Edinburgh Newsletter

April/June 2017 Edinburgh & West Lothian Services Edinburgh Newsletter

Welcome to our Spring Newsletter

When it’s spring again I’ll bring again tulips from Amsterdam. Well I don’t know about that but it is so good to see the light nights and daffodils, and feel a little bit of warmth. It’s that coming out of hibernation feeling.

Some exciting things are happening, our Oasis group is returning to Holyrood Abbey Church (now Meadowbank Church) which is a positive move and the Forget Me Notes choir will be singing on Radio Forth for Dementia Awareness Week.

Our Dementia Advisor for Edinburgh has recently retired and we wish Teresa all the very best. Teresa has worked for Alzheimer Scotland for nearly 20 years and has given amazing service within that time. We hope to appoint a new member of staff soon who will take on this role and we will introduce you to them when the recruitment process has been completed.

If you would like to discuss anything with me I am on the end of the phone so don’t hesitate to give me a call. It is always good to step away from the computer and talk to people.

Take Care

Alan Service Manager

Edinburgh, Mid & East Lothian Dementia Action Network Group

The group met at the Quaker Meeting House in Edinburgh on the 3rd April. We had a presentation from a researcher looking at the challenges people can face getting out of their homes. We had a member of our technology team who was inviting people to be part of a trial for a relaxing virtual reality experience. She also talked about other gadgets people could use and the Purple App that is being developed as a way of finding people who get lost.

We also looked at some of the booklets for people living with a diagnosis of dementia and their carers and gave our opinion on the presentation, layout and pictures.

This is an open group for anyone living with a diagnosis of dementia and their carers.

We will meet again mid-June. If anyone is interested in coming along or would like more information about the group just contact me on rmccabe@alzscot,org or on 07867 180 185.

Ruth McCabe Policy and Engagement Manager

Edinburgh & West Lothian Service, The Prentice Centre, 1 Granton Mains Avenue, Edinburgh Telephone 0131 551 9350 E-mail [email protected] [email protected] Website www.alzscot.org Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognised as a charity by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315, 160 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH11 1DQ, 0131 243 1453

Edinburgh & West Lothian Services Newsletter

Information Section

EDINBURGH CAFES A reminder that we have many dementia cafes running at different times throughout the city. If you require more information on the days and times, please see the last page of this newsletter or contact the office.

GARDEN, LIBRARY MUSEUM AND GALLERY SOCIALS The National Museum of Scotland along with the National Galleries, National Library and the Royal Botanical Garden run specific events throughout the year for people with dementia and their carers. This social programme always starts with tea, coffee and cake, and then a variety of activities based around their events and exhibitions. We have received the new programme for April – September 2017. Please let us know if you would like a copy.

DEMENTIA FRIENDLY SCREENINGS AT THE CAMEO CINEMA Open to all but especially for people with dementia and their family, friends and carers. Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits will be on offer before the screening and there will be a 20-minute interval halfway through the film. Tickets are £4 (free for accompanying carers). The upcoming programme is as follows: Monday 24/4/17 1pm – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Monday 29/5/17 1pm – Singin in the rain Monday 26/6/17 1pm – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Monday 31/7/17 1pm – On the Town

SPRING AT THE NATIONAL GALLERIES OF SCOTLAND Joan Eardley/A Sense of Place – dementia friendly poetry tours- Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (MOD TWO) - 24th to 27th April - 10.30am to 12.00pm or 2pm to 3.30pm. Free! To book contact the information desk on 0131 624 6560

Paula & Elizabeth Practice Team Leaders

Oasis is moving ……….

Our Oasis Dementia Café is moving venues, it will no longer be held at The Eric Liddell Centre, instead it will be moving back to its original venue, Holyrood Abbey Church (now known as Meadowbank Church). We are also changing the day/time.

Oasis will now take place on the second Friday of every month from 11.00am to 1.15pm starting on Friday 12th May. We will send out our usual reminders the week before. If you would like to be added to the Oasis mailing list please call the office and let us know.

Please note there will be no Oasis in April but we look forward to seeing you all in May.

Edinburgh & West Lothian Services Newsletter

Day Opportunities Group

The year so far has been a busy and fun time for all the day clubs, with a combination of favourite activities and outings plus some new and fresh things to do.

Burns Day was celebrated in the usual manner, and for some clubs, their well addressed haggis was preceded by what is becoming an annual pilgrimage to the Portrait Gallery to visit the original painting of Scotland’s National Bard (the fact that the Portrait Gallery’s scones are among the best in Edinburgh definitely adds to the attraction of this trip!) Other favourite cafes have been visited and in reaching for the pleasures of eating out which lie above and beyond scones alone, one group has been for fish and chips, and another for bacon rolls. I’m not quite sure how an army manages to march on its stomach, after a big meal we’re more inclined to be tempted to have a nap! The Living Memory Association has kept us awake on several visits to their friendly unit where they share their many prompts for reminiscing.

The Thursday Club was not the only group that have been enjoying the delights of the cinema this year. Whilst they continue to enjoy a monthly visit to the Film Club in Tranent, the Wednesday Club has been visited twice by “Edinburgh Films”, who have shown films and shared memories of the golden age of cinemas in Edinburgh.

Something new for the groups has been a couple of visits to the Holyrood Park Education Centre, where we saw some fine slides, heard great stories and got to handle some of the archeological items that have been found in the park. We are now looking forward to visiting on a warm summer’s day when the park rangers have promised to show us the views and the wildlife. Speaking of wildlife, one group were invited to join in with what turned out to be a rather wonderful session of animal handling – bunny rabbits, snakes, tarantulas, bearded dragons and a raccoon – there was something for everyone. I’m delighted to report that all of the Wednesday club were on their best behaviour and managed to resist the urge to sneak any of the beasties home in their pockets.

Lindsay Day Opportunities Organiser – Wednesday & Thursday

Memory Walks Scotland 2017

Memory Walks will return in autumn 2017 and registrations open in May!!!! Sign up to our Memory Walk alert list now so you’re first to find out when booking goes live http://memorywalksscotland.org/

Walks in your area: Alzheimer Scotland Flagship Memory Walk, to be held in Dalkeith Country Park - date to be confirmed but expected 23/09/17. Bathgate Memory Walk – Balbardie Park (Peace Mile) – date to be confirmed but expected 24/09/17. If you are skilled in face painting and would like to help us on the day please contact Ruth McCabe at [email protected] or telephone 07867180185

Further details of these events will appear on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/alzscotedinburghandlothians

Edinburgh & West Lothian Services Newsletter

Dementia Cafes in Edinburgh

Cramond Café Cramond Kirk Hall, Cramond Glebe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 6NS First Monday of every month from 1.00pm to 3.00pm

Portobello Café The Espy, 62-64 Bath Street, Edinburgh, EH15 1HF Every second Friday from 11.00am to 1.00pm

Memory Café – South Queensferry The Haven, 25b Burgess Road, Edinburgh, EH30 9JA Third Thursday of every month from 1.30pm to 3.00pm

D-Café Quaker Meeting Room, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2JL Last Thursday of every month from 1.00pm to 3.00pm

Oasis (for people 65 and under) – From Friday 12th May 2017 Meadowbank Church of Scotland, 83 London Road, Edinburgh, EH7 5TT Second Friday of every month from 11.00am to 1.00pm.

Dementia helpline and website

The 24 hour Dementia Helpline is a freephone Scottish service for people with dementia, carers, relatives, professionals, students and anyone concerned about dementia. You can call 0808 808 3000 anytime and also email us: [email protected].

Further information about dementia and the support we provide can be found on our website www.alzscot.org.