CHRISTMAS
Life begins again with Age UK Barnsley
Christmas is generally a time where we can get together with family and friends to catch up over a festive drink or a seasonal lunch. However, amid the hustle and bustle, older people in particular can feel especially lonely over the Christmas period.
But Age UK Barnsley doesn’t let them feel that way for long, if at all, thanks to their jam-packed calendar of weekly and monthly activities to support older people in Barnsley.
Throughout the week, their Queens Road premises opens its doors to a range of social groups each day, offering everything from computer and caligraphy classes to learn new skills, to the Feeling Well group which promotes exercise and staying healthy in later life.
There’s the Cre-Activity group each Monday for those who enjoy designing and making different crafts, while the Allsorts group meet every Tuesday to keep the brain active with allsorts of quizzes, crosswords, bingo and board games.
Over at Summer Lane, the innovative Men in Sheds project has workshop space open Monday to Friday for men over 50 who have maybe faced redundancy, retirement, bereavement or ill health to get together with other local lads and share or learn hands-on skills. You can even hire a scooter or wheelchair through their Access Barnsley scheme, great for those with limited mobility who need assistance to do a bit of festive shopping in the town centre. This winter, watch out for ‘pop- up’ Christmas Friendship Cafés in various locations across the district which is a new way of doing things and now in the planning and organising stages.
Age UK Barnsley is also continuing with its successful Christmas Hamper scheme in conjunction with Horizon Community College as well as its Christmas Meal for older people who would otherwise be on their own. For information about any of the above, please contact Age UK Barnsley on 01226 776820
Dashing through the park
Make sure you’re under starter’s orders to join in or cheer on this year’s red- suited runners and walkers at the ever-popular Rotherham Hospice Santa Dash.
The annual Santa Dash raises thousands of pounds to support the fantastic work of the hospice which relies on voluntary income to support patients, families, friends and carers during terminal illness and bereavement. This year, the fun unfolds at Clifton Park on Sunday 2nd December at 10am where St Nick himself will arrive in style aboard a vintage bus ready to set an athletic example and get the one-mile dash under way – after all, it’s been wisely scheduled to take place well before he’s eaten all those mince pies.
And, if you think that donning a warm suit, tight belt and big boots might slow you down along the route, that’s no excuse as you can always take part in `normal’ clothes. You can still give a nod to the great man himself with a more lightweight festive adornment - think reindeer antlers or Christmas tree earrings, the choice is yours. On the day, you can also browse round the Little Wolf Events
Stick on a silly sweater and wear a Christmas star
It’s officially a wrap! Sheffield’s Weston Park Cancer Charity is urging people to keep out the cold and stoke up its coffers by wearing their festive knitwear with pride to support their Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 14th December. Whether it’s school or work, don your craziest, quirkiest, most Christmassy knitwear and support an event that will help improve the lives of people living with cancer and put a smile on the faces of your colleagues or classmates. Just visit
www.westonpark.org.uk to register your event and get support with your festive fundraising. You can also go one step further and give your backing to this year’s Christmas Star Appeal to make sure Weston Park Cancer Charity can be there for everyone who needs support at Christmas and beyond.
The charity doesn’t want anyone to face the festive season alone and is asking for donations of all sizes to make a real difference. A donation of £10 can buy a gift for
Christmas Market and find food, drink and crafts stalls for last- minute gift ideas, drop in to the Christmas Sleigh Bar or, if you’ve been very good this year, pay a visit to Santa in his grotto. There’s still time to register to take part in this family friendly event and you’ll receive your own Santa Dash fundraising pack containing all you need to know. Adult tickets cost £10 and £7.50 for children if booked in advance. Prices on the day are £15 for adults and £10 for children with a suggested donation of £3 to wear a Santa Suit. You can also buy the hottest ticket in town, Santa Dash raffle tickets, until November 17th and be in with the chance of winning a top prize of accompanying Santa for a hearty breakfast at Hellaby Hall before travelling with him to the Santa Dash as a VIP passenger on South Yorkshire Transport Museum’s vintage bus. So, what are you waiting for?
Ready, steady, go! To register, please ring Rotherham Hospice on 01709 308900 or complete the online entry form at
www.rotherhamhospice.org.uk/ events/santa-dash2.
someone in hospital at Christmas and £50 can help create a memory box for children and their parents. You can call the charity on 0114 226 5370 to find out more or make a donation online. In
return, you’ll receive a silver star badge to wear in memory of a loved one, in celebration of Weston Park Hospital or simply in the hope of a better future to come.
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