IlonaM

Just seen three Goldfinches on my seed feeder. Very colourful addition to today's visitors. Haven't seen any for a while.

LInk Age Southwark (www.linkagesouthwark.org) might have some ideas as well as other support to offer. Also Southwark Independent Living might have some good ideas and contacts - www.sdail.org/sport

My mother arranged one last year before the prices went up. She doesn't want a funeral. She seems pleased with the ease of arranging it.

I'm glad you're finding it interesting. Here are a couple more websites to keep an eye on: - Which: 17 ways to save money on your household bills and living costs in 2023 Expert advice on cutting your fuel usage, food costs, energy bills and more https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/how-to-save-money-on-your-household-bills-aiTGN6b5jZ2N - Article: 'DWP: 2 million people could save £100s with 23 freebies to help ease cost of living burden' - useful particularly if you're on Legacy benefits (PIP, ESA, IS, JSA etc.) https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/dwp-2-million-people-could-save-100s-with-23-freebies-to-help-ease-cost-of-living-burden/ar-AA16yOxs?rc=1&ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=61f493d2f62e4267c819f48152097f5c

Potentially of interest: https://www.over50smoney.com/Home+Bills/The+Energy+Guide 'The Energy Guide This guide is designed to provide information on the support packages available during Winter 2022, to give advice on how to manage your energy bills over the next six months and to highlight the wide variety of support available. We go a step further, to discuss household budgets and how your mindset can make a significant difference to household disposable income. Parts of this guide may be useful printed out, rather than on screen.'

Came across this and thought it may be of interest to those who are eligible: Help to Save Scheme: Direct link to Help to Save Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/get-help-savings-low-income 'Launched back in 2018, the Help to Save schemes offers low income earners, claiming Universal Credit and other benefits, a savings boost. It pays a 50 percent bonus on their savings, up to £1,200. To get the maximum £1,200, each eligible person in the household will need to save £50 a month for four years. With the bonus, this will increase your cash saving to £3,600, the equivalent of saving £75 per month. If there are two people who can open an account each, the totals will be doubled. The problem is, not many know they are eligible for the scheme. Since its launch around 270,000 people are thought to have opened a Help to Save account. So who can open an account? Well you can if you live in the UK and receive one of the following benefits: Work tax Credit Child Tax Credit Universal Credit Your eligibility will be checked during an application process. If you are eligible, there are two ways you can open an account. Go to the Help to Save page on gov.uk, where it will ask you to sign into your government Gateway account. Alternatively call 0300 322 7093 and the HMRC helpline advisors will assist you with setting up an account.'' Source: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/dwp-warns-millions-of-brits-not-to-miss-out-on-cash-boost-worth-100s/ar-AA168ywt?rc=1&ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=105454119c3f40dba6b037bb10b3bfeb Direct link to Help to Save Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/get-help-savings-low-income

Last time I ordered from Deliveroo, within the last week or so, there was a new security feature. On confirmation of the order they gave me a number code which I had to tap into delivery driver's machine [smart phone??] in order for driver to hand over my meal.

High Court finds EU Settlement Scheme breaches the Withdrawal Agreement: Independent Monitoring Authority v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2022] EWHC 3274 (Admin) - subject to an appeal by the Home Office Read more here: https://freemovement.org.uk/high-court-finds-eu-settlement-scheme-breaches-the-withdrawal-agreement/?mc_cid=a8282a9023&mc_eid=bcf851a85d

And a happy Christmas and a lovely New Year to you too!

Disabled Rights UK has released a new guide on claiming UC for people with disabilities and long-term health conditions. Direct link: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/sites/default/files/UCGuide-finalDec22.pdf 'DR UK free guide to Universal Credit Universal credit is a maze. This new book is DR UK's essential guide to finding your way through that maze, written by our in-house benefits experts. It will help you maximise income for yourself and your clients and avoid the pitfalls – such as having your benefit sanctioned.' Also available as a book, but currently sold out: https://shop.disabilityrightsuk.org/products/universal-credit-guide

I have found with presents to France recipient has not had to pay, so long as below £39, but Italy has a much lower threshold and I belatedly found out that presents above E19/20 incurred a charge for the recipient. Now I'm much more careful what I send. See [oldish] Which article from Nov 2021: https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/delays-and-extra-fees-post-brexit-rules-you-need-to-know-before-sending-gifts-this-year-a49uY1I6CCga I think the Guardian has also done articles in the past, but haven't found them . See also Royal Mail re post-Brexit rules: https://www.royalmail.com/brexit On occasion I have found a local online store, i.e. based in Italy, which has cut out risk of charges.

Just a heads up to anyone expecting parcels - yesterday evening a royal mail worker arrived at 8.30pm or so and left a parcel in my porch without bothering to ring my bell. I only found it by accident reviewing overnight camera and luckily it was still there at 1040 this morning. Given the number of thefts from doorsteps at the moment and problems with deliveries in the middle of strikes/run-up to Christmas etc. I thought I would warn neighbours to keep an eye out for parcels delivered outside normal hours and temp workers who might not be as well trained as the usual postmen.

From Nextdoor: 'NEED TO CALL ASAP IF YOU HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS MALE!!! They have him right now but need info asap to charge him with the most they can! Please call the number with the reference number, if you could share this around that would be great!'

Just have been sifting through the comments on the latest Frances Ryan article in the Guardian: Some useful links: 1) From Fishgirl23 I HOPE THE LINKS BELOW WILL BE HELPFUL FOR SOME: CHARITABLE FUNDS: CHARIS: Can help with gas and electric bills www.charisgrants.com BRITISH GAS: Please see this link for more information, including how to apply: https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/ THAMES WATER ASSISTANCE FUND (You do not need to be a Thames Water customer you can still get help towards wastewater cost of your bill) http://www.thameswater.co.uk/My-Account/Billing-and-payment/Help-paying-your-bill/Customer-assistance-fund AFFINITY WATER. Help with water arrears for low-income families http://www.thameswater.co.uk/My-Account/Billing-and-payment/Help-paying-your-bill/Watersure-Plus-scheme TURN2US: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/ FUEL/ENERGY ADVICE USWITCH: http://www.uswitch.com/ ENERGY HELPLINE: http://www.energyhelpline.com/ COST OF LIVING SUPPORT: Go to your local authority website DEBT ADVICE: STEPCHANGE on 0800 138 1111: www.stepchange.org MONEY HELPER: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/benefits/universal-credit/money-manager NUCLEUS on 020 3727 9300 [email protected] REPORT AN ILLEGAL LENDER (LOAN SHARK): 0300 555 2222 www.stoploansharks.co.uk 2) UK Power Network Priority Register - https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/power-cut/priority-services/about-the-priority-services-register 'You can register if you or someone in your household: relies on medical equipment have refrigerated medicines have a serious or chronic illness have a disability is living with dementia are of pensionable age have children under five in your household have mental health difficulties We recognise that people may also need support because of life-changing events such as bereavement, relationship breakdown, job loss, recovery from hospital treatment or living independently for the first time. If you or someone in your household is experiencing any of these circumstances, you can register to receive extra help on a temporary basis.'

https://aplacetocallhome.freedomfromtorture.org/?home_page?utm_campaign=22LG17&utm_source=email&utm_medium=fftml 'Calling photographers of all ages, nationalities and technical skills to tell us in a picture what home means to you. Home isn’t just a place. It’s a sense and feeling too. Each year millions of people are forced to become refugees losing their homes and everything which is familiar to them. Refugees are forced to make perilous journeys in search of a new place to call home. A selection of entries will be included in our digital gallery. Three winners in each age group, as judged by the eminent photographers Kolbassia Haoussou, Yousif Al Shewaili and Aisha Olamide Seriki, will be displayed at our event in a gallery space in London. Final winners will receive a selection of prizes that are yet to be announced! Deadline for entries - December 12th 2022.' Full details of how to enter online: https://aplacetocallhome.freedomfromtorture.org/?home_page?utm_campaign=22LG17&utm_source=email&utm_medium=fftml

Il Siciliano deli on Rosendale Rd in West Dulwich will probably have some as well. Not far away. [Also great arancini!].

I found an interesting NASA-inspired Heat Reflective Bed Sheet Underlay on the Coopers website (similar one on Easylife website - both links below) - rather like cat & dog self-heating mats, but for humans and no energy costs!!! They are rather good and I even persuaded a very sceptical mother to take one home after trying it up here!!! - https://www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/heat-reflective-bed-sheet-underlay/ - https://www.easylife.co.uk/product/insulated-fleece-warmer/27280

UK Energy Support Scheme for grants to improve energy efficiency may be of interest to eligible low-income home owners & private tenants: Direct link: https://ukenergysupport.co.uk/eco4-scheme/ 'The ECO4 scheme is the final part of an ongoing government initiated scheme to support low-income households and to create more energy efficient homes. As of April 2022 it replaced its previous iteration with the aim of improving the energy efficiency of more UK households. UK Energy Support specialises in Energy Company Obligation (ECO) grants, which are provided at no cost to our customers, so that any energy efficiency upgrade for your home will be fully funded by your energy provider. The ECO4 scheme grant system applications open for November 2022.'