Reflections – March 2020 – Dec 2020

Well we have managed to work our way through this strangest of years.  The additional challenges have made life so much harder for all of our group members, and there are several households who have  experienced huge life changes and are dealing with incredibly sad situations.  What is positive, though, is that we still exist as a group and have formed even stronger bonds with each other, with no shortage of support and friendship.

After several months of training and support (face-to-face when possible, plus via telephone) November saw us entering Zoom world – what an achievement!  Our first Zoom meeting was hosted by Sharing a Story CIC, when we were joined by author and poet Stuart Paterson.  Celebrating Book Week Scotland, we had a wonderful session and also enjoyed some very fine cupcakes!  There then followed some fun sessions making Christmas cards, painting Christmas plates and the grand finale for this year, our Christmas Afternoon Tea Party!

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We also found the time to work with Sharing a Story CIC to compile and publish our Community Cookbook (available from Knox Newsagents, High Street Co-up and McColls priced at £5.00).  So, all things considered, a busy, productive and wonderful year in many ways, with new skills learned and lots of love and caring doing the rounds.

Stirling University Dementia Services Development Centre Workshop – 13 February 2020, The Bleachingfield Centre Dunbar

 

Lynda Hutton, Education Officer with Stirling University’s Dementia Services Development Centre, held the first of two workshops for Dunbar Dementia Carers Support Group members, who were joined for the session by volunteers from North Berwick Day Centre and several other Carers from within the community.

Topics covered included:

: Understanding dementia

: Implications of a diagnosis

: Understanding the impact of the environment

: Addressing communication issues and strategies that       can be used to better understand behaviour, which can help in caring and support roles

: Preventing stress and distress

: Managing common symptoms for people living at home

: Preventing crisis situations leading to inappropriate hospital admissions

:Promoting support networks through fellow carers and shared experiences

An excellent session, which attendees found really helpful and informative.  A second workshop will be held for our Thursday group on 22 April 2020.

Christmas Lunch – 12 Dec 2019

Great afternoon at West Barns Bowling Club, when both our groups came together for Christmas lunch.  Helena and her team served a beautiful meal, and our tables looked lovely with their cheerful Christmas table decorations – thank you so much for this.  Everyone in great form (as usual), but we were sorry for the folks who were unable to join us, and a nice Christmas gift will be making its way to them.

Book Week Scotland Author Event -21 Nov 2019

To celebrate Book Week Scotland this year, our good friend Lorna Hill (Director of Sharing a Story CIC) in partnership with the Scottish Book Trust, arranged for author John Killick to come along to meet our groups – what a treat!!

John, who is currently writer in residence for Alzheimer Scotland, engaged the group in a variety of creative writing activities, which were much enjoyed by all. (Delicious ‘Book Week Scotland’ cupcakes were also served – thank you Lorna!). Huge thanks to Sharing a Story CIC and the Scottish Book Trust for making this event possible.