Monday Club 11th February and 25th February

There is a lot going on in Newton Stewart every other Monday!  Our new group is going from strength to strength and we are delighted at the response from our local communities.  More people have come along to the Monday Club over the last two sessions, and word is spreading fast through word of mouth.

On 11 February Liz introduced some of the principles around Tai Chi, and shared a laugh with the group when she told us that when she had invited a neighbour to attend a class, the response was, “Tai Chi?  I’m happy with where my furniture is in the hoose, thanks very much!”

No such misconceptions here!  A large group of members enjoyed learning the relaxation movements, while other folk chatted over tea and coffee, and it is clear that companionship is an important aspect of the Monday Club.

We had a further taster session on 25 February, where the theme was healthy eating/love food, hate waste.  Our wonderful ‘gourmet chefs’, Dave and Luke, treated the group to a practical demonstration of how to whip up a tasty, nutritious, meal with leftovers, and everyone enjoyed sampling the results:  thumbs up all round!  Thirty people came along that day, and some brought along their own ideas for economic or healthy meals. 

Thanks again to the Golf Club for providing the premises, and for the delicious soup provided afterward by Allison (only £2 for soup and a roll).

The Monday Club will continue to meet every other week, and the members are currently planning a programme of events, all of which are free to carers, people living with a long term condition and anyone aged over 50.  Join us when we meet again on 11 March for exercise to music and an introduction to an Access Art project.

Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Access Art

We also ran a taster session in February in partnership with Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Access Art.   This was a fantastic night and produced enough quality art from the group of young carers to put on an exhibition there and then!

Further information about projects with both Access Art and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers will be posted here soon.

There are other self management activities already in place apart from the Monday Club, with further activities under development.

“Laptop Heaven” and “Jills in the Community”

Dave and Luke run Laptop Heaven on a Tuesday afternoon from the Riverside Centre, but you don’t have to be a member to attend. The idea is that members bring their computer issues to the group and we attempt to solve them.  

‘Jills in the Community’ uses the basic DIY skills that have been learned in the workshop and transfers them into practical help by supporting people and assisting them with their decorating projects in their own homes. 

We also offer information and advice that can help you to live life on your terms.  Contact us for further information or a chat. We can support you in making informed decisions about improving your health and well being, and getting involved in your community.