Out &About - "A Learning Resource"

A learning resource (report) about how one project has used social prescribing.

click here to view report

The Living Well - Community Services in Dumfries and Galloway. A search Tool

Please take time to read this post and search the directory of activities as developed by the Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway

We are moving towards a health and social care landscape that will see greater emphasis on personal resilience and looking beyond the clinical environment for solutions to health problems that are often socially determined. There is a wealth of community resources on our doorstep that could help people better manage their health, but often they remain unknown to us.

As a result, Third Sector, Dumfries and Galloway has developed a new service, designed to promote better health and wellbeing throughout the region, but also pull together all useful activities and services into one place. Funded as part of its Adult Health and Social Care project, ‘The Living Well’ provides an online directory for health, social and community services that is bespoke to Dumfries & Galloway. Its aim is to help improve access to information for the general public and health and social care professionals, ensuring everyone can have access to the services which will improve their lives or the lives of those they support.

Users can freely search for activities and services from a topic of their choosing - either from their local area or regionwide.

To search the directory click HERE  or go to the Third Sector logo on the right of the page.

The Living Well is open for submissions from any groups or services which benefit an individual’s health and wellbeing. Its overall aim is to be the central point where organisations big and small are able to promote their services to the widest possible audience.

For more information about the service or to get involved please contact:
Tel. 0300 303 8558 or email thelivingwell@thirdsectordumgal.org.uk

Community Transport

Do you know about community transport?

Royal Voluntary Service Community Transport is a door-to-door scheme that gives older people the freedom to get out and about.  Cost is mileage based and all drivers are volunteers so please click here to find out more.

Come and Join Us!

Please take a moment to checkout our groups. Click on the Groups tab above to see what's on offer and how to join in. Please remember though to contact us first to make sure we still have spaces available by calling Building Healthy Communities on 01387 279279.

Students and Volunteers Put Their Heart and Soul into Health

All set for lunch!

ng Healthy Communities’ Operational Manager, Sheila Campbell and Self Management Programme Worker Helen Mackintosh helped identify those who took part in the programme. Sheila said: “We are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of people in Dumfries and Galloway and this programme is an excellent way of bringing students together with people who would benefit from their skills and knowledge.”Helen added: “The people who took part were all over 50 and have a range of health conditions all of which can be improved with good diet and regular exercise and each student teamed up with a participant to design a food and fitness regime specifically for them.”Sports tutor from Dumfries and Galloway College, Paula McMinn works closely with the HND Fitness, Health and Exercise students. She said: “The people taking part went through a range of fitness and health tests which gave the students the information they needed to plan a six week fitness programme. They were also given suitable and realistic exercise and lifestyle changes to improve their health and wellbeing.“Students also looked at their client’s nutritional intake and gave advice on how to adjust to a healthier diet including healthy eating options, cooking styles and portion control. “The volunteers received a bespoke food and fitness plan designed to help them increase their fitness and improve their quality of life. They were also given suitable and realistic exercise and lifestyle changes that they would be able to keep going after the programme ended. The students got great experience of working with real people with a wide range of medical conditions that they had to take into account when developing the programmes.”The Heart and Soul programme is due to start again later in the year. For further information, including how you can take part, please contact Building Healthy Communities Health Support Worker Carolyn Watson on carolynwatson@nhs.net (01387 279 2Twelve students and volunteers got together for a healthy, nutritious lunch at Dumfries and Galloway College’s Zest training restaurant on Wednesday 2 March to celebrate completing the Heart and Soul programme.

Heart and Soul is a collaboration between NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s Building Healthy Communities team and HND Fitness, Health and Exercise students from Dumfries and Galloway College. The students worked with twelve people aged over 50 to design and deliver a bespoke six week fitness and nutrition programme.

Building Healthy Communities’ Operational Manager, Sheila Campbell and Self Management Programme Worker Helen Mackintosh helped identify those who took part in the programme.

Sheila said: “We are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of people in Dumfries and Galloway and this programme is an excellent way of bringing students together with people who would benefit from their skills and knowledge.”

Helen added: “The people who took part were all over 50 and have a range of health conditions all of which can be improved with good diet and regular exercise and each student teamed up with a participant to design a food and fitness regime specifically for them.”

Sports tutor from Dumfries and Galloway College, Paula McMinn works closely with the HND Fitness, Health and Exercise students. She said: “The people taking part went through a range of fitness and health tests which gave the students the information they needed to plan a six week fitness programme. They were also given suitable and realistic exercise and lifestyle changes to improve their health and wellbeing.

“Students also looked at their client’s nutritional intake and gave advice on how to adjust to a healthier diet including healthy eating options, cooking styles and portion control.

“The volunteers received a bespoke food and fitness plan designed to help them increase their fitness and improve their quality of life. They were also given suitable and realistic exercise and lifestyle changes that they would be able to keep going after the programme ended. The students got great experience of working with real people with a wide range of medical conditions that they had to take into account when developing the programmes.”

The Heart and Soul programme is due to start again later in the year. For further information, including how you can take part, please contact Building Healthy Communities Health Support Worker Carolyn Watson on carolynwatson@nhs.net (01387 279 279).

Monday Crafternooners go Heart to Heart

click to enlarge

This is the latest project completed by our Monday craft group; one of the many different activities offered by Building Healthy Communities (BHC) at the North West Resource Centre, Lincluden. We will be showcasing the talents of various groups regularly on this page to let you see what we have to offer.
If you fancy having a go at something new why not contact BHC to find out about the many free options available to you at North West Resource Centre and elsewhere. It's fun, it's free and (mostly) non-fattening.

INKSPIRATIONS BOOK LAUNCH EVENT

The morning of Wednesday 25 November marked the launch of A Gallimaufry of Poems and Short Stories at the North West Resource Centre in Dumfries.

Gallimaufry is a collection of short stories, poems and lyrical ramblings produced by six members of Inkspirations, a writing group started by NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s Building Healthy Communities team.

Juanita McNeish from Inkspirations said: “I have always been interested in writing but I never had the nerve to show people what I wrote. When I heard about Inkspirations I thought it would be a great opportunity to see what I could do. I can’t believe we have managed to produce a book of our work." Building Healthy Communities Manager, Sheila Campbell, is delighted that the group have produced their own publication. She said: “I am very impressed by the quality of the writing; this is a seriously talented bunch of people. It’s great that Building Healthy Communities has been able to give them the chance to work together to express their creativity.”

Building Healthy Communities in Dumfries and Galloway is a region wide programme based on the Healthy Living Centre concept and is a partnership of public, community and voluntary organisations that has been working together since 2001. The programme is designed to improve the health and wellbeing and quality of life for all individuals, particularly those who are encountering difficult circumstances and personal issues.
The Inkspirations group meets every Wednesday at the North West Resource Centre. For further information about the group or how you can join in please contact Carolyn Watson, Community Health Support Worker on Dumfries 279279 or email carolynwatson@nhs.net
The book is on sale for £2.50 from North West Resource Centre.

Volunteering Opportunity

We have been contacted by Sheila Doak who is a volunteer within the Tea Bar at HM Prison in Dumfries.  They are looking for a couple of volunteers to help out with the visitors.  A police check would also be required - assuming they would be providing this.

If any of you are interested, or know someone who is, could you please contact her on the following

shieladoak@tiscali.co.uk 

VOLUNTEER CELEBRATION

Building Healthy Communities held a Volunteer Celebration Day on Thursday 3 December at the North West Resource Centre in Dumfries.

The event aimed to give volunteers the opportunity to showcase the wide variety of activities they enjoy and to share the positive effect taking part in them has had on their lives.

Building Healthy Communities Manager, Sheila Campbell, heads up the team of dedicated staff who support and advise the volunteers.  She said:  “It’s great to be part of a project that helps people discover and develop their creativity.  There is so much undiscovered talent out there and this project encourages people to find theirs. 

“We held this event to celebrate the passion and commitment of the volunteers who generously give their time to support others.”

Bill Howat has been volunteering through Building Healthy Communities for nine years.  He said:  “While I have been a volunteer I have listened to others and shared my own experiences.  I hope that the time and knowledge I have contributed have been useful and that I have helped in some way.”

To find out more about volunteering opportunities with Building Healthy Communities please contact Carolyn Watson, Community Health Support Worker on Dumfries 279 279 or email carolynwatson@nhs.net.

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

(click on pic to view)

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 left 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

Dumfries & Lower Nithsdale Activities - June 2015

Please click on images to enlarge

Our Place invites you to come along to influence how money will be spent in your community.

Please click here for more details

Joan Stroud
Senior Tai Chi Volunteer

"Hi my name is Joan and I have been involved with the Tai Chi for about 6 years, as a student and as a volunteer.  I now lead my own class for the Project.  It has been of enormous value to me and I can strongly recommend it to others"

BHC TAI CHI GROUPS

If you want to get fit in a gentle way,

And you’re looking for something to do today,

If you want to relax mind, body and soul,

To do Tai Chi should be your goal.

If you want great balance and low BP,

Tai Chi is where you need to be.

Strong muscles and flexible joints for you,

Tai Chi is what you need to do.

Whatever health problems you have to bear,

At your own level, it will get you there.

You don’t need to be super-fit you know,

So come along and give it a go.

Our classes are made especially for those

Who need to get up and on their toes,

To help with their various aches and pain,

We can have fun in the sun and the rain.

If you want to come new friends to make,

At the North West it’s a piece of cake.

And however hard your life may be

You will get help from doing Tai Chi.

To help each other is our aim,

So Tai Chi is the name of the game,

And if you really take to it,

It will make you strong and fit.

When you are getting pretty good,

And doing the Tai Chi as you should,

BHC will train you how to run

A class of your own, now that is fun.

  

So if you’re looking for somewhere to be,

Just come along and try Tai Chi,

It is a really great thing to do,

And we are here waiting to welcome you!

JOAN STROUD, OCTOBER 2014. (COPY-RIGHT.)

Tai Chi for Health & Well-being

You could almost hear a pin drop

BHC in Dumfries & Lower Nithsdale over the last few months has been supporting the Tai Chi for Health and Well-being volunteers and also members of the Ann Downing Tai Chi Group by providing training and development which was delivered by members of the Dr Paul Lam team.

The training involved updates for those who have been volunteering for some time and also an opportunity to welcome new volunteers into our Tai Chi initiative.  All who attended received certification which included Arthritis, Diabetes and Seated Tai Chi forms.  

And breathe.......

Well done folks!!

Heart and Soul

A Building Healthy Communities and Dumfries and Galloway College Partnership

A new initiative is in the process of being set up by Building Healthy Communities in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway College.  This initiative is aimed at overweight men over the age of 45.

Heart and Soul will comprise a cardio workout and Tai Chi for Health and Wellbeing.  The cardio workout will be personalised for each participant and will take place in the state of the art gym at the college – this group will have exclusive use of the gym for these sessions.  Tai Chi for Health will also be offered as part of this package and this will be led by fully trained Building Healthy Communities’ Tai Chi instructors.

This is a tremendous opportunity and anyone interested should contact me (helenmackintosh1@nhs.net) as soon as possible to secure a place as spaces are limited.

Please note that this service is offered completely free of charge.

A brief outline of what will be offered by PVG checked 2^nd year HND students: -

• Applied Nutrition and Health Assessment
• Fitness Assessment and Diagnostic Testing
• Applied Exercise Prescription for Special Population Groups
• Plan, Teach and Evaluate a Physical Activity Programme to Meet the Needs of Older Adults

Ideally we are looking to work with clients with at least one of the following conditions:

• Coronary heart disease
• Stroke
• Obesity
• Diabetes (Type I or II)
• Osteoporosis
• Hypertension
• High cholesterol
• Food allergies and/or intoleerances

The course will consist of: -

• Introductory meetings to get to know the client
• Detailed health and lifestyle assessment 
• Static and dymanic fitness tests suitable to the client 
• Health related fitness tests
• Written feedback and comparison of results to normative data
• Plan to carry out a nutritional assessment with the client
• Complete a week long food diary
• Analyse the results and interpret nutritional feedback to the client
• Prescribe nutritional advice to clients
• Prepare and deliver an exercise session suitibler for the client
• The aim for 2015/2016 is to prepare and deliver a 12 week exercise programme for a selected individual

CREATIVE COMMUNITY

A partnership art and literacy project between Community Learning and Development and Building Healthy Communities whereby eight people will work together with the ultimate goal of their work being displayed publicly. 

This project aims to: -

• To produce individual pieces of art which will be transferred onto boards for display in rooms within the North West Resource Centre and possibly the exterior of the building
• To produce a short piece of creative writing to accompany the art
• To produce an amalgamation of the boards this can be used for publicity purposes
• To celebrate the completed works through an exhibition

This will all take place over a 16 week period and will comprise: -

• Start with Art for the first 6 weeks
• Creative Writing for 4 weeks
• Working on Art piece for 6 weeks

The places for this particular initiative have all been filled; however, opportunities do exist for participation in other BHC led art and creative writing sessions.  Please see and complete our current note of interest to be considered for a place.

Dumfries and Galloway Mirco-markets project

To view the project leaflet please click here.

Dumfries and Galloway Wellness & Recovery College

The Dumfries and Galloway Wellness and Recovery College (Course Guide)

The Dumfries and Galloway Wellness and Recovery College, is a local initiative that delivers a range of wellness and recovery focussed learning and development opportunities. Courses will provide students with a range of learning opportunities, these may include: 

• Learning skills and strategies to cope with challenging times, for example in relation to change and loss
• Strengthening personal coping skills
• Developing and maintaining positive relationships
• Helping to understand personal responses to situations  

Courses vary in content and length. You may be interested in signing up for just one course or more.

To view the course guide please click here.

To view the courses available click here.

For more information please contact the BHC Office.

Day Opportunities Fund