BHC Machars' newest volunteers: Ben & Alyson from "Pets As Therapy"

We are delighted to introduce you to Ben and Alyson, the newest addition to BHC Machars volunteers' team.

In June 2016, Ben and Alyson became registered as Pets As Therapy Visitors, having reached the high standards required.


Alyson worked for 33 years as a physiotherapist with disabled adults and children and has recently moved in the Machars to run a small farm.  However Alyson wishes to continue her volunteering work for Pets As Therapy and we are delighted to help her do so through BHC.
Ben is a four year old Border/Beardie cross.  He is a working dog and when he is not working the sheep, he loves swimming in the sea and chasing Frisbees.  He is very friendly and loves meeting people.


So far Ben and Alyson have visited the residents from Cornwall Park and will start their fortnightly visit to the members of the Activity Resource Centre in Newton Stewart on Wednesday 29th March 2017.




What is Pet As Therapy?
Pets As Therapy is a national charity founded in 1983 which enhances the health & wellbeing in the community through visits of trusted volunteers with their behaviourally assessed PAT Pets.
They provide a visiting service in hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, special needs schools, mainstream schools and a variety of other venues all across the UK.
Their therapeutic visits:
Enhance lives in the communities by providing companionship and friendship which helps to tackle loneliness.
Improve the lives of people suffering from debilitating mental and physical health conditions and illnesses such as Autism, Dementia and Stroke by including animal assisted interventions as part of a holistic approach to treatment.
Improve literacy in children by developing their confidence, interest and enjoyment in reading through their "read2dogs" scheme.


For further information on their services please visit: petsastherapy.org

Monday Club- Sewing Workshop

The theme for this weeks Monday Club was Sewing Workshop with Linda Woodfield, Linda has a workshop studio in Newton Stewart and sells bespoke textile items and also run various group classes, Linda brought in material and sewing equipment and gave the Monday group a choice to make either a chick an egg or a bauble, most of the group made chicks one member made an Easter egg. Linda first demonstrated the making of each item. The morning was successful and was enjoyed by all.

 

 

 

At our next Monday Club meeting on 3rd April we are having a Heartstart  Course (Emergency Life Skills).

 

 

Monday Club Poster From April to July

Move More Dumfries & Galloway, Gentle Movement, Free Sessions

Monday Club - Memory Lane



Today Monday Club members brought in items from their past. Christine brought in a coat which is a 1940's Beaver Swagger style coat. Doreen brought in a dress that she wore in the 1950's with a lovely flower detail necklace. The World War 2 medals were Christine's dads also his demo certificate was read out to us. Very informative.



Thank you to all the members who brought in photos we had a good time guessing who they were.

Christine also had a Relay for Life table setup she had made homemade mince pies for 50p each, which where very popular and sold out. Christine was also selling knitted Easter chicks with a chocolate egg as the body, also sold out. Well done Christine!!

At our next Monday Club meeting on 20th March we will have Linda Woodfield. Linda will be doing a sewing workshop with us.

Samantha is also in the process of organising our next programme for April to July, it will be with us soon. Keep an eye out for the posters and programme.