www.stepahead.org.nz 0800 688 732 [email protected]

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MAY

A perfect day for a walk

Kevin is to be congratulated for running such an inspiring and motivating event and for challenging us all to do that little bit better. However I am a little concerned about what the distance of next year’s event Instead of the usual 100 kilometre distance this year will be! Kevin decided to really up the stakes and make the Annual Challenge really challenging with 250km to travel Do you use cheques to pay for before reaching our goal. things? The day was perfect for lots of exercise, just a few clouds but warm enough to feel comfortable. The first At the end of June every NZ Bank will stop accepting group (pictured) mainly from Rangiora started the day cheques as a means of payment with real enthusiasm and got us off to a good start. By Stanmore Monday 10th and 24th May – 10am 1:00pm several other van loads of members from Puriri Friday 21st May - 10am Stanmore and Puriri provided the reinforcement needed to get to just over 220km mark. With everyone’s energy There are other methods of payments we can teach you running low we realized we just need one more lap from in place of cheques. We can guide you on how to do everyone to meet the challenge. And we did it! Internet or online banking on your phone, tablet or Congratulations to everyone who took part. Special laptop. If you don’t have one of these devices we can acknowledgements to Carol from Rangiora who was like supply you with one of these as well. Please ring Chris or the energizer bunny and just went round and around. Bryan to make an appointment. Rae H was another standout with multiple laps on the bike. Mary, Tim, Geoff and Matt also put in great efforts. Come along to our education session to find out how to Well done. do internet banking. We will not be asking for your password or to see your bank account. We will show you Thanks to the many members who helped set up the how easy online banking is and how it will save you time course, and then helped again at the end pull it all down and money. – especially those who had also walked lots of kilometers during the day as well.

May 2021 Newsletter 1

May 2021 Newsletter

Five Steps to a Healthy Brain CanBead

th Here are some practical tips from Professor Dirk De 14 May at Puriri th Ridder - he knows a thing or two about brain health as he 26 May at Stanmore is a leading NZ neurosurgeon and Professor of Come and have some fun at our jewellery making group Neurosurgery at the University of Otago in Dunedin. and take home not just the jewellery you have made but 1) The Mediterranean diet has been proven to a kit of tools and other beads to keep creating when you reduce the risk of cognitive decline with high get home.

consumption of vegetables, fruit, fish, and olive Beads and Jewellery making are made to go together. oil. During May we will be running two workshops where you

2) Take up new hobbies and learn new skills. If you can learn to make gorgeous jewellery like earrings, only every play Sudoku or golf, your brain will necklaces, bracelets, and key rings. They also make become very good at predicating those great gifts. outcomes but it won’t be challenged. 3) Increase the likelihood of your brain making CanBead https://www.canbead.org.nz/ are a Trust mistakes by keeping it engaged and interested operating in Canterbury that that help you create in as many different and new things as possible jewellery. They supply all the tools and other equipment 4) Embrace opportunities for social interaction like and you get to take that home with you so you can keep book clubs and coffee groups, because isolation creating. is known to lead to cognitive dysfunction. 5) Remember to care for your emotional health. All welcome.

Staying emotionally balanced is equally

important for brain health as cognitive workouts, physical exercise, and a healthy diet.

Come to a new Activity and receive a Free Voucher!

If you have just read the above article on brain health you will realise that at Step Ahead we follow all these COVID 19 Vaccination – the facts principles. If you come to Step Ahead on a regular basis th you will ticking most of the boxes on these steps. Stanmore Road - 19 May 1:30pm The COVID vaccine is on its way to NZ and you are going As an extra incentive to come along to do something to be one of the first groups of people who are lucky new, we are offering a special deal to encourage our enough to be offered the vaccine – well ahead of the members in May to take up the challenge. Now is your general public. chance to try something new, keep your brain engaged and embrace opportunities for social interaction. How much do you know about it? Step Ahead has asked Cheryl Brewer, the Public Health Nurse from Pegasus Attend an activity that you have never been too before Health to talk to members about the vaccine. Joy spoke and receive a voucher to attend any other activity – at Step Ahead last year about the flu vaccine. Cheryl will up to the value of $5.00 talk about how safe the COVID vaccine is, what are the possible side effects, how it has been tested and when it will be available. Your questions will be answered and

the topics fully discussed. Pegasus Health is a reliable trustworthy source - so don’t read about it on social media or a dodgy web page - come along to hear the facts!

May 2021 Newsletter 2

May 2021 Newsletter

Julie’s Views Lost My Cellphone It’s hard to believe but this time last year we were all in Hello? Hello? lockdown. NZ has been fortunate to mostly escape the Where are you? very worst of COVID 19 and keep this nasty illness out of I can’t find you NZ. Vaccines have arrived in NZ and it’s great to see that What do I do? nearly 150,000 border workers and their families have had the jab and are protected. Vaccines I’ve looked high, And I’ve looked low. will be rolling out for us all soon to so we are You’ve even been texted, encouraging everyone to get a Vaccine as soon as To find the glow. possible. If you would like to know the facts about the Vaccine please come along to our education session But still you’re lost, th with a guest speaker from Pegasus Health on 19 May Hidden from my vision and have all your questions answered. The sooner I’ll always be upset, everyone has immunity the sooner the NZ will be safe By this division. from this horrible virus. Aleisha R I hope that all our members enjoyed the free activities in April. The free month came from a little extra funding from the DHB that was unbudgeted. So a big thank you Rata Foundation Grant to the DHB for allowing this to happen. We’ll compare Every year we apply to the Rata Foundation for funding the number of members who came to an activity in April to assist Step Ahead Trust. Once again this year Rata with activities in March and see how much difference Foundation have approved a grant for us to help this made to attendances. continue helping people in the Community with mental Expect to see some building taking place over the next health issues. We would like to express our thanks and couple of months. For all those people who ride bikes to appreciation for the continued support that the Rata Stanmore we are building a bike shelter by the front Foundation provide. We could not do what we do door. This has been on the wish list for a long time now without you! so its great to finally be able to provide this shelter. If you have never heard of the Rata Foundation we suggest you look on their website www.ratafoundation.org.nz They do an amazing job of assisting so many of Canterbury’s charity and not for profit sector organisations.

At Step Ahead The Rata Foundation Grant goes towards some of the basics, wages and communications. For example this year they have funded our wonderful Newsletter which is now printed in colour, it just seems so much more appealing and easy to read that way. So when you are reading this Newsletter think of the Rata Foundation and how they help us Julie and Ashley Bloomfield at the Te Ara out! Tūpuna Rangatira Celebrating Leadership Conference in Wellington Thursday morning Poem of a great Thursday I hop on the bus and head out to Styx Mill Reserve so blessed in every way The peace and tranquillity makes my day I head back to the flat, have a cup of tea without delay

William S Puriri visit to Blacksmith

May 2021 Newsletter 3

May 2021 Newsletter

Introducing Oriana Setz Stanmore Member Staff Liaison

I am 24 and a singer-songwriter and a multi-disciplinary Meeting artist from Ecuador now living in New Zealand since th November of 2019. I do live shows and recording my 25 March 2021 songs in with my new band. I believe in the Highlights power of arts, music and other forms of creative self- Quail Island Trip expression as a way to heal and empower ourselves, Women’s Group – mini golf that is why I am very excited to share my knowledge and Visit to Willowbank passion for arts and music with you - regardless of your Tech Groups experience or level. Architecture Tour of Central City Op Shopping I could offer a Recovery College course if there is enough 250k challenge interest. It would be all about different forms of creative Tubing self-expression which would include the following. Day trips to Hanmer and Arthurs Pass

MUSIC: connecting with empowering songs and New Programme Ideas analyzing their lyrical content and why we find them More visits to venues of heritage importance inspiring to our own stories. We will sing together and Golf – programmed on 28th April create a group discussion. Longer urban cycle trips SINGING: do a sound exploration singing together to heal Housie/Bingo our bodies, end with a song everyone can sing together Sign Language - education planned in May as well as karaoke for those who rather sing their own song. Staff Notices POETRY & SPOKEN WORD: we will write a poem based No charges for activities in April with only a few on a few exercises and themes to help them come up exceptions with ideas to write about and then we will share them Competency Certificates were given to those members with music in the background. Those who rather not who have achieved digital competency with their new share their poems out loud can also just write them devices down and decorate them during our next course An educational session will be held in May re Covid 19 (focused on arts). vaccinations with a public health nurse Upcoming Recovery Courses were outlined ARTS: intuitive and free form painting (could you let me Holistic Wellness Group in April is making homemade know what art supplies are available? Acrylics, paint breakfast granola brushes, etc.). They can decorate the poem they wrote in the previous class. Anything else anyone would like to say Thanks to Christina for chairing the meeting Please let Di know if you would like to so this course as there will need to be enough members interested for it to go ahead.

Pigeon Bay Recently nine of us from the Stanmore Tramping Group travelled over to Banks Peninsula and down to Pigeon Bay to do the walkway out along the southern shore of the bay. The weather was good and the company great, as we walked along the station road that winds its way eastwards above the sea cliffs. It's not hard to see why the station owners have established luxury accommodation for tourists on this property as the views are spectacular and the isolation peaceful. After about 7 km and close to the eastern end of the peninsula, we had a leisurely lunch before wandering back to the van the way we had come. A tired but happy band of trampers arrived back in Christchurch about 5 pm.

May 2021 Newsletter 4

May 2021 Newsletter

Project Connect Recovery College – Numbers restricted so book in early for all sessions. We are seeing a steady demand for the subsidised smartphones, tablets and Chromebook laptops. The very Managing Anxiety and Stress cheap internet available free of charge to Step Ahead members through the Skinny Jump programme is also Do you or someone close to you suffer from an anxiety rd proving popular. disorder? Join our group at Stanmore starting Monday 3 May at 10am till 11:30 to share and learn with others on Training in the use of these devices is going well, but ways to cope/self help techniques to better enable you to some members who have purchased devices have yet to live with the disorder. complete the training agreed to at the time of purchase. The course will run on first 4 Mondays in May facilitated We have been holding training sessions on both Thursday by Evelyn Nelson. Fiona Young Physiotherapist will also mornings and afternoons in April and this will continue in present on 24 May to guide us on Relaxation May. The format for these training sessions is to complete techniques/Mindfulness. around 12 “Key Competencies” which focus on the basic Participants restricted to 12 so book in early. You will operation and use of each device. Keep an eye on the receive a certificate if you attend all 4 sessions. programme to find out which session is aimed at your particular device. At these sessions we also are able to Create a Toolbox to manage your Depression provide some individual technical support for those wanting help to resolve any specific issues you are having. Karen Thompson is excited to present a new 4 week course at Stanmore Rd "Creating a toolbox to manage Once you have completed the 12 key skills your depression". Do you feel powerless over your (competencies), you will be issued with a certificate. depression, like it has a life of its own? It doesn't have to These will be awarded at the Member Staff Liaison be that way. Do you want to learn how to recognise when meetings which are held monthly. you're mood is going down and discover ways to bring it up again? Then this course is for you.

Bryan and Chris look forward to working with you to There will be a combination of information, activities and, ensure that you can make the best use of your device. hopefully, fun. Depression doesn't have to control your life.

There is hope and a way through. If your phone, tablet or laptop is getting a bit tired and you would like to take advantage of the subsidised purchase Thursday afternoons in May starting at 1pm except the available for new devices please get in touch. 27th which starts at 2pm.

Stanmore Biking Feedback/Ideas for Craft at Puriri

I’ve been thinking about crafts to do in our colder months and thought I would put ideas out there for some feedback and any ideas from members. These are as follows:

 Weaving with Willow – making small baskets.  Learning to make a Magic Yarn Ball – how to invisibly join scraps of wool to make one continuous ball.

 Crochet a blanket diagonally from corner to corner.

 Making Sun Catchers. In March, seven of us in the Urban Biking Group rode from  Christina G suggested making weighted toys. Stanmore out to the Northern Corridor Cycle track, which Weighted blankets have become popular as a way of we joined at the QE2 junction and on up to Belfast. It was calming/soothing anxiety. Weighted toys, lap pads or a great ride and an opportunity to test out this new route, neck pads are also of use in this way. Programmed at which runs now from the city all the way out to Rangiora. Stanmore on 5th May – 1pm. Step Ahead is proposing a biking activity from Stanmore at least once a month this year. So let me know what you think of these ideas and any you may have. If you are keen on either the Urban Biking which will be half a day or Mountain Biking further afield please get in Karen contact with Chris

May 2021 Newsletter 5

May 2021 Newsletter

Weka Pass Historic Rural Railroad Train Trip Sunday 20th June The Railway is a historic rural railway using both vintage steam and diesel-electric locomotives through the unique limestone beauty of the Weka Pass out of , where superior weather patterns provide crystal clear air and high sunshine hours. The Weka Pass Railway is a totally voluntary organization, whose members are dedicated to the preservation of New Zealand’s rail heritage. Wreath made in craft group from egg cartons and rosemary delivered to the Airforce Museum Vans will leave Stanmore and Puriri St at 10am. Pick up in at 10:20 and Rangiora Bunnings Car Park at Staying Active and Healthy over 10:40am

Winter Please pay $15 for a ticket by Monday 31st May to confirm Does your mood drop faster than the temperature? You're your seat. not alone. As many as one in 10 people get the winter blues, and lower sunlight hours in winter may be the The trip leaves from Glenmark Station at 11:30am and cause. The good news is, you can beat the winter blues by arrives in at 12:15pm spending time outside in the middle of the day – despite the fact that it might be a bit cool. Even sunlight on a The return trip is 10 minutes quicker, leavings at 1pm cloudy day can help your body produce vitamin D, which arriving back at Glenmark 1:35pm optimises bone health and muscle function. Bring your lunch and wrap up warm. Step Ahead will Winter can also be a difficult time to exercise – it may be provide hot drinks. cold, wet, and dark. But it's important to keep moving even when the weather isn't great, as regular exercise will See you there! strengthen your immune system, and help to boost your mood. Try to make things easier by exercising with a Sign Language at Stanmore friend, joining an exercise class, or simply taking a walk at 12th May - 1pm lunchtime, aiming for around 30 minutes a day. You can also mix things up by trying something different like yoga, Come along to learn some Sign Language during New cycling, mall-walking. Zealand Sign Language Week. Bryan

Step Ahead Trust P O Box 32 025 Phone 389 4001 Karen and Aliesha feeding the deer at Willowbank 167 Stanmore Road Freephone 0800 688 732 Christchurch 8147 Fax: 389 4042

www.stepahead.org.nz [email protected]