Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

To ALL our volunteers and partner agencies. This has been a really busy and successful year for everyone involved with BHC. See you all in 2016.

New Hospital Newsletter

The new hospital in Dumfries is starting to take shape. click HERE to view the latest newsletter.

Health and Social Care Integration - Public Consultation Ending Friday.

The public consultation on the Draft Health and Social Care Integration plans is coming to an end tomorrow, Friday 11th December. If you have not had your say yet, then go to:

 www.dg-change.org.uk/consultation 

This is a great opportunity to shape the way services will be delivered from April 2016.

Wigtown Medical Practice

Something to think about!!!  Does this apply to you or someone you know???  

If so, contact your local medical practice for advice.

(This poster was designed by the Wigtown Medical Practice)

Job Vacancies within Building Healthy Communities

Take a look at the advert below for more information.

Alzheimer Scotland - Knit and Natter

A new Knit and Natter group is available in Newton Stewart. 

To view the details, click here

Dumfries and Galloway Befriending Project

The Dumfries and Galloway Befriending Project is looking for Befrienders for young persons aged 8 -18. Please see poster below for full details.

Dumfries and Galloway Carers Centre and Keep Well

Are you a Carer aged 16+?

Are you a resident of Dumfries & Galloway?

If so, click here to view what is available to you!! 

Monday Club - Mad Hatters

On Monday 16th November, the group were entertained to a panto style sketch of Jack and the Beanstalk, by the "Mad Hatters".

All the group really enjoyed the performance and were grateful to the Mad Hatters for their time and energy. Pam then continued the energy levels with her usual enthusiasm as the group went through their paces with gentle exercise.

Health and Social Care Integration

During the past 2 weeks, BHC staff and volunteers have been involved in public consultations to get the views of individuals and groups about the Draft Plan for the Integration of Health and Social Care Services.

These meetings have been well attended and many people have given some interesting and thought provoking ideas as to how to improve the services and add to the plan.

There are still 3 weeks for people to have their say on the draft plan. Call in at the office or visit the web page at www.dg-change.org.uk/consultation and get involved in this important change in the way that services will be delivered.

Monday Club - Lowland Lassies

The Monday Club were entertained by the wonderful voices of the Lowland Lassies this week.



A range of songs were performed, much to the delight of all the group members.

The session was rounded off with gentle exercise, led by the effervescent Pam!

Many thanks to the Lowland Lassies for their input into the Monday Club and remember, the club meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each Month, 10am at Penninghame Church Hall. All welcome!

Dancercise - Isle of Whithorn

This week's Dancercise session was very well attended and the group is growing from strength to strength. 

With Pam's bubbly and outgoing approach to this initiative, all warmed up and went through the routines. Great fun for all.

During the session, the group were introduced to the Health and Social Care Integration consultation, and all took away information to look at, with a view to feeding back next week.

Wigtownshire Health and Social Care Draft Locality Plan.

YOUR VIEWS AND IDEAS

MATTER TO US 

Come along and give us your views on 
Wigtownshire Health and Social Care

Draft Locality Plan.

THURSDAY 29^TH OCTOBER

10AM – 1PM

STRANRAER LIBRARY

Phone 01776 707764 for further information.

Health and Social Care Integration - Wigtownshire Draft Locality Plan

Take a look at the Easy Read version of the Draft Locality Plan for Wigtownshire. This is a good way to be involved in Health and Social Care Integration.

To read the full easy read version, click HERE

Health and Social Care Integration Consultation Period Phase two

The second phase of consultation on the Draft Strategic Plan which includes the Draft Locality Plans begins on the 19^th October and runs to the 11^th December.

Share your views and help shape health and social care and support in Dumfries and Galloway.

Dumfries and Galloway’s Draft Strategic Plan for Health and Social Care Integration makes the case for change, identifies key challenges and sets out how we plan to address these. The plan is supported by a series of documents: four Locality Plans; Strategic Needs Assessment; Financial Plan; Market Facilitation Plan and Performance Management Framework.

The Draft Strategic Plan has been developed by listening to local people, people who use health and social care services, families and Carers, partner organisations and staff.   In developing the Draft Plan we have considered all of the comments received in the first round of consultation (from 22 June to 28 August) and made changes to reflect these. The Draft Plan now includes the annexes and the “we will” commitment statements that will support achievement of the nine national outcomes for health and wellbeing.  

You can download the Draft Strategic Plan and locality plans at www.dg-change.org.uk/consultation  

There are questions at the back of both the strategic plan and the locality plans that we would ask you to consider.

By returning your responses to these questions using the details below and by sharing with us your thoughts, views and comments, together we can shape health and social care for the future.

Survey link – www.dg-change.org.uk/consultation

Or you can request a copy at: 01387 272749 

Or emailing:  www.dg.integration@nhs.net

Dumfries and Galloway Hard of Hearing Group Newsletter

The latest newsletter from the D&G hard of Hearing Group is available now. You can view the newsletter by clicking here

Jills of all Trades - Bird Box

The Jills have been assisting one of the group who, as part of her Dumfries and Galloway College course, has come up with the idea of making Bird boxes.

This has involved creating a template, costings, cutting, drilling holes and assembling all the boxes. At present, the boxes are all being assembled for the college students to paint or stain.

There have been many difficulties to overcome whilst being involved in this project, including assembling them wrong!!! We all learn from our mistakes and this has now been rectified.

Great project and something a bit different!  Well done Ladies!!

Monday Club - Creebridge Pharmacy

The members of the Monday club were enthralled by the demonstration  given by Eleanor and Jane from Creebridge Pharmacy. They showed the group how they prepare and dispense medication via blister packs.

They also informed the group that medication need not be dispensed in child proof bottles if the patient is having difficulty in opening them. An arrangement can made via the Pharmacy for different bottles.

This is also true of certain tablets that may be difficult to swallow, alternatives are available if you ask!

Everyone had a go using Tic-tacs, marshmallows etc in place of actual medication to make up their own blister packs and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  It was so popular, that even Pam's gentle exercise had to fall by the wayside!

A big thank you to Eleanor and Jane for all their input, and we are sure that the group will want them back for a further talk next year.

Work Ladder Courses

There are Work Ladder courses  due to start in Newton Stewart and Whithorn. 

These are basically confidence building courses, to encourage learners to believe in themselves and to help them gain the confidence to apply for jobs/training/further education courses.  If you know of anyone who may benefit from these FREE courses then please contact Caroline McLean or Susan Brown.

Details of times and contacts are below.

Whithorn Community Centre (coffee bar) 

Tuesdays 

3^rd, 10^th, 17^th, 24^th Nov 

1^st & 8^th  Dec 

 1.00-3.00pm

(Susan’s contact details: Tel. 01988 500364 

Email: susan.brown@dumgal.gov.uk )

Newton Stewart Library (activity room) 

Wednesdays 

4^th, 11^th,18^th , & 25^th Nov, 

2^nd & 9^th Dec 

1.00-3.00pm

(Caroline’s contact details: tel. 01671 404756 

Email: caroline.mclean@dumgal.gov.uk)

Free Lunch Drop In - Basics Food Bank

The Machars Churches Basics Food Bank are holding a FREE drop In lunch every Friday starting this week, Friday 9th October. For further information, take a look at the poster below.

Yesteryears - Alzheimer Scotland

Alzheimer Scotland have a new Drop in Session in Stranraer where people can share their memories or just come in and have a chat.

To view the poster, click here.

Healthy Eating - Isle of Whithorn and Port William Youth Groups

Two local Youth Groups were involved in Healthy Eating last week. A total of 17 young people ranging from 11 - 18 years old, had the chance to cook their own healthy "Sweet and Sour" dish.

The young people had to cut the vegetables and combine all the ingredients to successfully complete the task. The atmosphere at both events was great, and, on evaluation, all would like to try different things later in the year.

The recipe used is detailed below:

SWEET AND SOUR DISH

Ingredients (per person)

Sliced Chicken or Lean Pork (3 to 4oz per person)

Oil to cook

1 tbsp Cider Vinegar

1 tablespoon Brown Sugar

Finished product!!  YUMMY!

1 teaspoon Soya Sauce

¼ small Onion, chopped

2 Tomatoes, chopped

Any other chopped vegetables of your choice

Bit of Ginger

1 clove of Garlic

1 Pineapple Ring and Juice

Water to add volume

1 tsp Cornflour & 2 tsp water (to thicken)

Method

1. Cook meat in oil (approximately 5 minutes) & remove from pan.
2. Add Soya Sauce, Sugar and Cider Vinegar and heat until sugar is dissolved.
3. Add the vegetables and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Add the Pineapple and Juice. Bring to boil. Add water if necessary.
5. Mix the Cornflour and water together, add to pan and thicken the sauce.
6. Reheat the meat in the sauce and serve with rice or noodles.

Fruit Pizza - Port William Youth Club

Last week, the younger Youth Group at Port William were given the opportunity to make their own Fruit Pizzas with some really good results. A total of 25 group members enjoyed designing their own pizza and these were taken home with them. Great evening!!

 WELL DONE EVERYONE!!!

First4Feet

First4Feet is a service available locally. For further information, contact details are below.

(Click on the image to enlarge)

Adults with Incapacity Workshop

For details of the workshop to be held in Castle Douglas in October, click here

A BIG THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS

It is with great joy and a touch of sadness that, today, we celebrate the fact that our Volunteer, Luke Utting, aka "The Blogmeister" is putting his volunteering with BHC Machars on hold as he has been successful in obtaining a job in a local company. This a great step for Luke and one he has been aspiring to.

Without his knowledge and expertise, BHC would not have developed this highly successful Blog to which we are deeply indebted to him.

Luke has been a dedicated volunteer for the past 6 or so years, assisting with a range of initiatives across a plethora of age groups. All service users who have had contact with Luke, will not forget the happy cheery persona that follows him.

There is far too much to say about Luke's volunteering journey so it is best left to him. I can assure you, it is an inspiring read!!!

Read Luke's account of his journey by clicking on this link.

This is not a "Goodbye", because we will continue to see Luke in the community and know, that we can can call on him, as he can on us, at anytime.

Huge Thanks Luke for all that you have done and achieved.

Dave, Nathalie and Samantha. The BHC Team in the Machars

Dumfries and Galloway Wellness and Recovery College

For the full course guide available from September to December 2015, including Mindfulness, Safe Talk, Confidence and Self Esteem sessions,   Click on the logo below.

Food Train Activities Oct - Dec 2015

Food Train have published their latest activity leaflet.

To view the leaflet, click on the logo below.

Fruit Pizza - Isle of Whithorn Youth Club.

"Fruitastic"...........                                    "Great Fun"............ "Awesome"................                                "Delish"!!!!!

These are just some of the comments from the young people after their evening of making Fruit Pizza's on Wednesday.

The children had a chance to put their artistic talents to good use and produce a tasty, very different, Pizza, with incredible results.

Using a slice of watermelon as a base, there was a choice of 8 fruits as toppings. Below, are a few photos showing the success of the young people.

WELL DONE to all the children and thanks to the staff and volunteers from the youth club for their assistance.  See you all soon.

Mature Driver Scheme in Wigtownshire

For the full information on this free scheme please click here and here

NHS Excellence Awards Nomination.

The V.O.I.C.E. Mid Galloway Team have been nominated in the NHS Excellence Awards, in the "Partnership Working" category. The project has already been recognised by the Wigtownshire Locality Draft Plan as an example of good practice.

Good luck to the team as the winners will be announced on September 18th. at Easterbrook Hall.

Monday Club’s outing to Logan Botanic Gardens

Our Monday Club’s outing to Logan Botanic Gardens took place on 31^st July. The weather was very good, giving us a lovely warm sunny day for our tour around the gardens. Richard, our tour guide, gave us a very descriptive informative tour of all the flowers and plants that they have growing in the Gardens. The Monday Club would like to thank Richard Baines, curator of Logan Botanic Gardens for the tour and Pottery Shed for lunch. Everyone really enjoyed the day!

Local Training Firm

Take a look at Solway Training.(Local Company based in Whithorn)  The V.O.I.C.E project used this company to train volunteers over the past year.

http://solwaytraining.co.uk/

Monday Club

Please view and note what is happening at the Monday Club over the next few months. 

Everyone is Welcome!

20,000 Views..THANK YOU!!

The Staff Team at BHC Machars along with Volunteer Luke, would like to thank everyone for supporting the Blogpage.

We have now had 20,000 views since we started 3 years ago. Keep coming back for all the latest info from BHC Machars and their partners. If your organisation is interested in being linked to this blog, please contact the office.

Strategic Plan for Health and Social Care Integration Consultation 2016 - 2019

Share your views and help shape health and care services in Dumfries and Galloway.

In preparation for the Integration of Health and Social Care in Dumfries and Galloway, (The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014), we are required to develop a Strategic Plan for health and social care that sets out how we will plan and deliver care and support services for the region.

To help do this, a consultation document for a strategic plan has been prepared by integration partners. The consultation on this document is from Monday 22 June to Friday 28 August 2015 and we are very keen to hear the views and comments of as many people as possible.

This document sets out the case for change, key challenges for health and social care and how we plan to address these. It has been developed by listening to local people, people who use health and social care services, families and Carers, partner organisations and staff. There are questions at the back of the document that we would ask you to consider.  

To view the full consultation document, also shown on the website, click HERE. or on the logo on the right hand side of the blog.

If you require the Consultation Document in other formats or hard copies, these are available by emailing dg.integration@nhs.net or tel: 01387 272749. 

You can submit your comments using the questionnaire at the back of the consultation document.

Below is a timetable of consultation dates and venues for Dumfries and Galloway.

Also available are information leaflets about the Strategic Plan:

For the main version click Here

For the easy read version click Here

Jills in the Community

The garden being developed in the local community by the Jills will be finished in a couple of weeks!

Before

A local resident, John, donated many plants to start the garden looking wonderful. Thanks for your generosity John. There has been a tremendous change in the appearance, and when the grass seed is sown in a couple of weeks, it will be a new garden!!

After