Bramley Elderly Action · taking on the management of the centre from Leeds City Council. After a tour of the building, visitors took part in question and answer ‘voted’. There

BEAmBramley Elderly Action

newsletter

Winter 2016

Insi

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1 Bramley Elderly Action 0113 236 1644 www.bramleyea.org.uk

Tackling loneliness

News

Trips

Activities

Information

Features

I’m a BEA volunteer Patricia Craig

Meet the project manager Bridget Murphy

New lunch club - Swinnow Community Centre Fridays, 11.00-1.00

As our Patron, Rachel Reeves MP, explained at our AGM – loneliness is something that can touch us all – whether old or young. We have all been lonely or know someone who is lonely. Rachel is taking on co-chairing a national commission on loneliness, started by her friend Jo Cox, the MP who was murdered in June. It wil be called the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness. BEA will be meeting Rachel to discuss how we can get involved at a local level.

BEA is aware that we do not always have the capacity to give as much support as we would like. Especially to those people who struggle to get involved and get out-and-about. Consequently, we are setting up a new service whereby a qualified worker will visit people at home and help them make their own plan. This plan could include changes to a daily routine, an introduction to new people or having someone visit or telephone regularly.

This free service could help you make some of the change that you are struggling to make on your own. We hope that this new service will extend the benefits of BEA’s activities to many more people who need it. Please get in touch if you would like more information. Be brave and make the call.

We’re grateful to Time to Shine and Leeds West Clinical Commissioning Group for funding this two year pilot.

Bramley Community Centre - update

Thank you to all who came to the open day on October 13th. It was well attended by people of all ages. We invited people to give their views about our interest in taking on the management of the centre from Leeds City Council. After a tour of the building, visitors took part in question and answer sessions, and ‘voted’. There was huge support for BEA taking on the management of the centre. We received many useful questions and comments, including many practical issues such as parking. We will take all of these into account. We hope the plan will go to Leeds City Council’s Executive Committee in December.

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BEAm | Bramley Elderly Action newsletter | Winter 2016

Bramley Elderly Action 0113 236 1644 www.bramleyea.org.uk

Showtime

Hearing loss clinic Trouble with your hearing aids? Let us help. Come and see us for new batteries and replacement tubes. All welcome at our friendly drop in. See reply form. Transport available. Bramley Community Centre, Monday 5 December, 2.00 Monday 20 February, 2.00

Lunch at Swinnow An all-new Friday lunch club has just begun at Swinnow Community Centre, replacing the club held at Fairfield. The new club includes quizzes and games. Door to door transport is available for BEA members. Call BEA for details. Swinnow Community Centre, Fridays 11.00-1.00

Fur, feather and nuts Xmas bingo Get your dabbers ready for our festive session of prize bingo. Win an xmas dinner, treats and treasures. Ticket includes supper and games. Bring family and friends. £10.00. See reply form. Bramley Community Centre, Thursday 8 December, 7.00-9.00

Christmas tea dance Our annual tea dance warmly invites members old and new to join them for a festive celebration with music, dance, food and friends. Bramley Community Centre, Sunday 11 December, 2.00

Stall at Morrisons Come and say hello to staff and volunteers as we sell calendars and recruit new people. BEA Singers will be there from 4-5, and also singing at Kirkstall Morrisons from 5-6. Morrisons Swinnow, Wednesday 14 December, 10.00-4.30

Carols at Bramley Lawn Join us for carols, mince pies, hot cocoa and a festive sing-along with the BEA Singers. All ages welcome. Bring the grandchildren! Bramley Lawn, Wednesday 21 December, 11.00

Dementia awareness

A free session for anyone interested in learning more about dementia or how to support as a volunteer, or for a loved-one or friend. All welcome. See reply form. Swinnow Community Centre, Friday 13 January, 2.00-4.00

Deadline for contributions to next BEAm - Monday 30 January 2017

Showtime

Fiddler on the Roof Alhambra, Bradford (£22.50) Friday 3 February, 7.15 Amateur performance of a great family musical story. Songs include ‘If I was a rich man’ and ‘Sunrise sunset’ Made in Dagenham Yeadon Town Hall (£18.00) Wednesday 8 March, 7.00 Yaods present this powerful story, on International Women’s Day, of a milestone in women’s and trade union rights. Set in a 1960s car plant, with foot-tapping songs and energetic dance. Running Wild West Yorks Playhouse (£24.00) Wednesday 12 April, 7.30 When the tsunami hits Lilly is left alone in the jungle. This true story of love, loss and loyalty, is brought to life with vibrant sets and fantastic life-sized puppets. Gangster Granny Grand Theatre, Leeds (£27.00) Friday 5 May, 7.00 In David Walliams’ comic story Ben visits his grandma for a boring sleepover and is surprised to discover she is not preparing for a night in front of the TV!

Having listened to members’ feedback, all prices include tickets and transport, and your payments can now be staggered. See reply form.

Activities update

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Next draws: 30.11 - Stroke Group 21.12 - Bramley Lawn Carols 30.01 - Extra care trip Payment is due in the office by 20th of the month. Could you pay by standing order? Information from the office.

Activities update

Volunteer thank you evening If you’re a BEA volunteer, keep the date for your diary for our annual volunteer thank you party. Details to be confirmed. Kirkstall Brewery, Thursday 2 March, 7.00-10.00

Bramley Challenge

Bramley Challenge, to celebrate International Day of Older Persons, was held at Bramley Lawn and included an Under 60’s category. A fun and successful day, we raised valuable funds for BEA’s work. Thank you too to all the scarecrows who took part. You can start work now for next year’s Challenge! Categories: art; baking; knitting; crochet; stitchwork; poetry; beadwork; jam/marmalade/pickles/chutney; photography. Bramley Challenge 2017 Saturday 30 September

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.

30.08.16 Exercise £88.75 6 £53.25 35 £35.50 95

28.09.16 Drop in £86.25 50 £51.75 18 £34.50 51

01.11.16 Games £85.00 17 £51.00 31 £34.00 48

November

Thank you for your support

Hearing loss clinic Mon 5

December

Bramley lights Fri

Chatsworth Fri 18

Millstones Mon 21

The Manor Mon 19

Dementia awareness Fri 13

January

Lakeside Village Wed 18

Fur ‘n feathers bingo Tues 6

Christmas tea dance Sun 11

Old Brickworks Mon 20

February

Rivington Barn Tues

Bramley Lawn carols Weds 21

Rotary Club dinners Sun 25

Fisherman’s Wife Wed 15

March

Salford Quays Mon 20

Bury Market Wed 19

April

Langlands Mon 24

Gypsy Rose tea room Mon 30

Hearing loss clinic Mon 20

Fiddler on the Roof Fri 3

Made in Dagenham Wed 8

Volunteer thank you Thurs 2

Running Wild Wed 12

September

Bramley Challenge Sat 30

Morrisons stall Weds 14

Don’t miss the Bramley Lawn ukulele club at the Christmas lights switch-on!

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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…../…../…..

Weds

18 Jan

Lakeside Village outlet, Doncaster Limited places still available. Over 45 stores to browse, including M & S, The gift Co and Pavers. A shorter shopping trip with time for lunch at the Beefeater.

9.50 Ashlea Court 10.00 Bramley Lawn

3.00 Leave venue 4.00 Arrive in Bramley

£8.50

Tues

28 February

Rivington Barn, Bolton Put on your dancing shoes for a lunchtime party afternoon. Similar to Millstones with a two course meal, musical entertainment and prize bingo. Meal choices to be confirmed.



£27.50 Paid £ ……………... Date paid…../…../…..

Mon

20 March

Salford Quays and BBC studio tour On the water front, a square mile of shops, drama, art and history. Visit the Imperial War Museum or the Lowery. Dine in one of the boutique cafes. Price includes a tour behind the scenes at BBC Media City.



£19.50 Paid £ ……………... Date paid…../…../…..

Weds

19 April

Bury Market Back by popular demand. Hit the 300+ stalls in the Norths biggest traditional market, home of the famous black pudding.



£10.00 Paid £ ……………... Date paid…../…../…..

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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 home. Each trip lasts 4-5 hours and costs £7.00. Meals or extras are additional and payable on the day, unless it says otherwise. We want to make sure that everyone who needs the support has the opportunity to go on an extra care trip. Please show on the reply form which trips you would like to go on. We will call you to confirm your booking according to availability.

Mon

20 Feb

Old Brickworks, Drighlington Pub food as it should be in the 19th century brickworks building. The perfect spot for lunch.

Home pick ups from 10.30 Booked Paid £ ……… Date paid…../…../…..

£7.00

Weds

15 March

The Fisherman’s Wife Treat yourself to award-winning fish ‘n chips in the heart of Headingley.


£7.00

Mon

24 April

Langlands Garden Centre Get the garden ready for the Summer at this lovely centre in Whinmoor.


£7.00

Join team BEA Wear the fleece with our logo Help us promote BEA Various sizes order by December 10th

See reply form

BEA 2017 calendar is free for all members and volunteers! You can get extra copies to give to friends or relatives from the BEA office, Bramley Lawn or the Community Shop for a recommended donation of £5.00 a copy.

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How are you feeling?

Mental health problems such as depression and anxiety affect many older people. This can be frightening and can greatly reduce quality of life. But such problems are not an inevitable part of growing old. You can get support and you can do things to stop them happening.

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It is estimated that depression affects 22% of men and 28% of women aged 65 or over, and 40% of older people in care homes, yet the Royal College of Psychiatrists has estimated that 85% of older people with depression get no help at all from the NHS. Fewer than one in six older people with depression ever discuss this with their GP.

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You are not alone. With so many people going through ‘common’ mental health problems, you may find that if you talk to a friend about it they will tell you that they are going through something similar. It can really help to share your experiences and talk about what helps you and what doesn’t.

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You may still feel stigma about mental health problems. But if you don’t tell anyone it can be very difficult for people to know what you’re going through or to offer help. It’s very important to try to ask for help.

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Research shows that there are five key issues that can have an impact on the mental wellbeing of older people: discrimination; participation in meaningful activities; relationships; physical health, and poverty. You can do a lot to limit the negative affect of these issues. BEA can help you through various groups and support.

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Your general lifestyle can affect your mental health enormously. Look after yourself in all sorts of ways. If you can eat healthily, be as physically active as you can, get proper sleep and rest and remain mentally active, it will go a long way to protecting your mental wellbeing.

Talk to BEA about how we can help.

Help and support

Your GP

You can ask about seeing a therapist; ‘talking treatments’ can be very helpful for many older people. Or it may be effective to take medication, such as anti-depressants.

Keep active

Good physical health really helps how you feel mentally. BEA runs many activities that can help you, including exercise, dance and Zumba. Phone Activities Co-ordinator Debbie if you would like to know more.

Talk to people

As well as talking to your GP about how you’re feeling, it is really important to many people’s mental health to have someone to talk to. If you are unable to take part in BEA groups we run a befriending scheme. Phone Volunteer Co-ordinator Maureen if you would like to know more.

Information and support

Find support in Leeds www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk

Mind Infoline 9.00-6.00, Monday-Friday 0300 123 3393

Age UK Advice Line 8.00-7.00, 365 days a year 0800 678 1174

Mind online www.mind.org.uk/information-support

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Meet the project manager Bridget Murphy, Swinnow Community Centre

Bridget Murphy has been a volunteer at Swinnow Community Centre for nearly two years. More than anything she loves the face-to-face work of being around people and helping them do things! She’s passionate about turning the centre around and particularly loves starting new things that will make a real difference within the community, such as the new Friday Lunch Club, for people aged 50+, that they’re starting with support from BEA. Bridget’s role is to develop the Centre into a thriving place where people enjoy themselves and build up confidence. She works with an amazing team of volunteers (such as Jean who has transformed the garden) and gets great support from the three local Councillors. With her colleague Yvonne, she makes sure the centre is open and running daily. She also leads on funding, planning and working with local organisations to create projects. Bridget wants to help older people know what’s available, and help them stay involved in the community. Before coming to Swinnow Bridget was the co-founder of St Vincent’s, which supports people in extreme poverty. Her parents came from Belfast in the late 50’s, and she was born in Leeds. Bridget loves the piano and languages. She’s learnt Finnish and French, and wants to learn Spanish next.

Phone Bridget on 0113 256 6576 if you would like to know more about Swinnow Community Centre, or volunteer there.

I’m a BEA Volunteer Patricia Craig 1. What’s your volunteer role? ’On the shop floor’ at Bramley

Community Shop. I serve customers and put out goods and clothes.

2. How long have you been a volunteer? About 10 years, at first as a bus buddy, then came to the Stanningley Road shop when it first opened.

3. Why did you get involved? I wanted to do something local that focused on older members of society, because other ‘causes’ are better supported.

4. Three words that sum up BEA for you? community, caring, fun 5. What do you get out of volunteering? I love getting to know more people from the local

community. We’re all friends here and have a good laugh, so it feels much more than just a shop. And I spend loads on all the cheap clothes!

6. What else do you like doing? I’ve been a psychology teacher at Leeds City College, since 1993. I teach on an access course for older people. I love listening to music, and going to gigs, particularly classic rock. And I’m learning to play the ukulele.

7. Where were you born? Belfast 8. What’s your favourite film? ‘Life of Brian’ 9. And your favourite book? ‘The Interpretation of Murder’ (Jed Rubenfeld) 10. Tell us one interesting fact about yourself Years ago a friend persuaded me to go to a

gym. I got on the treadmill at its slowest speed, and when I got off I was so light-headed that I had to be looked after!

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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


Discounts at Clarks Independence Centre

Many thanks to Clarks where BEA members can now get 10% discount. You just need to let them know you are a BEA member. Clarks has also kindly agreed to service BEA’s own wheelchairs (which we use on trips) from time to time. 71 New Road Side, Horsforth, LS18 4JX (0113 258 8888) www.clarksmobility.com

Fairfield We’re very sad to hear that Fairfield Community Centre, a good partner to us over the years, is closing. A big thank you to the volunteers, staff, local people and Board who have worked there. A new Friday lunch club is starting at Swinnow Community Centre. (See p2) We are discussing with the Men’s group what they would like to do.

Are you a veteran of the armed forces? Please let us know if you are a veteran, so that we can contact you about any events or news that is particularly aimed for ex-servicemen and women. See reply form

Collection tins BEA collection tins are being hosted in local shops, pubs, cafes and more. If you know someone who could host a tin, please get in touch with the office. Thank you to all the venues involved.

A new minibus? We have decided to buy a minibus with OWLS to replace the one ruined by the floods. Pooling resources will be more sustainable and we have it sooner. We have begun to fundraise and have had a kind donation from an OWLS member. All donations will be gratefully received. Meanwhile we will continue to use BEA's minibuses and the Join-Book-Drive bus based at Bramley Lawn. Please let us know if you would like a minibus collection box for your loose change.

Thank you...

for a legacy from a member who died recently. Please get in touch if you would like to leave your legacy

to West Leeds Scouts, who collected £318.05 on behalf of BEA, presented at our AGM.

to the volunteers who helped make our open day and AGM at the Community Centre so successful.

to Yorkshire Bank, who have allowed us to use their space on two recent dates to sell raffle tickets and calendars and recruit members and volunteers.

to pupils of Raynville Primary School, who have collected and donated food for harvest festival hampers.

Leeds Homeshare A new scheme which matches mature students with older homeowners who have a spare room, and would enjoy the company of a house-guest is looking for a few people to take part in a trial. You would get 10 hours a week help in house and garden in exchange for rent free accommodation. Cath Ormerod, 01133785012

News in brief …

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 - Reception & Admin Worker

● Simon Price - Outreach Worker / Support Worker, BL ● Zoe Ricketts - Business Support Manager

Documents

Bramley Elderly Action · taking on the management of the centre from Leeds City Council. After a tour of the building, visitors took part in question and answer ‘voted’. There