July September 2017 West Lothian Newsletter Welcome to our Summer Newsletter Well wouldn t you know it! Life has been so hectic of late another election result we didn t expect, nothing changes there. Life has been busy too in West Lothian from an Alzheimer Scotland perspective. We have moved offices from Stadium House to Grampian Court since the last newsletter. A spacious building which we hope will become a resource that so many people in West Lothian will find advantageous. We have a lot of work to do first, but we hope to have a suite of rooms in the near future that will meet both your needs and the needs of Alzheimer Scotland. For many who read this summer newsletter a holiday will not be possible but I do hope you will be able to capture some time to enjoy the summer we are having. Well it is summer while I am typing this but you never know what tomorrow brings, it is Scotland by the way! I hope you enjoy the newsletter, it will allow you to catch up on everything we ve been up to over the past few months and give a flavour of things to come. If we can be of support then please don t hesitate to call us. Alan Midwinter, Service Manager West Lothian Council Advice Shop Individually Tailored Information Sessions We are still running monthly information/advice sessions hosted by West Lothian Council s Advice shop. The sessions will be held on the last Wednesday of the month from 10am to 1pm and will take place at the Alzheimer Scotland office at Unit 1 Grampian Court, Livingston, EH54 6QF. The sessions will be for clients, carers and families affected by dementia. Each appointment slot will last for 30 minutes; double appointments can be booked if required. To book an appointment please call 01506 533 108 or email WestLothianServices@Alzscot.org. The next available sessions are on the 30 th of August and the 27 th of September. Please be aware however that the building is still undergoing transformation. Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognised as a charity by the Office of the
Day Opportunities Programme A programme for younger people under 65 with dementia living in West Lothian. April A lovely day was had on the barge at Ratho, fun and games with a pirate theme. The day was rounded off with a picnic on the quayside including sandwiches and trifle. May The first week in May began with some nice and easy chair exercises then on to ten pin bowling at Deer Park, great play from all involved with a few high fives and smiles all round. Late May saw us back at our home in Rosemount Gardens with a relaxing pamper session, the ladies had their nails done and we all enjoyed a lovely lunch. June Our summer outing took us to Boness railway for a wonderful steam train journey we then moved on for coffee indoors due to a torrential downpour. June continued with another trip to the Five Sisters Zoo to see the monkeys and have a nice drink in the warm sunshine. What a difference a week makes with the Scottish weather!! Future trips scheduled for the Day Opportunities group July to September 2017 July A garden party or a trip to Hillend Loch Fishing club followed by another visit to Aberdour Sensory Garden and to see the new Queenferry Bridge. August Back on the Barge at Ratho
Young Start Our New Befriending Volunteer Service Alzheimer Scotland West Lothian are currently recruiting volunteer befrienders aged 16 to 24 years to visit people living with dementia who are resident in care homes in West Lothian. Just a couple of hours a week or every other week can make such a big difference for someone else, particularly those residents who might not get many visits from family and friends. Good quality training and support is provided, as are any travel and expenses. If you or someone you know is interested or would like a bit more information please contact Nigel Lack, Volunteer Coordinator on 01506 533 117 Mobile: 07585 700 874 E-mail: nlack@alzscot.org Groups run by other organisations in West Lothian that may be of interest Sunshine Singalong The sunshine singalong is a group that was set up specifically for people living with dementia and their carers. The group is held in a church hall in Linlithgow, although you don t have to have a church connection or live in Linlithgow to attend. Nearly everyone who attends has some form of dementia. Around 50 people currently attend at the moment. They serve a light lunch of sandwiches and cakes, tea and coffee. You just need to go along on the day, no need to book. After lunch there is an hour of singing for memory. All the favourites and some themed songs too depending on our theme. There is no cost. (Donations are welcome but not necessary). Contact details below. Contact details are Cheryl McKellar Young on 01506 842188 or by email on cmckellaryoung@churchofscotland.org.uk or Mrs Norma Costley on 01506 843255.
What s On In July, August & September Bathgate Memory Café Rosemount Gardens, Mid Street, Bathgate 3 rd July, 7 th August & 4 th September from 1.30pm 3.00pm Café Connect Extra - Livingston Dedridge Baptist Church, Livingston No café in July, 2 nd August & 6 th September from 2.00pm - 3.30pm Memory Café Livingston North Newyearfield Farm Community Centre, Livingston No café in July, 17 th August & 21 st September from 2.15pm 3.30pm Dementia Café Whitburn ANSWER HOUSE, Reveston Lane, Whitburn 11 th July, 8 th August & 12 th September from 1.30pm 3.15pm The People s Café Uphall St Andrews Care Home, Uphall 25 th July, 22 nd August & 26 th September from 11.00am 12.30pm Forget Me Not Café East Calder East Calder Parish Church Hall, East Calder 27 th July, 31 st August & 28 th September from 10.00am - 12.00pm The Sunlight Café Fauldhouse The Partnership Centre, Fauldhouse No café in August, 13 th July & 14 th September from 1.30pm 3.00pm The Caring Café Linlithgow The Lowport Centre, Linlithgow 19 th July, 16 th August & 20 th September from 10.00am 12.00pm Memory Cave Café Armadale The Community Centre, North Street, Armadale No café in August, 21 st July & 15 th September from 10.00am 12.00pm All groups are to be enjoyed by anyone living with dementia or experiencing difficulties with their memory, including their families and friends. All are welcome; people who can attend independently and/or those unable to do so should come with a companion who can provide any support for them. We don't provide transport for these groups and therefore it is your responsibility to get to and from the community activity, safely". Golf Memories Uphall Golf Club, Houston Mains, Uphall, EH52 6JT 11 th July, 8 th August & 12 th September from 11.00am 12.15pm Carers Support Group 17 th July, 21 st August & 18 th September 10.00am 12.00noon, venue Meadowbank Suite, Livingston Football Stadium, EH54 7DN. The group is for carers of anyone diagnosed with dementia when under the age of 65 the person with dementia is also welcome to attend.
Fundraising Volunteers We need you!! Do you have a few hours spare each year to help support Alzheimer Scotland? We are looking for keen volunteers from across West Lothian. No specific time commitment, just whatever you are able to give, the role will primarily be helping out with our events and awareness days. If you would like to find out more please contact Abby on 07795 316741 or email aparkhouse@alzscot.org. Thank you! Future Events in the East of Scotland (July to September 2017) We have memory walks all over Scotland in September 2017 the two in and around West Lothian are detailed below. You can register at http://memorywalksscotland.org/ or call us on 01506 533 108 for a registration form Prices 0 12 years FREE, 12 16 years - 5, Adults - 10 Dalkeith Memory Walk Join us for a beautiful walk through the idyllic and blissfully peaceful Dalkeith Country Park on the outskirts of Edinburgh this autumn. We ll set off from in front of the Palace combining three of the Park s most popular walks before coming full circle. The walk is classed as a medium difficulty walk, although there will also be a shorter, more accessible route available on the day with plenty of entertainment from start to finish you can even bring your dog! Date: 23/09/2017 Time: 1pm Location: Dalkeith Country Park Length of Walk 3.2km/5.8km/8km West Lothian Memory Walk Join us for a gentle stroll round the Peace Mile route at Balbardie Park. The route takes us round by the golf course which follows a lovely wee stream which is ideal for you and your doggy to cool off in! The Park is surrounded by trees and at one point we walk through a small wooded area that is populated by lots of birds. It is indeed a very peaceful and easy route that will endear itself to all. Date: 24/09/2017 Time: 1pm Location: Balbardie Park of Peace, Torphichen Road, Bathgate Length of Walk 5km Further details of these events will appear on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/alzscotedinburghandlothians