Retirement

A new beginning. Retirement is no longer just about stopping working, but about starting new adventures and doing things YOU want - whether it be a holiday, a new hobby, learning a new skill or some voluntary work. Here's some links for people who are retired, or who are due to retire soon.

Money and Benefits

Pensions
The Pensions Service website at http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk has information on all aspects of pensions, whether your planning to retire, already retired or just need some extra help, including information on the new pension credit at http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/pensioncredit/home.asp.

Benefits
The Council's Advisory Officers can help you to make sure that you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to. Go to /AtoZ/atozDetail?ID=6801 or visit any or our Customer Access Points to find out more.

Council Tax Benefits
Our council tax benefits page at /AtoZ/atozDetail?ID=6902 will help you find out if you qualify for a discount on your Council Tax.

Winter Fuel Payments
You might qualify for a winter fuel payment of up to £300 to help keep your home warm this winter. Go to http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/winterfuel/home.asp to find out if you can get some extra help with your heating bills.

Insurance & Funeral Plans
Age Concern, a charity working both with and for older people, offers a range of services including insurance (home, personal, motor and breakdown) and funeral plans tailored for your needs. Got to their website at http://www.ageconcern.org.uk for more information.

Saga also offer medical, car, caravan, motorhome and pet insurance specifically aimed at the over-50s. Go to http://www.saga.co.uk/finance to find out more.

Having Fun

Silver Surfers
Friday 27 May 2005 has been designated 'Silver Surfers Day' and aims to get over 10,000 older people online. Go to http://www.silversurfersday.org/ to find out how you can participate.

Fancy learning how to use a computer? Want to go online but not sure where to start? Why not try out one of our computer training courses? The Council's adult learning centres, based around the North East Lincolnshire area, offer everything from courses for complete beginners to the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) qualification. Go to /education/adulteducation to find out what your local centre has to offer, or /AtoZ/atozDetail?ID=7683 to read about UK Online.

Volunteering
VANEL (Voluntary Action North East Lincs) is a unit http://www.do-it.org.uk 231123 beehive

Clubs & Societies
There are plenty of clubs and societies in the local area, covering nearly every subject, hobby, sport, religion, political group and craft.

The Council provides a searchable list of local clubs and societies at /leisure/clubsandsocieties/.

The Beehive network, part of the Grimsby Telegraph's website at http://beehive.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/, provides web pages for lots of local clubs, societies and community groups.

Day Centres
The Council runs several day centres, offering activities, meals, support and a chance to socialise for elderly and disabled people. The centres are also regularly visited by Health Visitors and Social Workers.

The Bert Boyden Centre in Immingham regularly runs craft, exercise and quiz sessions among other things. More information on opening times and the activities on offer can be found at socialcare/Bert_Boyden.htm.

The Curzon Centre in Cleethorpes has a visiting hairdresser and benefits advisor, and runs lots of activities including bingo, craft groups and outings. Full details are listed at /socialcare/Curzon_Centre.htm.

Adult Education - internal link
Retirement is a great time to learn something new or begin a new hobby! Check out what's on offer for adult learners by clicking here (link to adult learning life episode) or see what the Workers Education Association has to offer at http://www.wea.org.uk/.

Getting Out and About

Bus Passes

Retired and disabled people may be eligible for help using local transport, including free bus passes. Go to /AtoZ/atozDetail?ID=7034 to find out if you can apply for free travel.

Holidays
Retirement is also a wonderful opportunity to take some time to see the world.

Saga offer a range of holidays and cruises designed specifically for adventurous over-50s.

The 'retirement matters' website at http://www.retirement-matters.co.uk has lots of links to UK, overseas and specialist holiday companies.

Dial A Ride
This Council service provides accessible transport for people who find it difficult to use public transport due to illness or disability. At /socialcare/communityservices/communitycare/dialaride/ you can find out more about costs, eligibility and booking times.

Phone n Ride
Add link once pages set up.

Looking after Yourself

Meals on Wheels & Luncheon Clubs
There's some advice on our meals on wheels service at /AtoZ/atozDetail?ID=7541, and also a useful online leaflet at /socialcare/mealsonwheels.htm.

There are regular luncheon clubs at the Bert Boyden Centre in Immingham, the Beaconthorpe Centre and the Curzon Centre in Cleethorpes, the Stanford Centre in Laceby and the Newby Centre in Grimsby. Go to /AtoZ/atozDetail?ID=7533 to find out more about your local day centre and how to join a luncheon club.

Home Care Services
The Council provides home care services for those elderly people who need a bit of assistance with their day to day living requirements, whether it be washing and dressing, shopping or just helping with the cleaning. Go to /AtoZ/atozDetail?ID=7579 to find out what kind of help is available.

Health
NHS Direct is a great one-stop shop where you can find out about conditions and diseases, medication, and prevention advice. The site, at http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/, has a guide to health services in your local area and the facility to request advice from a trained nursing practitioner online, before you contact your GP.

Sheltered and Assisted Housing
The Council offers sheltered and assisted housing for those people who feel they cannot cope alone or who wish to 'downsize' from a large or unmanageable house to something smaller. There are varying degrees of assistance available, from having your own home with a warden on site for emergencies, to having full assistance. Our leaflets at /housing/Housing_Options_for_Older_People.htm might help you decide what's best for you.

Advice

Age Concern
Age Concerns website at http://www.ageconcern.org.uk is full of advice, links and useful contacts. Alternatively, you can call their free information line on 0800 00 99 66, open 365 days a year from 8.00am until 7.00pm.