www.stepahead.org.nz 0800 688 732 [email protected] 1 202 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 New Zealand 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 Christchurch with my new band.