementia or care. Taking place on the first Tuesday of the month from 10am  – 12pm at Framfield House Medical Centre, Ipswich Road, Woodbridge, IP12 4FD

Dementia UK have created an essential guide to living with dementia, which includes reliable expert advise and practical tips. Click on the image below to view.

‘FORE’GET ME NOT GOLF  Taking place on the first Wednesday of the month Home Instead are running a Free ‘Dementia Friendly Golf Group located at Seckford Golf Club   Seckford Hall Road, Great Bealings, Woodbridge, IP13 6NT. To book a place contact Wendy Chard on 01473 272301 and for more details on the golf contact Tony Pennock on 07788 727788

Musical Lifelines are free musical workshops for people later in life who are living with Dementia, Parkinson and loneliness. The workshops are taking place at the Bungay Community Centre every Friday during term time from 10.30am – 12pm.  The sessions are open to Carers and refreshments are available. For more information contact Caroline on 01986 511 or email clarkecaroline@live.co.uk

Free singing groups Singing together helps people to connect with each other and brings a shared sense of joy. Stirring memories, helping to improve breathing and and reducing stress.  Singing sessions are being run by experienced community singing leaders Jill Jennings, Mark Coburn & Tracy Sharp. The group aims to support people with differing needs. The classes are free to attend as they have been funded by Suffolk Community Foundation, The Big Lottery community fund .

Free Singing For Wellbeing Classes Swell Music CIC are running a series of free singing activities for people who are living with Dementia, as well as  Parkinson’s Disease. For more information contact Helen Hayes on 07917  799456. The classes will be taking place at the locations,dates & times below.

Singing with Friends: Dementia Accessible Group, Holton Village Hall -Alternate Wednesdays 2pm – 3.30pm ♦ Waveney Skylarks: Sing to Beat Parkinson’s Group, Holton Village Hall – Alternate Wednesdays 2pm – 3.30pm ♦ Singing Connections: Dementia accessible Group, Kessingland Sports and Social Club – Alternate Wednesdays 2pm -3.30pm ♦ Singing Connections: Dementia Accessible Group, St Michaels Community Rooms, Framlingham -Alternate Wednesdays 2pm -3.30pm ♦ Music Appreciation Group: Dementia accessible Group, The Seagull, Morten Road, Lowestoft – First Friday of the month 1.30pm – 3.00pm ♦ Waveney Skylarks: Sing to Beat Parkinson’s Group, The Seagull, Morten Road, Lowestoft – Alternate Fridays 2pm -3.30pm

Free Canine Card Card Service The Dogs Trust are running a free service supporting owners in the event that you may become seriously ill, pass away or have to move to a care home. The Dogs Turst will ensure your dog is well looked after and rehomed if the circumstances are required.  For more information on the Canine Card Service visit The Dogs Trust website. alternatively contact Emily on 01953 497912 or email emily.matthews@dogstrust.org.uk