BEAmBramley Elderly Action
newsletter
Summer 2016
Insi
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1 Bramley Elderly Action 0113 236 1644 www.bramleyea.org.uk
Valuing our values
News
Trips
Activities
Information
Features
Join us at the Friendship Group
Meet the matron Claire Dearie
date for your diary: BEA AGM Saturday 29 October
We are trustworthy
We are caring and respectful
We are inclusive
We are communicative
We are enabling
We always do our best
30 members, volunteers and staff got together at Bramley Lawn in early March to review BEA’s values. We’re grateful to the former BEA Manager Sheila Mahon who brought her positive experience of change to help run the session. The Board has now agreed the following draft values.
We welcome your thoughts on these. For example, is there anything really important that is misssing? Please talk to Lee Ingham, or another member of staff, by June 17th, or write your comments and ideas on the reply form. Along with our vision and mission, our values are the basis for everything we do. We will use them to plan and review our daily work, and to set the direction for the organisation as a whole.
Showtime!
Would you like to go with other BEA members to plays, comedy, films, music and other performances?
Showtime is our new programme, replacing the Theatre group, and open to all members. Performances in the next few months include hit Monty Python show Spamalot (Yeadon Town Hall), a wartime comedy and musical show at Wellington Gardens, and Northern Ballet’s Wuthering Heights (West Yorkshire Playhouse). Please see the special flyer enclosed.
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BEAm | Bramley Elderly Action newsletter | Summer 2016
Bramley Elderly Action 0113 236 1644 www.bramleyea.org.uk
Activities update
Hearing loss clinic If you wear a hearing aid you are invited to the clinic for advice and practical solutions. You can get replacement tubes and free supplies of batteries. Tick the reply form. Bramley Community Centre, Monday 6 June and Monday 22 August, 2.00-3.30
Anyone for cricket? Yorkshire Cricket Foundation are offering a number of free tickets for BEA members to go together to watch the reigning county champions Yorkshire, with free refreshments too. Tickets for Yorkshire v Worcestershire (day 2) are available on a first come first served basis. Phone Debbie (0113 236 1644) if you would like to go, or would like to know about future free tickets. Headingley Stadium, Tuesday 7 June
Summer show
Members enjoyed the panto at St Margaret’s – oh yes you did!! The same group is doing a show on 24 & 25 June. Come with BEA on Friday 24. (Please reply on form by June 10) Price £7.50, includes pie & pea supper. (Vegetarian option available on request.) St Margaret’s Church, Friday 24 June, 7.00
Skipper the boat! Celebrate 200 years of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal with a free trip on an accessible boat. The boats will feature art created with the help of passengers. Trips every 20 minutes, no booking required. If you would like to volunteer to learn to steer the boat please phone Marie Millward (0777 338 4372). Armley Mills Museum, Saturday 2 July; Hollybush Farm, Sunday 3 July, 10.30-4.00
Let’s make Bramley dementia friendly
Come to one of our short sessions to learn more about dementia and help us make Bramley dementia friendly. All welcome. Phone Maureen (0113 236 1644) to book your place. Bramley Lawn, Thursday 7 July, 6.00-7.30; Thursday 8 September, 1.30-3.00
Bramley Challenge
Don’t forget to get your entry form in by 31 August. Everyone has a talent. Have a go! Call the office for details. Bramley Lawn, Saturday 1 October,11.30-3.30 £1.00 per entry.
Games night Come to a fun evening of quizzes, raffle, Play your Cards Right and light refreshments. £3.00. Transport available. Rossefield Manor, Tuesday 11 October, 7.00-9.00
Are you game? Come along and take part in some friendly games. Try out new board games or crack the good oldies. Everything from cards to scrabble, or teach us your favorite game. Bramley Lawn, every Tuesday, 2.00-4.00
Your call for bingo Eyes down every Thursday morning with Heather and Carl at our friendly, welcoming, relaxed group. Wellington Gardens, every Thursday, 10.30-12.00
Support BEA with your Lucky Number Do you have a Lucky Number? First prize in the BEA scheme is currently nearly £100 each month, with excellent 2nd and 3rd prizes too. You can join for just £5.00 a month. 50% of all money received goes to BEA. Phone 0113 236 1644 if you would like to join.
Deadline for contributions to next BEAm - Monday 1 August
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BEAm | Bramley Elderly Action newsletter | Summer 2016
Bramley Elderly Action 0113 236 1644 www.bramleyea.org.uk
Next draws: 27.05 - Men’s group 28.06 - Games 28.07 - Remember Thursdays Payment is due in the office by 20th of the month. Could you pay by standing order? Information from the office.
Activities update
Trips, trips, trips!
Feedback - we have listened to members’ views about our trips. We value all feedback and have changed some details as a result. We will continue to make changes in order to get a suitable mix for all members to enjoy.
Blue Sky trips - are you aware of Blue Sky trips? If so, and have been on one, we would like to know what you think. Please phone Debbie (0113 236 1644) if you would be interested in reviewing them for us?
Trips ‘think tank’- we are developing new ways for members to help shape our programme of trips. This may include meetings, discussion groups and help with planning. Please phone Debbie (0113 236 1644) if you may be interested in taking part.
For your diary
Lucky numbers club - a fun way to raise vital funds for BEA
Date of draw
Venue 1st prize
No. 2nd prize
No. 3rd prize
No.
26.02.16 Millstones £93.75 76 £56.25 26 £37.50 12
28.03.16 Lunch club £93.75 18 £56.25 107 £37.50 19
28.04.16 Bingo £90.00 80 £54.00 48 £36.00 23
July
Tues 26
Bridlington
Wuthering Heights
June Mon
6 Hearing loss clinic Weds
7
Thurs 8
Dementia awareness
Mon 22
Hearing loss clinic
Weds 22
Golden Acre Park
Fri 17
Chesterfield Market
Mon 12
Stephen Smith’s
Tues 9
Film trip (Showtime)
Tues 7
Headingley cricket
Thurs 7
Dementia awareness
Fri 23
Chester
Mon 15
Corn Mill Lodge
August
Bramley Challenge Sat 1
Tues 11
Games night
October
Mon 18
Dick Hudson’s
Fri 24
Summer show
Sat/Sun 2-3 Canal trips
September
Spamalot Tues 15
November
Weds 12
Hawthorne Farm
Wartime musical Thurs 13
Mon 24
Bakewell Market
Sat 29
AGM
Weds 31
NY Moors Railway
Thank you for your support
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BEAm | Bramley Elderly Action newsletter | Summer 2016
Bramley Elderly Action 0113 236 1644 www.bramleyea.org.uk
Independent Trips These monthly trips, usually by coach, are open to all members who can be out for a half or full day without extra support, or can bring a companion to support them. We include local outings, popular food trips and occasional longer days, such as a Summer trip to the seaside. Please get in touch with any suggestions for trips. These trips can fill up quickly. Please complete and return the booking form. You can keep a record of your bookings below.
Paid £ ……………... Date paid…../…../…..
Mon
24 Oct
Bakewell Market & Matlock outlet Spend the morning finding treasures amongst the 160 stalls nestled in the beautiful surroundings at Bakewell, then head to Masson Mills Shopping Village in the afternoon for those bargains or a bite to eat. 9.20 Ashlea Court 9.30 Bramley Lawn
4.30 Leave venue 6.00 Arrive in Bramley
£11.00
Weds
31 August
North Yorkshire Moors Railway Jump on board at Grosmont station to travel through the beautiful countryside on the majestic steam train. Go in style to Whitby – grab chips by the sea, become nostalgic with Count Dracula or tackle the 199 steps.
9.20 Ashlea Court 9.30 Bramley Lawn
4.30 Leave venue 6.30 Arrive in Bramley
£20.00 Paid £ ……………... Date paid…../…../…..
Tues
26 July
Bridlington Limited places are still available on this trip to the Yorkshire coast. Stroll along the prom with an ice-cream, hop on the land train or feast on fish ‘n chips at the harbour. Have a paddle and get some sand between your toes.
£14.00 9.15 Ashlea Court 9.20 Bramley Lawn
4.00 Leave venue 5.45 Arrive in Bramley
Paid £ ……………... Date paid…../…../…..
Paid £ ……………... Date paid…../…../…..
Fri
23 Sept
Chester: city or zoo Take your pick - sample the delights of Chester itself (£12.00) with its market and stunning cathedral or dare to enter the lions’ cave with a visit to the magnificent zoo (£28.00).
9.20 Ashlea Court 9.30 Bramley Lawn
4.00 Leave venue 6.00 Arrive in Bramley
£12 / £28
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BEAm | Bramley Elderly Action newsletter | Summer 2016
Bramley Elderly Action 0113 236 1644 www.bramleyea.org.uk
Extra Care Trips These monthly trips to a local venue are for members with extra support needs (including mobility, medication or other reasons) and are fully supported by staff and volunteers. We collect you and return you to your home. Each trip lasts 4-5 hours and costs £7.00. Meals or extras are additional and payable on the day. We want to make sure that everyone who needs the support has the opportunity to go on an extra care trip. Please show your preferences for trips on the reply form and we will allocate places according to needs and availability.
Weds
12 Oct
Hawthorne Farm, Yeadon Traditional pub food and famous deserts to tempt every sweet tooth.
Home pick ups from 10.30 Booked Paid £ ……… Date paid…../…../…..
£7.00
Mon
15 Aug
Corn Mill Lodge Visit the peaceful hotel grounds and enjoy lunch in the restaurant.
Home pick ups from 10.30 Booked Paid £ ……… Date paid…../…../…..
£7.00
Mon
18 July
Dick Hudson’s Fabulous pub lunch with magnificent country views.
Home pick ups from 10.30 Booked Paid £ ……… Date paid…../…../…..
£7.00
Mon
12 Sept
Stephen Smith’s Garden Centre See the delightful displays in the garden centre and enjoy lunch in the café.
Home pick ups from 10.30 Booked Paid £ ……… Date paid…../…../…..
£7.00
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BEAm | Bramley Elderly Action newsletter | Summer 2016
Bramley Elderly Action 0113 236 1644 www.bramleyea.org.uk
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones lose their strength and are more likely to break (or ‘fracture’), usually following a minor bump or fall. Fractures caused by osteoporosis can happen in various parts of the body; the wrists, hips and spine are the most commonly affected places. ····························································································
One in two women and one in five men over the age of 50 experience fractures, mostly as a result of low bone strength. Women are more susceptible to osteoporosis because bone loss becomes more rapid for several years after the menopause. Women also tend to have smaller bones than men and generally live longer, with loss of bone tissue continuing for longer, making fractures more likely. ····························································································
Anyone can break a bone, but if you have osteoporosis this is far more likely to occur after even a simple fall. Bones affected by osteoporosis are not in themselves painful but the broken bones that may result can cause pain and other problems. A broken wrist after a fall can be the first sign of osteoporosis. ····························································································
Exercise can help your balance to help prevent falls and can also help to strengthen your bones. Healthy eating can also help maintain bone strength. (See ‘BEA exercise and dance’ in the panel on the right.)
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If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis you can get help to manage the condition in a way that suits you through the Community Matron service. (See ‘Meet the Community Matron’, p7). Your GP can refer you.
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There is a lot of information and support available to people with osteoporosis, particularly from the National Osteoporosis Society. They run support groups (including one in Leeds), produce booklets and leaflets and run a free, confidential helpline. (See panel on the right for details.)
Help and support
National Osteoporosis Society Offers information and support, including: Leeds support group
01423 779 662
Helpline staffed by nurses with specialist knowledge on osteoporosis and bone health. 0808 800 0035 (free) 9.00-5.00 Monday-Friday
www.nos.org.uk
Prevention of falls service Can survey your home, provide grab and stair rails and other practical support and equipment. 0113 200 9156 or 200 9169
Leeds community falls service Can assess patients with a history of falling, in their own homes, and help and support people to prevent further falls. 0113 843 5510 or see your GP.
BEA exercise and dance The right kind of exercise can help prevent falls, and can help maintain bone strength. Try any of these groups, all at Bramley Community Centre Gentle exercise, every Tuesday 10.30-12.00
Tai Chi, every Tuesday, 12.30-1.30
Tea dances, every other Wednesday and 2nd Sunday of the month, 2.00-4.00
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BEAm | Bramley Elderly Action newsletter | Summer 2016
Bramley Elderly Action 0113 236 1644 www.bramleyea.org.uk
Join us at the Friendship Group
Betty Steele and David Richardson
Betty Steele and David Richardson are stalwarts of BEA’s Friendship Group, since 2009 and 2010 respectively. Betty used to be group leader, and David still calls the bingo at the end of every session, as he has done for many years. Both got involved as a way of helping them deal with bereavement. Betty and David both also deliver BEA’s newsletter to members, and David also volunteers every two weeks at the drop-in. Betty’s husband died in 1996, after which she ‘hardly spoke to anyone’. She felt ‘There has to be more to life than this’ and joined the group after seeing an ad in the Pudsey Times. For Betty, the Friendship Group has been ‘a life saver’. ‘There is always someone I could talk to’. David was really depressed after his wife died and ‘More or less gave up’. He joined the group three months later, the day after a neighbour told him about it. David has made a lot of friends through the group, and Betty says the group has grown over the years. Betty and David urge people to join if they are lonely. The group is now very much for anyone who would like to make friends, not just if you’ve been bereaved. As Betty says, ‘Give it a try...the support is there.’
If you would like to find out more about the Friendship group, or may be interested in joining, please phone BEA on 0113 236 1644.
Meet the community matron Claire Dearie, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust
Claire Dearie has been a community matron in Bramley for nine years. She finds it very satisfying: she manages her own time and can build great relationships with patients and their families. Claire is based at Armley Moor Health Centre, and closely attached to Bramley GP practices Highfield and Manor Park. Her role is to support people with long term health conditions such as chronic pulmonary diseases, Parkinson’s, dementia and heart failure, to manage their condition and improve their quality of life. This may include advice, referring to specialist organisations and, quite often, helping make a tweak in medication. Claire visits people in their own home and is available for advice on the phone. People are referred to Claire by
their GP. Claire works closely with a range of professionals including memory nurses and social workers, and also helps people get support from specialist organisations such as Parkinson’s Society. Claire feels her role is very important with older people as she can build relationships, work with family and carers, and visit people in their own homes. With loneliness and social isolation now recognised as so damaging to health, Claire really understands the importance of organisations like BEA, and regularly puts us in touch with patients. She notices that men often need more encouragement than women to get out and get involved in social groups. Claire lives in Osset. She loves running and the outdoors.
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BEAm | Bramley Elderly Action newsletter | Summer 2016
Bramley Elderly Action 230a Stanningley Road, Bramley, Leeds LS13 3BA t 0113 236 1644 e [email protected]
@BramleyElderly www.bramleyea.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1043975 * Company Ltd by Guarantee No. 3008194
Bramley Elderly Action 0113 236 1644 www.bramleyea.org.uk
Lee Ingham - General Manager ● Catherine Scott - Support Worker, BL ● Debbie Fawthrop - Activities Coordinator ● Fran Graham - Operations Manager ● Janet Pritchard - Office Manager
● Maureen Rushworth - Volunteer Coordinator ● Rebecca Durrant - Transport Worker ● Rob Cook - Communications Coordinator ● Shauna Ledger - Apprentice Reception & Admin Worker ● Simon Price - Outreach Worker / Support Worker, BL ● Zoe Ricketts - Business Support Manager
Staff changes We’re very pleased to say that Zoe Ricketts has been appointed as the new Business Support Manager. Zoe has worked at BEA for 10 years!
Help for older drivers RoSPA has launched a new website to help older people to continue to drive for as long as they are safe to do so, and to provide advice on making the decision to retire from driving if they are no longer able to drive. www.olderdrivers.org.uk
Have your say on health West Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group (which covers local GP practices) are looking for people to join a network of people who give their views on local health services. This is an opportunity to ensure that your view is heard, and that the views of local older people are represented. Phone 0113 8435475
Support for grandparents
Grandparents Plus provides two helplines. Family and Friends Advice Line (0300 123 7015), run by experienced professional advisers, is for people looking after a relative’s child. The Grandparent Contact Helpline (0300 033 7015) is for people who have lost or are losing contact with a grandchild. Both lines are open 10.00-3.00, Monday-Friday.
Supporting child development ChildsSide’s new Older Yet Wiser Project hopes to make a massive difference to loving yet struggling grandparents in Leeds. Practical 6 week workshops are available in October/November for people caring for grandchildren under the age of 8. Liz or Judith, 07519860089 www.childsside.com
BEAm up your views! What do you like, or never read, in BEAm? What would you like to see more of? Let us know on the reply form.
Ombudsman scam Fraudsters are targeting people all over the UK in an attempt to steal their financial details by pretending to be from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). Emails and phone calls have been made by scammers claiming to be from the FOS asking for financial and personal details. The FOS will never cold call or email people to ask for these details and it would only do so if it was about an ongoing case and only to discuss details of this. If you receive a call from someone at the ombudsman and you are not sure if it’s genuine you can call to check. 0300 123 9 123
Secret garden Get hot and cold drinks and visit Kirkstall’s Secret Garden at Hollybush Conservation Centre at the bottom of Broad Lane. You can find out about conservation volunteering too. Tuesday-Friday, 10.30-2.30
News in brief …