The Jenner Centre – DD9 Connections Issue No 36

, by BHG Editor

 

The Jenner Centre continues as before with all the sessions busy with some new people coming along to the ChitChat and the Seated Exercises; there’s always room for a few more. As long as we’re open, we’re happy to see you with your questions, ideas and suggestions. This is your Centre and we’re keen to develop it to suit your needs. That’s how Wendy’s mending sessions began.

 

Thanks to everyone who has given all the jam jars; also thanks for the plums last week which are now a tasty plum and cinnamon jam. A few folk had asked for marmalade as well as the jams and jellies. It’s not something I’ve done much of, maybe because I’m not very fond of marmalade! However, Joyce and Graham are now producing not only a variety of marmalades but chutneys as well which use the produce from their garden.

 

The main event at the Jenner Centre this past month was the afternoon tea party for Breast Cancer Research and which was arranged together with the Brechin Cancer Support Group. We had an excellent turnout and raised £422. This included a wee top up from Brechin City Football Club as the few remaining cakes which went to the Glebe the following day.

 

We were very grateful for the donations, the baking and the raffle prizes, and the charity shops which donated some of their tea sets. At the end of the afternoon, I was left with a warm feeling about how everyone comes together.  Our regular folk seem to feel that the Jenner Centre is theirs -it is – and that’s really good. Everyone chips in where they see a need, refilling the tea pots, topping up the cake plates, washing the dishes, and ensuring nobody trips over the step into our room at the back – a very important thank you to those who made sure there were no accidents.

 

But on other days you introduce new people to make sure that they’re welcome, you wash the mugs, HOOVER up the crumbs and the threads and set out the furniture ready for the next group. Someone did ask if I had a bed at the Jenner Centre and sometimes it feels like it, but it’s thanks to all of you for stopping me before I get that far!

 

Following the success of the tea party, we’re now talking about holding something similar maybe every two or three months and supporting other charities; maybe ones that are close to your hearts, or are a small but vital charity, or again supporting a national charity. We’re very grateful to all of you who support Brechin Healthcare Group at the Jenner Centre and we feel that we should also offer some support to other charities. We don’t want to clash with other events, for example the Brechin Soup Initiative lunches and so we’ll check the diary. Maybe we could organise something leading up to Christmas, or after Christmas when everything seems a little flat. Let us know what you think.

 

Other fundraising to consider came to me when I was trying to get rid of the used postage stamps I’d saved. They needed a new home to go to and some organisations used to accept them so I checked with other folk and on Google (where else?). There are a number of organisations which accept used postage stamps, but they also accept other redundant items. Do we throw away blister packs when we finish the course of tablets, or does the pharmacy still take them; or because they’re foil and plastic, do they go in our recycling bins? We can have some collection tubs at the Jenner Centre for you to drop off those items you’re finished with. Other examples of charities accepting unwanted items are Parkinson’s UK, RNIB, MND Scotland, Age Scotland, SAMH and Kidney Care UK which not only accept stamps but books, CDs, DVDs, currency, gadgets and jewellery. Again, let us know what you think.

 

We’ve enjoyed hearing stories from a number of you. Please continue to tell us about the memories that you have of growing up in Brechin, Edzell and the Glens; the places you worked which are maybe no longer there; the camaraderie you had with fellow workers; maybe the tricks you played; or tips and hints about baking, gardening or first aid.

 

Moira Robertson,

Trustee

 

Breast Cancer Research – reply from the  Afternoon Tea Team

Hi Moira,

Thanks for getting in touch, it’s lovely to hear from you 😊

I’m so happy to hear how well your Afternoon Tea party went! No worries about not taking any photos, it sounds like you had your hands full! I can imagine how lovely everything looked. It’s also amazing to hear how the wider community got involved to support you.♥️

I can confirm that we received your fantastic fundraised money! The money you raise is helping to change the future of breast cancer and you should be so proud of the difference you’re making ♥️

Thank you once again for taking part in Afternoon Tea, Moira. We couldn’t do it without you.

Best wishes,

Hellin  Bilbarta

Your Afternoon Tea team ♥️