Ceartas De Café & Dementia Voices Keeping in Touch-November 2020

Ceartas De Café & Dementia Voices
                               Keeping in Touch—November 2020

                                     I hope you enjoy the November newsletter.
                                     Hopefully you can pass some time away
                                     completing the quizzes and if you get stuck
                                     phone a friend for help.
                                     Autumn is my favourite time of the year as
                                     the trees display their rainbow colours. I al-
                                     so love to kick the leaves in the park.
                                     Memories of conker hunting and conker
                                     battles and sore fingers. Halloween dressing
                                     up and dookin for apples. My dad used tie
                                     an apple above the door frame and tried to
                                     eat it without using our hands. My mum
                                     wouldn't let him put golden syrup on the ap-
                                     ple because it would be too messy.
As long as you are wrapped up warm and it’s not raining, its just lovely to walk
and take in the colours and you can see the birds more easily.
It has been a difficult year so far because of the changes caused by Covid but
hopefully there will be a vaccine on the horizon in the near future.
If you are feeling lonely please think about calling Reengage for a companion
friend. There is information in the newsletter.
Age Scotland—Friendship Line has a number you can call if you would like com-
pany from somebody in the form of phone calls on 0800 12 44 222.
The De Cafes have changed slightly but you will now be able to join in 5 zooms in-
stead of 4 each month. Information is in the next few pages.
Please let me know if you are enjoying the newsletters and if there is anything
you would like to see that is not there. We are always interested in hearing what
you have to say. It could be a poem, a short story, your thoughts around Covid.
Or anything you think other readers would enjoy.
Michelle                    mcandlish@ceartas.org.uk   0141 775 0433

Ceartas De Café Dates for your Diary

    Lenzie De Café         Killermont De Café     Bishopbriggs De Café Kirkintilloch De Café
         Zoom                     Zoom                     Zoom                    Zoom

     First Monday             First Tuesday          First Wednesday           First Thursday
    of every month          Of every month           of every month           of every month

        1-2pm                    1-2pm                     1-2 pm               11-12 noon
2 November               3 November               4 November              5 November

7 December               1 December               2 December              3 December

4 January                5 January                6 January               7 January

1 February               2 February               3 February              4 February

1 March                  2 March                  3 March                 4 March

At our monthly De Café Zooms we come together for a chat. We check in with each other to
make sure we are ok and offer advice and help from home decorating to accessing help and
services in East Dunbartonshire. Current research has found that people who are part of a
group, have a better quality of life, as this reduces isolation and loneliness and gives people
something to look forward to which increases their general wellbeing.
Thursday 17th December ALL DE CAFÉ’S TOGETHER CHRISTMAS PARTY
                                         Santa
                                         Santa’s Elves
                                         Christmas Quiz

If you do not receive an email of the log in details and would like to join , please do not hesi-
tate to contact me on 0141 775 0433. Info@ceartas.org.uk

Ceartas De Café Dates for your Diary
         New De Café Zoom Groups
 All De Café Members All De Café Members All De Café Members All De Café Members
        Zoom                   Zoom                   Zoom                   Zoom
    Reminiscence          Playlist For Life        Relaxercise          Guest Speaker
                            Cuppa Time

    Third Monday           Third Tuesday        Third Wednesday         Third Thursday
   of every month         of every month         of every month         of every month

        1-2pm                  1-2pm                 1-2 pm               11-12 Noon

16 November            17 November            18 November           19 November

21 December            15 December            16 December           17 December

18 January             19 January             20 January            21 January

15 February            16 February            17 February           18 February

15 March               16 March               17 March              18 March

We have introduced monthly groups with specific topics for our De Café Members. You can
come to all the groups above or choose the one that is most applicable to you. I recommend
you try all of them and if you decide to go to all of them, you will be very welcome.

De Café Zoom Groups
           Playlist For Life Cuppa Time Zoom

Make yourself a tea/coffee and join us for an hour to talk about music at our new De Café
Playlist For Life—Cuppa Time.
Our Senior Advocacy Worker Gemma and our Information Worker Roy are looking forward to
taking part in our monthly Playlist For Life Cuppa Time. They both have plenty of experience
and training around music. Roy is a musician and plays various instruments in various bands
and Gemma has the most amazing singing voice.
We have all received training from Playlist For Life on how to help you find music that is per-
sonal and meaningful to you.
The first Playlist for Life, Cuppa Time will be on Tuesday 17th November. We will be shar-
ing our memories of music and are keen to hear your stories and get your personal playlist
started.
Research suggests that music can stimulate the body’s natural feel good chemicals (e.g. en-
dorphins, oxytocin). It can help energise our mood and provide an outlet for us to take con-
trol of our feelings. Music is unique in its powerful ability to elicit both memories and emo-
tion which can provide an important link to peoples past.
Current members will receive a reminder by email. If you have a diagnosis of dementia or
cognitive impairment you are welcome to join us. Contact me on
mcandlish@ceartas.org.uk or call 0141 775 0433 to receive the zoom links.
Michelle

Sharon
                                    Ceartas Service Manager

I started working in Ceartas as an advocacy worker, 18
years ago, when the service was still managed by Alz-
heimer Scotland, so you could say I’m in with the
bricks. My current role as Services Manager includes
overseeing the development of advocacy work, service
development within the organisation as well as staff
management, training and development. I love my job
as every day brings something different. I’ve seen so
many changes in the last 18 years and I’m always
proud to see just how far Ceartas has come and how
creative the team are in ensuring as many people as
possible have access to the service.
Outside of work, I love to read and I also write. A few
years ago I thought that it might be possible to use creative writing as a means of helping
people express their thoughts and to tell their stories. We were lucky enough to receive
some funding from the Lottery to set up a creative writing group in Ceartas. We employed
a part time writer in residence for three months and she worked with the group to produce
an anthology of the group’s work. Such was the enthusiasm for the group, we decided to
continue to run with it and we currently meet weekly via Zoom. Creative writing is a great
way for people to come together, share their thoughts and their stories and build their con-
fidence.

CEARTAS CREATIVE WRITING GROUP—OPEN TO EVERYONE

Ceartas Creative Writing Group is a group for people to come together and have some fun
with creative writing. You don’t need any experience in creative writing; it isn’t like
school, we don’t check for spelling or grammar errors. We usually do two to three
exercises and participants are invited to read out what they have written but there is no
pressure on them to do so. The group is about coming together, meeting new people, try-
ing out something new and hopefully it helps increase confidence and it’s a fun afternoon!

If you are interested in joining this contact :-
Ceartas on 0141 775 0433 or email info@ceartas.org.uk

Covid-19 Response Update:
                       Roy Hunter—Ceartas Information Worker

It is now nearly seven months since the start of Covid-19 restrictions, and the response to
the pandemic in East Dunbartonshire is changing. As we move on from the initial phase,
where the response was created ‘on the fly’, we are now looking at more sustainable ways
to address the needs of our community.

Thanks to an unprecedented response by volunteers across the area, and the flexibility of
the OPAL service, we have been able to deliver shopping, medicine and other essential
supplies to people who had to shield or self-isolate. This has helped in the wider national
effort to keep people safe, and to make sure that the NHS is not overwhelmed by the dis-
ease.

But now we need to look at ways to sustain this effort in the longer term, and make sure
that people stay safe and are supported to stay at home. The G66 Covid Response group,
which was set up as an informal volunteer group in the early days of the pandemic, is now
an incorporated organization called Community Response East Dunbartonshire with its
own contact details.

If you live in Kirkintilloch, Waterside, Twechar, Auchinloch, Lenzie, Milton of Campsie,
or Lennoxtown, you can now contact Community Response East Dunbartonshire on 0141
280 9527, email g66covidresponse@gmail.com, or visit their Facebook page: https://
www.facebook.com/g66covidresponse.

In addition to shopping and prescription deliveries, Community Response East Dunbarton-
shire can offer a light gardening service, ‘buddy’ telephone calls for people who are social-
ly isolated, and transport support (Covid restrictions permitting) for people attending
medical and other appointments.

For people in the rest of East Dunbartonshire, you can still call OPAL on 0141 438 2347,
Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 5:00 and Saturday 10:00 – 12:00, or
email mail@opaleastdun.org.uk any time. OPAL can arrange shopping and prescription

Volunteers in other areas are working with EDVA to formalise arrangements to continue to provide
port to the rest of East Dunbartonshire. We will keep you up to date with their progress.

Grandma We Love You

                                                                         GOOD NEWS

                                                       Congratulations to “Grannie Annie” on the birth
                                                       of her first grandchild. Rory Anne Stewart born
                                                       29.8.20 Melbourne Australia “oor wee Rory!”
                                                       Anne is one of our volunteers at Bishopbriggs De
                                                       Café.

                                      Through every nook and every cranny
                                      The wind blew in on poor old Granny
                                        Around her knees, into each ear
                                          (And up nose as well, I fear)

                                 All through the night the wind grew worse
                                        It nearly made the vicar curse
                                      The top had fallen off the steeple
                                     Just missing him (and other people)

                                        It blew on man, it blew on beast
                                         It blew on nun, it blew on priest
                                        It blew the wig off Auntie Fanny-
                                        But most of all, it blew on Granny!     (Spike Milligan)

Grandma, we love you, Grandma, we do. Though you may be far away we think of you.

There's no one quite like Grandma and I know you will agree that she always is a friend to you
and she's a friend to me. There's no one quite like Grandma. She's there in times of need. Be-
fore it's bedtime, on her knee to us a book she'll read. And one day when we're older we'll look
back and say there's no one quite like Grandma. She has helped us on our way.
There's no one quite like Grandma. A love we always share. At party time and Christmas too
we know that she'll be there. There's no one quite like Grandma, She always has a smile. She
never hurries us along but stays a little while. And one day when we're older. We'll look back
and say there's no one quite like Grandma . She has helped us on our way.
St Winifreds School Choir—Watch them on this clip on Top Of The Pops in December 1980
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?

GANGSTER GRANNY
A 104 year old woman was led away in handcuffs and bundled away into a police car be-
cause she had always wanted to get arrested.

Pensioner Anne Brokenbrow from Stokeleigh Care Home in Bristol was nicked by police to
fulfil a bucketlist wish to get into trouble and become a gangster granny, after living a very
long life as a good citizen.

When care home staff asked her to make a wish,
Ms Brokenbrow, who has dementia, wrote: "My
wish is... to be arrested. I am 104 and I have nev-
er been on the wrong side of the law." The
grandmother’s wish shocked care staff but it was
put on a 'wishing washing line' at a local shop, in
the hope someone would help make it come
true.
PC Stephen Harding and his colleague PCSO Kelly
Foyle soon turned up at the care home to pay
the woman a visit. She was promptly put in
handcuffs and was taken away in the waiting po-
lice car.

It may have been the first time she’d ever been arrested but it was also a first for the po-
lice officers as she was the oldest person they’d ever arrested. As she was being cuffed,
PC Stephen Harding told her: “You’re a very compliant prisoner”.

                            In a Facebook post, Stokeleigh Care home stated: 'What a
                            magical day! Today Anne got her wish to be arrested at the
                            grand young age of 104 for being a upstanding citizen!

                             “Anne has had a great day she enjoyed every minute from
                            the hand cuffs to the ride in the police car.”

                            What would your wish be????

Dementia Diaries

Hello everybody, it’s Clive Rogers from Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

Not been having some brilliant times, but I came across a poem that was by someone
anonymous. I’ve rewritten some of it to fit how I feel at times and I’ll just say this – it’s
called

    “I Can’t Remember.”
“Just a line to say I’m living,
that I’m not amongst the dead,
though I’m getting more forgetful
and mixed up in my head.

I got used to my arthritis,
to dentures I’m resigned,
I can manage my bifocals
but God I miss my mind,

For sometimes I can’t remember,
when I stand at the foot of the stairs,
if I must go up for something,
or have I just come down from there.

And before the fridge so often,
my poor mind is filled with doubt,
have I just put some food away,
or have I come to take some out?

And there’s the time when it is dark
with my dressing gown wrapped tight,
I don’t know if I’m retiring,
or just getting out of bed at night.

So if it’s my turn to write to you,
there’s no need for getting sore,
I might think that I have written
and don’t want to be a bore.

So, remember that I miss you
and wish that we could meet
but now it’s nearly mail time
so I must say goodnight, my mate.

There I sit beside my laptop
with a face so very red,
instead of emailing you my message,
I’ve deleted it instead!”

Are you lonely?
                              Would you like a phone friend?

 You may already know Re-engage as the charity that organises Sunday afternoon tea parties for
older people experiencing loneliness; we have lots of groups in the Glasgow area. Due to the to
the COVID-19 crisis, our tea parties had to be suspended. Re-engage has been providing social
contact for older generation for over 50 years and we are committed to continuing to tackle loneli-
ness. So we are delighted to announce we have launched Call Companions – a telephone be-
friending service – so we can continue with this vital work.
Living through lockdown when you’re on your own can feel unbearably lonely at times. After all,
doesn't everyone need someone to chat to?
This is why we’ve launched Call Companions – a free service for older people who live alone and
feel they could do with a friendly phone call every week or two. What’s great is that the same
person calls every time so, gradually, you get to know one another. Whatever you chat about, it
helps lifts your spirits.
One of our volunteer call companions phones at a time that suits you and you might chat weekly
or every other week, depending on what you've agreed. The calls last for half an hour or so and
we try to make sure you have some interests in common. The service is completely free and lasts
as long as you want it to.
To be eligible for a call companion you should be living alone or in sheltered housing and have
difficulty getting out in normal times. However, we do consider applications on a case-by-case
basis, so if your circumstances don't completely meet our criteria and you would like a call com-
panion, please do still get in touch.
We launched Call Companions at the end of May and already have over 800 people enjoying regu-
lar chats with their Call Companions. We have had some lovely comments from people enjoying
our new service.
                            ‘I feel like we are living in very dark times
                   but my Call Companion chats are a bright light in my week’.
As an organisation we are so pleased to have found a way of continuing to offer a lifeline of friend-
ship.
You can call the Freephone number to make a referral for yourself. People can also be referred by
family/friends/health and social care workers, (with permission, of course) at
www.reengage.org.uk or our freephone number: 0800 716543.
We have friendly staff who can go through the application form with them over the phone.

Autumnal Sweet Potato Soup
                Thank you to Age Scotland for this recipe

Ingredients

   1 teaspoon of olive oil

   1 onion, roughly chopped

   2 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped

   4cm/1½ inches fresh root ginger, finely chopped

   1 garlic clove, crushed

   ½ teaspoon dried red chilli flakes

   700g/1lb 10oz sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

   1.2 litres/2 pints vegetable stock

salt and freshly ground black pepper

How to make it

    Heat the oil in a large, lidded saucepan over a medium-high heat. Add the onion
     and carrots and cook until softened. Stir in the ginger, garlic and chilli flakes and
     fry for 2–3 minutes, or until fragrant.

    Stir in the sweet potatoes and stock. Turn up the heat and bring the pan to the
     boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer with the lid on for 15 minutes, or until the
     sweet potato is tender.

Remove the pan from the heat and blend the soup, using a stick blender, until smooth.
Alternatively, tip it into a food processor and blend. Season to taste and serve.

Recipe Tips

Freeze in individual portions for up to three months. Defrost completely before heating
through in a saucepan or in the microwave.

For fun garnishes, drizzle a little coconut milk or cream into each bowl, or sprinkle over
some freshly chopped coriander, or fry up a pinch of cumin seeds and chilli flakes in a
little oil and swirl into the soup.

Why Me?
                            By Gerry King from STAND

When I trip and fall or feel ill at ease.
When I bang my elbows or skin my knees.
When I burn my hands due to this disease.
I never ask…..Why Me?

When memories of a life gone by.
Start to disappear in the blink of an eye.
My mind’s shutting down as it starts to die.
But I never ask….Why Me?

I see your face, but I don’t know your name.
My memories of you are no longer the same.
I look and smile as I hide the shame.
But I never ask…..Why Me?

My brain is working overtime.
As constant thoughts invade my mind.
But still the memories fade and unwind.
But I never ask….Why Me?

Frustration and anger cloud my thoughts.
Sometimes overwhelming, sometimes overwrought.
Many battles lost; many battles fought.
But I never ask…. Why Me?

So, remember me for who I am.
Not me the disease, but me the man.
Just walk with me and hold my hand.
For the answer's simple….Why Not Me?

We are hoping to connect with the Stand/Young Onset Dementia Group in the near future in our
De Café Zooms. The Stand have made a book which I hope to deliver to our members living with
dementia along with some other resources from the DEEP network.

It’s a really encouraging book with recipes for life and a call to knit hippos and post their photos
around East Dunbartonshire. The story about the hippos is in the book.

Purple Alert App/Herbert Protocol

                           Purple Alert is a free app designed by people living with de-
                           mentia and carers, Alzheimer Scotland staff, Police Scotland,
                           Social Work, Dementia Friends Scotland, Health and Social
                           Care Partnerships and Telecare Services.
                           After successfully reaching our milestone of
10,000 downloads, Purple Alert has gone through a major design and functionality up-
grade. While the main functionality is still helping finding a person with dementia if they’re
lost, the new app serves tailored content to users, depending on where you are in Scot-
land or when you use the app.

The new Purple Alert Scotland app is completely different from the old app. Alz-
heimer Scotland will no longer support the old app going forward and we strongly
recommend you to delete the old app and download the new one.

Watch this clip online to find out from someone's experience of being lost.
https://www.alzscot.org/purplealert#:~:text=Purple%20Alert%20A%20community%20minded%20app%20for%20people,Health%
20and%20Social%20Care%20Partnerships%20and%20Telecare%20Services.

                            Constable Chris Murphy (Community Officer) from Police Scotland
                            visited our Bearsden De Café earlier this year to talk about why he
                            believes this app is valuable. He has personal experience of a
                            loved one living with dementia therefore understands challenges
                            people can face.

                       Joni Mitchell from East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action and Chris
                       Murphy have worked alongside Ceartas and other partners in East
Dunbartonshire to promote the Herbert Protocol. This is a form that carers, family or
friends of a vulnerable person fill in.

It contains valuable information if a person goes missing. For example medication, mo-
bile numbers, places previously located and a recent photograph. Keeping a completed
form at home saves the worry of trying to recall the information during the stressful time.
It also saves time for the police, allowing the search to start sooner.

People who have registered with Purple Alert and The Herbert Protocol have a greater
chance of being located quickly if they are reported missing.

https://www.scotland.police.uk/what-s-happening/news/2020/september/herbert-protocol-
introduced-in-great-glasgow/

Thoughts on stigma by James McKillop
                        A great example of someone living life to the full

Stigma. As usual, I went to the dictionary, to see what it said. A sign of social unaccepta-
bility.
The shame or disgrace attached to something, regarded as socially unacceptable.

If you develop cancer, diabetes, epilepsy or lose a limb etc etc, the public rallies behind you
to help you, especially if it is a non-contagious condition. Dementia can and does happen
to anyone, no matter your high status in life, your wealth, your religion, your generosity, phi-
lanthropy or how good a life you lead etc.      There is no immunity as yet.

So why should there be a stigma around dementia? Who starts it? I blame mostly the me-
dia. Photo’s and films, show people with dementia, in the later end stages, in quite an ill
stage. But, it can take years from mild, moderate to severe to reach there. Many people
actually die from other illness, such as heart attacks, cancer and other organ failure from a
separate illness. Why do they never show people, managing to cope for as long as possi-
ble, with such a devastating condition?

In the last century, when I was diagnosed, I experienced stigma, yet I had done nothing
wrong, shameful or unlawful. I had developed an illness, that people from around the world
develop. To avoid hurtful comments from my childrens’ school mates, I kept quiet about my
diagnosis, apart from those who really needed to know. When they were old enough to
cope, I “came out.”

Some people avoided me, I learnt who my true friends were. At times people said I did not
look like I had dementia. But although I do look well, I am now quite ill, with co-morbidity
problems and a worsening dementia. My brain scans show increasingly damage to my
brain. How do I feel about this?

I have had a good run for my money, met some lovely people I would never have met other-
wise, and hopefully made a positive difference, to some peoples’ lives. I feel contented, by
not moaning about my losses. I have had so many pluses. The balance scales are on my
side. I will keep going until I flatline.

It can also be a mark on the skin, indicating for example, a medical condition. Maybe we
should all have some form of stamp, on our foreheads?

I have often wondered whose stigma is it? WE have the illness, but they have the problem.
I attach a song (yes there is music) that I did many years ago. I have never heard it sung, it
could be terrible.
KWAH:S; James.

Diff’rently The Same—James McKillop MBE

Just look through my eyes
And then surely you’ll see
The spirit of the person
Still deep down within me
But when I’m looking outwards
I’ still me despite being, so much
Diff’rently The Same

Mmm-Mmm things easy before
Can be much harder now
A-a fond memory sought
Will furrow my brow
Amidst all of this turmoil
Doggedness enables me, to cope
Diff’rently The Same

I am still your friend, from your far off schooldays
Your ever – loving spouse ever since our wedding day
I’m still your father, your mother who
Was forever there when you were needing me most
I’m your big sister, your little brother
I’ the person who needs all of your understanding
Though things inside me are changing
I still love you all though I’ve become
So Diff’rently The Same

Odd looks come my way
When I fail to disguise
A feeling lost expression
That comes clouding my eyes
But what’s the alternative
To sitting housebound feeling, sadly
Diff’rently The Same

Mmm-Mmm friends of bygone years
Don’t know how to react
Some speak past me in hushed tones
Others have less tact
And fidget in my presence
Yet some day they might also, become
Diff’rently The Same

The Old Scottish Sayings….

EASY TASTY RECIPE

Our Advocacy worker Aileen recommends Korean tea that may soothe a cold or a sore
throat…

Pear and Ginger Tea

   2 pears peeled and chopped
   1 large chunk of fresh ginger grated
   Juice of 1 lemon
   Tablespoon of honey or brown sugar
   Boil all ingredients in water

Drink the tea and then eat the cooked pears

Remember November

In our November De Café Zooms we have invited mem-
bers to bring an item or photograph of a special person
that has died. To acknowledge and celebrate their life.
This could be a husband/wife/partner, friend, grandpar-
ents.

There may be somebody that has impacted your life that
you would like to share with the readers. Grandparents
can be influential in our younger years and pass on their
wisdom.

Maybe you would like to pay tribute to somebody who has died recently. Tell us what you
loved about them……..

Bereavement UK is a charity which offers bereavement information and support
online. Grief is an individual process that is as unique as the relationship that
you have had with the person that has died. Grief can take many forms and be
expressed in various ways.

It is not unusual to withdraw from people slightly and not feel like talking in your
usual manner, just as it is not unusual for you to want to talk more than you
thought you would about what has happened. Everyone is different, and your
own response to loss will depend on your own personal circumstances.

Physical and emotional responses to grief can at times feel confusing, over-
whelming or isolating. We know that grief does not fit between office hours, and
the companion of the internet can be a useful support when others are not avail-
able.

Alex, Tania and their small team of counsellors are also available for e -support,
so if you would like to email us, or to tell us your story, please do. We will reply
to you as soon as we are able. support@bereavement.co.uk

No matter how supportive or informative we aspire to be, there is never a sub-
stitute for face to face human contact. Always speak to your GP if you are con-
cerned about yourself. Th e Sam ar i t an s ar e al s o av ai l ab l e t o t al k t o 24
hours a day 7 days a week. Samaritans: (24/7 listening support service) http://
www.samaritans.org/ 08457 90 90 90

The Cruse Bereavement Care Freephone National Helpline is staffed by trained bereave-
ment volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by bereavement.

The number is 0808 808 1677 Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk

Thank you to Laura from Bunny & Co mobile petting Zoo for coming to our De Café
Zoom and showing us your animals. Laura visits care homes with her pets and
has adapted to zoom calls since covid has changed the way we are able communicate.
Laura took us on a tour of her home to introduce her animals simply by using her mobile
telephone. Can you imagine even believing you could see through a phone when we
were all younger. Technology has certainly progressed. It makes you wonder what it will
be like in another 50 years. Will we be able to smell Nigella Lawsons cooking through
our screens??
We loved the names you have chosen for some of your Guinee pigs - John, Paul & Rin-
go. We saw the chickens come inside the small animal house for a hen party. The white
silky was particularly beautiful.

Laura said she was visiting a care home with the animals before lockdown and somebody
mentioned there was a lump on one of the hamsters. Laura phoned the vet straight away
to make an appointment and was obviously worried about the hamster. The vet exam-
ined the hamster and said “there is nothing wrong with the hamster—the lumps are his
testicles”. I am sure they both had a good laugh as we did hearing this story.
Laura has rescue cats with all different personalities and they all have their preferred
snoozing spaces in the house. For obvious reasons she has to keep an eye on them
when the small animals are out. I imagine it could be like a scene from Tom & Jerry.

                         We enjoyed seeing all the animals on screen
                         but will look forward to a time in the future
                         when we can meet them in person and hold
                         them.

Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hor-
mone) and lower blood pressure. (newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets)

Andy Stewart
Andrew Stewart MBE (30 December 1933 – 11 October 1993) was a Scottish singer, entertainer,
and songwriter. He presented the BBC TV variety show The White Heather Club throughout the
1960s, and his song "Donald Where's Your Troosers?" was a hit in both 1960 and 1989.

Stewart was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1933, the son of a teacher. When he was five years
old, the family moved to Perth and then, six years later, to Arbroath. Even in early childhood, he
loved imitating people and amazed his parents with impersonations of famous singers and
actors. He attended Arbroath High School, where his father taught science.

In 1950, at the age of 16, he participated
in the Arbroath Abbey Pageant, taking the
part of "A Knight in Shining Armour". Up
until this time, he had not thought
seriously about a career in entertainment,
as he had aspirations of becoming a
veterinary surgeon. He then decided to
train as an actor at the Royal Scottish
Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow,
where he studied until 1954. During his
first year at the college, he obtained First
Prize for Comedy; he also excelled in
fencing, particularly at the foil.

Stewart's patriotic wearing of tartan and his use of stereotypical Scottish humour, throughout
the 1960s, echoed the music hall style and songs of fellow Scot Sir Harry Lauder.

He had several international hit singles: "Come in-Come in", "Donald Where's Your Troosers?",
"A Scottish Soldier" (which reached no. 1 in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, spent 36 weeks
in the UK Singles Chart in 1961, charted in South Africa and India, and peaked at No.69 on the
USA's Billboard Hot 100) "Campbeltown Loch", "The Muckin' O' Geordie's Byre", "The Road to
Dundee", "The Battle's O'er" (No. 1 on the Australian charts in July 1961), "Take Me Back",
"Tunes of Glory", and "Dr. Finlay" (1965). He is also remembered for being the compere of The
White Heather Club. This was a BBC Scotland television programme that existed as an annual
New Year's Eve party (1957–1968), and also as a weekly early-evening series (1960–1968). At
the height of its popularity, the show had a viewership of 10 million.

"Donald Where's Your Troosers?" was a hit in late 1960 and again when reissued in 1989.
Stewart is said to have written the song in 10 minutes as he sat, minus trousers, in the lavatory
of a recording studio.

Click on the links to see some footage of Andy:-
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?
q=you+tube+andy+stewart&view=detail&mid=6F4BE76109570D05388E6F4BE76109570D053
88E&FORM=VIRE

Find a word in each column starting with the letter at the side. If you get stuck, phone a
friend for help.

                     Country           Boys Name        Girls Name        Animal

 B

 D

 H

 L

 M

 P

 S

                   Food              Clothing          Song              Famous Person

 B

 D

 H

 L

 M

 P

 S

Coping with Stress & Anxiety

    Anxiety is what we feel when we are worried, tense, or afraid, particularly about things that
    are about to happen, or which we think could happen in the future. Feeling anxious or nerv-
    ous is a common emotion for people of all ages and is a natural human response when we
    perceive that we are under threat.
    Feeling anxious can help us handle problems and strange situations, and even avoid danger.
    However, when world events such as the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak occur,
    this can bring forward great uncertainty in our daily lives, which can make us feel even more
    anxious than usual.
    Indeed, fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions
    in us. It's normal to feel stress when faced with staying indoors and interacting less with
    people, especially when that is added to the underlying stress of worrying whether you or
    your loved ones will catch the virus. Anxiety during a stressful life event such as this may
    contribute to:
       Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
       Changes in sleep or eating patterns
       Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
       Worsening of chronic health problems
       Deterioration of mental health

                                     How Does Anxiety Affect Us?
    Anxiety can affect our body, thoughts, feelings, and behaviour and each can influence the
    others.

    Body: We may experience physical sensations such as shortness of breath, heart palpitations,
    muscle tension, sweating, headaches, or dizziness.

    Thoughts: When you feel anxious, you may be aware of what you say to yourself (e.g. “I’ll
    never get through this”) or your thoughts might be concerned with what might happen
    (e.g. “I’m definitely going to get the virus”). We may also have “what if….” thoughts or tell
    ourselves we can’t cope. We may also ruminate (i.e. think about bad experiences over and
    over again).

    Feelings: If we are anxious, we can also feel sad, irritable, frustrated, and tired.

Behaviour: Anxiety can affect our behaviour and may cause us to avoid things (e.g. putting
    off calling a friend or family member) or be on the go all the time (e.g. trying to do lots of
    things to distract ourselves and getting overwhelmed).

    Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations and sometimes the things we do to help
    ourselves to cope can make anxiety worse (e.g. increased use of alcohol, avoiding speak-
    ing to others, staying in bed all day). So how can you manage anxiety and worry during
    these uncertain times? This self-help guide contains some suggestions on what you can
    do and where you can find further information and support.

                    How Can I Manage Anxiety?

    Talk to Someone – Peer support
    Talking to a loved one or a person you trust can be a relief. Sharing your worries with
    someone may be enough to make you feel better. Using technology to connect with your
    social networks can be really useful and can make you feel more connected to the people
    in your life. There are free video chat services available, such as Messenger and Skype,
    which can help you feel closer to your loved ones during this difficult time.

    Try Breathing and Relaxation Techniques
Breathing exercises can help you manage your anxiety and feel in control. A simple breath-
ing exercise can be done in a few seconds, no matter where you are. It is particularly help-
ful at stressful times, but it’s also useful to do it at regular intervals throughout the day.
      Find somewhere comfortable to sit or lie down if you can.
      Adopt a relaxed posture; drop your shoulders, uncross your arms and legs.
      Take a deep, slow breath in and hold it for 5 seconds.
       Feel your abdomen expand as you do this.
      Breathe out slowly, to a count of 5.
      Breathe in again, make every breath slow and steady and exactly the same as the one
       before it and the one after it.
      As you breathe out, concentrate on expelling ALL the air in your lungs. If you’re alone,
       you could make a noise like “whoo” as you do this to help you feel the air being let
       out. Keep the out breaths going for as long as you can. Keep it relaxed for a few sec-
       onds before you inhale again.

    Steps for Stress is another simple guide to breathing and relaxation exercises:
    https://soundcloud.com/nhs-health scotland/sets/steps-for-stress

There are many different activities we do in order to relax and these differ between peo-
ple and based on personal preferences. Some ideas are writing, keeping a diary or a jour-
nal, reading or re-reading some of your favourite books, watching favourite movies or TV
shows, listening to podcasts, signing up to an online class, cooking, baking and experi-
menting with different recipes, reorganising furniture, redecorating a room or clearing out
your closet, having a bath, doing some exercise at home, like Pilates or yoga, and working
on your garden.
Look After your Physical Health
Making sure you are getting enough sleep, eating well and getting
some physical exercise are all very important for your mental
health wellbeing and can help you cope with difficult emotions
and situations.

Keep a Diary and Make Plans for the Future
You might find it helpful to keep a note of things that are currently going well, especially
when you are feeling anxious. Making a plan for each day and trying to keep to a routine
even when isolating at home may also be useful. You could also write down a list of things
you would like to do when you are out of isolation, like inviting friends and family round.
Going out for a family meal.

Be Kind to Yourself

It is normal to feel anxious and experience difficult emotions during these uncertain
times. Accept your feelings and remind yourself that it is okay to feel the way that you do.
Take some time to relax and do something for yourself, like having a long bath or cooking
your favourite meal.

Limit Media Consumption

Although it can be helpful to keep up to date with the latest advice and health infor-
mation, you do not want to feed your anxiety and fear through constant updates about
the state of the virus.
     Try to limit your media consumption to an extent. Watching too much news, reading
     too many articles, and consuming too much content can be upsetting and over-
     whelming. Make sure you seek sites that give factual information.

about what you can do to stay healthy, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO)
 https://www.who.int
                            Where Can I Access Further Information?
    Silver Line Scotland:
Free confidential telephone helpline offering information, friendship and advice to older
people - 0800 470 80 90 (24 hours). https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/

    Breathing Space:
 Free confidential telephone service - 0800 83 85 87 (evenings and weekends).
 www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk

    Samaritans:
Free confidential telephone        service    -   01698   429411     or   116    123   (24hrs).
 www.samaritans.com

    Age UK:
Call in Time is a free telephone friendship service for - 0800 055 6112 or visit https://
www.ageuk.org.uk/services/befriending-services/sign-up-for-telephone-befriending/

Mood juice:

Self-help podcasts including relaxation exercises.
https://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/asppodcast.asp

Wellbeing Glasgow:
Glasgow South Primary Care Mental Health Team website containing a range of self-help and
psychoeducational materials including booklets and videos.
http://wellbeing-glasgow.org.uk/anxiety-2/

Heads Up:
An online resource for people with mental health problems or people caring for them.
http://www.headsup.scot/mental-health-conditions/depression-anxiety/

Video by Psychologist Jo Hemmings on coping with fears of isolation
https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2020/mar/19/coronavirus-how-to-cope-with-

QUIZZ—PHONE A FRIEND FOR HELP
                ANSWERS IN DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

How long did the Hundred years’ War last?

Which country makes Panama hats?

From which animal do we get cat gut?

In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?

What is a camel’s hair brush made of?

The Canary Islands in the Atlantic are named after what animal?

What was King George VI’s first name?

What colour is a purple finch?

Where are Chinese gooseberries from?

What is the colour of the black box in a commercial airplane.

Who was the first female Prime Minister in the UK.

What is Queen Elizabeth’s surname?

Who is the head of the catholic church and lives in Rome?

How many are in a bakers dozen?

When did the first World War end?

When did the second World War end?

What are baby goats called?

FACE COVERINGS

ALZHEIMER SOCLANT FACE COVERING EXEMPTION

                                       Many people are exempt from wearing a mask and
                                       there are a few ways you can get this across to peo-
                                       ple without having to say it. Alzheimer Scotland have
                                       information on their website and a downloadable –
                                       exemption card. You can find it at –
                                       https://www.alzscot.org/information-during-
                                       coronavirus

UK GOVERNMENT—FACE COVERING EXEMPTION
There is page on the Government’s own website that also has ideas – including a way to
signpost this from a smart phone.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-
make-your-own

SUNFLOWER LANYARD

The sunflower lanyard scheme. These lanyards were being given out
free by M&S, Sainsbury's and Tesco subject to stores. The are a visual
to staff that the wearer has a hidden disability.

They can be bought very inexpensively at the link below -
https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/

Scottish Government -

https://www.gov.scot/news/face-covering-exemption-cards-launched/

https://www.gov.scot/news/face-covering-exemption-cards-launched/

https://exempt.scot/request-a-card/

How many of these Islands have
you been to? Would you like to
share some photos or memories?
Email: mcandlish@ceartas.org.uk