Good Life Sorted - BLMK

17/03/2026

⚠️ Scam Awareness - Please share!!

We wanted to reshare this important message from our good friends at Sight Concern Bedfordshire.

There are currently scam text messages circulating about the Winter Fuel Allowance, encouraging people to click a link and apply urgently - this is not legitimate.

Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically, and you do not need to apply.

If you receive a message like this:
• ❌ Do not click any links
• ❌ Do not respond
• 📲 Forward the message to 7726
• 🗑️ Delete it immediately

These scams are often targeted at people of an older age and those who may be more vulnerable, so please do share this with friends, family and anyone who might be at risk.

Thank you to Sight Concern Bedfordshire for raising awareness 💜

Scam Warning – Winter Fuel Allowance text

Martin, one of our clients, came to us for advice about a text he had received encouraging him to urgently click on a link to complete an application for the Winter Fuel Allowance, else he would miss out. We explained to him that any text message about the Winter Fuel allowance is a scam. Martin asked us to spread the word to raise awareness of this scam.

Here is some government advice from Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden:
“If you get a text message about Winter Fuel Payments, it’s a scam. They will be made automatically so you do not need to apply.
These despicable attempts by criminals to target people are on the rise. We are raising awareness to make it harder for fraudsters to succeed.
If you receive a suspicious message about Winter Fuel Payments, don’t engage - forward it to 7726 and delete it immediately.”

If you want to know more, here is a link to a government press release dated 15 October 2025:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pensioners-warned-to-stay-alert-as-winter-fuel-payment-scams-surge-by-over-150
[Photo description: A hand holds up a smartphone displaying a scam text message about the Winter Fuel Allowance. ]

17/03/2026

Nutrition and Hydration Week is here - a chance to highlight the importance of staying nourished and hydrated. 🥕💦🥦

We'd love to celebrate the global awareness campaign by collecting your favourite soup recipes, because a good soup is not only nourishing, it’s also a great way to boost hydration.

So, what’s your favourite soup? Carrot and coriander, tomato and basil, or chicken noodle? Do you have a favourite recipe? Send them our way and we’ll choose one to highlight in a future post. If we get enough, we’ll put together and share a mini soup recipe booklet!

If you’d like some support with meal preparation or staying hydrated, our companions can provide that extra help during our visits. To find out how a Good Life Sorted companion could support your wellbeing, just get in touch.

Find out more about Nutrition and Hydration Week

12/03/2026

Community really does start with simple things - soil, seeds, and a good natter 🌱🥕🌷

The Lowther Road Community Garden volunteers will be on site on Saturday 28th March 2 till 3pm.
This is the start of our weekend afternoon sessions during 2026.
You are very welcome to join us in:
🐞spreading out the compost that we received from Wicks
🐞some gardening
🐞picking up some seeds
🐞swapping plants
or simply having a natter

Future dates are:
Sun 26 Apr, Sun 31 May, Sun 28 June, Sun 26 July, Sun 30 Aug, Sun 27 Sept

Lowther Road Community Garden Volunteers
🌱🐞🌞🐛🪻🌻🌺🍇🐌🌿🍓🌳

12/03/2026

Our next meet up

SUNDAY 22ND MARCH
11AM TIL 1PM
MK GALLERY CAFE

A chance to get out the house, meet some new people for a coffee or two.

Stay as long or as little as you want, chat, listen, even bring a paper and just come and hang out.

There is a host so coming alone is totally the norm! Never worry about that.

We meet in the cafe at the MK Gallery which is a relaxed place on a sunday and on sunny days we even get to sit outside! (Ok maybe not March).

Free to come.. just turn up.

We hope to see you there.

10/03/2026

Great Linford, the first village to become part of Milton Keynes, still holds its history, its character, and its neighbourly warmth. With the manor park’s historic buildings and calm green spaces, Great Linford is a lovely place to spend some time.

I recently went along to the dementia‑friendly 5 Ways Café, held at St. Andrew’s Church in the peaceful surroundings of Great Linford Manor Park. I found the community café busy with chatter, friendship and warmth, and I enjoyed my coffee and cake, followed by a historical guided walk around the park with Friends of Great Linford Manor Park.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/foglmp

The café runs on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, 11am–1pm, with regular free accessible art and craft sessions with no booking needed - I’ll be there on March 24th!

It’s the kind of place Good Life Sorted values - where everyday kindness and neighbourly support are part of the fabric of life.

I’ll also be back to Great Linford as brighter days roll in as I’m keen to visit the village pubs: MK Pub of the Year, The Nag’s Head, and The Black Horse by the canal both offering friendly spaces to meet.

04/03/2026

If your loved one is finding it harder to make decisions, struggling with words, or repeating things more often, they may be showing some early symptoms of dementia.

They may feel increasingly angry, confused, fearful, and lonely, resulting in a challenging and emotional time for all concerned.

Through companionship, welfare checks, and hands‑on practical help, a Good Life Sorted helper will focus on creating moments that help your loved one feel safe, valued, and gently cared for.

Reflecting on the words of Maya Angelou…
“I've learned that people will forget what you said; people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

More specialist services in Milton Keynes include…
Milton Keynes Dementia Services (Milton Keynes City Council)
Dementia Information and Support Service (Alzheimer’s Society)
Alzheimer’s Society (Milton Keynes)
National Dementia Helpline: 0300 222 11 22
Dementia Friends

03/03/2026

🎉 It’s that time again! 🎉

The East Bedford Pcn Coffee Morning is back this Thursday, and we’re really looking forward to being there alongside lots of fantastic local organisations.

These mornings are always extremely welcoming and full of helpful conversations, so if you’d like a friendly chat, some guidance, or to find out what support is available locally - please pop along!💛

📅 Thursday 5th March
⏰ 10am – 12pm
📍 Christ The King Church Hall, Harrowden Road, Bedford, MK42 0SP

Free tea, coffee and biscuits available ☕
Just drop in - no booking needed.

We hope to see you there!😊

27/02/2026

Our lovely friends at FLAG Bedford are hosting a special coffee morning to help raise funds ahead of their 20th anniversary celebrations, and it would be fantastic to see lots of local support 🎉✨

FLAG Bedford provides such important support for families locally, and they would also be incredibly grateful for any cake donations or volunteers to help on the day.

If you’re free, do pop along for a cuppa, some cake and a friendly chat ☕🍰

📅 Saturday 7th March
⏰ 10am – 12pm
📍 Priory Methodist Church, Newnham Avenue, Bedford, MK40 9QJ

In April FLAG turns 20!
The Trustees want to throw a free party for our members.
We are hosting Coffee morning (details below).
If you can volunteer or donate cakes we would be really grateful.

22/02/2026

Good Life Sorted Helpers offer a wide variety of services depending on your needs.

For instance, as getting dressed or caring for clothes can feel like a big task, a Good Life Sorted Helper can make this part of daily life feel easier, calmer, and even enjoyable again.

Freshening Up Clothes
Older fabrics sometimes develop that “stored away” smell. A Helper can refresh items by hanging clothes outside on a sunny day, and adding a lavender sachet or scented liner when putting things away.

Offering Gentle Mending Support
A Helper can offer to do small repairs - sewing on a button, or fixing a loose hem. Sitting together while doing it can turn a simple task into a warm, companionable moment.

Making Dressing Easier
If buttons, zips, or fiddly fastenings are becoming difficult, a Helper can offer simple, practical solutions: fitting velcro replacements, or laying out outfits that are comfortable and manageable.

Encouraging Them to Wear What They Love
Many older adults “save” their nicest clothes for special occasions. A Helper can gently encourage them to enjoy those items more often by saying things like: “You look wonderful in that colour - it would brighten the day to see you wear it” and “Why not wear that nice scarf for our walk today?” - a lovely way to boost confidence and celebrate personal style.

Bringing Back the Memories
If someone hesitates to wear a cherished item because they’re afraid of spoiling it, a Helper can take a moment to look at it with them. Asking where they bought it or when they first wore it often brings back happy memories and helps the garment feel like a friend rather than something too precious to touch.

Supporting Identity Through Style
By helping an older adult stay connected to their style, a Helper supports their sense of identity, dignity, and self‑expression. It’s a beautiful way to help them feel like themselves every day.

Good Life Sorted Helpers are here to make things easier. Call us on 0808 164 8338 to arrange your first visit.

17/02/2026

Are you sandwiched between generations?

Many people in their 40s to 60s are caring for aging parents while also bringing up children or teens. This is the ‘sandwich generation’, and these carers carry a huge emotional and practical load that often goes unseen.

Caring across the generations is no small thing, and you shouldn’t have to carry it all. So if you're a 'sandwich generation' carer in need of some support, here are a few of the local services that can help:

Carers MK - Support groups, workshops, and 1:1 help for carers

Age UK Milton Keynes - advice, home support, and a monthly Carers Café

Alzheimer's Society(MK) - Dementia information, support groups, and practical guidance

Mind BLMK - emotional and mental health support for carers

It’s also useful to think about your own boundaries and routines, which could include a weekly reset for looking at the week ahead, noting where you need support, scheduling some time out for yourself, and just pausing for gratitude or reflection.

If you or someone you love could use some practical support at home, Good Life Sorted has trusted local Helpers across Milton Keynes. Reach out and we'll connect you with a Helper whenever you’re ready.

15/02/2026

A Heart‑Warming Night with Woburn Jazz Big Band

I had the loveliest evening soaking up the smooth, feel‑good sounds of the Woburn Jazz Big Band - our brilliant local big jazz band in Milton Keynes.

They put on a Valentine’s charity concert in support of the Luton & Dunstable Hospital Cardiac Unit and raised over £600. Such a warm, generous effort from everyone involved.

The band are available for concerts, dance evenings, private functions and festivals, with a gorgeous repertoire spanning classic swing, mainstream jazz, Bossa Novas, Latin, Blues, Funk and contemporary tunes.

As a Companion & Community Champion with Good Life Sorted, I’m always looking for uplifting local moments that bring people together, and this one was a perfect reminder of how music can create connection, joy and a real sense of belonging.

If you ever get the chance to hear them, it’s well worth it.

14/02/2026

...'but I still know your'e standing there'

'I have this illness, cruel and unfair.'

Louise wrote this poem for her Dad John who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at 69.

The poem reads:

'I have this illness, cruel and unfair,
It came too early, it shouldn’t be there!
You don’t need to tell me I’m not the same, I feel it, I feel the change.

Some days I’m trapped inside my mind, the words I can’t always find,
I’m calling out, though quiet it seems, Still shouting love through broken dreams.

So help me remember play my song, Turn it up loud and sing along,
Let the music find what time erased, Let joy return to a familiar place.

Come sit with me, don’t turn away, Even on my quieter days, I may forget the when or where, But I still know you’re standing there.

Tell me our stories, the old and true, Remind me of all that I’ve been to you, If I lose my way, please help me see,

I’m still your Dad,
I’m still me.'