Our Carers Group members have had a long journey since the group’s formation in 2015; sadly, there have been bereavements, and several members have had to deal with the challenges of a loved one being moved from the family home into hospital or a care facility.
The difficulties of adjusting to life on one’s own have long been recognised and with some generous funding from East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, in March this year, we were able to form a subgroup to assist with these challenges. This will be pilot scheme for the year, and we would hope to be able to obtain funds for this group for future years. The group, while still involved in many ways with its parent group, meets monthly, enjoying outings, get-togethers and companionship.
So far we have had lots of coffee and scones(!) at various local venues, and enjoyed a an Art Workshop with ‘The Creatives’, a shopping visit to The Fort, and an outing to Eyemouth. Loads more to look forward to!
The past 6 months have passed in a flash, with an exciting range of activities enjoyed during the first half of 2024, including Chair Zumba with local instructor, Ruth Hunter-Pepper and regular Art Sessions with local artist, Hilary Mackay of The Creatives. All of these sessions have been made possible due to funding from East Lothian Health & Social Care Partnership, for which we are very, very grateful.
Once again, local organisations and individuals have kindly given their time generously and provided us with some fantastic entertainment at our regular Thursday meetings: Local author and journalist, Douglas Wight; a talk from local lady, Mrs Muriel Sinclair on her career as a porcelain painting; several talks on local history from Dr James Herring; entertainment from local musicians ‘The Herbour Mooths’ and Dunbar Ukelele Band Concert Party. Our friend, Lorna Hill from Sharing a Story CIC led a lovely writing session, and Nicola Doherty from Dunbar Library led us in a fun art session. Andy Crummy kindly took time out of his busy schedule to talk about his involvement in the Great Tapestry of Scotland, and also his latest Cancer Tapestry.
We have greatly benefitted from visits by Carol Sinclair from the Falls Team, ELHSCP; Rachel Davidson from Age Scotland and Emily Rae from Fire Scotland, as well as enjoying our monthly chair exercise and mindfulness sessions from our volunteer, Chris. A return visit to Lauderdale Park for some Pétanque, and another visit to Amisfield Gardens were so enjoyed.
We are deeply appreciative of the support and kindness we have received from folks near and far and like to try and ‘pay this forward’ with a bit of fundraising for other groups – this year, so far, we have helped raise money for Leuchie House and Project Linus via our now legendary afternoon tea parties. We have also helped raise awareness of dementia related conditions through our display in BeGreen throughout the month of May (to coincide with Dementia Awareness Week), and celebrated National Carers’ Week and National Volunteers’ Week.
So far, we have ventured a bit further afield with an outing to Paxton House in Berwickshire, with several more outings to look forward to throughout the remainder of the year. Our fortnightly Zoom meetings have been greatly enhanced by visits from Fiona Johnston and Amy Stocker of the Royal Collection Trust; Katharine Aarrestad of National Galleries of Scotland, and chefs Claire and Ollie from Vegetarian for Life, who gave fantastic cookery demonstrations.
So much enjoyed already, and more to look forward too – our heartfelt thanks to all involved in making these events possible.
We had a huge range of activities and events throughout Summer (when we like to get out and about as much as possible), as well as inviting along a number of speakers to our Thursday meetings.
We visited Lauderdale Park to play Pétanque (great fun – booked again for 2024) and enjoyed a lovely return visit to Amisfield Gardens. A trip to Lochend Woods featured once again on our agenda. Celebrations were held for National Carers Week and National Volunteers week, and throughout the year, fundraising afternoon tea parties were held for Dunbar Relay for Life, the mini bus appeal at Dunbar Day Centre and Macmillan.
Our knitting pins were out when we engaged with the North Berwick Fringe by the Sea project to create bunting to decorate the Lodge Grounds and town, and we were fortunate enough (once again) to work on several art and creative writing projects with local community interest company, Sharing a Story.
A whole year of fun, laughter and friendship. Sadly, we lost several members over the year – much missed and always remembered.
