The Jenner Centre – DD9 Connections Issue No 32

, by BHG Editor

All the groups at the Jenner Centre continue to be well supported and to offer companionship and friendly discussion. We hope to display some of the amazing work that the craft groups create; crochet, sewing, knitting and patchwork. Whether you’re new to any of these hobbies, just learning or you’re an old hand and happy to help others develop the skills, you’ll find plenty blethers, advice, and fun. We also have someone who is offering an alteration and/or mending service, for example taking hems up and replacing zips.

Sloppy Slippers

On Thursday 2 April, Angus Small Repairs and the Angus Falls Reduction and Safer Mobility Service held a drop-in at the Jenner Centre.

Angus Small Repairs received funding through the Tayside Charitable Foundation and to purchase comfortable and safe slippers to distribute amongst local people who need them.  It’s important to have well-fitting slippers and not to make do with your favourite but elderly slippers. These slippers fasten easily and securely ensuring that you won’t slip or trip because of poor fitting slippers.

22 people came to the Jenner Centre and were very happy to try on the slippers and to take them away with them. Most of these people came as individuals but we also had a number from the Dalhousie Care Centre – a wee bit different from their usual kind of outings!

This session was supported by the Angus Falls Service with Joyce Simpson, the Falls Assessor spending time with those trying on the slippers and giving advice.  Joyce says “ The Angus Falls Service is for anyone who has a history of falls, has a fear of falling, feeling unstable or has a low bone density and or a family history of osteoporosis”.

  • We can offer advice over the telephone or arrange to visit you at home.
  • We can offer a range of services/equipment to aid with your daily living.
  • Refer to the appropriate services for your individual needs.
  • Access Better balance exercise classes.

Fear of falling is common in older people. Do not wait until a fall happens, this can lead to loss of confidence, increased anxiety and further falls. You or your family can contact the Angus Falls Service directly on 01356 665170 or email Tay.angusfallsservice@nhs.scot

Angus Small Repairs hopes to achieve further funding to continue this important service in the future. In this way, falls and their possible unpleasant consequences can be avoided, not to mention the financial cost to the NHS.

CPR Training

We held an excellent CPR training session on Friday 27th March led by Gordon Brown from Heartstart Discovery. Although 10 people had signed up, 2 cancelled (thank you for letting us know) while another 3 didn’t turn up.  However, the 5 trainees really appreciated Gordon’s expertise.

When someone collapses it can be very scary if you’re the one on the spot but Gordon talked us through the situations you might find yourself in and the procedures needed, especially the need for and use of the defibrillator. This machine will talk you through what to do and most importantly Gordon reassured us that the defibrillator won’t let you do the wrong thing. (TV has a lot to answer for by exaggerating for the sake of the drama.)

When finding someone collapsed, and establishing that CPR is needed, one of the next things to do is to call 999. The app “What three words” will show exactly where you are and will make sure the ambulance can find you, although the address and having all the lights on at night will help.

You will also be advised of the location of the nearest defibrillators and the code if necessary to unlock the box. This is why it’s so important to have defibrillators registered with The Circuit, the national defibrillator network. It’s worthwhile having a look at defibfinder.uk and by entering your postcode you will be able to see where all the nearest defibrillators are located.

Learning CPR is a bit like having an insurance policy. You hope you’ll never need to claim – but when that need arises you’ll be very glad you paid your premium!

Training is coming up on Thursday 24 April in Montrose so if you missed this one in Brechin you can contact Helen Brady on 07864 513742 for details or to arrange a training session for your own group, organisation or club.

Do you remember when the Sunday Post carried a section on household tips giving a pair of towels for any that were published?  Sometimes I wondered how people didn’t know these things, but we don’t know everything however well-informed and experienced we think we are. What is common sense to you may be a mystery to others.  Do you have any tips or hints you would like to share? These may be baking, gardening or areas that are a mystery to me.

As we become busier, we’re always on the lookout for more volunteers so if you can spare a few hours a week, would like to join in the chat that’s an inevitable part of what we offer or just want to share ideas with us please let us know.

We’re always keen to hear what else you might want to find at the Jenner Centre. There will be things that we’ve never thought of, but that you feel would be useful, interesting or just informative.

There may be organisations which you think might be willing to hold one-off events. Please drop in and let us know what else you think we could be offering, pop a note through the door or send an email.

And if anyone takes part in an activity which you think would be of interest to our readers, (there is one in the pipeline which I found fascinating) please feel free to submit a short article.

Moira Robertson

Trustee, BHG