Dementia Learning Forum - Therapeutic Values in Music

If you or the person you care for are affected by Dementia you are invited to come along to any of the Dementia Learning Forums. They're a great opportunity to meet up with some of the people in Fife who are involved in Dementia care and to find out about what is happening with Dementia Care not just in Fife but throughout Scotland. 

The topic for this session is ‘Therapeutic Values in Music’ and the keynote speakers are Fiona Crow, Music Therapist, NHS Fife and Jane Bentley, Community Musician, Art Beat.  We are also proud to present ‘Buddy Beat, a Community Drumming Group from Renfrewshire.

We are expecting a high interest from delegates in attending this forum therefore it has been agreed that the session will be capped at 80.  At the last forum in September, a high number of delegates who had not registered in advance attended the forum thus resulting in there not being enough lunch for everyone.  This is extremely unfair for those delegates who pre-registered.  To avoid this happening again, anyone who has not registered in advance will be declined entry to the forum.  It is therefore imperative that delegates register in advance by completing the a booking form as soon as possible as places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.  You can get a booking form by contacting Audrey Mackie on 01592 740183 or by email to audreymackie@nhs.net.  (Alternatively you can give Lesley at Fife Carers Centre a call on 01592 642999 or lesley@fifecarers.co.uk and she will complete a form on your behalf and email it to Audrey) Your booking forms should be returned to Audrey by Friday 12^th November at the very latest.  A confirmation letter or email will be sent to you once your booking form has been received and a place has been allocated.  If you do not receive a confirmation, please contact Audrey direct who will advise accordingly. 

Fife Volunteers Social Group - get together and have some fun!

Fife Volunteers Social Group are a group of volunteers who have set up a group to organise social events for all volunteers and carers throughout Fife. They want to bring all volunteers and carers together away from the "workplace", to meet other volunteers and carers, to relax and enjoy an evening out. They are a completely independent group aimed at making sure that volunteers and carers, who give their time for good causes, have a chance to meet others in a similar position, swap experiences and enjoy the occasional social event.  They hope to have social evenings with food, drink,music and other entertainment. If possible they would like volunteers and carers to register with them (Free) simply so that they can contact you to let you know when events take place and keep in the picture of what's going on within the group.

 

The Group is organising a Murder Mystery Dinner at the Strathearn Hotel on Saturday 29 January 2011.  There will be a small cost for this but it will be greatly subsidised though their own fundraising and the Lottery Funding that they have recently had a awarded to us. To find out more about the Murder Mystery Dinner, or to register with the group, please contact Polly Wilson, Chairperson, 

Fife Volunteers' Social Group. 

Tel: 01333 352684 Mob: 07504221066 

e-mail snpywils@blueyonder.co.uk

 

Shared Care's entertaining AGM - an open invitation!

Shared Care Scotland is proud to present a Most Excellent Puppet State Theatre Production:
The Man Who Planted Trees
This captivating adaptation of Jean Giono's environmental cult classic is a gentle affirmation of the unseen, often unrecognised work of dedicated individuals.
“It is very, very rare to find something that appeals as effortlessly to children and adults as this magical show.” Scotsman,
When: *4.30pm, Monday 25th October, 2010
Where: Glen Pavilion, Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline

(*Our AGM programme commences at 2.00pm. The AGM is open to anyone not just members. See
reverse for full programme for the day.)
Shared Care Scotland is pleased to announce that a special performance of this critically acclaimed production will be held as part of our AGM events on Monday 25th October. We would like to
extend an invitation to members and friends of Shared Care Scotland.
Tickets are free and will be issued on a first come, first served basis.
We are keeping some tickets aside for small group bookings. Groups should be accompanied by a
group worker and/or parents/carers. The production is recommended for anyone aged 7+ so groups of children and young people are most welcome. Please contact us by phone if you would like to make a group booking.
Civic Reception
Fife Council has generously agreed to host a Civic Reception to follow the performance and we are
delighted that the Provost of Fife will be able to join us. Please indicate on your booking form if you
would also like to attend this part of the event. Again we may need to limit numbers depending on
the level of demand.

About The Man Who Planted Trees
This captivating adaptation of Jean Giono's environmental cult classic is a gentle affirmation of the
unseen, often unrecognised work of dedicated individuals. A French shepherd sets out with his dog
to plant a forest and transform a barren wasteland. Hear the wind, feel the rain, smell the lavender
in this multi-sensory theatrical delight. An unforgettable story that shows us the difference one man
(and his dog!) can make to the world.
What the critics say…
“Laughs, heartbreak, war, regeneration, scented breezes, sparkling wit and the best dog puppet ever. Perfect for children and grown-ups. Terrific.” (The Guardian)

“For all the laughs to be had along the way, the ending is genuinely touching. In the performance I saw I noticed the middle-aged man in the seat next to me take out a hankie and wipe a tear from his eye.” (Scotsman)

“There are many large, expensive, star-studded shows on in Manchester over the festive period, but in just an hour with two talented performers, this show beats almost all of them for entertainment, humour, moving storytelling and sheer imagination and cannot be recommended too highly.” (David Chadderton in the British Theatre Guide)

Programme
2.00pm: Registration/Coffee
2.30pm: Information Update and Shared Care Scotland AGM
3.30pm: The Scottish Young Carers Festival 2010: A Break That Makes A Difference
In August this year 500 young carers from all across Scotland came together
for the third annual Scottish Young Carers Festival. Louise Morgan from the
Scottish Young Carers Services Alliance will tell us what happened and also
how these festivals are helping young carers have their say on national policy
and strategy development.
4.00pm: Coffee Break
4.30pm: Performance: The Man Who Planted Trees
5.45pm: Break
6.00pm: Fife Council Civic Reception & Buffet
7.30pm: Finish

Booking Form available from Shared Care Scotland
and at: www.sharedcarescotland.org.uk
Dunfermline Business Centre
Izatt Avenue
Dunfermline
tel: 01383 622 462
em: office@sharedcarescotland.com

Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia

Alzheimer Scotland will be holding a sponsored Memory Walk on Sunday 10th October at 11am in Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy.  The walk is designed to increase awareness of dementia and to raise funds for Alzheimer Scotland.
The Kirkcaldy Memory Walk will be a "Memory Mile" around the Beveridge Park curcuit and is suitable for everyone regardless of age or fitness level.  It's a chanve for family, friends and work colleagues to get together, have fun, keep fit and raise money for a great cause.
All money raised by the event will be spent locally, in Fife this will help Alzheimer Scotland to provide services for over 5282 people in Fife with dementia, their families and carers.
To show your support and join in the Memory Walk, please contact events@alzscot.org or 0845 2600 789.

Get a net buddy!

Netbuddy is the first online resource of its kind offering hundreds of handy tips and simple yet ingenious suggestions from people with everyday experience of special needs.
If you are looking after someone with a learning disability – whether you’re a parent, carer, teacher, therapist or another professional – you’ll find some great ideas at www.netbuddy.org.uk

You can use the site in a number of different ways. Either search for a tip in a specific area, such as ‘repetitive behaviour’ or ‘sleeping’. Or you can post a question on the interactive forum. You can also search for practical help in the information packs. Plus you’ll find loads of useful links to other sites and resources.

If you have a bright idea you want to share, you can submit your own tips, download a video or offer some suggestions on the forum. Netbuddy Co-Director Deborah Gundle, who’s son has learning disabilities, said:
“The idea for Netbuddy came about when my son was small. I spent so much time and energy solving day-to-day problems, which I felt sure other people had overcome before me. I had no idea where to go to find the solutions I was looking for, and I started to think it would be really useful to create a practical resource.”
Together with Co-Director, Linda Goldberg, Deborah hopes Netbuddy will be the place people go to find solutions, help others and connect with like-minded people who understand learning disabilities. Linda said: “We want everyone to tell their friends, families and colleagues about Netbuddy, because that’s the only way we’ll grow. We need people to like us on Facebook and Twitter, blog about us, pass the word on to any groups or forums they belong to, put a Netbuddy link on their website, or encourage other websites to do so…this project is all about people getting involved.”

For example, from the mum who has sewn a toy tiger’s tail onto her son’s pants to persuade him to wear clothes in the house to tips on nutrition and age-appropriate presents. And that’s just in the first few days!
Netbuddy is a non-profit organisation. None of the information on the site will be used for commercial gain. Visit www.netbuddy.org.uk

A perfect restful break!

Dalmellington House

One of the Bedrooms

Complimentary Therapies in the Centre

Margaret and George Connell recently went for a short break a at Dalmellington House - beautiful boutique hotel in Ayrshire owned by East Ayshire Carers Centre. They told us all about their stay. "Travelling by car is always more enjoyable away from motorways and we had a leisurely drive on Monday 30th August, down the A702 to Abington, B797 to Mennock (not for the fainthearted), A76 to New Cumnock and B741 to Dalmellington.  We were warmly welcomed on arrival at the Centre and as the weather was perfect we just relaxed in the sunshine in the garden at the back of the hotel.  As we were the only guests we were consulted about the evening's menu.  The two course meal was excellent as was the full breakfast on offer the following morning.  The bedrooms are up one flight of stairs (sorry no lifts!) and the bedroom could not be faulted.  We spent most of Tuesday visiting friends in Prestwick but still had plenty of time on our retrun to have a quick walk round Dalmellington before enjoying another excellent dinner at the Centre.  On Wednesday we took a short drive to Loch Doon and enjoyed the views and a picnic lunch.  Having earlier noted that complimentary therapies were available at the Centre the afternoon was spent being thoroughly pampered - it was relaxing and also invigorating.  Our last evening meal was again very enjoyable.  Throughout our stary the Centre staff were very friendly, helpful and certainly participated in making our stay most enjoyable.  We took a different way home going north up towards Edinburgh.

It was a perfect and totally restful break!