Rural Links Newsletter 7 with the Village Agents Dec 2020/Jan 2021

Welcome to our last Newsletter of 2020! We hope this month’s edition finds you safe and well.

After a difficult and challenging year, we want to wish you all the best for the festive season and look forward to better times in 2021. This is a double edition for both December and January and also includes a festive puzzle supplement. A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all at Rural Links and the Village Agents.

Season’s Greetings from local school Wellbeing If you receive this newsletter by post, you Head teacher, Ben Hewett, said: “The will find a special card enclosed (email school is part of the local community and Packs recipients will find an attachment). the children were happy to use their artistic The Community skills to create the cards. We hope they Wellbeing Hub produce a Children at Chew Stoke Church School bring some festive joy”. monthly Wellbeing Pack wanted to spread some Christmas cheer and which we know some of Molly, a pupil in Year 6, adds “We all have hand-made cards for us to send out. you have enjoyed receiv- really enjoyed designing and making our ing. They include activities, Village Agent Anne-Katell Peton organised Christmas cards, especially as we knew that mindfulness exercises and this lovely gesture and the school, with they would be enjoyed by lots of people in tips, quizzes and puzzles. the villages around the Chew Valley”. children aged from four to eleven, were We have a number of printed versions available able to rise to the challenge of making over A big thank you to the school and all the to send out – call us on children for their fantastic cards. eighty cards. 01275 333 700 and leave a message to request yours. Village Agent Anne-Katell Pupils Wilf and Leah with some of the cards with their cards Alternatively, they are available to download online at www.compassioncb.org. uk/wellbeingpacks Yo, ho ho... our Village Agents. Never sit on a worry, I would like to thank you all for just call us for a chat. Social activities your continued support and I am We are coming to the end of 2020 will be offered in as many creative ways looking forwards to us being able to with many mixed feelings because as possible. For some that will be online, gather for that big celebration party we had planned a wonderful year of for others that will be in small groups Christmas we wanted to host earlier this year. celebrations to mark our 10th year using village halls we know are set up delivering the Village Agent service. very well for keeping everyone safe. Finally, I am so proud of our team. Instead it has been months of very For those of you who drive, we have Aly, Alison, Maria, Anne-Katell and few social gatherings and many new confidence boosting driver training from Ketyn. They have been amazing. challenges. Some frustrating times Past June onwards. We will get outdoors Merry Christmas and lets have a but mostly being inspired by how more, walking and just enjoying the determined everyone has been to make wonderful New Year. There’s no doubt Christmas will be beautiful countryside around us. There the most of things. a little different this year, but then will be some interesting talks and more the festive season now is probably very In 2021, we will continue to offer you Extend classes and other ways to keep Denise Perrin different to the Christmases you enjoyed in confidential, one to one support from you fit and well. Project Manager the past.

Certainly, most people seem to agree that Christmas was a more shortened affair Keep Active with Ketyn: Leg Strength than it is now – no tree or decorations put up until Christmas Eve! And that tastes As we age we lose our muscle mass 2 Squats were simpler: would today’s children be and strength. However, strong Start with your feet hip distance Lunge 1 Squat 1 content with a stocking (which would be legs = independence. Think about apart, toes pointing forward, one of Dad’s thick woollen socks) full of how often you use your legs for back straight and shoulders back. tangerines, nuts and maybe a ball, a penny everyday living activities, here are Imagine there is a chair behind you whistle and a few crayons? just a few examples: and you are going to sit down. Let your body lean slightly forward and Regardless of your circumstances, most • getting up and out of your chair pull in your tummy muscles as you people have some strong memories of • using the toilet bend your knees as though you’re Christmas past and reminiscing about • getting in and out of bed going to sit down. Hold for about it can be a comfort. The excitement we • walking indoors and outdoors five seconds, and then rise back experienced as a child can always stick in • housework / standing to cook up to your start position. Repeat the mind. One of my vivid memories of meals 5 times and build up to more Christmas in my 1970s childhood was that on his last day of work before Christmas, repetitions. Have a chair nearby to Squat 2 my Dad would always come home with We also want to avoid the risk of hold on to for balance and support a huge tin of Quality Street (and I’m falls and injuries! if you need it. sure they were bigger then). That meant Signs of weak legs include the 3 Lunges Christmas had started and huge excitement feeling of the legs feeling heavy or Think of lunges as a bit like an Lunge 2 ensued! alternatively “shaky” and difficulty exaggerated walk. (Have a chair I’ve had the chance to ask a few of you climbing the stairs etc. nearby for support if you need it about your Christmas memories. Christine Also, it might be worth considering and hold on with one hand). Stand remembers being a very small child and tall with your feet hip distance apart pulled together, got a couple of generators taking a Vitamin D supplement as getting the turkey on Christmas Eve. She and toes pointing forward, then going, and Christmas dinner was cooked it has been found that it supports has a vivid memory of holding on to her take a slightly bigger than usual step father’s hand at an auction where the on a barbeque! But it was one of the best strong bones and muscle mass – forward and transfer the weight to turkey was bought, just in time for the next ones ever. however, please do take advice your front leg. Your back leg should day. from a health professional before What was your childhood Christmas like? bend a little. Hold for a few seconds. starting any new supplements. Jenny’s memory was of a special present: Did you have turkey, or was it chicken for Bring the front leg back to the start a Walkie Talkie doll that she got when she dinner? Did you spend hours making paper position then repeat with the other Three key exercises for was seven or eight. And she still has it! chains? And what was in your stocking? strong legs: leg. You can also do this movement out to the side and behind yourself if Jane’s Christmas memory is more recent If you feel like reminiscing feel free to give 1 Sit to stand you wish to. As before, start off with and reminds us of what it’s all about. A Alison a call on 07919 006708. Or share As detailed in the September 5 repetitions and build up to few years ago, when there were bad floods your memories with friends and family Newsletter doing more. over Christmas, she was with family and – you could even write them down for the electricity was out. All the neighbours posterity. Getting to know us: Aly Akroyd

WHEN IS MY TURN FOR THE VACCINE? Over the next few weeks and months people will gradually be invited to attend an appointment for an anti-Covid 19 vaccination. Whilst we cannot give you an exact timeline for when it will be your turn, there are three important points to keep in mind at this time of writing. Aly Akroyd has been a What’s the best thing Village Agent since March about your job? 1 Please don’t call 111 or your GP surgery to book 2019, covering the parishes Meeting lots of interesting your vaccination. These services are being over- of Camely, Clutton, East folk and learning from whelmed with calls and cannot book you in. As long Harptree, West Harptree, them. Helping our clients as you are registered with a local GP and you are Hinton Blewett, Marksbury, remain independent and confident their system, has your correct address, Publow, Chelwood and connected and informed. phone number and know all your medical condi- Stowey-Sutton. Here we tions, you will be contacted when it is your turn to get to know a bit more And the most have a vaccination. about Aly… challenging? 2 If you are a patient at a clinic or are currently under Covid! I miss everybody, the care of a specialist medical team, please talk to Have you always lived in especially having a chat them regarding your personal medical status and this area? over a cup of tea. the vaccine. They can answer your specific ques- I was born and raised in tions and address any concerns you might have Brislington but moved to Do you have any hobbies? before you accept an appointment slot. this area 26 years ago. I do love to walk with 3 If getting transport to the location where vaccina- What did you do before my husband and have tion is to be given is a worry for you, please call us you became a Village walked the South West on 01275 333700. Additional transport options will Agent? coast line many times. We be available for patients whether that be by Dial a I was a teaching assistant are currently walking the Ride service or local volunteer drivers using cars. and school counsellor at a Cotswold way. We walk in Each appointment will take about 20 minutes as Valley primary school for ten mile chunks whenever you will be asked to wait 15 minutes after receiving the injection. twenty years. I also worked the weather is fine at the for a Bath Charity as a weekend, accompanied by counsellor to teenagers and our little dog Myg. young adults. Both roles Have you been were really rewarding, I What’s your best getting creative this helped set up an outreach memory? Christmas? counselling service in Seeing Frank Sinatra at the Here’s a fairy that Jane the area for isolated and Royal Albert Hall; he was Boss has made from vulnerable teens which brilliant and I feel so lucky sheep’s wool gathered was very important to to have seen and heard him from the fields and me. Before this I was sing in person. recycled cardboard. an auxillary nurse at St Martins Hospital and What’s your most over- We think she looks of course a mum two used word or phrase? rather lovely! energetic children. Never Mind!

West of England Rural Network Registered charity 1146165 Unit 2, The Barn, Lady Farm, Rural Links Copany number 7956 732 Chelwood, Bristol BS39 4NN