Hello

As we approach the end of the first year of Havering Circle, I would like to say a big thank you to everybody who has been involved in making it happen. This time last year we were just starting out and now we have almost 250 members and regular coffee mornings attracting up to 40 people which is fantastic!

I have attached our bumper December/January newsletter. We are always on the look out for new events, so please do get in touch if you would like to work on any projects or if you require any flyers. I am also happy to come and speak to any groups about Havering Circle.

Kind regards
Claudia Gold
Havering Hub Manager
London Circle
claudiag@londoncircle.org.uk
07944 630275
www.haveringcircle.org.uk

Havering Circle Dec & Jan Newsletter

In late 2012 and early 2013 London Councils wrote to all 69,000 Freedom Pass holders who have moved from the address listed on the database to ask them to either confirm they were still living in London or to return their Freedom Pass if they had moved out of the capital. This letter was sent to the new address, if known, and to the address listed on the Freedom Pass database.

London Councils is now sending a final reminder to 39,530 people who have not yet responded to confirm their eligibility to request they verify whether or not they are still eligible to have a Freedom Pass.

If the Freedom Pass holder still lives in London, they must complete the slip at the end of the letter confirming their address and return it to: London Councils, Mid-Term Review, Journeycall Ltd, Laurencekirk Business Park, Laurencekirk AB30 1AJ enclosing a copy of a recent bank statement, utility bill or council tax statement.

Alternatively they may scan their bill or statement and email it with their details to freedompassadmin@londoncouncils.gov.uk

People who do not respond by 13 December 2013, will have their Freedom Pass stopped in January 2014.

Following today’s forum meeting the following is an extract from the original post as a reminder.

Starting this weekend, the local NHS 111 service can book an urgent weekend GP appointment for you, if needed, at a nearby surgery.

If the problem can wait until Monday, you will be given a ‘passport slip’ that will ensure your own GP contacts you. This will also help reduce the pressure on GP surgeries at the start of the week as patients will not have to wait until Monday to phone for an appointment.

Patients access the new service by calling 111 to ensure they get the right care. Some services, such as x-rays, stitches and medical certificates are not available through the new scheme.

The festive season is finally here and Pinney Talfourd Solicitors has once again teamed up with Queens Theatre Hornchurch to host ‘Carols at the Queens’ on Friday 13 December; 11am – 1pm.

This free carol service will be held at the Queens Theatre in aid of Saint Francis Hospice and Queens Theatre charitable trust with all proceeds being split equally.

Now in it’s third year, this event has attracted a full house each time when held in the theatre foyer. Due to it’s popularity it will now be held the main auditorium – meaning that even more residents and local businesses can join the fun!

Traditionally opened by the Mayor of Havering, the Dawn Chorus and Saint Francis Hospice choir will then lead the crowd in singing some upbeat Christmas songs as well as more traditional carols.

Havering Chamber of Commerce are also delighted to give this event their backing and will be encouraging local businesses to back the event by donating some fabulous prizes again this year for a raffle. Finally, everyone can retire to the bar area for a well-earned cup of tea and a mince pie courtesy of Pinney Talfourd.

Booking is now open and so call the Queens Theatre Box Office on 01708 443333 to reserve your space early or visit http://www.pinneytalfourd.co.uk/ for more details.

One-to-one help – available at most libraries with one of our experienced volunteers. Ask at your local library, need to book in advance, maybe waiting lists but we are recruiting more volunteers at present. There are long waiting lists at Collier Row and central Library so try a different library.

Shorter beginners courses run by library volunteers for about 4/5 weeks at some libraries. Ask at your local library.

Courses taught by Havering College – these run over a longer time frame of about 18 weeks at Hornchurch and Upminster. Ask any Havering Library and they will tell you how to book with Havering College

The Self Directed Support User Group is a user led group for people who are in receipt of Direct Payments and Personal Budgets or are considering their options to arrange and manage their own support to live independently. The group can offer support, advice and also provide feedback from service users to the council. The Group meets at Yew Tree Resource Centre, Romford every six weeks.

HAD is working in partnership with the group to inform, support and assist people who are purchasing their care by personal budgets and direct payments or are considering this option

The aims and objectives of the group:

• To represent persons on self-directed support
• A chance for people to have a say on issues they feel important to them
• An opportunity to share information, experiences and learn from like – minded persons
• Confidence building on the use of direct payments and personal budgets
• SDS User  Group members  can offer advice to help shape how council staff organise services
• Increase membership
• SDS User Group Is  working in Partnership with H.A.D

(Havering Association for people with Disabilities) and supported by Havering council

 If you would like informal advice, support and assistance with your direct payments/ personal budgets, please call for an appointment.

The SDS USER GROUP is looking for members to form a committee.  We would like to hear from people who are in receipt of direct payments / personal budgets or are interested in doing so. For details please contact SDS User Group Coordinator Maddie on 01708 476554, Email: maddiegulrajani@hadhavering.co.uk

Havering GPs are to open their doors at weekends to help relieve the pressure on local hospital A&E departments. A new scheme, which starts this weekend, aims to offer patients who are ill or injured and need urgent care, but are not a medical emergency, a weekend GP appointment in place of a long wait at A&E.

The scheme is designed to ease the pressure on local A&E departments this winter with Havering GPs reminding the public that A&E is only for people with a life-threatening medical emergency.

Here’s how it works. Starting this weekend, the local NHS 111 service can book an urgent weekend GP appointment for you, if needed, at a nearby surgery.

If the problem can wait until Monday, you will be given a ‘passport slip’ that will ensure your own GP contacts you. This will also help reduce the pressure on GP surgeries at the start of the week as patients will not have to wait until Monday to phone for an appointment.

Patients access the new service by calling 111 to ensure they get the right care. Some services, such as x-rays, stitches and medical certificates are not available through the new scheme.

Local hospitals can also re-direct patients to a weekend GP surgery if it is the right place for them to be seen.

A&E attendances at Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust (BHRUT) increased by 18 per cent between 2003 and 2011, with the biggest increases coming at the weekend. Winter is the busiest time for the NHS so local GPs want to make sure that, if people need urgent care, alternatives are in place so only those with a life-threatening emergency use A&E and can be seen more quickly.

The scheme will be rolled out between now and December starting in those areas that have the highest numbers of patients using A&E. Participating practices will be open for appointments between 9.30am and 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Havering CCG chair and local GP Dr Atul Aggarwal said:

“We know our local hospital is likely to face serious pressures over the winter and, as local GPs, we must do our bit to help.

“Patients should only go to A&E if they have a life threatening emergency, but sometimes they simply don’t know where they should seek help. We need to provide alternative places for patients who don’t need to be in A&E at weekends but do need to be seen quickly. By calling 111, those patients who need an urgent weekend GP appointment will get one.

“Opening some GP surgeries at weekends this winter is a key part of our plans to make sure patients get the right care in the right place.”

The weekend opening scheme will initially run through the winter. GPs will then look at how effective the scheme has been in reducing A&E attendances before deciding whether to continue it on a longer term basis.

The Museum of London and Havering Museum are running  a collaborative project planned for November/December 2013.

The “Opening Up To Archaeology-Unearthing Havering Project” project aims to encourage members of the community to take part in interactive workshops, engaging with archaeology excavated from the Borough of Havering and fostering involvement with the local community and its heritage.

The sessions are free and refreshments will be provided.

If you would like to book please contact Niamh Keating by email,nkeating@museumoflondon.org.uk or at 02075669316.

There is still have availability for the afternoon session on the 7th November from 2pm-3.30pm .  The maximum number of people we can accommodate is 16.

Archaeological Collections Manager (Inclusion)
Museum of London
46 Eagle Wharf Road
London N1 7ED
Tel: 020 7566 9316
Email: nkeating@museumoflondon.org.uk
www.museumoflondon.org.uk

There’s an excellent article the Recorder page 47, 14 column inches, 2 photographs, Caring Neighbour & Silver Sunday are both covered.

If you haven’t got a copy of the recorder you can read the e-edition at

http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?PBID=76a56899-ad61-4543-a0a4-bb1b806b5164

All places at the Christmas lunch have now been sold and the waiting list is full.

Sorry if you’ve missed out on this event.