Category: News

Thank you to you all!
I would like to start the year by saying an enormous thank you to everyone who supported us throughout 2014 – Staff, Volunteers, Trustees, Fundraising Committee and Members. Thank you to all those who have given their time to help raise money – extra special thanks to Jean, Eve, Juliet and Sandra, and also all those who have kindly donated money to UNACC – extra special thanks to Gwen, Enid, Gerald, Barry and Mike. Thanks also go to Leigh, who on behalf of CVA waives hire fees for fundraising events and always supports us to make sure the money we raise can go straight back into the club. Lastly thanks to each and every one of you lovely members – here’s to a happy and healthy 2015! X

Christmas Lunch a great success! – Wednesday 17^th December
Christmas Lunch on Wednesday 17^th December was a great success! We hosted over 60 members for a fantastic 3 course traditional Christmas dinner – the wine and conversation flowed and everyone had a wonderful time.

Leigh facilitated a festive joke game that made everyone laugh (or groan depending on the joke!) and the star turn was of course the fabulous entertainment from Mark who appeared as Donna Summer AND Barbara Streisand, along with his backing dancers/singers. Who needs cabaret when you’ve got us?!

The raffle had some great prizes, and raised £290, which we have used to stock our freezers with to make sure we keep on producing great meals for our members. Don’t forget that in line with other lunch clubs the price will be rising to £5 for one course and £6 for two courses.

A happy place to be
We had several new members and volunteers join us in 2014, which is great news. Could everyone please make a special effort to greet other members and volunteers and make sure people are not being left out? UNACC is a warm and friendly place to be, and it’s important that it always stays that way. Joining a club where you don’t know anyone is a big step for some people so we want to make sure everyone – staff, volunteers and members, knows they are valued.

Our Tea Dance on October 14^th was a great success. We raised £930 from:

• £550 in ticket sales
• £220 on the raffle
• £160 donation from Jean’s stall

Many thanks all the staff and volunteers who made the day such a triumph. Special mention to Sandra for getting such amazing top 3 raffle prizes. A big thanks to Leigh and the CVA for giving us the hall free of charge for the day. And another big thanks to Mark for the fabulous food.

All the money raised will go back into the running of the club so as ever thanks for all your support. Here are some pictures from the Tea Dance.

Claire Renn
The lovely Claire will be joining us to help me out in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays until Christmas. If you haven’t met her yet please stop her and say hello!

Healing Fridays!
Kieran Kelly from Health Through Energy has been having one to one sessions with members on Fridays and exploring how we can heal through energy. If you would be interested in booking a session with Kieran please let the office know.

Silver Rainbow Group lunch
This will take place on Wednesday 1st October

Fundraising Tea Dance -Tuesday October 14th 11- 2pm
Tickets £10 including afternoon tea. This is open to members, family, friends and the general public so please spread the word!

There will be a raffle and a few stalls, so do bring some money! Book early to avoid disappointment! Although the event is from 11am until 2pm, you will be most welcome to come early and have a cup of tea in the hall while things are being set up.

We need volunteers to set-up/clear up, help in the kitchen and serve lunch from 9.30/10am. Let Natalie know please.

Facebook
For all you computer savvy members, we now have a facebook page! The page can be found at www.facebook.com/unaccwaterside and is a great way to keep up to date with what is going on at UNACC and help us reach more people. If you use facebook and a computer, please go online to ‘like’ our page, and if you don’t have a clue about computers then please book yourself a slot with one of our computer volunteers!

Day trips
We are advertising Age UK Croydon’s trips this year. Dates now available on the front desk. 9^th September Bluebell railway (£27.50), Stratford upon Avon 28^th October. Please book up with Age UK Croydon on 020 8683 7100 asap.

Holidays
Tours for you are going to Torquay for 4 nights from 6^th October – only shared rooms left. 2015 7^th-14^th June- Lake District

Free respite holidays! – please let me know if you are interested!
For the last 40 years NBFA Assisting the Elderly have been organising free respite breaks to encourage over 65’s to build new friendships, develop confidence and make positive changes in their own lives. They believe in making sure that nobody ever has to be lonely because of age or circumstance. Their respite breaks are a great opportunity for older people to make new friends, engage in new activities, take a well-deserved, stress-free break. They are currently have a respite break organised for 27^th – 31^st October where they will be picking people up from Wandsworth, Lewisham and Croydon and travelling to Eastbourne to stay in a hotel by the sea for 5 days. NBFA Assisting the Elderly are keen to offer places to individuals with the greatest need in our area. They pay for guests’ accommodation, travel (from a pick up point), breakfast and dinner, workshops and daytrips throughout the week. 

They have criteria for people who apply for their respite breaks and you are more likely to receive a place if you meet all of the following;

– You are 65 or over
– You are on a low income*
– You have not been on holiday for 3 years or more

It is also very important that you are able to get on and off a coach, walk short distances and look after yourself throughout the week. We are able to recommend up to 4 people for a break, so if you think you meet all the above criteria please ask in the office for an application form! 

Friday 12^th September at 1pm – Kieran Kelly from Health Through Energy will be giving a talk on Bio-Energy and Reiki and how it can help you.

Silver Rainbow Group lunch
Wednesday 17^th September

Day trips
We have joined Age UK Croydon for combined day trips. Dates now available on the front desk. 19^th August Bournemouth and 9^th September Bluebell railway (£27.50), Stratford upon Avon 28^th October. Please book up asap with a cheque made out to Age UK Croydon.

Holidays
Tours for you are going to Torquay for 4 nights from 6^th October- only shared rooms left. 2015 7^th – 14^th June Lake District.

Silver Rainbow Group lunch
Wednesday 20th August

Concert
Free one hour concert by bass-baritone singer Franz Hepburn at 1pm on Friday 29^th August (postponed from July). So please put it in your diary!

Free Safeguarding training for volunteers
Thursday 14^th August 9.30-12.30 at Shirley Methodist Church. If you did not attend this training last year please sign up.

Dementia friends training 10 – 11am (open to staff, volunteers and members) followed by volunteers meeting 11 – 11.45am
People with dementia get by with a little help from their friends and anyone can become a dementia friend. It’s just about understanding a bit more about dementia and the small things you can do to help people with the condition. Let’s make UNACC a dementia friendly centre. Please let the office know if you cannot make the dementia friends/volunteers meeting otherwise we expect you from 10 am. Thank you.

Carer’s tea dance
This was a very successful and fun event with over 60 people in attendance, carers, potential new members, guests and volunteers. Thanks to everyone who helped out in any way. We had funding to put on this free event and we raised £150 for UNACC through the raffle, table top and card sales.

Donation from our partnership with Sainsbury’s Upper Norwood came to £549.

Dulwich Picture Gallery tea and tour
Tuesday July 22^nd 2-3.30pm. This is free but you either need to get yourself there. Please let Elaine know asap if you are interested.

Concert
Free one hour concert by bass-baritone singer Franz Hepburn at 1pm on Friday 18^th July. So please put it in your diary!

Holidays
Tours for you are going to Torquay for 4 nights from 6^th October- only shared rooms left. 2015 7^th-14^th June- Lake District 

The 50 plus show
July 10th – 12^th 9.30am – 4.30pm. Fancy a day out at Olympia Grand in London? Travel, health, finance, fashion shows, cookery demonstrations, gardening tips etc. Please pick up a complimentary ticket from the front desk.

Silver Rainbow Group lunch
Wednesday 16^th July

Local Fundraising
Refreshments and table top sale at the sailing event raised £240. Thanks to all involved. Last week’s raffle raised £55 which will buy the wine for the dinner and dance. 

Trips
We are joining Age UK Croydon on combined trips. Dates now available on the front desk. Please book up asap with a cheque made out to Age UK Croydon. Most trips are £21.00. 

Talk on buying and eating local food
Tuesday 17^th June 1.15 here at the centre. 

Are you a carer?
Carers week is 9^th-13^th June. We have a tea dance on Tuesday 10^th June from 11.30-1.30 in the pavilion. Members are very welcome but please let us know if you are coming for catering purposes.

Free First Aid Training for volunteers
17^th June 10-12 and 3^rd July 10-12 at CVA Croydon. Please see Natalie or Elaine to book your place. 

Silver Rainbow Group lunch
Wednesday 18^th June