News Archive 2020
Fundraising
Visitors to the website will see that there is a new Donate button at the top of the page.
We appreciate that in these difficult times many Members are still paying their membership fees. We are grateful for this and do not expect you to donate further.
However, we would like to offer visitors to the site an easy way to donate if they so wish.
MKCCG - REOPENING POSTPONED (17 December)
The government has announced that Milton Keynes will move to Tier 3, very high local COVID alert level, on Saturday 19 December 2020. This means that as things stand we will have to postpone our planned reopening of exercise classes from 11th January 2021.
For further information about this announcement you can visit the MK Council page - Milton Keynes will move to Tier 3 on Saturday 19 Dec (govdelivery.com) The next review of the tier allocation system is due on December 30th and we will update our website and Facebook page accordingly. If and when this situation changes we hope to be in a position to restart as soon as the regulations and advice allow. Please keep checking the MKCCG website for updates.
We understand that members, staff and volunteers will be disappointed by this news. It is important that we are all working together to slow the rate of infection, protecting family, friends, loved ones and our NHS.
Staying strong together – MKCCG.
Farewell from Wendy
(17 December)
Health Matters: Cold Weather & COVID-19 (7 December)
A Christmas Message from the Social Chair (3 December)
Autumn Catch up (17 November)
"Autumn Leaves" (7 November)
Dave Wright (Tuesday LTC) has produced a recording of 'The Autumn Leaves' with himself playing saxophone.
Ian Spratley (Tuesday LTC) has made a video of it with photos he's added. We hope you enjoy it.
Message to Members (2 November)
Dear Member,
As you know we were planning to re-open our exercise classes from Monday 9th November 2020 for a limited number of members with shortened sessions to comply with COVID-19 restrictions.
Following the Government announcement on Saturday 31st October we have had to postpone the reopening of Group. The current lockdown will last until at least the 3rd December. It has therefore been decided to delay reopening Group until after the Christmas break with classes restarting from the 11th January 2021.
COVID-19 Risk Assessment (31 October)
As part of our preparations for re-starting some of our exercise sessions we’ve carried out a Risk Assessment. This addresses the risks of exercising at Hinton Hall and the actions we’ve taken to keep members, staff and volunteers as safe as possible from catching COVID-19. Read more …
"I Think It's Going to Work Out Fine"
(30 October)
Ian Spratley, a Tuesday LTC member, has posted a video on YouTube. It's an instrumental from Neil of the band Borderline Crossing who have raised funds for us in the past. Ian is also a member of the band. Ian has put together some images to go with it.
He says: "I made it for a couple of reasons - it's one of my favourite tunes and I always enjoy Neil's playing of it; and it's uplifting and positive, it always makes me smile. This is important at the moment. I've chosen images that illustrate things we might all be missing right now - family, friends, holidays, making music, Hinton Hall (there are a couple of shots of Tuesday LTC in it). And the message is the title of the tune - "I think it's going to work out fine".
£1m Coronavirus Fund (28 October)
We have been chosen by Localgiving to be part of the £1m Coronavirus Fund donation matching scheme. Any money donated will go towards the purchase of the air purifiers that we are installing to help make Hinton Hall COVID-19 Secure. This is funded by the Government's £750 million charity support package.
There are two parts to the scheme:
- between 10:00 on 27th October 2020 and 09:59 on 3rd November 2020 each donor can have their donations matched up to £75;
- from 10:00 on 3rd November 2020 until the fund runs out (or 12:00 on the 9th November 2020) each donor can have their donations matched up to £5,000.
In each part we can benefit from an unlimited number of matched donations.
A donation can be made by going to: https://localgiving.org/charity/mkcardiacgroup/
Please contact me (chair@mkccg.org) if you want to know more.
Ivan Pullen
Message to Members (1 October)
Dear Member
It was just over a month ago that I last wrote to you to announce that we were planning to run pilot exercises sessions. I am very pleased to say that these have been a great success.
Pilot Exercise Sessions (30 September)
We’ve been running some pilot exercise sessions to test how we can work with the COVID-19 secure measures we need to take. Read more and watch the video ...
Flu Facts vs Flu Fiction
(29 September)
Message to Members (31 August)
Dear Member
At the end of July, I wrote to you about plans to restart exercise sessions at Hinton Hall. Since then, a great deal of work has been done to develop a strategy that will lead to an eventual return to normal running.
Message to Members (31 July) Since I last wrote to you the lockdown regulations have eased and, in particular, gyms have been allowed to reopen. It is therefore quite natural that you will now be wondering when exercise sessions at group will restart and how they will be run.
Please don't forget to share your Lockdown Hobby!
Is the lockdown giving you more time to pursue your hobbies or to start new ones?
Send us photos of the products of your hobbies eg drawings, tapestry-making, gardening etc together with a short piece about your hobby, and we'll post them in our new 'Lockdown Gallery' to share with and inspire other members. Please have a look at the wonderful entries we have already received.
Please send them to enquiries@mkccg.org.
Reconnecting to Life as Lockdown Lifts

(31 July)
Everyone has a part to play in helping to control the spread of the virus. There are some fantastic resources available to help you make the transition into the new ‘normal’.
Don’t forget to make changes at your own pace and ask for help if you need it. Here are a few of the available links for support.
Falls Prevention Advice
(31 July)
At best, falling over hurts! At worst, you can break bones and do long-term damage. And, importantly, falls are not reserved solely for the frail and infirm.

Good balance, core strength and general muscular strength all contribute to reducing the risk of falls, but there are other things you can do that you may not have considered.
COVID-19 Face Coverings
(23 July)
Face coverings will be mandatory from 24 July in shops, public transport and other crowded places. Please see this poster for more advice.
Click to download.
If you have a lung condition that makes you breathless and find wearing a face covering makes you feel too breathless, governments in all nations have said you don’t have to wear one, whatever the situation.
COVID-19 Principle Trial 
(23 July)
We have recently received an email from the Primary Care Clinical Trials at the University of Oxford's Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences. They are inviting members of the public to take part in a nationwide clinical trial evaluating potential treatments for COVID-19 in older people and for those with underlying health conditions.
Read more ...
MKCCG News Update - Opening of Gyms (15 July)
Hello Everyone
This weekend the Government announced that indoor Gyms, pools, and leisure centres could reopen from 25th July with recommended COVID safe measures in place. As yet, there have been no discussions about the provision of exercise for those considered vulnerable or at higher risk of becoming very unwell should they become infected with the coronavirus.
We wanted to let you know that the Staff, Management and Officers are working on a plan to provide a COVID safe environment for you to return to. In order to keep you and staff as safe as possible, the building and the way in which we deliver the sessions will need to be adapted. As you can appreciate, this is a challenging task as we need to ensure social distancing, enhanced cleaning and contact tracing measures are in place.
Because of this, we are unable as yet to give you a date for when services will resume. However, we will keep you updated with progress being made via our website, social media, email and contact calls.
Thank you all for your patience and understanding. We are all excited at the prospect of re-opening and look forward to welcoming you back in person as soon as our plans are in place to do so safely.
Keep smiling and stay safe.
With best wishes from the MKCCG Team

Don't Miss a Beat - June 2020
Monitoring members pulse at group has always been part of our practice. Being aware of how your pulse feels in terms of pace (fast or slow) or rhythm (regular or irregular) helps to highlight any changes which may require further follow up by your health care provider.
As we age our risk of developing atrial fibrillation increases. Diagnosing this condition is very important as if left untreated, it can cause a stroke, which may lead to severe disability or death.
To help stay heart well during the pandemic, why not learn to take your pulse or have a member of your house hold do it for you. For advice and tips, take a look at these resources:
1. Download our Don't Miss A Beat poster .
2. Download our
Arrythmia Alliance informaton sheet .
3. Download our instruction sheet -
Taking Your Pulse .
4. View this
British Heart Foundation video on how to take your pulse.
Hot Weather Alert!! - (June 2020)
Summer heatwaves and hot weather can affect anyone. But if you have a long-term Lung or Heart condition, you’re more at risk of the heat affecting you.
or
Message to Members (29 June 2020)
We hope that you and your loved ones have remained safe and well during these past few months.
All the Staff, Management, Officers and President would like to say a huge thank you for the support that you have given us and for showing such amazing community spirit which has always been central to our Organisation.
Contacting Medical Help (27 June 2020)
Please do not ignore any new symptoms, medical services are open.
Download our
Advice Document
New Lockdown Rules (23 June 2020)
Shielding Guidance Changes (23 June 2020)
Lockdown Confusion? (17 June 2020)
Message to Members (11 June 2020)
As we continue to live under conditions that prevent us from attending sessions I would like to bring to your attention the activities that are going on behind the scenes at group.
1-7 June is World Heart Rhythm Week
As well as Volunteers' Week, June 1st - 7th was also World Heart Rhythm Week . The arrythmia alliance has provided access to resources to help individuals recognise the importance of an irregular pulse and what action is needed to ensure what, if any, intervention is needed.
For more information,
download our poster !
1-7 June Volunteers Week Web Page
Updated Government Guidance (31st May 2020)
People who are shielding remain vulnerable and should continue to take precautions but can now leave their home if they wish, as long as they are able to maintain strict social distancing. If you choose to spend time outdoors, this can be with members of your own household. If you live alone, you can spend time outdoors with one person from another household. Ideally, this should be the same person each time. If you do go out, you should take extra care to minimise contact with others by keeping 2 metres apart. This guidance will be kept under regular review.
Message from the Officers of MKCCG (5th May 2020)
As I mentioned in my last message, the Officers are constantly reviewing the difficult situation that we find ourselves in and reacting in the best interests of MKCCG and its members to each new challenge.
Message to Members (1st May 2020)
We hope you are keeping well and remaining active. Thank you all for the lovely feedback regarding the group website and Facebook pages. The staff, Officers, and Web master have been working very hard to keep us all connected during the Pandemic. We would like to make you aware of certain changes happening within the staff team over the next two months.
English Organ Donation Law - May 2020
Download ...
Singing for Breathing
Lyn Kidby has produced a number of videos and audio files to support the Singing for Breathing group while we are closed. Although intended for the group, they may be helpful to all members.
Read more ...
Message from the Officers of MKCCG (27 Apr 2020)
At this difficult time for MKCCG the officers have been keeping the situation under review and have been consulting with the management team to do what is best for group.
Do You Feel Anxious? - (April 2020)
'The Calming Hand' & 'The Breathing Square' are both techniques which can be used when feeling anxious.
Read more ...
British Lung Foundation Exercises
The British Lung Foundation have made their exercise booklet free to download during the current pandemic. Many of the exercises and points highlighted within it are akin to those used for our LTC sessions.
Download ...
MKCCG Facebook Group for Members, Staff and Friends (26 Mar 2020)
There is now a Facebook group for members, staff and friends.
You should have received an email about how to join the group. If not, please send us a message via the
Contact page and we will get back to you.
Management Team Notice (17 Mar 2020)
Please be reassured that the Management Team will continue to follow the recommended Public Health guidelines in the interests of all of our members and the public.
Read more ...
9 Tips for Self-Isolation (Mar 2020)
Milton Keynes Council: Help for individuals - Mar 2020
- If you're worried about your financial situation, help may be available. Click here for advice on benefits and other support.
- If you or anyone you know is at risk (self neglect, domestic violence, or other harm) visit our safeguarding pages for advice. In an emergency call 999.
- If you're worried about a scam, please call us on 0808 2231133 or email tsd@milton-keynes.gov.uk.
- Food Bank Xtra is our partnership with the MK Food Bank, and is an emergency food service for people in crisis.
- If you are in a high risk category (eg over 70, you would usually be eligible for a flu jab, or you are pregnant) and have no other local support (eg friends/family/neighbours) and need help to access food or medicine, call us (MK Council) on 01908 691691 and ask for the operator.
COVID-19: Useful Links:
Cheque Presentation by the Inner Wheel Club, Buckingham (Feb 2020).
Pam Coughlan, President of The Inner Wheel Club recently presented a cheque to MKCCG. Her organisation had held a fun quiz night where they very kindly raised £850 for group. She gave the following as background on the Club:
“You may not have heard of The Inner Wheel Club of Buckingham but it is part of a worldwide organisation and one of the largest and leading womens' voluntary organisations in the world. We meet monthly for a dinner meeting and the aims and objectives of our club are to promote true friendship, to foster international understanding and to encourage the ideals of personal service. With this in mind we like to organise fund raising events and we recently held a Fun Quiz and elected to support, with the proceeds, the Milton Keynes Community Cardio Pulmonary Group. President Pam Coughlan has a personal connection to this group as her husband Jerry attends the Tuesday evening sessions and has expressed how important this facility is along with the devoted volunteers and blue shirts. Therefore The Inner Wheel Club of Buckingham was very happy to present a cheque for £850 towards the continuation of this very worthy cause.”