News

Keep up to date with our latest news here.  If you want to download our newsletter, click on the link at the bottom of this page.

Barnet 55+ Forum election special
Posted: Wednesday 3rd March, 2010
Barnet 55+ Forum invite you to go along to their "election special" public meeting to hear some straight talking and do some yourself. Monday, 22 March St Mary...

Making it easier to contact Adult Social Services
Posted: Tuesday 2nd March, 2010
Barnet Council are making it easier for residents to reach Adult Social Services. Social Care Direct has been launched to make it quicker for people to get the services they need when they need the...

Incorrect tax codes for pensioners
Posted: Tuesday 2nd March, 2010
Age Concern and Help the Aged are concerned that pensioners may receive incorrect tax codes over the next few weeks‚ as HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is introducing a new computer system to...

Sir Terry pledges to "Push the Button" for fire safety
Posted: Tuesday 2nd March, 2010
Celebrities from across the music, showbiz and sporting worlds are backing the Government’s Fire Kills campaign with a “Push It Pledge”, to urge people to test their smoke alarm e...

Beware of scams operating in your area
Posted: Thursday 11th February, 2010
We have been advised of a number of scams operating in the borough of Barnet.:- Telephone scam Someone reporting to be a BT operator telephones you and asks if you want to cha...

Free theatre project for people aged 55+ who have or who care for someone who has dementia
Posted: Wednesday 10th February, 2010
This is an exciting opportunity to work with professional performers exploring drama and reminiscence. There is also the opportunity to perform on 24th March 2010 in the artsdepot Studio ...

Find your Jewish genealogical roots
Posted: Wednesday 10th February, 2010
Hendon Library Cafe, Wednesday 3 March, 6.30pm - 7.30pm Join family history author Susan Fifer at Hendon Library Cafe for a talk on Jewish Genealogy. This session will intr...

Benefits advice and information
Posted: Wednesday 3rd February, 2010
Safia Akram, Age Concern Barnet’s Benefits Adviser, is now available from Monday to Friday to London Borough of Barnet residents over the age of 55. Safia will be giving information o...

Action Against Burglary
Posted: Wednesday 3rd February, 2010
Action Against Burglary is Age Concern Barnet’s new project to help older people take simple and practical measures to feel more secure at home. It includes how to beat bogus callers, deterri...

Campaigning
Posted: Wednesday 3rd February, 2010
Age Concern Barnet recently wrote to all the MPs in the borough asking them to support the Energy Bill. This will make sure that people on low incomes must be offered the lowest tariff by their ene...

An evening of performance by elders
Posted: Wednesday 3rd February, 2010
On Friday, 5 March there is an evening of dance performance by elders. Acts include The Sadler’s Wells Company of Elders, Dare to Dream, Long River Tai Chi from the Multicultural Centre ...

Middlesex University research
Posted: Wednesday 3rd February, 2010
Marianne Markowski, a PhD student at Middlesex University, is researching how older people use the internet and is looking into developing a social networking tool for all web users, whatever their...

Anyone for Bridge
Posted: Wednesday 3rd February, 2010
Starting in March Age Concern Barnet is offering bridge for beginners, improvers and experienced players. Beginners Bridge teacher, Alan Shackman will be running beginner les...

Wanted…Seasonal fruit
Posted: Wednesday 3rd February, 2010
Do you have a fruit tree in your garden? Is the fruit left to ripen, fall and rot? Could it be put to better use? Age Concern Barnet is, this year, offering to collect any unwanted produce....

The voice of experience
Posted: Wednesday 3rd February, 2010
January saw the launch of Age Concern Barnet’s new report on the unmet needs of older people in Barnet. This research was carried out by Kate Brown and Alison Harris from Middlesex University...

Knit and Natter
Posted: Wednesday 3rd February, 2010
Why not bring your latest knitting project or find the inspiration to start at Hendon Library’s “Knit and Natter” sessions. These will be taking place on Thursday, 18 February and...

FREE tickets to see Barnet Football Club
Posted: Wednesday 3rd February, 2010
Age Concern Barnet has a limited number of tickets for older people to attend the home match against Bury on Saturday, 27 February 2010. If you would like to come along please contact ...

Fundraising appeal
Posted: Wednesday 3rd February, 2010
Age Concern Barnet is fundraising for a new minibus. This is to replace the one we have been unable to repair after the buses were vandalised at the Ann Owens Centre last year. To do this w...

Get your new Freedom Pass by 31 March 2010
Posted: Wednesday 3rd February, 2010
A new-style Freedom Pass will be issued in 2010. All current passes will cease to work on 31 March 2010, so you must renew your pass by this date. Application forms are available from www.freedompa...

A positive picture of older generations: challenging stereotypes - Photography competition
Posted: Thursday 14th January, 2010
“A positive picture of older generations: challenging stereotypes” is a photography competition open to all 11 to 19 year olds in the London Borough of Barnet. The aim of the ...

Don't miss out on your Freedom Pass
Posted: Tuesday 12th January, 2010
Barnet\'s over-60 and disabled residents who are eligible for a Freedom Pass are being urged to find time to renew their passes before the deadline of 31 March 2010. A Freedom Pass ...

Government sets out stall on age discrimination
Posted: Tuesday 12th January, 2010
Discrimination against older people is a serious problem that must be tackled at the highest levels, Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality said today. The increase in the n...

Over 50 and living with HIV survey
Posted: Wednesday 16th December, 2009
Age Concern and Help the Aged are carrying out a research project to explore and document the needs and concerns of people over 50 liv...

Social networking for older people
Posted: Monday 14th December, 2009
Marianne Markowski, PhD student at Middlesex University, is researching the internet use of older computer users.  She looks into developing a social networking tool accessible by al...

Anyone for football
Posted: Wednesday 9th December, 2009
Are you over 55 and miss having a kick about on the football pitch? Are you looking for a group to do this with? Age Concern Barnet is working with Princes Park Youth Football Club to bring this op...

Relief driver job vacancies
Posted: Wednesday 9th December, 2009
Age Concern Barnet requires relief minibus drivers. Applicants will need a driving licence issued before 1999 or an HGV or separate PSV licence. When employed, pay is £6.40 per hour, four hou...

Join a bridge group
Posted: Wednesday 9th December, 2009
arrangements for Bridge groups at both the Ann Owens and Meritage Centres. Groups for people who can already play are likely to take place on Wednesday mornings at the Ann Owens Centre and Tuesday ...

Age Concern Barnet Reminiscence groups
Posted: Wednesday 9th December, 2009
Age Concern Barnet recently ran a very successful Reminiscence Group at the Ann Owens Centre and is training more volunteers to lead groups at both day centres and in the wider community over the c...

Thank you Barclays Community Trust
Posted: Wednesday 9th December, 2009
Age Concern Barnet received £1,000 this month from Barclays Community Trust to help with transportation following the vandalism to our minibuses. Age Concern Barnet thanks Barclays Co...

Happy 80th birthday Murray
Posted: Wednesday 9th December, 2009
On Saturday, 14 November the Meritage Centre was booked for a very special birthday party. Murray Muspratt-Rouse celebrated his 80th birthday with his wife Niki, family and friends. Murray ...

New elders theatre company in Barnet
Posted: Wednesday 9th December, 2009
Jane Judd, Community Director at The Bull Theatre in Barnet is starting a new movement/creative dance class for older people. The class is based on Tai Chi and contemporary dance movements....

Winter wrapped up
Posted: Wednesday 11th November, 2009
Winter and the cold weather it brings are a source of worry to many older people. Preparing for winter and then following some simple suggestions can help you stay healthy‚ safe and a...

Be gas safe
Posted: Wednesday 11th November, 2009
Gas Safe Register has replaced CORGI in Great Britain and the Isle of Man. The register exists to protect you‚ your family‚ and your property from dangerous gas work. By...

Helping Aged Victims of Crime (HAVoC study)
Posted: Thursday 5th November, 2009
Are you aged 65 or over?   Have you been directly affected by crime in the last three months?   The Department of Mental Health Sciences at the Royal Free Ho...

Website survey
Posted: Wednesday 21st October, 2009
Age Concern Barnet wants your views on this website. Do you use it regularly? Did you find what you were looking for? Is it easy to use? Do you have any suggestions to make it more user-friendly? O...

Mental health given a new focus
Posted: Tuesday 20th October, 2009
A service aimed at encouraging people who experience mental health difficulties to recover from their illness and live full and independent lives has been launched in Barnet. Timed to coinc...

Internet Champion of the Year
Posted: Tuesday 20th October, 2009
Age Concern and Help the Aged is conducting a UK-wide search to find an inspirational person aged over 55 to champion the benefits of getting online. Do you have what it takes to become our Interne...

Age Concern and Help the Aged comment on Ofgem's report on energy prices
Posted: Saturday 10th October, 2009
Andrew Harrop‚ Head of Policy for Age Concern and Help the Aged‚ said: \'The steep increase in gas and electricity prices forecast by Ofgem is a frightening pro...

Age Concern and Help the Aged comment on Tories' plan to bring forward the increase to state pension age
Posted: Saturday 10th October, 2009
Andrew Harrop‚ Head of Policy for Age Concern and Help the Aged‚ said: “The Tories’ plan to bring forward the increase to the state pension age will...

Age Concern and Help the Aged respond to the Conservative's new Home Protection Scheme
Posted: Saturday 10th October, 2009
Andrew Harrop‚ Head of Policy for Age Concern and Help the Aged‚ said: “We welcome the bidding war between the political parties on how to fix our crumbli...

Safer neighbourhoods - Policing in Barnet
Posted: Saturday 3rd October, 2009
All of London’s 624 electoral wards now have their own dedicated Safer Neighbourhoods Team. These are teams of police officers that spend most of their time out on patrol in your neighbourhoo...

Carers Hospital Discharge Coordinator
Posted: Saturday 3rd October, 2009
Barnet Hospital now has a Carers Hospital Discharge Coordinator, Daniel Newland who is available to support unpaid carers when the person they look after is in hospital. Hospital discharge ...

Get your home energy checked for free
Posted: Saturday 3rd October, 2009
Fuel bills are on the increase and squeezing everyone’s budget to its limit. Age Concern Barnet is currently delivering seminars throughout the borough, offering practical advice on saving mo...

Borrow our Nintendo Wii
Posted: Saturday 3rd October, 2009
Age Concern Barnet has a Nintendo Wii to loan to organisations and community groups serving the older generation in the borough. The Wii comes with a variety of games including bowling, golf, tenni...

Guided walks suburban stories: Golders Green
Posted: Wednesday 16th September, 2009
From Japanese restaurants to Hampstead Heath secrets, London Transport Museum invites you to take a closer look at Golders Green. Walks are lead by local residents who guide you around some...

WWII archives mark 70th anniversary
Posted: Friday 11th September, 2009
The 70th anniversary of World War Two has been marked online with the launch of a special archive of BBC material relating to the conflict. Audio recordings made after war was declared...

A century of fatherhood
Posted: Friday 11th September, 2009
Testimony Films is making the first ever television series charting “A Century of Fatherhood” in Britain over the past 100 years, to be shown on BBC4 next year.   T...

New phone system
Posted: Thursday 27th August, 2009
As of 27 August Age Concern Barnet has a new phone system. All our existing numbers are exactly the same but people are now able to directly dial individuals at either centre.  Th...

The Guardian publishes "Active Ageing" photos
Posted: Wednesday 26th August, 2009
Today the Guardian has published online a selection of entries, including the winner and runners up, from Age Concern Barnet’s recent “Active Ageing” photography competition....

Call to upgrade phone services for the deaf
Posted: Thursday 6th August, 2009
The deaf and hard of hearing and those who want to call them are being urged by the telecommunication action group (TAG) to ask their MPs to sign an Early Day Motion (EDM). This calls for the ...

Barnet Carers Centre
Posted: Thursday 6th August, 2009
If someone you care for is in hospital the Barnet Carers Centre is there if you need them. Barnet Hospital has a Carers Hospital Discharge Coordinator who is available to support you i...

Active Ageing photography competition winners
Posted: Thursday 6th August, 2009
Age Concern Barnet’s “Active Ageing” photography competition closed on 31 July 2009. It was judged today by Andrew Dismore MP, and Julia Hines, Age Concern Barnet\'s Chair and Chi...

Home maintenance service
Posted: Wednesday 29th July, 2009
Age Concern Barnet has run a handyperson service for the last seven years. The present service is funded by the Primary Care Trust and enables older people to have small jobs done in their home fre...

Blue Badge map online
Posted: Tuesday 30th June, 2009
Disabled Club Badge holders can now get information on where they can legally park. The Blue Badge Map, launched by Government information site Direct Gov, also lets holders find pet...

Barnet Table Tennis Centre
Posted: Tuesday 30th June, 2009
Barnet Table Tennis Centre hold social table tennis sessions for people aged over 55. Social table tennis sessions for Senior Citizens cost £2:00 per person and are held on:-...

Take the challenge
Posted: Thursday 25th June, 2009
What do you know about depression in older people? 17% of older people have symptoms of depression, but most of them do not go to their GP about it. Age Concern and Help the Aged have launc...

Home library service in Barnet
Posted: Wednesday 24th June, 2009
Barnet Libraries provide a personal book delivery service to residents who are unable to visit their local library and are housebound due to age or infirmity. The service visits each reader...

Join Whetstone ladies choir
Posted: Thursday 4th June, 2009
Whetstone ladies choir are looking for ladies who love to sing! They meet on Tuesday afternoons from 1:30pm to 3:30pm at Christ Church at Whetstone, Oakleigh Road North, London, N20 9AR....

Healthcare in London
Posted: Wednesday 3rd June, 2009
New plans to reorganise healthcare in London involve having just four centres of excellence for treating strokes and acute trauma for the whole of London. Age Concern Barnet has taken part ...

Free swimming for the over 60's in Barnet
Posted: Monday 1st June, 2009
As part of the free swimming programme run by Greenwich Leisure, several London boroughs, including Barnet are providing swimming for free during public times. Those participating in this programme...

Sports activity sessions for the over 50's
Posted: Thursday 16th April, 2009
Middlesex University offer one session a week, Fridays 9:30am – 11.30am (except during school holidays) of sports activities at the Trent Park Sport hall for people over the age of 50. ...

Computer classes in Barnet for the over 55's
Posted: Thursday 16th April, 2009
Age Concern Barnet Age Concern Barnet offers computer classes at beginner and advanced levels at both the Ann Owens Centre and the Meritage Centre. Classes are small a...

Cooking up a new book
Posted: Friday 3rd April, 2009
Following the success of the pie, mash and liquor meal at the Meritage Centre, we want your best tried and tested recipes to make a cookbook. Bring or send your favourite recipes to the Mer...

Are you retired from the print industry?
Posted: Friday 3rd April, 2009
The Bookbinders\' Charitable Society was established in 1830 to assist those who have retired from the print and allied trades. The society currently has some one bedroom flats vacant at th...

Were you at the 1948 Olympic Games?
Posted: Wednesday 28th January, 2009
Were you an athlete at, or did you attend, the 1948 Olympic Games? Organisers of this year’s East End Film Festival want to host a cross-generational event that explores the world of ...

Recognising our volunteers
Posted: Wednesday 28th January, 2009
Age Concern Barnet is now registered with the Barnet Community Awards Scheme. The scheme recognises the enormous contribution volunteers make to the lives of Barnet residents. Co-ordinated ...

TOP tax help
Posted: Wednesday 3rd December, 2008
From January Age Concern Barnet will host free tax advice surgeries provided by TaxHelp for Older People (TOP). TOP is a charity that provides free tax advice to older people (over 60) on l...

New Chinese elders lunch club
Posted: Wednesday 26th November, 2008
The Meritage Centre is host to a new fortnightly lunch club for older Chinese people in Barnet. Set up and run by the Chinese Mental Health Association, the club provides a much needed service for ...