Message from the Building Healthy Communities Machars Team

We would like to wish all our group members, volunteers and partners a Merry Christmas and the very best for 2019!

We would also like to thank all our volunteers for their dedication and enthusiasm throughout the year!  Without you, our activities could not be sustained! You are INVALUABLE!

BHC Machars Annual Christmas Get Together.

BHC Machars held their annual Christmas get together for their volunteers at Whithorn Community Centre on the 10th December

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Isle of Whithorn Arts and Craft Group

Monday Club - Lowland Lassies Choir

Yesterday, the Monday Club members and friends were entertained by the fabulous Lowland Lassies to celebrate the end of the year whilst enjoying mince pies and sausage rolls.  Volunteer Lesley kindly decorated the hall to put everyone in a great Christmas mood.

From the start, music sheets were provided and everyone was encouraged to join in with the Choir and sing some popular songs, including Pack Up Your Troubles .  To view a video click here

Before finishing the sessions, the choir treated the audience to some lovely Christmas songs.  Click here to view a sample video.

The members were also invited to join the Lowland Lassies to their weekly group which takes place every Wednesday at the Wigtown Baptist Church Hall from 2.45pm to 4.15pm.

The Monday Club will restart on 7th January 2018 with some Healthy Cooking.  We hope to see everyone then.

Jills of all Trades in the Community

The Jills continued their transformation in a local resident's house this week!

From this......                                                                      To this......

In one easy paint!!  Well done ladies!!

Whithorn Drop-In

Come along to our drop in every Monday at South Machars Community Centre in the Coffee Bar. From 9.30am to 12.30pm. Everyone welcome.
Last one before Christmas will be the 17th December, reopening on 7th January 2019.

Gym Equipment Loan Scheme

Take a look at the following pieces of gym equipment which either individuals or groups in the area can borrow.

The equipment can be borrowed for a minimum of 1 month. This is designed to see whether this type of home exercise is suitable.

The following are available now:

Air Strider: Great for non impact use, exercise without pain in the joints. Fully collapsible for storage.

Reebok Step: This step is height adjustable and ideal for a great workout.

Hydraulic Stepper: Stepping up and down against the hydraulic pressure. (This is not suitable for individuals with balance issues)

Sit-Up Bench: Fully adjustable to make your Abs workout as easy or difficult as you like.

Arm/foot desk cycle: use for either arms or legs, on or under a desk or just whilst sitting. Great gentle exercise.

If you are interested in borrowing any of these pieces of equipment, please contact the office and leave a message on: 01671 404267

Jills of all trades in the community

The Jills (BHC Volunteers) have been helping with redecorating a small area in a local resident's house which involved fitting new skirting boards prior to painting.

Using a mitre saw, they managed to achieve this with excellent results.

At the next session, they will assist with undercoating and glossing the wood in this room.

A great help to the service user who also took part!

Healthy Eating - Isle of Whithorn Youth Group - 14th November 2018

Last Wednesday saw the young people from the Isle of Whithorn cook their own

Chicken Fajitas from scratch.

Eleven young people were all successful in this aim and all did really well

creating a tasty snack that can easily be replicated at home.

 

Well done to all and looking forward to our next visit in 2019.

Fajita Ingredients:
Marinated Chicken Breast Strips

Red Peppers

Onions                                                                      

Green Beans

Tomatoes

Tortilla Wraps

Chilli (fresh or powder)                                                        

½ tsp Cumin

Crème Fraiche

Method
Cut the peppers, onions and beans into similar strips.
Cut the tomatoes into chunks.
Heat some oil in the pan and cook the chicken for 2-3 minutes.
Add the vegetables and tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Add the cumin and ½ tsp chilli or extra fresh chilli if desired. Reduce heat and cook for 5-10 minutes.
Cut each wrap in half and spread with Crème Fraiche.
Serve the mixture onto the wrap, roll up and eat by itself or with salad!

Boccia and New Age Curling

The group, which is held at the Activity Resource Centre in Newton Stewart every Monday from 1.30pm to 3pm, continues to be very well attended and is very lively. 

Each week, the members split into 2 groups, the Reds and the Blues, and compete in both a game of New Age Curling and of Boccia.  Their skills are improving every week and the competitive atmosphere continues to thrive.

The group is open to anyone over the age of 16. 

 

 

Everything Begins with An Idea Event Saturday 17th November 2018.

Ferry Friends Coffee Morning 20th November 2018

5th Annual Celebration Event

Monday Club - Tom Dingwall

Tom Digwall, a well known local singer, came to the Monday Club today and sang a number of hits from the 50's, 60's and 70's.

As always, Tom is exceedingly professional and was thoroughly entertaining with his performance.

To view part of one of the songs, click here

It was a shame that some members were unable to attend today.

Next Meeting of the Monday Club is on Monday 1st October. For further details, please contact the Building Healthy Communities Office.

Drop In Sessions At Whithorn Commuity Centre

Building Healthy Communities Machars updated list of Initiatives and Activities

Monday Club Programme From September to October 2018

Jills in the Community - Garden Planters

Over the last couple of weeks, the Jills have been busy designing and making Garden planters for Newton Stewart Hospital gardens.

Last week saw the final one completed, making 6 planters in all.

Well done Jills!! Great job!

Isle of Whithorn Arts Group

Hi everyone, 

There will be no Art Group at the Isle of Whithorn next Wednesday, 20th June!! Look forward to everyone getting back together on 27th June. The group will break for the summer for all of August and restart Wednesday 5th September. Any queries, please feel free to contact me. 

 dave.groves@nhs.net 

Jills in the Community - Garden tubs

Here is the first effort of a self made planter made with scraps of wood from the workshop.

The Jills are planning to make many of these for the Newton Stewart Hospital Gardens!!  The planters can be painted etc to make them waterproof and ready for action!!

Volunteering Workshop

Activity Fair 21st June, drop in between 10.30am and 3pm to Dumfries and Galloway College- Stranraer Campus.

Various Events - Alzeimers Scotland

Please take a look at the events below and see if you can support them!! 

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Stranraer Harbour Access Sailwest Building, Tuesday 15th May 2018, 11am to 8pm

Star Ball 18th May 2018, 7.30pm to 12am. In Aid of Learning Disability Week

Information Event and Open Afternoon,Tuesday 15th May, 2pm-5.30pm

Change of Office for Building Healthy Communities

Sadly, after 12 years of being based in Whithorn, Building Healthy Communities Machars, have moved office. As part of a larger team, the staff are now based in Newton Stewart Hospital.

Our new Contact details are as follows:

Building Healthy Communities
Newton Stewart Hospital
Stranraer Road
Newton Stewart
DG8 6LZ

Phone: 01671 404267

Email addresses have stayed the same and can be found underneath our photos.

Please contact us at the new address as from today, 25th April 2018.

Capability Scotland - Dumfries and Galloway Newsletter

To read the latest newsletter from the integrated service in Dumfries and Galloway, please click HERE!

The newsletter has lots of info on activities available across the region

Jills in the Community - Almost a 60 Minute Makeover

On Monday, the Jills were hard at work assisting someone in the community to decorate 2 rooms before they moved in to their new home.

Amazing what a difference a lick of paint can do!! Well done everyone. Another satisfied customer!

If you, or you know someone, who would benefit from the assistance of the Jills, please get in touch!

Monday Club - Wildlife Talk

On Monday, 10 members of the club were treated to a fascinating wildlife talk by Derek Farr.

Derek showed some 50 + slides of various wildlife in the area and all the group thoroughly enjoyed the morning. 

The next meeting is on 16th April where there will be information available and a talk about "Bloodbikes"

For further information on the Monday Club or any other activities, contact the office on

01988 501111

Keep Safe

Keep Safe aims to help disabled people feel safe in their community.

It also aims to raise awareness of disability hate crime and encourage people to report this.

For the full information on the Keep Safe Scheme, please click here.

Alternatively, visit:  www.iammescotland.co.uk 

Log in and Connect

Another busy morning at the Log in and Connect group on Wednesday saw some 12 people attend with their devices and receive assistance on a variety of topics from deleting group chats to accessing "apps" for the visually challenged.

The group meet every Wednesday at The Newton Stewart Centre (formerly The Hut) at 10.30 - 12.30

At 11.30, there is a Dancercise class available at the same location. 

Both the Log in and dancercise groups are open to all. For further information, please contact the Building Healthy Communities office on 01988 501111

Pets as Therapy update

Alyson, BHC Volunteer, along with Ben, BHC's "one and only" Pet Volunteer, have been very busy visiting the residents of Cumloden Manor as well as the members of the Activity Resource Centre.


They have also recently started the "Read2Dogs" scheme in one of the local Primary Schools by visiting fortnightly and providing support to 3 pupils. The scheme provides comfort, encourages positive social behaviours, enhances self-esteem, motivates speech and inspires young people to have fun.

As well as volunteering, Ben also works hard on the farm but always finds time for some well deserved fun!  Here he is below sitting on a motorbike and chilling in the snow in his new onesie!