Self Management Week

Please view the SMP blog for details of the self management week.  This can be viewed by clicking HERE

Self Management Week Poster

MONDAY CLUB

A warm welcome was extended by Volunteer Jo Chambers ,to the large group of members and guests who attended this weeks Monday Club.  After extending birthday wishes to this months  celebrants and giving a mention to the forth coming Coffee Morning on Friday 27th from 10am until 12am at Ashgrove  Court in aid of Mc Millian Cancer  Jo gave a warm welcome to the speaker for the morning Dr Robin Bellerby.

The speaker at this morning’s Monday Club was Dr. Robin Bellerby, chairman of the Galloway Forest Astronomical Society.

He gave a very interesting talk, to a large and spellbound audience , on the Galloway Dark Skies project, explaining how the project was formed and run. Also he gave in depth information and advice on the different methods of observing the night sky, including observation with the naked eye, through binoculars, telescopes and photography. He also told us that it would take 20 - 30 minutes for our eyes to adjust to the outside darkness, and how they adjust, before we could really start observing the night sky. Also the further away from city lights and roads the clearer the skies would appear.

Dr Bellerby also explained that we could find all the information relating to the night sky on the internet.

Dr. Bellerby invited the audience to the Annual general meeting of his society at the belted Galloway in Newton Stewart, on Saturday November 2^nd at 10.00am.

The talk finished after a question and answer session when volunteer, Mrs Jo. Chambers thanked Dr. Bellerby for his very interesting and informative  talk, leaving us wanting more.

Peter & Sandra Henk

The morning was rounded of with our gentle exercise group going through their paces with Pam whilst others were making arrangements to go off star gazing.

Money Management Course, Newton Stewart

A three-session course will be held at Cinnamon Coffee Shop, 73 Victoria Street, Newton Stewart, run by CAP (Christians Against Poverty), facilitated by a qualified money coach. The CAP Money course is a revolutionary free money management course that teaches people budgeting skills and a simple, cash-based system that really works. This will help you to gain more control over your finances in order to save, give and prevent debt.

The course runs for three consecutive Thursday evenings, from 6.00pm till 8.00pm, and commences on Thursday 26th September.  Tea/coffee supplied.

Please note that the course is open to all, and is not aiming to convert anyone!  Contact Janette at Cinnamon for more details on 01671 404440.

BHC Machars Action Plan and Evaluation Day

The Machars Area Action plan was held last Thursday at The Creebridge Hotel in Newton Stewart. The event was well attended by partner agencies, volunteers and service users.

The day consisted of a run through of all the work that was carried out in the area over the last 17 months, with time for evaluation, comments and recommendations for 2013 – 2014.  The audience were involved at all times, especially when asked to participate in the “Skeleton Dance” as an example of the type of programme that has been offered within schools

The Powerpoint presentation has been split into 3 parts which can be viewed by clicking on the following links: part1, part2, part3.

At the end of a demanding yet fulfilling day, the BHC volunteers who were present and had assisted in delivering work in the community were all personally thanked and presented with 2 bespoke coasters. The volunteers who had also assisted but were unable to attend, will also be receiving coasters.

Thanks to all who attended for their participation and a big thank you to the staff at the Creebridge for their hospitality.

Jills of All Trades

The first phase of “Flooring work” is now completed. The Jills have created and fitted a new wooden floor space in the workshop. This now enables extra projects to take place.

Phase 2 starts next week with the laying of laminate flooring. Watch this space for more news. 

Healthy Cooking – Befriending Project

On Monday evening, we were invited to The Befriending Project to get the young people and their befrienders involved in some “Healthy Cooking” as well as a little more information on “Love Food Hate Waste.”

The group were treated to a demonstration of how to cook quickly, easily and cheaply, the popular dish Chicken Fried Rice.

It was explained to everyone that you can cook this dish at a tenth of the cost of one portion purchased at a take-away!

The young people did really well and enjoyed eating their results.

Try the recipe yourself.

Chicken Fried Rice

Ingredients

Chicken Breast Strips

50gm long grained rice (cooked & cooled)

Small pieces of onion, peppers, peas, sweetcorn,

garlic & ginger and any other vegetables

5 spice powder

Drop of soy sauce

Method

Cut vegetables into small pieces (about 1cm).

Cut garlic and ginger into very small pieces.

Heat oil and cook chicken for 2 minutes, add vegetables, cook for further 3 minutes adding the soy sauce and 5 spice powder near the end of this time.

Add cooked rice and cook until hot. Serve and eat!!

ENJOY!!!

Laptop Heaven

This is how the day centre is now advertising the Laptop Heaven group.

Tuesday afternoons, 1pm – 3pm. Come bring your laptop for help and assistance.

Jills of all Trades

The Jills have now finished decorating the workshop in preparation for future work. This gives us a nice clean base for the future. Next week, we start flooring: Floorboards, Laminate and Carpet.

Laptop Heaven

This is how the day centre is now advertising the Laptop Heaven group.

Tuesday afternoons, 1pm – 3pm. Come bring your laptop for help and assistance.

Monday Club

Today Pam gave a  lesson and demonstration on  ballroom dancing, including a beautiful rendition of the waltz.  One of her pupils brought along his dancing shoes and together they demonstrated some lovely light footwork on the dance floor.  Members joined in, encouraged by Pam who reminded us that dancing is a great way to keep fit and is really only walking to music!  There was also time to chat about our different dancing experiences, bringing back happy memories about when we first tripped the light fantastic.

Please join us on 23 September for the next Monday Club,  10am - 12 noon in Penninghame Church Hall, Newton Stewart, when we will have a talk on the Dark Skies plus a Gentle Exercise  activity.  New members always welcome, drop in for a coffee and a chat. The Monday Club is open to carers, people living with a long term condition and anyone over 50.

Riverside Centre Newton Stewart Fundraising Events

Local Solicitors are in the Riverside Day Centre for older people on 12 September, where you can arrange to make a will and the fee will be donated to the Centre.. If you can't manage along on the day, please contact the Riverside Centre for details on how to take part in this event. Another fundraiser will take place on 3 November at 7pm in Newton Stewart Cinema.  This will be a fantastic evening's entertainment of local variety acts, including Francie and Josie.  Tickets cost £10.  Contact the Riverside Centre for more information 01671 402010.

Whithorn Parent Council School Fete

On Saturday, we were involved in assisting with the Fete at Whithorn Primary School which was organised by the Parent Council. This was a great event and raised over £1400 for School Funds. BHC provided Fruit Kebabs free of charge to all who attended. Staff and volunteers assisted with stalls and even got dressed up for the occasion. Well done to all the people who helped make the day a success.

Guess who's in the suits? Email us with your guesses!

“Afore Ye Go”

Some of our members attended the financial planning event at the Riverside Centre last week entitled 'Afore Ye Go' hosted by Age Scotland.  This was an informative day with lots of really good information and advice about taking steps to putting our finances in place for every area of life including equity release and tax advice. Apparently only 40% of us make a will, and only 10% take out a Power of Attorney to cover our wellbeing and financial matters in the event of becoming incapacitated.   There were also tips on how to reduce the cost of putting our affairs in order.   Leaflets and other information from the event are available via our Whithorn office.