Spring 2021 - Alzheimer Scotland
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Spring 2021 Restoration of Tigh Na Drochaid Community Garden Progressing The Community Garden at Tigh Na Drochaid Resource Centre in Portree is beginning to take shape and everything is looking much tidier and we hope that soon the Summer House and polytunnel will be restored and seating will be available for small groups to meet up in the garden as soon as restrictions allow. There will also be a wooden gazebo with more seating as well as outdoor benches. We are very grateful to Portree and Braes Community Trust for taking this project on board, to Jenny Hey for managing the project and also for the help of the very enthusiastic group of volunteers. Portree Office, Tigh Na Drochaid Resource Centre, Bridge Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9ER Fort William Office, An Drochaid, Claggan Road, Fort William, PH33 6PH Tel: 01478 613450 | Email: Lhellon@alzscot.org | Website: www.alzscot.org Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognized as a charity by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 160 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH11 1DQ 0131 243 1453
West Highland Newsletter | Spring 2021 2
Online Groups
All our groups are continuing online. We hope to be able to reintroduce some outdoor meetings and
garden visits as the situation regarding covid improves. It will be great to be able to see some of you face
to face again. We also recognise that due to the wide area that we cover, even after covid, it will not be
possible for everyone to physically meet up or attend groups. The online/digital groups, emails and
telephone support will still be an important part of our service going forward.
We have a lot of online groups available at the moment so hopefully something for everyone to take part
in and enjoy. Contact one of the team for more information about any of the groups.
• Musical Memories – every Monday at 3.15pm
Join us and Home Farm Care Home on Skye for a sing along and
tunes from guest musicians.
• Activities Afternoon - every second Tuesday at 2pm
People living with Dementia and carers are welcome to join Diane and
Eleanor for digital activities, including quizzes, music and other therapeutic activities.
• Online Bingo and Doggie Bingo – every Wednesday at 11am
Every week we have a different theme and on the first Wednesday of the month we are joined by the
Dementia Dogs project and one of the dogs will select the numbers for us.
• Carer’s Drop In - every Thursday at 11am
For people caring for someone living with Dementia, join us for a virtual
cuppa and a chat with peers
• Online Ceilidh – Every Friday at 11am
Join us for a great ceilidh. Sing along at home if you like or just sit back and enjoy the songs and
tunes. All welcome to bring an instrument, sing a song, recite a poem or tell a story.
• Silver Linings – Once a month on a Wednesday at 2pm
Different speakers on different topics will join us each time. In April we
had Shealagh Parlane from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
telling us about her work to protect corncrakes.
• We’ll Meet Again Café - third Thursday of the month at 2pm
A great get together with friends from Glasgow and across the Highlands.
• New! Gaelic Group – Cothrom cabadaich anns a' Ghàidhlig - the
last Thursday of every month - a chance for Gaelic speakers from West
Highland and beyond to get together for a chat.
Portree Office, Tigh Na Drochaid Resource Centre, Bridge Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9ER
Fort William Office, An Drochaid, Claggan Road, Fort William, PH33 6PH
Tel: 01478 613450 | Email: Lhellon@alzscot.org | Website: www.alzscot.org
Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognized as a charity
by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 160 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH11 1DQ 0131 243 1453
West Highland Newsletter | Spring 2021 3 Contact Information: West Highland Office in Portree (diverted to Diane Smith) 01478 613450 Diane Smith, Community Activities Organiser based in Portree, email: DianeSmith@alzscot.org, mobile: 07825 08057 Mags McGlynn, Dementia Link Worker for Skye and Lochalsh, email: MMcGlynn@Alzscot.org, mobile: 07774 558406 Lesley Hellon, Dementia Adviser, email: LHellon@alzscot.org, mobile: 07825 975557 Caroline Gordon, Dementia Link Worker for Lochaber, email: CGordon@Alzscot.org, mobile: 07788294947 Eleanor Brown, Community Activities Organiser based in Lochaber, email: EBrown@Alzscot.org, mobile: 07920868848 Christine McCallum, Dementia Link Worker for Wester Ross, email: CMcCallum@Alzscot.org, mobile: 07920816599 Helpline. Our 24 Hour Helpline is always available for advice, support and someone to talk to. Tel: 0808 808 3000 Email: helpline@alzscot.org You can also find a range of advice and support for managing during the coronavirus lockdown on our website at: https://www.alzscot.org/information-during-coronavirus Alzheimer Scotland West Highland JustGiving Page Whether delivered digitally or face-to-face, all our supports and activity groups incur costs and we appreciate that many people have donated to the West Highland JustGiving page in respect of the ongoing support and activities that they are receiving and attending. The Dementia Advisor and Community Activity Organiser roles have traditionally been supported by fundraised income and as our ability to fundraise has been severely impacted by the pandemic we would be delighted if you would consider donating to our newly set up JustGiving page for 2021 in respect of the support you are receiving through our digital activities and supports. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/westhighland1 Portree Office, Tigh Na Drochaid Resource Centre, Bridge Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9ER Fort William Office, An Drochaid, Claggan Road, Fort William, PH33 6PH Tel: 01478 613450 | Email: Lhellon@alzscot.org | Website: www.alzscot.org Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognized as a charity by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 160 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH11 1DQ 0131 243 1453
West Highland Newsletter | Spring 2021 4
Message from Diane
I am still working from home but yesterday I had
to make a trip down to the office to install some
new IT equipment. It was exciting to see while I
was there, a couple of volunteers from Portree
and Braes Community Trust, working hard to
renovate the courtyard area outside our office
and the Tigh Na Drochaid Community Garden.
Here’s a picture of Stefan painting the trellis
Summer 2021
fencing. Soon we will have seating, planters
and raised beds in place and I’m looking forward
to being able to start meeting up with people
face to face in the courtyard very soon.
Back in November, Jean planted some bulbs in
pots in the courtyard and these are now
beginning to flower
.
The view across Loch Portree to the Cuillins was also very beautiful.
Diane Smith,
Community Activities Organiser for Skye & Lochalsh.
Portree Office, Tigh Na Drochaid Resource Centre, Bridge Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9ER
Fort William Office, An Drochaid, Claggan Road, Fort William, PH33 6PH
Tel: 01478 613450 | Email: Lhellon@alzscot.org | Website: www.alzscot.org
Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognized as a charity
by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 160 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH11 1DQ 0131 243 1453
West Highland Newsletter | Spring 2021 5
Message from Christine
Hello everyone,
I hope you are all well and enjoying the
beautiful Spring weather and being in this
beautiful place, with the beginnings of Spring
now that the snow clouds have disappeared.
The birds in my garden are busy getting their
nests ready.
It’s lovely to hear them letting us know Winter is
behind us and there’s work to be done.
I’m trying to recognise their very bespoke
tweets and have a few regulars calling now.
The vaccination programme is well underway
and restrictions are easing slowly but surely.
There are lots of things to enjoy now especially
the hope that we will be able to meet up with all
Family and friends.
So, in the spirit of feeling positive along with the
birds and the wonderful positivity they often
symbolise it made me think of this lovely poem
by Emily Dickinson.
“Hope is the thing with feathers-
That perches in the soul-
And sings the tune without the words-
And never stops - at all-
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard-
And sore must be the Storm-
That could abash the little Bird-
That kept so many warm
I’ve heard it in the chilliest Land-
And on the strangest Sea-
Yet – never-in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.
A little Wren having a “tweet” with me in my Garden.
Christine McCallum
Link Worker for WesterRoss.
.
Portree Office, Tigh Na Drochaid Resource Centre, Bridge Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9ER
Fort William Office, An Drochaid, Claggan Road, Fort William, PH33 6PH
Tel: 01478 613450 | Email: Lhellon@alzscot.org | Website: www.alzscot.org
Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognized as a charity
by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 160 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH11 1DQ 0131 243 1453
West Highland Newsletter | Spring 2021 6
Out and About with Morag
Even at the grand age of 97 years, nothing stops
Morag going out for a daily walk. Living on the
Isle of Skye you would think would be perfect for
outdoor strolls - but weather and terrain can be
rather challenging, if you are a bit unsteady on
your feet.
Morag takes her daily stroll with her daughter,
Trish, and together they have identified the best
places to take the air that are flat, not muddy or
pot-holed, out of the wind and with a nice
Summer 2021
view…and most importantly with benches.
Benches have been in rather short supply during
lockdown, but essential for people with mobility
issues so Morag and Trish have flouted the law
(shhh) to walk from bench to bench and sit in the
Winter sun eating chocolate and taking selfies.
So far their favourite walks have been (in no
particular order) at the sea front at Kyle of
Lochalsh with its fabulous views of Skye over
the water; Kyleakin, a perfect Skye village with
its stunning view of the Skye bridge, King
Hakan’s ruined castle and the beautiful otter
sculpture celebrating Gavin Maxwell’s ‘Ring of
Bright Water’; and the gardens in Broadford Bay,
lovingly looked after by the local community and
looking over the sea to the Applecross
Mountains on the mainland.
Thank you from all of us in the team to Morag
and Trish for sharing these photos and telling us
about your daily walks. It is very inspiring and
now that spring is here and the weather is
better, we hope you’ll be able to get out for more
walks.
Portree Office, Tigh Na Drochaid Resource Centre, Bridge Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9ER
Fort William Office, An Drochaid, Claggan Road, Fort William, PH33 6PH
Tel: 01478 613450 | Email: Lhellon@alzscot.org | Website: www.alzscot.org
Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognized as a charity
by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 160 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH11 1DQ 0131 243 1453
West Highland Newsletter | Spring 2021 7
Message from Eleanor
Mary had a little lamb
Its fleece was white as snow……..
This poor wee lamb is knee deep in the
Snow! It’s shivering so much it has made
the frame of the photo shiver too!
It’s called the Lambing Snow but it’s still
a bit of a shock when it comes after Easter.
I hope you’re all keeping well and staying
safe.
Have you all had your vaccinations now? It won’t You’ll notice that it lists not only what is on in
be too much longer hopefully before we can West Highland but also what’s going on in South
start to do things face to face again – how and North Highland as well. You are very
exciting will that be? welcome to join those groups digitally as well. It
is sometimes nice to see new faces.
In the meantime we are still trying to come up
with interesting things to do online to keep us all It seems like ages since we saw each other but I
entertained and in touch. When we can do am very much looking forward to being able to
things in person again we will still keep some of do things face to face with you and I will let you
the digital stuff going. know as soon as that happens.
The Bingo on a Wednesday morning is great In the meantime, if there is anything you would
fun, with a different theme each week and once like to try or that you have a particular interest in,
a month we have the Dementia Dog either let me know and we will try to organise
picking the Bingo numbers or sending us off something for you. If you have a friend or a
around our houses to find items in the relative who is affected by Dementia or caring
Scavenger Hunt. for someone with Dementia and who think would
like to join some of our groups but does not have
Also once a month we meet up with our friends
a suitable device, we still have a few
in Glasgow and Inverness for the ‘We’ll Meet
Chromebooks from Connecting Scotland we
Again Café’. That is always great fun and we try
could let them have in order to be able to join in.
to have a theme for that too but usually it is just
a good old chat with lots of reminiscence. We So take care and who knows maybe our next
also occasionally pal up with the Capital Theatre Newsletter will be celebrating being together
Dementia Group from Edinburgh and this month again.
we had a Virtual Musical Tour of Scotland which
Best wishes
was great stories and music, we’ll see what we
can come up with next month. Eleanor
We’ll continue to send you out our monthly Community Activities Organiser, Lochaber
What’s On Guide.
Portree Office, Tigh Na Drochaid Resource Centre, Bridge Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9ER
Fort William Office, An Drochaid, Claggan Road, Fort William, PH33 6PH
Tel: 01478 613450 | Email: Lhellon@alzscot.org | Website: www.alzscot.org
Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognized as a charity
by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 160 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH11 1DQ 0131 243 1453
West Highland Newsletter | Spring 2021 8
Message from Mags
Hello Everyone, all the important details such as personal details,
photo, routines, places of significance and
I hope you are all managing to keep safe and
medications needed. In the event that someone
well. Hopefully a lot of people will have had their
living with dementia was to go missing you can
1st vaccination already and we can look forward
hand this form to the police and it can assist
to Spring and Summer with a brighter outlook,
them in finding your loved one. It is best to be
better weather and a bit more freedom to get out
completed by the person who knows the person
and about and see our friends and families
again. I know I am very much looking forward to
it! Summer 2021
living with dementia the best.
You can ask for support to complete this from
the relevant health professional providing your
support or you can access it online on:
https://www.scotland.police.uk/spa-
media/dtrezvca/herbert-protocol-edinburgh-
form.doc
Police Scotland have recently been highlighting
Best Wishes,
the importance of the Herbert Protocol and I
thought it might be useful to share the Mags Bain, Dementia Link Worker for Skye &
information here with everyone. Lochalsh
The Herbert Protocol is a form that has been The nights are starting to stretch out and I hope
designed for people living with dementia. It has there will be many more sunsets like these…
Portree Office, Tigh Na Drochaid Resource Centre, Bridge Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9ER
Fort William Office, An Drochaid, Claggan Road, Fort William, PH33 6PH
Tel: 01478 613450 | Email: Lhellon@alzscot.org | Website: www.alzscot.org
Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognized as a charity
by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 160 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH11 1DQ 0131 243 1453
West Highland Newsletter | Spring 2021 9
Message from Caroline
‘Spring ‘
By William Blake,
Sound the flute!
Now it’s mute!
Bird’s delight,
Day and night,
Nightingale, I suppose its that time of the year: How do you
In the dale, do yours? Where do you start?
Lark in sky, — There seems to be a renewed interest/fashion in
cleaning with the rise of new books and advice
Merrily, and now videos on how to clean, and declutter
Merrily merrily, to welcome in the year your home. For example “Mrs Hinch”.
But thinking back I remember my mother
washing the “hairy blankets” from the bed, this
was a big job and did not happen every year,
using the carpet beater on the rugs over the line:
I still have a carpet beater it was my aunts. So
more clutter for me! But I like its shape.
First published in Blake’s ‘Songs of Innocence’
in 1789, ‘Spring’ has the ring of a medieval song
about it. The poem celebrates the joy of spring
through focusing on some of Blake’s favourite
aspects of the season.
Everything is in communion with everything else
in ‘Spring’: the sound of the flute with the song of
the nightingale, the little girl and the little
cockerel that both ‘crow’, and the ‘kiss’ that
seals the child to the lamb. The human world Caroline Gordon, Dementia Link Worker for
and the rest of nature are in harmony. Lochaber
Portree Office, Tigh Na Drochaid Resource Centre, Bridge Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9ER
Fort William Office, An Drochaid, Claggan Road, Fort William, PH33 6PH
Tel: 01478 613450 | Email: Lhellon@alzscot.org | Website: www.alzscot.org
Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognized as a charity
by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 160 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH11 1DQ 0131 243 1453
West Highland Newsletter | Spring 2021 10
Message from Lesley
As the weather improves and as spring moves on into summer, I thought I’d share with you all some tips
on staying hydrated and the symptoms of dehydration to be aware of.
6 tips for staying hydrated - for when the sun comes
1.Don't wait till you're thirsty to drink. By the time you feel thirsty,
you're already slightly dehydrated. ...
2.Flavour your water. ...
3.Eat water-rich fruits and vegetables. ...
4.Stay inside when it gets too hot. ...
5.Dress for the weather. ...
6.Be aware of the signs of dehydration (below).
Dehydration symptoms
Keep an eye out for any of these signs of dehydration in adults:
• Darker-than-usual urine • Craving sweets
• Not urinating despite steadily drinking • Dry mouth/skin
water
• Fast heartbeat
• Muscle cramps
• Irritability
• Bad breath
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Drowsiness
• Fever or chills
Lesley Hellon, Dementia Adviser for West Highland
Portree Office, Tigh Na Drochaid Resource Centre, Bridge Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9ER
Fort William Office, An Drochaid, Claggan Road, Fort William, PH33 6PH
Tel: 01478 613450 | Email: Lhellon@alzscot.org | Website: www.alzscot.org
Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognized as a charity
by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 160 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH11 1DQ 0131 243 1453You can also read
