April 2023 Newsletter
Welcome to the latest issue of Older Wiser Together (OWT).<br /> <br /> The aim of OWT is to become a trusted and valued part of our community.
WELCOME TO OUR APRIL NEWSLETTER
Welcome to the latest issue of Older Wiser Together (OWT).
The aim of OWT is to become a trusted and valued part of our community, particularly for those aged 50 or over who may be looking for new opportunities, social events, and challenges, as well as tips for independent living. We cover from Bude, Launceston, Callington, Holsworthy, Okehampton, Tavistock, Saltash and Torpoint. We hope you’ll find useful information on initiatives and activities in your area.
Okehampton Memory Cafe, on now known as Okey Memory Cafe has gone from strength to strength, held at The Pavilion in the Park, every Tuesday afternoon. We have partnered with Community Links and OCRA to bring this supportive regular event.
Some of our office team attended the Home Instead National Conference in Manchester, to again share best practice and to celebrate and reflect on the amazing work we do everyday. Our Care Professional of the Year 2022 finalist Max, and his mum Lydia also joined us for the Gala Dinner.
Love to Move continues down at Tavistock Area Support Services – TASS on Wednesday afternoon. This seated exercise to movement programme is particularly good for those with dementia, hwlping to work the left and right sides of the brain. It is a great deal of fun and is supported by the British Gymnastics Foundation.
If you care for a loved one, it is important to look after your own wellbeing too. Our Care Professionals can come to your home to give you a break from day-to-day caring of your loved one and offer you much-needed support. Sometimes a little relief is needed to help a person to get back on their feet – for example, after a hospital stay, we can assist your loved ones with anything from an hour a day tolive-in-care for a temporary amount of time.
Additionally, we are developing our live-in care service. Couples may find this a cost effective option and can continue to live in a familiar routine together.
Although we’d hate to see you go, please do feel free to unsubscribe if you’d prefer not to receive this newsletter. There is a link in the footer of this email to do that.
We always welcome feedback, constructive criticism, and submissions for OWT, particularly from those of you with professional or charitable links to our community. Do get in touch if you have something you’d like to share. Please feel free to forward this Newsletter to family, friends, and colleagues.
Best wishes,
The Older Wiser Together team.
National Conference Celebrations
We were in Manchester recently for our National Conference. There were many highlights but top comes the keynote talk from Scotty Mills, formerly of the Royal Marines. He is truly inspirational, giving lots of examples of never giving in when you feel overwhelmed. With our Directors both being ex forces (Mike an ex Royal Marine himself), we bring a strong commitment to serve our community.
Our Care Professional of the Year 2022 finalist Max, and his mum Lydia, also joined us for the Gala Dinner.
Cycling Without Age - Spring Enjoyment
You may have seen the Cycling Without Age Trishaws around and about your communities. A trishaw is a three-wheeled vehicle which moves by pedals. It has a two-person seat, perfect for two seniors who may struggle to get out, or one senior with a carer to share. The programme for this year is building up with visits to local care homes and Memory Cafes. Read more here: Cycling Without Age
Okehampton Memory Cafe
Okey Memory Cafe is going from strength to strength. We work with Community Links and OCRAto bring this supportive memory cafe to the community. We play games, do quizzes, have themed weeks and have guest entertainers. Please do let anyone know who may benefit from coming along and get in touch if you are interested in volunteering. A warm welcome awaits. Read more here. Contact Vicky by email [email protected] or call 07933 663796
Love to Move
The Love to Moveprogramme is an age and dementia friendly seated gymnastics exerciseprogramme. Love to Move is based on asymmetrical movement patterns. This is understood to benefit older people and those with dementia and mild cognitive impairment, by enabling the left side and right side of the brain to process information independently; thus improving cognitive function, coordination and the ability to carry out activities of daily living more independently. Sessions take place every Wednesday 2-4pm in Tavistock Area Support Services – TASS. Please call 01822 258292 for more information.
Strawberry Fields
Strawberry Fields in Lifton,near Launceston, is a charming destination for people of all ages, and it has an extra special appeal for older adults looking for a fun and engaging day out. This family-run farm shop and restaurant offer a range of activities and experiences perfect for your older loved ones, from delicious meals made with fresh local produce to nature walks and art workshops.
We have a client who we take there every Saturday to get her pasty for her lunch. We also pick up vegetables for another client to take to his home to help cook for him. Read more here.
Tavistock Community Sensory Garden
We have a strong connection with Tavistock Community Sensory Garden. In 2015 several community groups teamed up with Tavistock Town Council to create a Sensory Garden and Petanque Court on a neglected part of the Meadows on Plymouth Road in Tavistock.It is a lovely place to visit, enjoy the flowers and plants with some shady and sunny places to sit and reflect. There is something new for every season. Read more here.
Tavistock Compassionate Community Day
Together with St Luke’s Hospice and Ali Mansfield of Tavistock Methodist Church, we are holding a Compassionate Community Day on the 9th of May. A Compassionate Community is one in which people in their local area look out for others and “make a difference” to those with a life limiting illness or are affected by loss. We do hope this is of interest and let others know if you think they would benefit or would like to become a Compassionate Friend.
