Four Mums in a Boat

EngageYour FREE magazine from your local NHS Issue 10: July 2017 Four mums in a boat The story of four friends who broke a world record Get set for a summer of fun with BREEZE ON TOUR Keeley Donovan Keeley shares with us Spotlight on… her love of cooking and the great outdoors! TEMPLE + advice on a career NEWSAM in broadcasting

PLUS... A CATCH UP WITH ANDY CURTIS / TIPS ON HIRING A FUNERAL DIRECTOR / CITY VIEW ALLOTMENT / MASALA BRINJAL RECIPE / QUIZ CORNER / SPORTS AND HEALTH / CYCLING’S NEW ROUTE TO BETTER HEALTH

Preparing for the one certainty in life… 03 We’re encouraging people to talk about death A GLOOMY Keeley Donovan 04 She started her broadcasting career at the age of 14, and currently works for BBC Look START BUT North as a weather forecaster and co-hosts Countryfile Diaries; Keeley shares with us her favourite seasons of the year and who BRIGHTENING UP... her inspiration is

Andy Curtis This edition of engage appears to have 06 Andy is a true inspiration, he lost his eyesight at the age of 21, went on to taken on a morbid touch, if we were to base become a full-time international sprinter, things on page three. Yes we have covered winning 24 international medals, including the taboo subject of death and dying and two silvers. He is now an in-house solicitor given it a prominent place in the magazine. for a company that distributes cider around the world

Saying goodbye… tips on hiring Why would we do such a thing? Well, put simply, talking 07 a funeral director about death doesn’t mean it will happen. However preparing Full Circle Funerals are members of for your final days could save heartache for those you leave the Leeds Dying Matters Coalition; who behind. See our tips for preparing for death to see how you have put together questions which you can live for today, prepare for tomorrow. We’ve also included may want to ask a funeral director when top tips on arranging a funeral director when it’s time to bereavement happens finally say goodbye. Co-operation leads to co-production Anyway all this talk of death and dying is a bit gloomy. Luckily 08 Find out why co-production is important we’ve had the pleasure of speaking to Keeley Donovan, BBC to us and the training we’re offering on this Look North’s weather presenter. Her interview certainly brightens up the magazine as we move on from the darker Breeze on tour this summer subject covered first up. 09 Get set for a summer of fun as Breeze on Tour comes to a park near you. With lots Keeley tells us about her big break in television, where to go happening, like arts, inflatables, sports, to enjoy the great outdoors and her favourite times of the crafts, and much, much more! year. Find out who she refers to as a broadcasting legend and her first ever fan mail, see pages 4-5. Spotlight on Temple Newsam 10 Read about the history of Temple Newsam And the inspiration keeps coming as we’ve had the chance and why it’s popular with the public to be inspired by a man who has defied the odds throughout his life. Andy Curtis is a decorated international sprinter and Competition time! an in-house solicitor, all this despite losing his eyesight at the 11 Enter our ‘alphabet words’ competition and age of 21. Andy’s interview gives us a better understanding of you can win yourself a £25 gift voucher for what it’s like to have a visual impairment, and how we can all Trinity Shopping Centre help make life easier for people with sight problems. Older men’s social networking thriving There’s yet more inspiration as we review a book based on 12 Find out how Bramley Elderly Action and the real life exploits of four mums from Yorkshire who went OWLS (Older Wiser Local Seniors) are on to become record breakers. ‘Four Mums in a Boat’ tells the supporting older men in the west Leeds area remarkable story of how four women from our county went on to row the Atlantic and landed a place in the history books. City View allotment The four, including NHS manager Helen Butters, reveal all 13 A GP practice and patient participation group about their exploits – see page 11. in Beeston joined forces to rent and develop a local allotment, read about its success If it’s just cooking inspiration you were after well we’ve got that too. Our latest recipe is brinjal (aubergine) masala. Is that Recipe still not enough to inspire you? Maybe our story of how one 14 The Rainbow Junk-tion Café at All Hallows GP practice’s patient group has set up an allotment might do in Leeds have kindly provided us with our the trick, or could you be inspired by one of our volunteers latest recipe, Masala Brinjal who has helped us to develop a training course? Quiz corner 15 Exercise your brain with our crossword As ever we’d welcome your feedback. Get in touch if you’ve been inspired to write an article or have a suggestion Sports and health for what we could cover next. Just drop us an email: 16 City Connect is the 14km Cycle [email protected] Superhighway between Leeds and Bradford which opened last year. Read about the benefits of the Cycle Superhighway and 02 Intro / Contents tips on how you can cycle safely PREPARING FOR THE ONE CERTAINTY IN LIFE

We can’t guarantee anything to our readers but the one Good Going certainty in life is death. In Leeds we’re getting people to will hunting out in style? break the taboo that comes with We’re sure no one would want Do you want Frank Sinatra’s My talking about death and are their loved ones having to deal Way or Robbie Williams’ Angels, working with our partners on a with any tricky financial affairs or any other music that captures campaign called Dying Matters. once we pass away. And we’re your life or your take on death, Death and dying is not an easy sure no one wants our families playing at your funeral? You topic and certainly wouldn’t quarrelling over who claims our might have other requests such make it to the top 10 list of estate when we’re no longer here. as the colour theme for all those dinner conversations. However Simple things like organising a attending or maybe a party to it’s important that we prepare will can save a lot of heartache celebrate your life. If that’s the for tomorrow so that we can for those who we leave behind. case you better let your loved ones know. live for today. We don’t want to Although you’re not required be morbid but talking about by law to make a will, if you die If you don’t want to upset family dying is important and just without one your possessions members by talking about your because you talk about it doesn’t and property will be distributed funeral arrangements you can mean it will happen imminently. according to the law, which may get help from people who deal not be as you would wish. with this on a daily basis, You can make arrangements for A good starting point on your own funeral by speaking understanding how you can to a funeral director. Turn to make a will can be found on page seven for more advice on the gov.uk website: choosing a funeral director. www.gov.uk/make-will/overview

More advice and support These are just two of the things you should consider but there’s a lot more to think about. Find out more about how we can get Leeds talking about death and why dying matters by visiting: www.dyingmattersleeds.org If you need help or support after a bereavement please contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (free from any phone).

Preparing for the one certainty in life 03 CATCHING UP WITH KEELEY

We get chatting to Keeley Donovan who started her broadcasting career at the age of 14, and currently works for BBC Look North as a weather forecaster and co- hosts Countryfile Diaries.

Images © James Green Studio

Keeley shares with us her favourite seasons of the year and her inspiration…

You started your broadcasting What has been the highlight What advice would you career at the age of 14; do you of your career? give to someone who wants have a memory which has a career in broadcasting? stayed with you to this day? My job is so varied and I’m always doing something different, I’m Work experience – I did a lot of I worked on a GCSE revision sure I’m having lots of highlights work experience when I started. programme. We were basically without even realising! With Competition is tough and you allowed to produce the Countryfile Diaries I work need to make yourself stand programme – they were all our alongside John Craven – who is out. It’s also good to have a ideas and it was a fantastic way of course a broadcasting legend, specialism, I’ve really enjoyed to get into broadcasting. We used that’s got to be a highlight. doing the weather and being to have local schools shipped in an expert in one area can work to be the live studio audience. At Have you ever had an to your advantage. I did my the end of each programme we embarrassing moment undergraduate degree in media invited a member of the audience whilst being live on TV? studies, my postgraduate in to complete a challenge. One of journalism and when I got the job the challenges was to squeeze I did swear once by accident live at BBC Look North, I returned to lemons in their mouth. The boy on air. I didn’t do it deliberately university to study meteorology. who did that challenge sent me of course, I jumbled a few words my first bit of fan mail ever – up and the wrong thing came at 14 that was quite exciting! out – oops!

04 Keeley Donovan What is your favourite season/s I really sympathise with people What advice would you of the year and why? who have children to look after give to people when they’re as well as themselves. I struggle out enjoying the sun? Spring and autumn are lovely – to fit everything in at times so they are both so visual. In spring goodness knows how busy There needs to be a balance the flowers are blooming and in parents do it – I take my hat off between protecting yourself from autumn it’s the colours changing. to them! There’s a lot of pressure the sun and also getting some With both of the seasons you’re in modern day life to be ‘perfect’ sunlight, so that our bodies can anticipating what’s going to be…. – from looking flawless to eating create vitamin D. As a nation we in spring you are longing for a angelically – but that’s just not struggle to get the amount of warm summer and in autumn reality. Social media doesn’t help vitamin D that we need. you are wondering how snowy – images can be heavily edited winter is going to be – well I and many don’t portray real life Between April and the end of am anyway! at all. We should all do what September is when the sunlight we can but not give ourselves is strong enough for us to a hard time. absorb those rays – during the You’re a busy lady – you winter months we need to take present the weather on BBC supplements. We need to expose Look North and whizz around You enjoy the outdoors; do you have a favourite place? ourselves to the sun but not for the country filming Countryfile too long (we don’t want to burn) Diaries. We know you also like and extra care should be given to spend plenty of time with We are spoilt as Yorkshire is full for vulnerable skin. your cats, boyfriend and family, of amazing places. There is one how do you manage to look place that we go back to time and after your health? time again though; the Hawes area in the Yorkshire Dales. We I exercise regularly. I started stay in a village called Askrigg, CrossFit a few years ago and it’s where they filmed ‘All Creatures been a revelation. We do anything Great and Small’; it’s lovely, we from weightlifting to gymnastics. go for our long walks followed It’s tough but that’s good, both by some good pub grub. We physically and mentally. always stop at the Wensleydale Creamery to try the samples too! I also love cooking, it’s important for me to eat healthily. We’ve just started to grow a few of our own fruit and vegetables too.

Additional questions If you weren’t a presenter what career do you think you would be in?

Something to do with animals, I prefer them to people!

Your inspiration?

My grandma – she was a double amputee. She was so optimistic and rarely moaned, even though she was in quite a difficult Watch Look North’s evening position. She was very wise and also taught me how to cook. bulletin every day on BBC One at 6.30pm. When I went to university, she made a box full of recipe cards that she typed up on a typewriter, I still use it now. Countryfile Diaries will be aired on BBC One in August. Favourite movie? Follow Keeley on Twitter: Dirty Dancing. Not cool, but I don’t care! @KeeleyDonovan Guilty pleasure? or on Instagram: @keeley.donovan Chocolate or wine…. But not together!

Keeley Donovan 05 AndyCurtis

We catch up with the inspirational Andy Curtis, who lost his eyesight at the age of 21. He went on to become a full-time international sprinter, winning 24 international medals, including two silvers at Barcelona in 1992 and a silver and bronze at Atlanta in 1996. Andy is now an in-house solicitor for a company that distributes cider around the world.

You’ve achieved so much since How can members of the public I always get the bus from Wakefield you lost your eye sight at the age help people who are blind or to Leeds and friends of mine ask of 21, what has been your most visually impaired? why I don’t just get a taxi; it’s memorable moment? There are varying degrees of visual because if I don’t get on a bus I’ll I have two most memorable impairment; it differs so widely lose that skill. I’ll struggle to find moments. Following on from losing from person to person, so what my bus stop and I’ll get overly my eyesight I competed in my first each person needs is different. I embarrassed trying to find a seat Paralympics in Barcelona in 1992. can’t see anything at all, I can’t tell to sit down if I don’t do it regularly. That was a really special moment if it’s light or dark, whereas some The more I do it the more I get as my childhood dream was to visually impaired people can be just used to it; it becomes normal and become an international sportsman. very short sighted or have no doesn’t become scary. Just It was just strange that I achieved central vision, or have tunnel vision. because you’re blind or visually my lifetime ambition through a set A lot of people with visual impaired it doesn’t mean you of circumstances which I did not impairment don’t use a white cane, should stop doing things which you wish for nor had any control over. so you can’t always tell. As I use a can do. Obviously there are things white cane, I do tend to be asked which you can’t do but there are My second most memorable if I need any help. other things which you can do, moment was qualifying as a sometimes in a different way; you solicitor. Losing my eyesight I’m always quite surprised as to just need to be brave about it. changed my mind set, as I’ve had to how nice people are; a lot of fight so hard for everything that I’ve people who see me crossing the On your blog you mention that achieved. I’m not sure I would have road will offer to help. If I don’t you suffer from depression and even considered being a solicitor if need any help, I always thank them anxiety, how do you control this? I could see, so I guess out of bad for offering, as I don’t want to put things good things can happen. people off from offering in the For a long time I tried controlling it future. The only thing that annoys all by myself, but that didn’t always What are the challenges you me is, more often than not, when work that well. I’ve been through faced during your career as a full- I get on the bus no one offers to cognitive behavioural therapy, time international sprinter and in help me find a seat. I usually end interpersonal therapy and my GP your current role as a solicitor? up sitting on two or three people’s has been very helpful in working knees before I eventually find an with me to find the right low dose The majority of things I can do empty seat on the bus, which is medication, which has proved very myself by doing things differently, really annoying. helpful indeed. However, the but I do need help with some biggest thing that helps is having things. As an athlete I needed to People who have lost their people around you that understand. find someone to get me to the eyesight, may have lost their I can get a lot of anxiety about track, and then someone to run confidence in themselves, what going to noisy places and my with; once I’d done that, the rest advice would you give them? friends and family know this, so was all down to me. I couldn’t have when we go out they will say to done this without the help of others It’s important that you don’t give me if the place is too noisy just and that’s the same with my legal in. It can be easy to allow those tell us and we will leave. career. I have a PA (personal around you to do everything for assistant) that’s provided by ‘Access you once you’ve lost your eyesight, to Work’, a government scheme but you need to carry on trying and which helps disabled people get build your confidence, starting with into and stay in work, without that the little things and building your help I wouldn’t be able to do my way up. People can get support job. My PA drives me from from their rehabilitation officers, Wakefield to Manchester three days who teach people how to live as a a week, she proof reads my legal blind or visually impaired person, Andy blogs frequently, documents, makes them look tidy and this helps build confidence. you can read them on: and reads various things to me. https://ivetriedcarrots.com

06 Andy Curtis SAYING GOODBYE... TIPS ON HIRING A FUNERAL DIRECTOR by Full Circle Funerals

Bereavement can be a very difficult time, which involves making decisions about things that you may never have had Can I see a price list before making any decisions? the chance to think or talk about. However, planning a funeral 5 with the right support can be a powerful and meaningful Funerals can be very expensive experience that can support a more positive grieving process. and it is important to spend money on the things that you One of the people you will find yourself having contact with is the funeral value. It can be difficult to obtain director. A good funeral director will work closely with you to understand prices as many undertakers are the choices that are available to you so you can decide what is right for you, reluctant to tell you their prices whether it be traditional, contemporary or a mix of the two. The Good Funeral until you meet them so that Guide is a resource that is completely independent and can help guide you they can plan arrangements through those choices – www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk according to your wishes. Some funeral directors will publicise We are proud members of the Leeds Dying Matters Coalition. As an independent, costs on their website to give local funeral service, many people have told us that they would not be sure you an idea of how much the what questions they should ask a funeral director. We have put together six funeral arrangements are likely questions that we feel you might consider asking an undertaker: to cost. It’s worth noting that this may not be an accurate figure as you may have some Can you guarantee that the Can you help make the additional wishes. 1 same person will make the 3 funeral planning process arrangements with me, get and the ceremony special? back to me personally every I’m not sure about time I ring and be the funeral There is growing evidence 6 embalming? Is this director on the day? that planning a funeral can something you actively help support a positive promote and, if so, why? Many funeral directors have one grieving process. There is no person who you meet with to ‘right way’ to have a funeral Embalming should never be make the arrangements and a as it’s very personal to you. A forced upon you as an option as different person who you meet good undertaker will describe it is rarely absolutely necessary. on the day of the funeral. You how they can empower and There are different ways that may prefer to work with the support you to achieve a truly somebody’s body can be looked same person throughout the meaningful funeral. after once they have died. A process to give more continuity good undertaker will gently so it is important to check discuss these with you so that whether this is possible. How do I know who owns you can make an informed 4 the funeral directors? choice that is right for you and your family. Where will the person who It can be hard to know whether has died be looked after? your local funeral director is 2 an independent or not. Many Some larger funeral directors have been brought by very large use a hub (where a large companies who still trade under Editorial and questions kindly mortuary covers many branches the original family name. The provided by Full Circle Funerals, an so the person is not looked after Good Funeral Guide advise that independent funeral service based in Guiseley, covering the local area of in the funeral home). Whether ‘small is usually best’ and we Leeds, Bradford, Skipton, Harrogate you object to this or not, most recommend that you ask who and York. The Leeds clinical people think it is important to really owns your local funeral commissioning groups do not know where their relative is director before making any endorse the products or services being looked after. final decision. provided by Full Circle Funerals.

Saying Goodbye... 07 Co-operation leads to co-production

We’re going into full on technical language now but bear with us as this article covers a term that you might hear a lot if you have ever volunteered for the NHS – co-production. Oh and find how we’ve ‘co- produced’ a training course to cover the very topic!

Co-production, as a term, gets In designing our co-production We co-delivered the first session thrown around a lot, especially training, it was important that we earlier this year and the training when it comes to patient co-produced the training in its was well received. 12 delegates involvement. It can be easy entirety; otherwise our co- attended and all of them said for organisations to claim they production training wouldn’t they would recommend the are co-producing something, be co-produced! training to others (which is always although in fact, what they nice!). The session was filled with are working on isn’t “true co- Training on great discussions and interesting production”. Co-production, debates throughout. We run our broadly, refers to professionals co-production next session in October 2017 at the and patients/members of the John Lewis Community Hub and Working with Leanne Winfield, public working together towards we can’t wait to get talking one of our patient champions, a common goal as equal partners, co-production again! we developed the original idea from the very beginning. for co-production training which In Leeds, the CCGs provide came as a suggestion from other a programme of training for patient champions in the city in patients and staff. The training the previous year as we I’m really looking forward aims to increase understanding developed our training calendar. We developed the training over a to co-delivering the next of the NHS in Leeds whilst session!” encouraging attendees to be couple of sessions working with Leanne Winfield Patient Champion more actively involved and several members of staff and help make a difference. This Leanne. Each person involved training covers a wide range of was an equal partner in different subject areas including producing the training; all of the “introducing the NHS”, “knowing content including presentation your community” and, more style, group work and learning recently “co-production”. points were products of collaboration and shared ideas.

As a Patient Champion I was encouraged by the level The session, which was of interest in the topic and accessible to people the thoughtful ideas and with different levels of discussions that resulted.” experience, also provided If you are interested in Leanne Winfield Patient Champion a great atmosphere to attending any of our training explore peoples own views sessions please send an email about co-production.” to [email protected] Leanne Winfield Patient Champion for more information.

08 Co-operation leads to co-production BREEZE ON TOUR THIS SUMMER!

Get set for a summer of fun as Breeze on Tour comes to a park near you.

Arts, inflatables, sports, crafts, dance performances, Breeze has Talent and much, much more!

It’s a fantastic way to entertain children and young people this summer. Most of the activities are free (some rides and food stalls have a cost) and if you bring along your Breezecard* you’ll get fast track entry on the gate. Otherwise you Mini Breeze (just like Breeze on Tour, only smaller) will need to sign up for a free card when you will be popping up across the city throughout arrive, and those queues are long! summer. Find out those dates as they are added at www.breezeleeds.org/breezeontour.

Breeze on Tour and Mini Breeze are organised BREEZE by Leeds City Council’s Breeze Team, and have been running during the school summer

ON TOUR 2017 holidays since 2004. They aim to cater for all ages and interests and are split into six zones: 12 NOON – 5PM Play, Sport, Challenge, Info, Art and Performance. Each Breeze on Tour offers a relaxed opening The following dates with guides for young people with additional have been announced so far needs for an hour before official opening on one of the two days. Cross Flatts Park, Beeston Wednesday 2 and Thursday FURTHER INFORMATION: 3 August To find out the very latest on Breeze on Tour and Mini Breeze just pop along to Temple Newsam www.breezeleeds.org/breezeontour or Wednesday 9 and Thursday follow Breeze on Facebook (BrzLeeds) or 10 August Twitter (@breezeleeds). The BreezeLeeds.org website also has a packed events calendar all Armley Park, Armley year round listing events and activities for all Wednesday 16 and Thursday ages of children and young people, delivered 17 August by registered providers across Leeds, and a dedicated ‘what’s on’ guide each school holiday.

*To register now for a Breezecard (the Leeds Card for children and young people) visit: www.breezeleeds.org/breezecard or pop into your local library or leisure centre to pick yours up.

Images © Breeze Leeds Breeze on Tour 9 Images © Tim Green Spotlight on… Temple Newsam

Temple Newsam estate, in east Leeds surrounding forests and see the sits just south of Halton, Whitkirk and inscription that reads across the roof Colton. The estate itself is said to date of the house that can be seen from back to around 1155 when it was first the three walled courtyard. built but has changed hands many times over the years undergoing For the family there is Home Farm various renovations with its string where you can visit pigs, sheep, goats, of aristocratic owners. Most famous and cattle and see the chickens of these being Henry, Lord Darnley running free in the historic cobbled who was born in the house in 1545 yards. A short walk from the house are and later married notorious Mary, woodlands, a duck pond and walled Queen of Scots. After a string of owners – including gardens boasting both outdoor foliage Lords, Viscounts and Earls and and indoor tropical plants. renovations to create more bedrooms, dressing rooms and a picture gallery Over more recent years the Temple – part of the estate was sold off in Newsam estate has become a key 1909 to the Leeds Corporation to venue in Leeds for hosting outdoor build a sewage plant. And later in 1922 live music concerts including Party in the final owner Edward Wood sold the the Park, Opera in the Park and the entire Temple Newsam estate to Leeds Festival until 2002. Cancer Leeds Corporation for a nominal sum Research UK’s charity run, Race for but ensured the preservation of the Life is also held at Temple Newsam estate for the future. as well as a weekly park run. Nowadays Temple Newsam estate is open to the public all year round to look around the historic house, with Find out more about Temple its grand rooms and displays of Newsam, see what they have magnificent art and antique furniture. instore this summer and plan There is also an option to take a your trip with the family during rooftop tour and look over the the holidays. www.leeds.gov.uk/ magnificent views of acres of museumsandgalleries/Pages/ Temple-Newsam.aspx 10 Spotlight on... Temple Newsam BOOK REVIEW by Anne Akers in Leeds FOUR MUMS BY JANETTE BENADDI, HELEN BUTTERS, NIKI DOEG AND FRANCES DAVIES IN A BOAT

The story of four friends who broke a world record and learned a lot about life on the way

Who’d have thought four mums do it. Yes, it was a crazy idea, they meeting up together on a Saturday admit that much themselves, but morning to do a bit of rowing on the they made sure they took the time River Ouse would have led them to to plan and train so they could be as rowing the Atlantic? Together? And ready as anyone could be for what break a world record on the way? was to come. The four, including NHS manager If nearly two years of training took Helen Butters, who we’ve featured in much of their spare time, so did our magazine previously, christened sorting out the practicalities, such as themselves the Yorkshire Rows (a buying, paying for, equipping and play on words with the white rose of launching an ocean-going boat, as Yorkshire) after deciding to take on the well as getting time off work and world’s toughest row, 3,000 miles making sure the children left at home from the Canary Islands to Antigua. and their dads were well catered for. Less than a year after their successful Once they launched from San 68-day crossing, their story has been Sebastian harbour at the end of 2015 published as a book which tells how they were on their own. Just the the four, who all have children at the four of them rowing two hours on, same school in York, came up with two hours off, day in day out, apart their plan over a glass of wine. It’s fair from the couple of days when they to them from the International Space to say that quite a lot of the planning had to anchor mid-Atlantic to sit out Station as it sped by overhead! seemed to involve wine! a hurricane. Add to that seasickness Then finally there was the triumphant and equipment failure and the row The book, £16.99 cover price, though entry into the harbour at Antigua, became much more of a challenge followed by the shock of acclimatising available for less from online sellers, is than they planned for, or expected. an un-put-downable read, complete to life back on land. They broke the with pictures. It’s written in an easy- But there were much lighter moments, world record as the oldest female going style which puts the reader the singing (some better than others), team to row the Atlantic and certainly right there in the boat with them. the banter, and the continued learned a lot about life and about friendship, as well as the beauty of each other along the way. Definitely It’s not the story of four mums who the ocean and the night skies. They a very good read – and watch out one day had a crazy idea to row the even imagined Major Tim Peake waved for news of a film! Atlantic and then set off the next to

Competition reminder...

You might remember in We are extending the The closing date is the last issue of engage competition to give you Sunday 1 October 2017. that we are currently the chance to take We look forward to holding an ‘alphabet advantage of the receiving your entries. words’ competition. The (hopefully) nice weather. Send all entries or idea is you take photos of The competition is open questions to Adam letters (or things that look to anyone in the Leeds Stewart at NHS Leeds like letters) from your area and we are looking Clinical Commissioning local area and use them for the most creative Groups Partnership on to spell out the name of design to win. The [email protected] your local area, maybe winner will receive a or to NHS Leeds West on top of a photo of £25 Trinity Shopping CCG, B5- B9 Wira a £25 voucher that area. You can see Centre voucher. House, Wira Business an example from Boston WIN for Trinity Leeds Park, Leeds, LS16 6EB. Spa on the right.

Four mums on a boat 11 OLDER MEN’S SOCIAL NETWORK THRIVING

It’s often said that older men can become more easily isolated than older women. At Bramley Elderly Action and OWLS (Older Wiser Local Seniors) we work with people aged 60 and over in west and north west Leeds. Image: John Wildman “John found confidence We’ve been developing new ways the Nintendo Wii and Nerf gun playing the keyboard to support older men, by providing competitions, alongside traditional at Men’s Day and now a social space where they can meet darts tournaments, cooking sessions, performs every month at up, chat with our support workers, golf and walk-‘n’-talk debates. Bramley Lawn’s Restaurant learn new skills, go on trips together Night – a community meal.” and establish new friendships. Improving health and wellbeing is central to our ethos but we like to be Men’s Day at Bramley Lawn started playful about it. Health by stealth... just over two years ago and takes LADS LUNCH, fortnightly place every Saturday. The original Over at OWLS we run a regular Lads Lunch at Yorkshire County on Fridays at Yorkshire idea was to create a friendly space for County Cricket Club. men to meet up over bacon butties. Cricket Club for older men to meet, chat, play dominoes and take part Transport available. Call OWLS The bacon butties have worked like 0113 369 7077 for details. a charm in attracting participants, we in quizzes. Lunch is the hook that receive regular referrals from people attracts people, but it’s the mutual MEN’S DAY, Bramley Lawn. across the area too, and now we support the men give each other Every Saturday 10.30-3.30pm. regularly see between 20-25 men that is the real benefit. Transport available. Call here every week. One participant came in after a Bramley Elderly Action on 0113 236 1644 for details. They take the lead, telling us what bereavement he had two years ago they want to do – we just help and has been back every week since. them to do it. We encourage them He told us he was lost and without For further information visit to stay fit and healthy – and to this group he doesn’t know what he www.bramleyea.org.uk try new things like bowling on would have done.

We’ve been catching up with some local people to get their views on three things they can do to help their local NHS. Here’s what Elizabeth had to say... 1 2 3 “I am a blood donor “I eat a healthy diet “I keep my appointments so I contribute and exercise and I when I have them and to the NHS’ work as part of the make sure I cancel blood supply.” ‘Green Gym’ scheme.” appointments I know I cannot attend so these can be given out to Elizabeth Allen, Beeston #3thingsNHS others who need them.”

12 Older men’s social network thriving City View Allotment

We’ve worked with patient participation groups and health champions for over seven years now and we’ve seen some great projects.

Having worked with patient The allotment needed a lot of work participation groups (PPGs) and but together patients and staff have health champions for over seven turned it into a place where local years now, we’ve seen some great people can meet, exercise and groups and occasionally some not grow healthy food. The benefits to so great. In some cases, busy staff individuals and population health struggle to see the value in patient are hard to measure but don’t be engagement and PPG members fooled by a lack of hard evidence, can’t see how their contributions this really does work really make a difference to the experience of other patients. At its best, staff embrace the patients as critical friends and these volunteers provide innovative solutions to age old problems.

There are some fantastic examples of effective and meaningful PPGs Local people have sourced seeds in Leeds and they don’t come much and equipment, and now fresh fruit better than City View in Beeston. and veg from the allotment are The health champions meet given to people at the practice for regularly and support the practice a small donation. meet some of the big challenges faced by primary care. As with all engagement though, We all agreed this it isn’t without its challenges. In 2014, the PPG and the practice was a wonderful Recruiting new patients to help out joined forces to rent and develop idea as the majority at the allotment requires a lot of a local allotment. It’s a simple promotion and as volunteers, time and cheap idea that brings huge of people in Beeston is limited. Maintaining motivation, benefits to patients and staff. A 2013 probably didn’t even when a project has obvious review of literature examining the have a garden of benefits can be difficult. We hope to benefits of gardening on health play a bigger role in promoting this and wellbeing found that ‘all (the their own and it initiative over the coming year. literature) reported positive effects would be a way of gardening as a mental health intervention for service users, of tackling a If you would like to volunteer including reduced symptoms number of health your time to support the of depression and anxiety’. The and social issues. allotment in Beeston, or you’d research also found that ‘participants like to set up a similar initiative described a range of benefits across – Health champion with your PPG, please contact emotional, social, vocational, [email protected] physical and spiritual domains’.*

*For those interested in the review, the official citation is CLATWORTHY J, et al, Journal article citation: Mental Health Review Journal, 18(4), 2013, pp.214-225 City view allotment 13 RECIPE Brinjal = Aubergine! Masala Brinjal

The Rainbow Junk-tion Café at All Hallows in Leeds, has provided us with a Masala Brinjal recipe. This recipe for stuffed aubergine comes with love from Sameer Neelam, who is from Warangal in India. Sameer says, “Masala Brinjal is one of the favourite vegetable dishes of Telugu speaking South Indians. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana this dish is popular at marriage parties and festivals. Masala Brinjal can go with rice, chapatti or just as it is.”

REQUIRED PROCESS: hold it all together. It should 9. Turn it off, once you feel INGREDIENTS: be convenient to stuff the the brinjals and stuffing is MAKING STUFFING: paste into each brinjal cooked well. some people Fresh brinjal (baby 1. First soak the tamarind like the brinjal cooked for aubergine) purple colour 4. Put each brinjal into the in just enough water to longer so it is softer, some round shaped = 1 kilo salt water in the bowl, cover for 10 minutes immediately after cutting. people like it cooked for less time so the flesh is firmer INGREDIENTS FOR 2. While the tamarind is This process is to avoid MAKING PASTE: soaking, dry fry the peanuts bitterness in brinjal 10.If you like, garnish it with (skin on), sesame seeds, 5. Once this is done, then chopped coriander leaves Peanuts = 1 glass (about dry coconut and red onion and leave it for 5 to 10 3 inch size glass) stuff the paste into each (cut in two or three pieces) brinjal and keep them minutes with the lid on. Sesame seeds = 1 glass separately in a pan and ready to fry/bake. (about 3 inch size glass) leave to get cool COOKING IN Dry coconut = ¼ 3. Once they get cool put COOKING ON THE THE OVEN: COOKER: Red onion = 1 medium size all in a mixer to grind and 1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 pulse it two or three times 1. Heat a wok or a big degrees celsius Jaggery (unrefined sugar 4. Then add jaggery, pan, and then add oil 2. Put some oil in the roasting made from sugar cane) = to it to heat small lime size quantity coriander powder, garam tray and heat it on the masala, ground cumin, 2. Then, add curry leaves, cooker, then add curry Tamarind = 60 grams / ground fenugreek, red chilli cumin seeds, black mustard leaves, cumin seeds, black small lime size quantity powder, ginger and garlic seeds and turmeric powder, mustard seeds and turmeric Coriander powder = 1 tbsp paste, salt and green chilli one after the other. Fry powder one after the other. to it and pulse twice them without burning Fry them without burning Garam masala = ¼ tbsp 5. Then add the soaked (low flame would help) (a low flame would help) Ground cumin = ½ tbsp tamarind leaving the juice/ 3. Then add brinjal one 3. Then arrange brinjal in the Ground fenugreek = ½ tbsp water for next use after the other, side tray one after the other without overlapping Red chilli powder = 2 tbsp 6. Grind it until you get a by side, into the pan nice paste. Take this paste without overlapping 4. Add the rest of the stuffing Salt = to taste in to a convenient bowl 4. Add the rest of the stuffing and the left over tamarind Green chilli = few for later use into the gaps between the juice to it Ginger and garlic paste = 7. Use the tamarind juice/ brinjal and then sprinkle the 5. Cook on the hob 1 tbsp water to loosen the paste in left over tamarind juice and with a high flame for the mixer and help to make some more water over the 5 to 6 minutes INGREDIENTS FOR THE a good consistency. The brinjal to create a gravy 6. Then, turn around each MAIN FRY: mixture should remain firm 5. Cook in high flame for 5 brinjal without disturbing enough to be able to stuff Oil = 10 tbsp to 6 minutes by covering their shapes and cook for it in the brinjal. Add more the pan with a lid on it 5 to 6 minutes on a Black mustard seeds = 1 tbsp water if necessary. 6. Then, turn around each medium flame Cumin seeds = 1 tbsp PREPARING BRINJAL: brinjal without disturbing 7. Then put the tray in the Curry leaves = two branches their shape and keep the pre-heated oven at normal 1. Wash brinjal in the water lid back to cook for 5 to 6 Turmeric powder = ½ tbsp cooking temperature until 2. Take water in a big bowl minutes in high flame you feel it’s cooked (try for Fresh coriander leaves and add some salt in it 7. Then, lower the flame and 15 minutes initially, have a to garnish (optional) 3. Now, cut each brinjal into cook for 10 minutes look and leave in for longer, according to taste). four leaves, making a cross 8. It needs to be cooked until upwards through the base Note: If you can’t eat chilli, you can see that the oil has NOW MASLALA you can avoid green chillies of the main body of the risen to the top of the gravy in this dish. vegetable towards the stalk, or cooked stuffing BRINJAL IS READY while leaving the stalk on to TO SERVE!

14 Recipe Down Across 1. The location of the creamery factory in Yorkshire 4. Patients/members of the public working together as equal partners 2. American English for courgette 5. Charity run that takes place in Temple Newsam (4,3,4) 3. Vitamin that helps the absorption of calcium, iron, 7. American English for aubergine magnesium, phosphate, and zinc 9. City in the Indian state of Telangana 6. Local group for older men and steel city football team 12. One of the highlights of Keeley Donovan’s career 8. Name given to a patient group at a GP practice 15. Andy Curtis’s previous career 10. Leeds cycle route that opened last year 17. Name of the practice that set up an allotment in south Leeds (4,4) 11. Campaign to encourage people to talk about death (5,7) 18. Sold Temple Newsam estate to the Leeds Corporation in 1922 (6,4) 13. A set of three works of art that are connected 14. A good example of #3thingsNHS (5,3) 16. Name given to aubergine in South Asia 1 2 3 Quiz 4 corner

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Get in touch with us

This has been produced by the three CCGs in Leeds; NHS Leeds North CCG, NHS Leeds South and East CCG NHS Leeds and NHS Leeds West CCG. North CCG We are your local NHS and we want to hear from you so that we can make sure that we can help plan and NHS Leeds fund the best possible services. West CCG If you have an idea, suggestion or would like to feedback your experience of using local NHS or NHS-funded services NHS Leeds do get in touch with us. South & East CCG Write to us at: NHS Leeds West Clinical Commissioning Group, Unit B5–B9, WIRA House, West Park Ring Road, Leeds, LS16 6EB Call us on: 0113 8435 470 Drop us an email: [email protected] Quiz corner 15 Cycling’s new route to better health

Have you joined the ever growing number of people getting out and about on two wheels in CYCLING SAFELY: Leeds over the last few years? If you have, you Top tips for beginners (in fact for all cyclists) might have used or seen City Connect – the new 14km cycle Superhighway. It opened last • Wear a helmet year and aims to make cycling easier and safer, connecting people across Leeds and Bradford. • Be seen and heard with reflective clothing You can find out more about the route at or strips, bike lights and a bell www.cyclecityconnect.co.uk • Do basic checks on tyres and brakes If you’re new to cycling, there’s never been a before you ride and get your bike serviced better time to start. Regular cycling can reduce regularly by professionals your risk of illnesses such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke and can boost your mood! • Be alert, plan your route and follow the Why not try a cycle training scheme? Many are Highway Code free to access. Visit www.bikeability.org.uk for more info.

There’s only “One You”

We all know the mantras The One You website aims The quiz provides lots for healthy living: eat more to help you make positive of practical tips as you go fruit and veg and less changes, no matter what along that are tailored to sugary and fatty foods, your age or level of health. you, from cutting down on exercise more, drink less sugar and getting more alcohol and don’t smoke. Start by taking the quick exercise, to tackling sleep But how easy is it to make online One You quiz. It problems and improving these changes, especially seems quite straightforward, your mental wellbeing. when we are living but how often are we really It includes links to helpful increasingly busy lives honest with ourselves about tools and apps, such and may be stressed, have our health? Taking a few as healthy recipes on a caring responsibilities or minutes to record our habits budget and exercises to Give it a try! Visit: living with a disability? can be a real eye opener! reduce stress. www.nhs.uk/oneyou

16 Cycling / One You