BEAm Bramley Elderly Action newsletter Spring 2018 Inside 1 Bramley Elderly Action 0113 236 1644 www.bramleyea.org.uk News Trips Activities Information Features I’m a BEA volunteer Tim Staves Meet the memory worker Gwen Oates Try something new Would you like to try something a bit different or that you haven't done for years? Here’s your chance! We have three free taster sessions to try - life drawing, deck shuffleboard, and a disco! Any one of these might be the best and most inspiring activity you have done! See Activities update (page 2). Book now. What have you got to lose? Tackling loneliness - West Leeds to Westminster Bramley Community Centre - Open Doors Join us on Saturday 24 March (11.00-4.00) for a community celebration to welcome everyone into Bramley Community Centre. We’ll be collecting your memories of the Centre, so please bring photos of any activities you’ve been part of there. You can enjoy refreshments, entertainment and an opportunity to help the Centre develop new activities for everyone to benefit from. Transport available. (Please use reply form to book transport). Contact Bramley Community Centre direct to hire the space for your own activities or family parties. All ideas welcome! 0113 236 1847 [email protected]ITV Calendar interviewed members and filmed our exercise class at Bramley Community Centre. It was broadcast on the day the Prime Minister announced the appointment of a Minister for Loneliness, as witnessed in the House of Commons by BEA General Manager, Lee. (Seen at No. 10 with Bill Graham, of New Wortley Community Association.) Our Patron Rachel Reeves MP co-chairs the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness, which made key recommendations. What would you do to tackle loneliness?
Would you like to try something a bit different or that you haven't done for years? Here’s your chance! We have three free taster sessions to try - life drawing, deck shuffleboard, and a disco! Any one of these might be the best and most inspiring activity you have done! See Activities update (page 2). Book now. What have you got to lose?
Tackling loneliness - West Leeds to Westminster
Bramley Community Centre - Open Doors
Join us on Saturday 24 March (11.00-4.00) for a community celebration to welcome everyone into Bramley Community Centre. We’ll be collecting your memories of the Centre, so please bring photos of any activities you’ve been part of there. You can enjoy refreshments, entertainment and an opportunity to help the Centre develop new activities for everyone to benefit from. Transport available. (Please use reply form to book transport). Contact Bramley Community Centre direct to hire the space for your own activities or family parties. All ideas welcome!
ITV Calendar interviewed members and filmed our exercise class at Bramley Community Centre. It was broadcast on the day the Prime Minister announced the appointment of a Minister for Loneliness, as witnessed in the House of Commons by BEA General Manager, Lee. (Seen at No. 10 with Bill Graham, of New Wortley Community Association.) Our Patron Rachel Reeves MP co-chairs the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness, which made key recommendations. What would you do to tackle loneliness?
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BEAm | Bramley Elderly Action newsletter | Spring 2018
Disco Put on your dancing shoes and show us your best moves or sit back and relax with friends as our DJ has you toe-tapping to all the good time tunes. Bramley Community Centre
Monday 16 April,
5.00-8.00, free
Make May Purple party Come and join us for a perfectly purple party to celebrate and fundraise for the amazing work we do at West Leeds Stroke Club. Everyone welcome - bring a friend and a neighbour and the lady next door! Bramley Lawn
Wednesday 9 May,
10.30-12.30, entry
£2.00
The BEA Challenge Get ready for this year’s Challenge, where local people of all ages sew, make and bake. All entries are displayed for the public to enjoy. After the judges’ decisions, entries donated are auctioned to raise funds for BEA’s work. Get your entry form in by 31 August. Bramley Lawn
Saturday 6 October
Pub lunch The local pub has had a full refurb and now offers a new menu. Join us each month for lunch with friends . Halfway House
1st Tuesday of month,
12.30
Friendship & social group Have a natter over lunch and enjoy talks, activities and outings. We’re a friendly bunch and look forward to meeting you. Wellington Gardens
1st Wednesday of month,
11.30-1.30
Peddlars - exercise bike Try out a free spin class for mature legs. Exercise bikes are all the rage for keeping fit and active. Bramley Baths
Wednesday, 12.30-1.15
£4.50 (1 session free for BEA
members who book a May
date in advance.)
0113 256 0949 - ask for
‘BEA Peddlar’ offer
Thursday drop-in BEA Outreach Worker Simon will be at Thursday drop-ins for enquiries, to book trips and activities and for other information. Drop-in or call to arrange an appointment. Bramley Community Centre
Thursdays, 10.00-12.00
Deadline for contributions to next BEAm - Friday 27 April
Community Cuisine A wonderful Welsh-themed evening of good food and good company. Our final setting for the around the UK on a plate pop-up restaurant nights in Swinnow. Come and join us - bring the family! Swinnow Community Centre Saturday 3 March, 6.00 Pay what you decide
Life drawing A full art school experience with professional artist Lou Sumray. Suitable for all abilities from novice to expert. A fun glimpse into the world of figure drawing - join us and free your inner Da Vinci. Bramley Community Centre Thursday 15 March, 3.00-5.00, free
Hearing loss clinic Free, friendly advice on all hearing aid matters. Batteries and tubes replaced too. Bramley Community Centre
Monday 26 March, 2.00
Deck shuffleboard Be the first to try this exciting game. Hit the target zone in a leisurely paced game of skill. A popular, friendly game great for all abilities. Can you beat the highest score? Bramley Community Centre
Wednesday 28 March,
2.30-4.00, free
Activities update - see reply form to show interest
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BEAm | Bramley Elderly Action newsletter | Spring 2018
Next draws: 28.02 - Wednesday exercise 28.03 - Stroke Club 24.04 - Tuesday exercise Payment is due in the office by 20th of the month. Could you pay by standing order? Information from the office.
Showtime 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.
28.11.17 Drop-in £86.25 13 £51.75 100 £35.50 32
21.12.17 Drop-in £86.25 99 £51.75 102 £35.50 57
29.01.18 Craft £88.75 56 £53.25 41 £35.50 25
Thank you for your support
Into the Woods Yeadon Town Hall (£24.00) Friday 18 May, 7.15 Brass Neck Theatre presents an epic fairytale about wishes, family and the choices we make. The award-winning book and score are enchanting and touching. Are you ready for an adventure?
This is Elvis Grand Theatre (£30.00) Wednesday 6 June, 7.30 It’s 1968...Elvis Presley’s first live TV special is broadcast. Steve Michael brings his renditions of The King’s hits. Monday night at the movies Showcase Cinema (£13.50) Monday 30 July, 6.30 Sit back and enjoy a new blockbuster with friends. Could it be Mamma Mia 2?
March
Community Cuisine Sat 3
Murgatroyds Tues 13
Life drawing Thurs 15
April
9-5 Musical Fri 16
Crag House Farm Mon 9
Disco Mon 16
Beamish Museum Mon 23
May
Make May Purple Weds 09
Windermere Weds 16
Into the Woods Fri 18
June
This is Elvis Weds 6
Springfield Outlet Tues 19 Hearing loss clinic Mon
26
July
Lister Park Mon 02
Scarborough Fri 06
Deck shuffleboard Weds 28
Victoria Garden Centre Mon 21
Dick Hudson’s Weds 20
Movie night Mon 30
Community Cuisine Sat 3
Murgatroyds Tues 13
Life drawing Thurs 15
9-5 Musical Fri 16
Chorley Market Tues 20
BCC - Open Doors Sat 24
Deck shuffleboard Weds 28
Friendly drop-in regulars welcome BEA’s oldest member to our new venue. Come for a cuppa and chat. Bramley Community Centre, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10.00-12.00
Mummy knows best!
October
The BEA Challenge Sat 06
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BEAm | Bramley Elderly Action newsletter | Spring 2018
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 read the cancellation policy on the reply form before you book. Please complete and return the booking form. You can keep a record of your bookings below.
9.00 Ashlea Court 9.10 Bramley Lawn
4.00 Leave venue 6.30 Arrive in Bramley
£22.00
Mon
23 April
Beamish, the living museum Visit the world famous open air museum, with costumed staff, trams and replica buildings. You’ll be transported to a fully working attraction set in the early 20th century. Enjoy a spectacular day out at a museum like no other.
Paid £ ……………... Date paid…../…../…..
Tues
19 June
Springfield Outlet & Gardens Visit Spalding's own shopping mall. Springfield combines over 50 outlet stores with 25 acres of leisure attractions. On site visit the festival gardens and beautifully landscaped areas featuring a celebrity showcase.
9.00 Ashlea Court 9.10 Bramley Lawn
4.00 Leave venue 6.30 Arrive in Bramley
£16.00 Paid £ ……………... Date paid…../…../…..
9.00 Ashlea Court 9.10 Bramley Lawn
4.00 Leave venue 5.30 Arrive in Bramley
Fri
6 July
Scarborough Take a stroll along the two sandy bay beaches, walk the promenade for a little shopping and an ice-cream. Avoid the sand in your toes at the 12th century castle or have a spiritual experience at Peasholm Park Japanese gardens.
Paid £ ……………... Date paid…../…../…..
£14.00
Weds
16 May
Blue Skies to Windermere & Kendal Try our new fully independent trip. Windermere is the largest natural lake in England. Take a steamer for a leisurely cruise on the lake, hit the quaint shops and stop for lunch at a delightful spot in this idyllic town.
9.15 Bramley Lawn 5.00 Leave venue
Paid £ ……………... Date paid…../…../….. £14.00
See ‘blue sky thinking on trips’ in News on back page
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BEAm | Bramley Elderly Action newsletter | Spring 2018
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. Meals/tickets/entrance prices are additional and payable on the day, unless otherwise stated. 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.
Wed
20 June
Dick Hudson's Our popular farmhouse pub lunch with beautiful views over the moors.
Home pick ups from 10.30 Booked Paid £ ……… Date paid…../…../…..
£7.00
Mon
21 May
Victoria Garden Centre Stock up on your summer bulbs, see the beautiful array of flowers on show and stop for lunch in the café.
Home pick ups from 10.30 Booked Paid £ ……… Date paid…../…../…..
£7.00
Mon
2 July
Lister Park Explore Bradford’s gem, with boating lake, botanical gardens and lunch in the café.
Home pick ups from 10.30 Booked Paid £ ……… Date paid…../…../…..
Trip bookings Trips fill up fast, with seats available on a first
come first served basis. Get your form in early to avoid disappointment.
If you post your payments to us for trips, and you’d like a receipt, please provide an email address or include a stamped addressed envelope. Thank you.
£7.00
10 members enjoyed a lovely lunch at Dick Hudson’s in October
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BEAm | Bramley Elderly Action newsletter | Spring 2018
It is common after a stroke to go through depression and feel extremely isolated, which can prevent recovery. ··························································································· ···
As well as physical rehabilitation, which may include physiotherapy, and speech and language therapy, it can prove equally beneficial to ensure you get quickly connected with human contact, and get out and about when you can. This may be with family or existing friends or networks, such as a church or club. It can also be incredibly valuable to your recovery to meet with others who have survived a stroke. BEA runs West Leeds Stroke Club, which meets every two weeks at Bramley Lawn. (See ‘Help and support’ for details.) ···························································································
Many other BEA groups and activities, such as Gentle
Exercise, or Friendship and Social Group, can also play a
vital role in helping with physical and emotional recovery
from a stroke. Have a chat with Outreach Worker Simon or
Activities Co-ordinator Debbie about what you might enjoy
and may help recovery. ···························································································
Remember FAST to recognise a stroke quickly: Facial weakness: can the person smile? Has
their mouth or eye drooped? Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms? Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly
and understand what you say? Time to call 999 and get immediate help if
someone fails any of these tests. A quick response can help reduce brain damage and improve the chance of a full recovery. ···························································································
See also ‘I’m a BEA volunteer’ (facing page) about Tim Staves, who is living well after strokes.
Help and support
West Leeds Stroke Club We have a varied programme of activities to enjoy, build confidence and help recovery. Bramley Lawn. 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, 10.30-12.30
Make May Purple party
Join us for a perfectly purple party to celebrate and fundraise. All welcome. Bramley Lawn Wednesday 9 May, 10.30-12.30
Leeds Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team Up to six weeks support, including physio, diet, and speech and language therapy. Must be referred from hospital, while recovering from a stroke.
Stroke Association National charity with a range of services, including:
My Stroke Guide Practical tools to help stroke survivors understand and deal with its effects, with peer support to combat feelings of isolation. Online 24/7. https://mystrokeguide.com/tell-me-more My Stroke Guide Enquiry Line 0300 222 5707. Monday-Friday 9am-1pm [email protected]
Stroke helpline For information and support.. 0303 3033 100 [email protected] Day time Mon-Fri, and Saturday morning
Meet the Memory Support Worker Gwen Oates, Leeds & York Partnership Trust / Alzheimer’s Society
Gwen is based in the Health & Social Care Team at Armley Moor. She has
been a Memory Support Worker since 2015, having worked on developing
Leeds Dementia Cafes and singing groups. Gwen’s role is to support people
with all forms of dementia and memory problems, whether or not they have
been diagnosed with dementia. Her overall hope and aim is to help people overcome their
fears, get a diagnosis and to support families too. Gwen introduces people to activities (such
as Remember Thursdays at Bramley Lawn) and supports them to find ways to keep going to
those activities. She also has a wider role, raising awareness about dementia with staff at GP
surgeries, community groups and general public. Gwen’s job is never the same. She loves
meeting different people through her work, finding out what might help them to be happy and
getting “little nuggets of knowledge from people who have been there and done it”. As she
says: “You never know what richness people are going to share.” Gwen has worked and lived
in Leeds almost all of her life, and has worked in West Leeds for about 5 years. In her spare
time Gwen likes walking and being outdoors, writing poetry and reading biographies. People
needing support can reach Gwen through referrals from their GP, BEA or West Leeds PEP.
You can watch a short film about the Memory Support Workers on YouTube - http://bit.ly/bramleyea122
I’m a BEA Volunteer Tim Staves 1. What’s your volunteer role? Driver and befriender. 2. How long have you been a volunteer? For about 18 months. 3. Why did you get involved? I could afford to give an afternoon a week to something charitable. I remembered BEA after donating my mum’s scooter when she died. I looked after my mother and mother-in-law and was missing having older people in my life. 4. Three words that sum up BEA for you? Fun, interesting, gives me a sense of satisfaction 5. What do you get out of volunteering? I enjoy it and get the satisfaction of doing something that’s not just for myself. 6. What else do you like doing? I'm a big Rhinos fan. I run (10k) and spend a lot of time with my dog, Dylan. I'm also a professional garden designer, which I started after I had my first stroke. (I used to work in finance and wanted to make a big change to my lifestyle after the stroke.) 7. Where were you born? Doncaster - I’ve lived in Leeds for about 30 years. 8. What’s your favourite film? Gladiator 9. And your favourite book? Pompei (Robert Harris) 10. Tell us one interesting fact about yourself I've had at least four strokes, which I now know to be because I have a hole in my heart.
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BEAm | Bramley Elderly Action newsletter | Spring 2018
Bramley Community Centre, Waterloo Lane, Bramley, Leeds LS13 2JB
0113 236 1644 [email protected] www.bramleyea.org.uk follow us on social media
Registered Charity No. 1043975 * Company Ltd by Guarantee No. 3008194
Blue sky thinking on trips We are always looking at how to improve BEA services. We have teamed up with Blue Sky coaches to offer a fully independent day trip this Spring. Some members already use Blue Sky and give good feedback. We can block book seats on their coach and pick up at Bramley Lawn, with no home pick-ups. The coaches have a toilet, and the drivers are friendly and knowledgeable. We will not have any BEA staff support on the trip but will take payment as usual through our booking form. We are trialing one Blue Sky trip this Spring with the idea of offering one every season, if it works well for you.
BEAm boom We are exploring making BEAm (this newsletter) a little bigger. We are very interested in having one or two regular features from members; perhaps a crossword, or a photo? Let us know (on the reply form) if you might like to contribute. Sadly, we may not have enough space for all your ideas!
BEA staffing news A big welcome to our new Transport Worker, Tony Holmes and book-keeper Sue Barnes, both of whom started before Christmas. We are also appointing a new Apprentice Receptionist. Do say hello!
Looking for a scooter?... or a knitting machine? We have one of each to buy through Bramley Community Shop. The 2nd hand 3-wheeled scooter offers a sturdy, reliable ride. Get in touch if you’re interested. You can arrange to see both at Bramley Lawn.
Bramley Money Buddy You can now visit Drew Dodds, the Bramley area Money Buddy, at the Community Hub, for free support on a range of financial issues. Community Hub, Hough Lane Wednesdays, 12.30-3.00
Bramley History Society The Society meets to share memories, watch archive films and mine the rich local history of this area. Drop-in to join. Bramley Community Centre Thursdays (not 2nd of month) 9.45-11.45
Thank you to... all the BEA volunteers and friends from Trinity Church who organised the coffee morning there in November, raising a fantastic £230.00
the BEA Singers for concerts at Corinthian House, Kirkstall Morrisons, and Swinnow Co-op.
Wickes and Bramley McDonald’s for giving us cardboard boxes for our office move.
Swinnow Co-op customers and staff who helped raise funds for BEA’s befriending work.
Zurich Insurance and their past and present staff for sponsoring the Christmas tea dance and volunteering their time to help run the day.
the volunteers who sourced so many great prizes for the Grand Raffle, which at time of press has raised £570.00!
News in brief …
Catherine Scott Support Worker, BL ● Debbie Fawthrop Activities Coordinator Fran Graham Operations Manager ● Janet Pritchard Office Manager ● Lee Ingham General Manager
Lynsey Walker Community Social Worker ● Maureen Rushworth Volunteer Coordinator Rebecca Durrant Transport Worker ● Rob Cook Communications Coordinator ● Shauna Ledger
Reception & Admin Worker ● Simon Price Outreach Worker/Support Worker, BL ● Sue Barnes Bookkeeper Tony Holmes Transport Worker ● Zoe Ricketts Business Support Manager (on maternity leave, 2018)
We remember members and volunteers who died recently:-
