NOTICEBOARD AUTMUMN 2019 Issue 16 Digital Christmas card competition David’s NEWSLETTER We know you might have just put your Summer top tip As the Autumn season provides us hat away but we would love it if you can start with golden orange leaves and thinking about our next Christmas card. In this issue: Do you worry about getting caught cosy evenings in, we hope that you Please send us your designs by Friday 1st short? Then check out the Flush App on enjoy reading our latest newsletter. Page 2&3: ABM Latest News November for a chance for your image to be Apple App. Similar apps are available on Our newsletter group works hard to used on our Christmas card this year. Android. I would recommend bring you the latest news and views You can email it to Where is a Public Toilet. from our members. [email protected] or The app locates the nearest toilets to You can join them every three months to write, edit and create pop it in the post to: you wherever you are in the world. your newsletter. No experience needed, just lots of enthusiasm Christmas card competition, Ageing Better Open the app and it uses the phone’s and a couple of hours free. If you want to join please contact Middlesbrough, The Mind Centre, 90 to 92 GPS to pinpoint your exact location. us on 01642 257034. Lothian Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 2QX. Toilets nearby will be shown on a map Please call 01642 257034 if you would like with a list at the bottom of the screen. some help sending the image to us. • Find disabled access toilets Page 4&5: Members’ Stories • Get immediate directions on how A friendly new face to to locate them. • Rate the toilet by swiping to the left on a toilet in the list. keep you warm • Free and easy to use. We would like to introduce you to Jennifer McIntosh, Members now regularly receive our Newsletter our new Affordable Page 6&7: Community Stories

and What’s On. Warmth Adviser.

Thanks to everyone for spreading the word Christmas markets Jennifer will be supporting older about our membership and helping us reach people as part of the It is never too early to start planning your more people in Middlesbrough. Middlesbrough Affordable Christmas days out. And we have a great one Pick up a leaflet, call 01642 257034 or go to for you. Warmth Partnership. This group www.ageingbettermiddlesbrough.org.uk/ Join us on Friday 13th December for a trip to of organisations and charities become-a-member the Christmas market at the Bowes Museum, work together to give the most They offer a range of free Barnard Castle. vulnerable residents all the help services including one to one Page 8&9: Your Community The coach there is free but you and support they need to stay advice sessions and home visits. Noticeboard will need to pay the £5 entry fee. safe and warm at home – THANK YOU TO . . . To register your interest please especially during the coldest Contact Jennifer or one of her Page 10&11: Now it’s your turn… Ada, Barbara, Geoff, Irene, call Jeanette on 01642 061019. months. colleagues on 01642 579820. Janet, Joyce, Lesley, Martin Page 12: ABM Noticeboard and Steve

Visit our website: www.ageingbettermiddlesbrough.org.uk Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ageingbettermiddlesbrough Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/abmiddlesbrough

12 Ageing Better Middlesbrough • Connecting you to your community 1 AGEING BETTER MIDDLESBROUGH • LATEST NEWS All the latest from ABMAG Carpet bowls at Alderwood The Ageing Better Middlesbrough Action Hilda later reported that several people said they had Residents at Alderwood retirement village in "After several very successful taster sessions Group (ABMAG) is focusing on making our enjoyed the workshop. They said it was an interesting way to learn and communicate, a fun way to finish the Coulby Newham applied for our Age Friendly fund run at Alderwood, the residents asked for a town an age friendly place to live. whole event, and of course, they could eat the cake. to help them set up their own carpet bowls group. carpet bowls session. This was put on as a Some of our team went along to a national Ageing taster session and we had a group of over 20 Everyone returned to the ballroom to listen to the The group were successful and the carpet bowls Better event in Sheffield where representatives from the members come together where a fun afternoon closing comments, before getting a grab and go lunch will be starting soon - keep an eye out in our Taster 14 different programmes came together to share their bag for the journey home. We arrived back in of exercise and laughs sent everyone away experiences with each other. Sessions and Events for more information. Middlesbrough at 3pm, with Henry saying: “That was a wanting more." ABMAG member Joyce went along with our mascots, busy couple of days. I am ready for an afternoon nap.” Our Community Projects Officer Anna Carruthers Henry and Hilda. She wrote about the two day event. said: "We have been supporting our members who live in independent living accommodation by Henry and Hilda in Sheffield helping to organise activities and talking to people Our mascots, Henry and Hilda were invited to the about ways to feel a bit less lonely. Ageing Better Celebration at Sheffield City Hall to help the Middlesbrough team with their presentation. "This has included spending time over the past year at Anchor's Alderwood retirement village in “I’m looking forward to this, especially seeing what the Coulby Newham. other teams have been doing” said Hilda. "Through home visits, taster sessions, digital Henry replied that he was keen to tell them how Middlesbrough had faired. technology support and advice on funding, we have helped the residents formalise their After a buffet lunch and welcomes it was time to attend committee and apply for this funding. the workshops. Henry was impressed by a game called Gulls and Cones from the Torbay programme that demonstrated their highs and lows. • Keep your voice down. It is uncomfortable for a After a short walking tour of the city centre, Henry and hearing aid user if you shout, and it looks aggressive. Hilda rejoined the team in the main ballroom. Sorry, could you • Get to the point. Use plain language and do There were two further sessions of workshops the next Age Friendly fund not waffle. morning. Henry and Hilda decided to help Joanne and repeat that? Joyce prepare for our Middlesbrough workshop, while Since April we have awarded £30,000 to age the rest of the team went to the first session. friendly activities and projects. For the last few months we have been exploring how we How is your hearing? Henry started the workshop by telling the audience a Over 40 groups and individuals applied for as little can make Ageing Better Middlesbrough more friendly for Did you know that you can check your hearing over little of Middlesbrough’s history, and why he and Hilda £100 and as much as £3000, towards activities and people with hearing and sight loss. the phone? were there. He was delighted when someone wanted projects that will make the town a great place to This has meant that some members of staff and our Call and follow the instructions on 0844 800 3838 to know a little more. grow older. helpers have had specialist training from Action on (local rate) or online at Joanne then took over. She talked about creating a There were some fantastic ideas, and we have Hearing Loss. actiononhearingloss.org.uk/hearingcheck community using the theme of baking a cake. already started to distribute the funding. We wanted to share the organisation’s tips on how to Anya Deputat, our Age Friendly Middlesbrough communicate better so everyone can hear you well. Officer said: “We were overwhelmed by the number • Even if someone is wearing a hearing aid, ask if they Listen up of applications that we received. Decisions to award need to lip read you. funding were made by a panel of people aged 50 We have made this issue, and • Make sure you have the person’s attention before and over, who play a key role in shaping the age the Summer one, available for you start speaking. friendly work and who feel very passionately about you to listen to. Thanks to Middlesbrough. • Find a place to talk that has good lighting, away from some of our wonderful members who noise and distractions. “Every application was thoroughly discussed and read the articles for us. • Turn your face towards them so they can easily see matched with appropriate funding. your lip movements. Go to “We are also excited to announce that the fund will www.ageingbettermiddlesbrough.org.uk/audio • Speak clearly, not too slowly, and use normal lip newsletter to download the file. open again in April 2020.” movements, facial expressions and gestures.

2 Ageing Better Middlesbrough • Connecting you to your community 3 YOUR STORIES • TOLD BY OUR MEMBERS

Dementia friendly orchestra performance Well the garden looks much better. I am in demand delivering local history talks and walks. I have By Lesley Tart, from Dementia Friendly Toes tapped, heads nodded and there was bursts of Looking back become Chairman of the Captain Cook Birthplace Trust. Not sure how it happened, but I have also Middlesbrough and an Ageing Better applause after each short piece. Member Martin become a presenter on a community radio station. I Middlesbrough member. I overheard an audience member say quietly: “This is am certainly a lot fitter and healthier than I was then. beautiful, I have never heard anything like it.” Peagam is a regular It was the hour rehearsal before the Russian State columnist sharing Most importantly, I have spent more time with family orchestra’s one night performance. his thoughts and friends. Particularly with my mother before she The people in the small audience were living with after retiring. died. Providing memories that can never be replicated. dementia supported by their loved ones and carers. When it comes to looking back, we older The conductor gave his team instruction in his best What is the point of all this looking back? Ironically, it people are the Russian, the orchestra responded with their questions for is to remind me that the only thing I can change is experts. clarity and the audience understood nothing! the future. Strangely enough, the Then he struck up the orchestra and the audience fell I may not have done everything I hoped to do in the things we look back to silent in an instant. Within moments heads were swaying, past few years. But I have done a lot. I have are nearly always people were smiling and they were totally engaged. discovered places, taken up new activities, and better than they are most importantly met new friends. Some of them now. The summer was through Ageing Better. sunnier. The winter had more snow. Food was cheaper. Television and music were, well, just better. I have even – in the last few months – acquired a Punk from the past new life partner. So, I thought I would look back. After all, I started writing for Ageing Better in No, I am not ditching the wife. After all, I would and go to gigs November 2017, one month after I retired. That is struggle to find a better cook. But I have acquired nearly two years ago. someone who gives me a lot of affection, takes me for long walks, and keeps my mind active. Steve is our regular columnist sharing his You can check out the website for all Have I fulfilled the aspirations I had two years ago? With punk rock memories and information on forthcoming gigs the exception of learning a language, perhaps, yes. I have acquired a hearing dog. upcoming gigs. www.bigfigurepromotions.co.uk So how am I doing? It is a work in progress, That alone means that as well as looking back, I also you see ... Forty years ago in September it was a busy month at the have a lot to look forward to. Rock Garden music venue in Middlesbrough with a mixed bag of music with bands like The Chords (mod), Girlschool (heavy metal) and The Revillos (60s pastiche). The highlight though was Ferryhill’s finest Penetration. Who says youth hostels are just for the young? Penetration toured nationwide and received plenty of attention from the established music press. Led by Pauline Murray and Robert Blamire, they were one of By Geoff Kerr-Morgan, a very active Ageing the region’s first bands to gain a record contract with a Better Middlesbrough member major label in Virgin Records. In July some 40 people aged 50+ went on a walking Westgarth Social Club in Southfield Road hosts two bands weekend to Hathersage in Derbyshire. Many of those in October and November that might appeal to you: walkers were from Middlesbrough or had • The Strays, a female-fronted four piece in the Middlesbrough connections. shape of Imelda May, play on Friday 25th October A lot of us stayed in the Hathersage Youth Hostel with Tim Loud and The Terrorpins and Kid Klumsy. Association. There were also other groups staying there, mixing older and younger people. • Birmingham-based skiffle outfit Terry and Gerry return for a fifth time on Saturday 9th November We split into two groups, the serious walkers - the 12 with Serious Sam Barrett from Leeds and two milers, and the less serious walkers, me included, who other supports. strolled for about five miles. The two groups met up on the mornings and evenings for meals or chats. Tickets (£10 advance) for both shows can be reserved by contacting Stephen on 07769 258035. It was a lovely weekend and it shows that you do not Doors at 7.30pm. need to be young to go hosteling.

4 Ageing Better Middlesbrough • Connecting you to your community 5 YOUR STORIES • FROM YOUR COMMUNITY Memories of your town “So much more Kirkley knitters than a dance class” By our columnist On 1st August the ice enclosed them. In this trying and local historian situation, Commodore Phipps displayed great Ageing Better Middlesbrough’s David and Kay, as For 10 weeks, a dozen members were falling on their well Joyce from ABMAG, had a lovely time with the Ian Stubbs courage and presence of mind. feet at dance workshops designed to develop residents of Kirkley Lodge in Coulby Newham. strength, improve balance and become more flexible. Phipps took 50 men from each of the two ships on Constantine Phipps Kirkley Lodge is a residential home for older the voyage, and dragged along the ice the boats of The Falling on your feet programme taught them was born on 30th people with dementia and physical disabilities. both vessels. different dance styles and allowed participants to May 1744 in Whitby. choreograph their own dance moves, all in a fun, Its residents invited us to join their knitting group. interactive and relaxing environment. At an early age One of the midshipmen in the crew on the voyage While we were there we delivered some dementia Constantine showed to the North Pole was 15-year-old Horatio Nelson. activity blankets which were donated by our However, what started as a group workshop a strong urge to go The young Nelson recorded how the wind began to ABMAG member Joyce. developed into a group of friends who meet regularly to sea and entered blow and the ice began to split, “in an astonishing and are passionate about dancing. manner, rending and cracking with a tremendous The blankets have different things stitched into the Royal Navy We met with them on a sunny afternoon at noise surpassing that of the loudest thunder. At this them that can provide soothing activity for people in 1760. Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art to chat about very instant, the whole continent of ice moved whose hands are restless as a result of dementia. their experience. In 1773 when he had together in various directions, splitting and dividing The residents loved their blankets and gave us attained the rank of Captain, he was appointed as into vast bodies and forming hills and plains of lots of useful ideas for items that our craft groups They told us: Commodore to a voyage of discovery towards the various figures and dimensions. The sails were now could make to help them raise funds for their “You did not feel like you were exercising. We were North Pole, with a view to finding out a north- east all spread so that the ships might have the full activity program, and to help those experiencing looking forward to every class. During the summer advantage of the breeze.” dementia. passage towards China. holidays, the class is not on, but we still meet up to do The expedition sailed from Sheerness on 3rd This event allowed them to sail to the south, escape Kay said: “We really enjoyed meeting everyone, something - walk, chat, spend time together.” June 1773. disaster, and reach safe anchorage at Spitzbergen. we chatted and laughed together and even had “Not only did we improve our balance, our memory They set sail for England, and arrived safely on 28th tea and biscuits. started to be better. We were learning all these new Phipps described the polar landscape as “beautiful September. “The next step is to invite crafters to a meeting so moves and choreography while having fun and a lot and picturesque … everywhere surrounded by ice of laughs." as far as we could see.” Though the expedition failed its main object, the we can organise the troops and start making items observations made were useful to the progress of which will make a real difference to the residents "I could not believe that we learned so much and They reached the ice in the beginning of July, and science, geography and natural history. of care homes in our area.” remembered all those new moves. My favourite having refreshed themselves at Spitzbergen, the choreography was to Singing in the rain. I loved every largest island in the Norwegian archipelago of Phipps had measured, recorded, and gave name to bit of it." Svalbard some 600 miles from the North Pole, they the polar bear, the ivory gull and also some other Our Engagment Officer Kay, and Age Friendly Officer proceeded in a north-easterly direction. sea birds. Anya supported the group to find a dance studio and teacher that will deliver a dance class for people aged 50+. If you would like to try new dance moves and Sunnyside Big Lunch improve your balance call Kay on 01642 061019.

The lovely people of Coulby Newham and residents who live near Sunnyside Community Centre joined in the national Big Lunch celebrations in June. They enjoyed an afternoon of food and friendship, at the event that we helped organise with Thirteen.

6 Ageing Better Middlesbrough • Connecting you to your community 7 YOUR COMMUNITY • NOTICEBOARD

Digital discovery at Has being part of Ageing the Town Hall Better Middlesbrough made Call out to crafters and creators

Come and join us for an afternoon of Digital Discovery a difference to your life? at Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt on Wednesday 16th Researchers from Teesside University are helping Are you a member of a craft group and October. us understand the impact of our programme and would you like to meet with other craft Drop in between midday and 4pm. Refreshments will would like your help to understand more about it. groups to share ideas and skills? be provided free of charge. They are looking for stories about your We plan to hold a meet the crafters session in There will be advice, information and activities on offer experience of Ageing Better Middlesbrough. Has October where we can share food and ideas, plan from organisations that offer assistive technologies for anything changed for you? Good or bad skill- swap visits and discuss which services need those living with dementia and sight and hearing loss. experiences, big or small – they want you to get items made for them. As well as people offering computer lessons on basic in touch. We also want your help to plan our Christmas Craft use all the way through to accessing work and To share your experiences, please call Andrea Extravaganza. An event where crafters can government services. Mountain on 01642 384476, email her at showcase their skills and receive donations for Our Digital Inclusion Officer David said: “There are so [email protected] or write it down and send their group. many wonderful technologies and services available to Andrea Mountain, School of Social Sciences, that can have a positive impact on many people’s lives Humanities and Law, Teesside University, If you would like to register your group’s interest, but not everyone knows what is out there or what help Middlesbrough, TS1 3BA. please call Kay on 01642 061019 or they may be entitled to. [email protected] “Coping in the Digital Age is a major concern for a lot of people and these services can help them gain the confidence, knowledge and skills to not only cope but Memory Lane cafes excel and embrace the fantastic opportunities and benefits technology offers.” Our friends at Middlesbrough Libraries and the Festival of Fun Alzheimer’s Society want to remind everyone about the Memory Lane Dementia Cafes around town. We hope you can join us to celebrate this year's If you have dementia or are caring for someone Festival of Fun that will take place from 1st to 7th with dementia you will be welcomed at your local October, cafes in Marton, Central Library and Acklam. There are lots of great things happening, like a All the details are in the What’s On guide. trip to Eden Camp. If you would like more information please call Check out the latest Taster Sessions and Events Diane on 0164 729417 or email to find out more. diane_fl[email protected]

North Yorkshire Calligraphers Exhibition

The latest exhibition from this enthusiastic group who use modern calligraphy as well as traditional techniques can be seen at: • Marton Community Hub, 9th to 16th September • Central Library, 20th to 27th September

8 Ageing Better Middlesbrough • Connecting you to your community 9 NOW IT’S YOUR TURN ...

Friendship Try your hand at our wordsearch all about friendship. The words in this word search are hidden wordsearch across, down, diagonally and backwards.

ACTIVITIES BOOK REVIEWS BESTIES

BISCUITS Reviews by Middlesbrough Libraries Title: Living Life to the Full, Key Skills to Change CHATTING Title: Dear Alzheimer’s, Your Life A Diary of Living with COMPANION Dementia Author: Chris Williams CONNECTION Author: Keith Oliver ISBN: 9781906564582 FRIEND ISBN: 9781785925030 Wanting to feel happier, find time for FUN Keith Oliver was you, overcome diagnosed with young problems and keep JOKES onset dementia in calm in the face of 2010, and has since LAUGHTER difficulty? This book become a leading teaches you MEMORIES activist for dementia powerful wellbeing care, and an strategies based on NEIGHBOUR international the tried and speaker. Telling his trusted cognitive PHOTOS story through a behavioural diary format, this book gives an SHARING therapy approach. This unparalleled insight into what day-to-day life title is part of the Reading Well scheme for Mental STORIES with dementia is like, and how he continued to live Health recommended by health professionals. a full life after diagnosis. SUPPORT Title: Self-management of Long Term WINE Health Conditions Author: Kate Long

ISBN: 9781936693627 Thank you to everyone who sent in a book review. This is a very simple recipe for a delicious If you want to recommend a book for our members, A title from the cheesecake. It was given to me by my friend Sylvia please send it in and we will do our best to feature Janet's baking tip Reading Well scheme who got it from a magazine many, many years ago. it in the next newsletter. for long term To make it you will need Crush the biscuits into fine crumbs. l use a food conditions and the following ingredients: processor, you can use a rolling pin and recommended by health professionals. 1 tub of marscarpone bash them in a plastic bag. Melt the butter If you have any book or film reviews please This book is filled cheese and mix into biscuits. Put in flan with hundreds of send them to us by either 2 teaspoons of icing sugar dish and press down. Put in proven tips, helpful calling 01642 257034, About 8 or 10 ginger or fridge to set. Add grated rind suggestions and digestive biscuits according and juice of lemon or lime and emailing [email protected] concrete strategies to size and taste sifted icing sugar into the or post to Ageing Better Middlesbrough, to deal with chronic 2oz butter or marg. marscapone cheese. Add any illness. The book 90-92 Lothian Road, The Mind Centre, 1 lemon or lime sort or fruit to decorate. also looks at how to manage emotions and to live Middlesbrough, TS4 2QX a productive life.

10 Ageing Better Middlesbrough • Connecting you to your community 11