Hello to all our regular and new ‘Garlinge Matters’ followers, and welcome to our website. This regular feature updates you on what’s happening within the GRA and news from around the village. Please contact us with your news stories, pictures, ideas and concerns for inclusion on the website.
Please scan through the different sections for updates on local issues and campaigns. And don’t forget to check out the social events.
Minutes from the meeting are in the ‘Meetings’ section. How organised is that!
We want everyone to give us feedback on this site and to get involved in making our lovely area of Garlinge an even better place to live and take pride in.
All suggestions, comments, ideas are encouraged and welcome. Even constructive negative ones if you think we’ve got it wrong!
Advertisement
To advertise your business here please use contact page
Telephone Scam!
Kent Police is warning residents across the county to be aware of a phone scam targeting the elderly.
Fraudsters are reportedly calling homes claiming to be part of the HM Revenue and Customs Service and threatening arrests for non-payment of tax.
Residents are told to pay immediately with iTunes vouchers.
A number of phone scam cases have been reported in the last four weeks and in some cases, victims have lost thousands of pounds.
The scammers are believed to be calling from overseas and using spoofing technology to appear as a UK based phone number.
Detective Seargent Alec Wood of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: ‘Fraudsters are deliberately and callously targeting the elderly and terrifying them with threats of arrests.
‘This fraud works because the victims fear they may have actually accrued tax arrears and they simply wish the problem to go away.
‘I would urge people to check their own tax directly with the tax office and confirm it from a known source.
‘This fraud can be defeated by spreading knowledge of the fraud and encouraging people to take a few minutes to check, verify and seek another professional or informed opinion, before rushing to pay.
‘In any event, HMRC would not wish to be paid in vouchers.’
If you’re a victim of fraud or know someone who is please visit Action Fraud online or call 0300 123 2040.
Community Noticeboard
With great appreciation, Garlinge Newsagents has kindly permitted use of their outer property to site our new noticeboard. It is of great value to the GRA and will serve as a perfect window. Along with the website (which we hope you will check regularly), you can keep up to date with all our events and meetings.
Minutes from the meetings will continue to be emailed to all members with computer access (and hand-delivered to the technically challenged members). They will also now be posted on the website.
AGELESS THANET
Ageless Thanet is a big Lottery funded project which is part of the national ‘Fulfilling Lives: Ageing Better’ programme. This exciting 5 year project is led by Social Enterprise Kent (SEK), who have commissioned five different departments called ‘work -streams’, with the overarching aim of making Thanet a great place in which to grow older. Anyone who is 50 plus can benefit from the wide range of activities and services provided by the Ageless Thanet work-streams.
Age UK Thanet have been commissioned to deliver the Active Citizenship project. This exciting project, delivered by Age UK’s dedicated Ageless Thanet project co-ordinating team, will encompass recruiting, training and enabling Ageing Better Champions across Thanet.
The Champions will become community ambassadors, playing a crucial role in identifying and reaching older people within their communities, particularly those who are socially isolated. The Champions will provide an array of support including: sharing information and encouraging people to try new activities, sign-posting to various support networks, helping to empower residents to have their voices heard and become involved with campaigns for positive change, encouraging and supporting the resident-led groups and activities – and much more besides! The overall ambition is to make Thanet’s older generation live life to the full.