Are you over 18 and providing care to friend or relative living in Aberdeenshire? If yes, Aberdeenshire Health & Social Care Partnership wants to hear your views. In preparation for the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 commencing in April 2018, they want to hear carers’ views on what is important to them. A strategy will be written in partnership with staff, third sector organisations and carers in Aberdeenshire which will highlight the key areas that you, as carers have identified as requiring improvement/development. To complete this short questionnaire online, please click the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JZCHKRK Survey closes on 30th June.
Health
Healthy Mind, Healthy Body
As you get older, keeping your mind active and healthy can become a big challenge. Your mental abilities generally decrease with age, particularly if your brain is not stimulated much. If your mind is not healthy and active in later life, you can have an increased chance of developing dementia (otherwise known as Alzheimer’s Disease). As well as age, your mental abilities can be affected by medical conditions and any medication that you are on to treat these.
A healthy mind can work wonders for improving your general health. Nutrition is believed to play a key role in keeping your mind healthy and active, and a good diet is essential for maintaining your general health. Recommended nutrition for an active mind includes fresh fruit and vegetables, salads, an adequate amount of carbohydrates and plenty of water (and fluids in general).
Some experts have suggested that several of the mental changes that were originally believed to be the result of getting older are actually caused by your lifestyle. This means that making the effort to keep your mind active and healthy through regular stimulation can have definite benefits for your mental abilities.
This can involve going back into education, taking home study courses, involving yourself in a new hobby or interest, doing stimulating puzzles (such as crosswords and Sudoku), playing games that require you to think (such as Scrabble or chess), reading books , exercising on a regular basis and using brain-training programs.
How to Improve and maintain your mental wellbeing
“We never had so much need of storytelling and its healing powers.” George Mackay Brown
Storytelling activities provide opportunities for the socially and educationally excluded to take part in cultural experiences that provide a platform for a sense of community, inclusion, and understanding. We all have a story to tell, and storytelling can provide a valuable means of self-expression and communication, as well as building confidence and self-esteem and combating feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Handmade Tales
Handmade Tales was an eight-week project that offered carers and those experiencing mental health problems some ‘time out’ in the form of storytelling sessions. Facilitated by storyteller Claire Hewitt, these Handmade Tales sessions gave the carers the opportunity to socialise with people going through similar experiences, have some much needed ‘me time’ and find a voice to tell their own stories. This helped them to reconnect and rebuild stronger relationships with family and friends – especially with the person the care for.
Claire led participants through a programme of storytelling and arts and craft activities all linked to the theme of spring. Whilst the hands were busy felting, stitching, thumping clay or making bread, stories were shared. Storytelling and the accompanying handwork gave participants the skills to express who they are, help them reconnect with forgotten dreams and celebrate life and the growth of something new. These sessions gave the carers the opportunity just to have a break away from their caring role, and act as a reminder that they too are important and they need to look after themselves.
This project was in collaboration with Support in Mind Scotland and the Scottish Storytelling Centre and supported by the Scottish Government ‘Short Breaks Fund.
What does “wellbeing” mean to you?
Welcome to the second of Kincardine and Mearns local community plan priorities.
Communities, both place-based and people sharing a common identity or affinity, have a vital contribution to make to health and wellbeing. Community life, social connections, supportive relationships and having a voice in local decisions are all factors that underpin good health, however, inequalities persist and too many people experience the effects of social exclusion or lack social support. Participatory approaches directly address the marginalisation and powerlessness caused by entrenched health inequalities.
The assets within communities, such as the skills and knowledge, social networks, local groups and community organisations, are building blocks for good health. Many people in Kincardine & Mearns already contribute to community life through volunteering, community leadership and activism. Community empowerment occurs when people work together to shape the decisions that influence their lives and health and begin to create a more equitable society. This is not about a DIY approach to health; there are important roles for NHS, local government and their partners in creating safe and supportive places, fostering resilience and enabling individuals and communities to take more control of their health and lives.
Over the next few weeks we will share with you some stories about wellbeing and what it means to a variety of people. Look out for our first blog next week.We hope you enjoy
Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) World Café.
SAMH are holding an event in Stonehaven on Wednesday 26 July from 1100 – 1400. The event is aimed 
at professionals supporting clients with mental health needs, and clients, and is relevant to adult services only (16 – 65 years). Participants should be willing to take part in discussions and share their lived experiences of mental health services. If you would like to attend, please contact enquiries@mylifedynamic.org.uk and let them know if you will be taking along any clients on the day.
OUR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE: SUPPORTING HEALTH, WELLBEING AND SAFETY
This free community event is to promote and inform adults about key aspects of our young people’s health and wellbeing. With partners across education and health sessions are being offered on:
Social Media
Drugs and Alcohol
Fast and easy cooking for the family
Young People and Sleep
Mindfulness
You can book onto these sessions by phoning 01569 762071 or online at:
http://bit.ly/HWBStonehaven
from Monday, 21st August to
Sunday, 3rd September 2017.
CONVERSATION CAFE
If you can only spare a short time come in and visit our information stalls, chat with the teams and friends over a cup of tea and healthy nibbles.
Get a general access ticket at http://bit.ly/HWBStonehaven
MACKIE ACADEMY
TUESDAY, 5TH SEPTEMBER 2017
16.30 – 19.00
Carers Survey
Paths for All’s Big Fit Walk campaign
The Big Fit Walk is now in its 14th year. Its aim is simple. We want to inspire communities across Scotland to come together for a walk to celebrate the benefits of being active. It’s about having fun and staying healthy, anyone can host or attend a Big Fit Walk during the month of June! The Big Fit Walk is a fun and social way to show people the joy of a short walk. Whether you are looking to showcase an area in your community, get your workplace or school more active, or recruit new walkers to your Health Walk, the Big Fit Walk is a simple and easy way to put short local walks on the map in Scotland. Paths For All provide Health Walk groups, community groups, workplaces, schools and others with free resources to organise their own 30 minute local led walk during June. From posters and invites to get people along to your walk to a guide on running a successful walk, our pack has all the resources you will need to make your Big Fit Walk a success! To order your Big Fit Walk resource pack or download resources please visit: http://www.pathsforall.org.uk/bigfitwalk
Innovation in cycling and walking funding
Organisations can apply for a share of up to £470,000 for innovative proposals that encourage more journeys by bicycle or on foot. The Department for Transport (DfT) will fund up to £470,000 for innovative projects that lead to more walking and cycling. Proposals will tackle current barriers and encourage more journey stages to be made by bicycle or on foot. Innovations may include, for example, technology, infrastructure, manufacturing or behavioural change. Deadline: Wednesday 7th June. For more information, visit: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/15/overview.
Your Voice Your Choice Kincardine & Mearns is nearing the end of this year’s application phase!
Do you have an idea for a project which will help make a positive difference to health, wellbeing or community links for Inverbervie, Gourdon, Benholm, Johnshaven or St Cyrus?
If so, you could apply for up to £10,000 from a total available fund of £30,000. There is still time to submit an application for this year’s funding before the deadline of Friday 26th May.
Application forms are available from:
Aberdeenshire Council, Viewmount, Stonehaven
KDP Office, 42-46 Barclay St, Stonehaven
What’s On Bervie Shop, 75 King St, Inverbervie
You can also download the form from the website: www.ouraberdeenshire.org.uk/Application-Form-South-Mearns-2017
What is this?
This is an exciting initiative where decisions on which projects get funding are made not by politicians or officers but by the people who will benefit the most – the people who live in the Coastal Strip villages of Inverbervie, Gourdon, Benholm, Johnshaven and St Cyrus. ‘Participatory Budgeting’ as this process is known is all about removing barriers and getting communities directly involved in local decision-making – putting the power in the hands of the local community.
Who can apply?
Anyone who has an idea that will benefit people living in the eligible Coastal Strip villages above. This can be any community group (including informal groups), voluntary or non-profit organisations.
Where can I get further information?
If you would like some advice or support with making an application, please get in touch – we have a team of advisors who would be delighted to help.
Email: yourvoiceyourchoiceKandM@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Tel: Aberdeenshire Council Community Planning (01569) 768327
Your Voice Your Choice Kincardine & Mearns
Community Planning in Kincardine & Mearns and partners have been delighted to hear lots of great ideas for this project to date. Not-for-profit groups in Inverbervie, Gourdon, Benholm, Johnsh
aven and St Cyrus are invited to bid for up to £10k from a total pot of £30k to improve health, wellbeing and community links. Community members decide which groups receive the funding at ‘The Big Event’ which will be held on 24 June. The deadline for applications is 26 May, so there is just a fortnight left to get your bids in! Plenty of advice and support is available – see the Facebook page for more details https://www.facebook.com/Your-Voice-Your-Choice-Kincardine-Mearns-1682423285392707/ and please Like and Share widely.
Champions for the Year of Young People 2018
Young Scot is looking for committed and passionate young people (aged 8-26) from all over Scotland to become part of Communic18 – our group for Co-design Champions for the Year of Young People 2018.
The champions will be at the heart of planning and delivering key aspects of the Year of Young People 2018, as well as supporting Children in Scotland, Scottish Youth Parliament and Young Scot to ensure the year is co-designed with young people. They will be involved in main decisions about the year, including taking part in funding panels, supporting local Ambassadors in each local authority area, and supervising one of six of the year’s themes (Participation, Health & Wellbeing, Education, Culture, Equality & Discrimination, Enterprise & Regeneration).
With their leadership the Year of Young People 2018 will provide a platform for young people to have their views heard and acted upon!
Interested young people can apply to join Communic18 here: www.young.scot/communic18. If you have any questions or require more information about Communic18, please email 2018yoyp@young.scot
K&M Communities 