July 2014
Angus Services
Newsletter
Make every step count for people living with dementia
Alzheimer Scotland wants you to make every step count for people living with dementia this
autumn, by taking part in one of our Memory Walk events across the country.
Stride, strut, saunter and stravaig
to raise much needed funds for
the 88,000 people with dementia
in Scotland, their carers, partners
and families. Every penny you
raise will help us make sure that
nobody faces dementia alone
The Angus Services Memory Mile will be held on 20th September at Keptie Pond in Arbroath
Further details to follow.
Registration via the Alzheimer website www.alzscot.org
Forfar Music Café acknowledged
In the recent publication – Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Nurse Network, Annual Review 2013-14
An extract from the article Providing front-line support for acute care staff
by Andy Shewan, Dementia Nurse Consultant, NHS Tayside.
“As staff learn more about dementia, they are cascading knowledge to their colleagues. Recently,
two of our domestics were among a group of staff who won an NHS Tayside Quality Award. After
receiving training from one of our Dementia Champions, the domestics visited a dementia café with
a singing group and this changed their perceptive of people with dementia dramatically (for the
better!). They started sharing their experiences with their colleagues and began actively training
them to respond to people with dementia better.”
Angus Services, 1c Millgate, Arbroath DD11 1NN
Telephone/Fax: 01241 431770. E-mail: angusservices@alzscot.org
Contact: Pat Brodlie, Dementia Resource Worker
Angus Service Newsletter
New Groups
Groups we are planning to run in the very near future.
"For those with a diagnosis of dementia we will have the following:
Gardening: We have the opportunity of a small self-contained garden in Carnoustie.
If anyone wants to feel the soil in their hands or do a bit of digging then get in touch.
We could make this space look lovely!
Golf Reminiscence: If anyone would like to meet for a coffee and chat to friends (old and new)
about golf we would like to hear from you. We shall be opening our new Golf Reminiscence Club
in Carnoustie soon!
Pool: No, we are not going swimming! I'm talking about a game of pool, in Arbroath.
Would anyone be up for that?
If you are interested in joining or helping with any of these groups please contact Christine Beaton
on Tel: 01241 431770 or by email at angusservices@alzscot.org
MUSICALITY by THAT (Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust)
Following on from our previous collaboration with THAT where our group made some lovely
artefacts out of pottery we now have an eight week programme of MUSICALITY.
The Programme is for people with Long Term Conditions running weekly from:
Tuesday 15th July from 10.30 am - 12.30 until Tuesday 2nd September
within Old and Abbey Church Arbroath. .
Our voice coach encouraged us to do warm up exercises which were (after the initial shyness)
great fun. Then we moved on to finding out what everyone's favourite songs are. Personally, I
cannot wait 'til next time!
National Dementia Carers Action Network
(NDCAN)
For Carers we would like to highlight that the National Dementia Carers Action Network (NDCAN)
are looking for new members to get in touch with them.
You can contact them via Christine at the office here
OR by contacting NDCAN's Co-ordinator, Sarah Gurney on 0141 410 0100
(Sarah works Tue, Wed and Thur).
To get a flavour of what NDCAN does please see our previous newsletter.
Angus Service Newsletter
Where There’s a Will – There’s a Way
On the evening of Saturday the 7th of June my colleagues from the Angus team and I had the pleasure of
watching snails racing. Now before the animal rights brigade jump up to berate us I wish to point out that
all the action was via cartoon. To say it was hilarious is not doing the evening justice. To say it was
extremely well attended is true!
If you enjoyed the Snail Racing
Or you’re sorry you missed it……
Organised and attended by Glyns and Ken Will along with most of their family and friends this evening was
a triumphant success. In all Glyns and Ken raised over £1,100
Look out for the Cockroach Racing
Coming your way, very soon!
As if that wasn’t enough, the very next day their Grandson, Jordan Will, ran all the way from Arbroath to
Dobbies in Dundee and back again. He raised £500
It only goes to show that where there is a Will – there is a way!
Young Fundraisers
As I waited to see Jordon who is not quite 19 yrs old I thought about the other young people who have
been quietly raising funds and awareness. Recently we had Maureen Black’s Grand-daughter Leah,
abseiling from the Forth Bridge. Leah is 16 and had wanted to abseil for a few years. Knowing she would
not be allowed to until she turned 16, the first thing she did when she could was to register for the event. I
was there along with her family when she took the plunge and can assert that she was extremely brave.
My own daughter Rachel wanted to raise funds in memory of her Grandma and encouraged her friend
Shona Lean to join her in abseiling down from the same bridge. Rachel wanted to achieve this by the time
she was 21 and did so a few days short of her 21st birthday. Shona is now a committed volunteer at our
Carnoustie Drop-In.
The sum raised on the day of the abseil was an outstanding 31k (through ALL the people from far and wide
who subjected themselves to this amazing feat)
Nothing makes my heart burst with pride more than when I see our young getting involved in raising funds
but much more than that, when through personal experience they want to raise awareness.
If you have a young person in your family who has done something or will be doing something to raise
funds and awareness, let’s hear about it. After all, it’s nice to share…..isn’t it?
Christine Beaton
Community Activities Organiser
Angus Service Newsletter
Alzheimer Scotland is currently offering free individual membership to new
members.
The benefits of membership are that you are kept up to date by receiving
our quarterly magazine Dementia in Scotland and our Annual Review free
of charge.
Support Groups and Information Sessions
Angus Services are currently running carer support groups in Arbroath, Montrose, and Forfar.
Carers of people with dementia in long term care can still benefit from attending a carers support
group meeting.
We provide information sessions for carers. Benefits include –
 accurate information about dementia and caring for someone with dementia
 advice about community connections and other available services
 a chance to meet others who are living with a person with dementia
 an opportunity to use your own experience to help other carers
We are also hoping to start a new cares support group in Monifieth at the request of people in
Monifieth.
Carers who feel they may benefit from attending one of these groups or information sessions
should contact Pat on 01241 431770 for further details.
Staff at Angus Services
Pat Brodlie – the one on the left!
Dementia Resource Worker
Christine Beaton
Community Activities
Organiser
You may already know the staff at
Alzheimer Scotland Angus Services
however just in case you don’t, this is us!
Maureen Black
Care Worker at the
Forfar Drop-in
Lindsay Shaw
Dementia Advisor
Janet Quantock
Administrator
Angus Service Newsletter
Our New Dementia Advisor – Lindsay Shaw
HI, I would just like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I have just recently started working alongside
the Angus Service as Dementia Advisor. I may have already met some of you at the various different early
stage cafes and drop ins throughout the Angus area which I have been enjoying attending and meeting with
everyone and getting to know the people that attend, the volunteers, the staff and the dogs!
My main roles in the Angus service will be to provide information, advice and support to people with
dementia and to people who are caring for or know someone with dementia, to work with communities in
order to create a more dementia friendly environment and to raise awareness.
Despite having worked with people with dementia for over 10 years my last 6 weeks in post has been a
steep learning curve, every day is indeed a school day and I look forward to giving hopefully as much as I am
gaining in this post.
I am contactable through the Angus office on 01241 431770 or directly on 07979 954445, please don’t
hesitate to get in touch if I can be of assistance, I look forward to getting to know you all.
Hampden Football Museum Visit
The Arbroath Football Reminiscence group had a trip to the Football Museum
at Hampden Park in Glasgow on 18th June. Christine reported that this was
an excellent day out and enjoyed by all that attended. They were all
impressed by the museum and could have spent many more hours there
looking around.
Ceramics Group
Following on the success of the THAT (Tayside Healthcare Arts
Trust) Ceramics sessions a further 4 weeks was arranged again with
Fran. These sessions were thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended
and again many unique items were produced including a large
Forget-me-not bowl which everyone contributed to, this will take pride
of place in our new Resource Centre.
Memory Bus Visits Angus
The Alzheimer Scotland Memory Bus made two visits to Angus in July attending the Carnoustie Gala Day on
the 5th and Glamis Extravaganza on the 12th and 13th.
Pat Brodlie attended the Carnoustie Gala day and reported it was a tremendous day
reminiscent of a traditional fair. The bus received many visitors, some out of the
ordinary:
Pat also attended Glamis Extravaganza, along with Christine and Lindsay, this event was a great success
and the Memory Bus was able to raise awareness and provided information.
Angus Service Newsletter
Service Newsletter
If you would like to receive this newsletter by e-mail please email us at:
angusservices@alzscot.org - This will then give us your email address.
Our newsletter can also be read online at:
http://www.alzscot.org/pages/regions/angus.htm
Angus Resource Centre - Not just yet…. but hopefully very soon.
You may already know we are looking for new premises for our Angus Services office. We are
looking for larger premises where we can provide a bigger, better service in Angus.
The fundraising has begun, keep your eyes on the local press and watch this space for updates.
New and Updated Information Booklets and DVDs
All these publications are available from our office on request
Living Well With Dementia
A booklet and DVD for those who are either worried about dementia or who have
been diagnosed. It provides reassurance and suggests practical steps to improve
or maintain dignity and the quality of life as far as possible.
The DVD also offers practical advice on coping with the effects of dementia.
The DVD is also available on the YouTube channel
www.youtube.com/nhshealthscotland
Coping with dementia: A practical guide for carers
This book and DVD contains information and advice for people who care for
someone in the middle to late stages of dementia (moderate to severe
dementia).
It aims to:
- help you feel less alone
- give you practical advice on coping
- help you to find caring more rewarding and less stressful
- show you where to go for help and for more information.
An extract of the DVD is available on the YouTube channel
www.youtube.com/nhshealthscotland
Younger people with dementia
This new booklet and DVD is aimed at people who have been given a diagnosis
of younger onset dementia (dementia under the age of 65). It is based on the
experiences of people with younger onset dementia and their carers, using their
voices and experiences to provide practical steps about how to live well after a
diagnosis.
Angus Service Newsletter
Ways you can help:
Have you thought of having a coin collection box in your home?
Every penny counts and it all adds up!
Boxes are available from our office.
Do you know anywhere: shops, café’s, clubs or pubs that would help Alzheimer Scotland by having a
collection can in their premises? Please let us know and we can supply one to them.
Jewellery and Coin Recycling
These envelopes can be used to recycle old,
unwanted jewellery and coins, even foreign coins.
Check in the back of those drawers for the coins you
had left over from holiday and put them to good use.
Envelopes are available from our office
Available to buy:
Forget-me-not cards and envelopes – 10 for £3.00
These lovely cards are left blank for your own message
You could use them for various occasions.
Angus Service Newsletter
Your time and support
Are you
interested in
becoming a
Would be very much appreciated.
Volunteer
As ever, we are looking for Volunteers to help with our various Groups. If you would like to
help in any way whatsoever - please get in touch. You can be sure we would simply love
to hear from you!"
Help at our
various groups,
Drop-ins & Cafes.
For information on
how you can help:-
Contact us:
Alzheimer Scotland, Angus Services, 1c Millgate, Arbroath, DD11 1NN
Tel: 01241 431770 Email: angusservices@alzscot.org
Angus Health Fair
2014
Thursday 25th September 2014
10am – 3pm
Reid Hall, Forfar
Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia, National Office
22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh EH3 7RN
Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee and is recognised as a charity by the Office of the Scottish
charity regulator. Registered in Scotland No. 149069. Scottish Charity No. SC022315.
We rely on fundraised income to help us to campaign and to provide services for Scotland's 68,000 people with dementia and their
carers.
www.alzscot.org