News – Page 4 – Dunbar Dementia Network SCIO

Further Reflections – Jan 21 – Dec 21

Building on last year’s experiences, the group continued to thrive and adapt to the the ever-changing situation. We enjoyed many Zoom sessions with guest visitors – Lorna Hill of Dunbar’s ‘Sharing A Story CIC’; Karell Sime, Volunteer at Dunbar’s Empire Gardens; Koren Calder from The Scottish Book Trust; Sandra & Rachel from ‘Age Scotland’. We also enjoyed Cookery Demonstrations from ‘Vegetarian for Life’, as well as Bingo Sessions with our Volunteer, Beth.

Outwith our Zoom sessions, we delivered delicious homemade soups (thank you to Rita Bradd for the tatties!) to our Carers’ households; enjoyed one-to-one meetings and walks when possible; delivered Easter treat bags and continued to provide telephone support for our members.

At the end of June we cautiously resumed face-to-face meetings, observing Scottish Government safety guidelines. What a joy to meet each other again. We enjoyed chair exercise sessions with Chris, another visit to Dunbar Community Woodlands and The Backlands; Afternoon Tea at Winterfield Golf Club; Fundraising Afternoon Tea Parties for both Macmillan and Maggie’s Centre, Edinburgh; a creative writing session with Lorna Hill; card-making sessions with Beth; celebrated Book Week Scotland with poet, Stuart Patterson; Christmas Decoration making with Marion Seath of ‘Fingers & Thumbs’ and ended the year with a sumptuous Christmas Lunch at the Winterfield. Oh what fun we had!!

Macmillan Afternoon Tea 23 Sept 2021

A lovely afternoon had by all at our annual Macmillan fundraiser. Belts were loosened after a sumptuous spread of savouries and cakes, as well as Maggie’s legendary meringues! Just over £300 was raised for Macmillan – huge thanks to everyone in the group, plus friends, for making this such a great afternoon.

Cautious Return to Face to Face Weekly Carers Group Meetings

Since the end of June we have made a cautious return to our weekly get-togethers at the Bleachingfield Centre, Dunbar. Our pre-Lockdown Wednesday & Thursday groups have been combined and we are keeping a careful eye on numbers.

If you are a Carer of a person living in the Dunbar area who has received a diagnosis of a dementia-related condition, and would like to join our support group, please contact Lorna Bunney, Group Co -ordinator on 01620 870632 or email at dunbardementiacarers@gmail.com.

A Great Start to 2021

We have settled in well to our weekly Zoom sessions – never the same as meeting face to face, but what a great alternative in these current times. The Scottish Government ‘Connecting Scotland’ initiative has not only allowed us to ‘see’ each other every week, but has greatly increased group members’ IT skills and has encouraged a sense of pride and achievement – desperately needed in these extra-challenging times.

As well as catching-up with each other, since the beginning of the year we have enjoyed a poetry session with Koren Calder of the Scottish Book Trust – the first of 3 planned sessions – as well as a Chair Exercise Session, led by one of our lovely volunteers, Chris Roberts. Currently making arrangements for several other themed meetings, as well as being joined by some guest speakers. All to look forward to!

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!

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.