Independent Age’s ‘Winterwise’ guide has been updated and is now available on via their website.

The guide is full of most up-to-date advice and information to help older people stay healthy and safe through the coming winter months, including practical advice on how to manage costs during the winter and what support is available, if they’re struggling.

The guide has three sections:

• Staying warm – providing information and advice to help older people keep themselves and their homes warm this winter, like financial support that they could access to help them with their energy costs.

• Staying safe – focusing on home safety advice for older people, including fire safety, what to do if they have a fall, or how to spot and report scams.

• Staying well – tips and advice on mental health and wellbeing, keeping active and eating well, information on food banks and community warm spaces.

The ‘Winterwise’ guide can be ordered directly from the website Winterwise advice guide| Independent Age(External link), or by contacting their Helpline on freephone 0800 319 6789, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. Anyone interested in the guide can order as many copies as they’d need, at no cost and share with the older people they know/support via their service. The guide will also be displayed within libraries so people can have access to it

Landlines are going digital

Landlines in the UK are going digital by 2025.

BT have a team on hand who can tell you what Digital Voice is, why the change is necessary, and what it means for you and they are coming to Central Library, Smithford Way, Coventry, CV1 1FY, on 8 February 10am - 2pm.

You don't have to pre-book, just turn up.

More information.

Measles - 'Catch Up' vaccinations

As you may be aware, we are seeing an increasing number of measles cases across Coventry and the West Midlands.

Measles is extremely infectious and can be serious. It can spread quickly among communities and places (such as schools and nurseries) if people have not had two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Unvaccinated young children, pregnant women and people with weak immunity (immunosuppressed) are at greatest risk of serious health complications if they catch measles. The good news is that the MMR vaccine is proven to be 96% effective in protecting people against measles.

Know the symptoms and keep people with symptoms away from others. Visit www.nhs.uk/measles for more information

Speak to your GP if:

Your child or someone in your family has missed their first or second dose of the MMR vaccine.

You or someone in your family show symptoms of measles (stay home and speak to your GP on the phone, if they need to see you they will make special arrangements for your arrival to help keep other patents safe).

Cost of Living

If you're struggling with the cost of living, especially at this time of year, you can find information on a range of issues including, money worries and debt, mental health, housing and food support on our website, or call 08085 834 333

Act on Energy

'Act on Energy' provides free impartial advice on energy efficiency and grants and projects available in your area to help keep you warm this winter.

To find out more visit the Act on Energy Website

P3 drop-in sessions

P3 can provide help with: Housing/tenancy issues, independent living skills, money management/benefit advice, health and well-being or general advice and support.

Contact P3 on 08081 962660 or visit your local family hub(External link) to find out more.

Coventry Independent Advice Service

Coventry Independent Advice Service(External link) is a charity offering free confidential advice around benefits, making claims, debt, money problems and challenging decisions on benefit claims.

For more information visit the CIAS website(External link)

Coventry Citizens Advice Bureau

Coventry Citizens Advice(External link) provide a range of free, confidential advice, including housing, benefits and debt.

You can contact them via their Advice Line: 0800 144 88 48