Don’t be a turkey when it comes to food safety this Christmas
NHS 24 is reminding people to be vigilant about food safety this Christmas.The call comes as part of NHS Scotland’s Be #Healthwise This Winter campaign which aims to help people protect their friends and family from illness over the festive and winter period. Continue reading Make sure food safety’s at the top of your Christmas list
For most people, Christmas is a happy time – but that’s not the case for everyone …
For some, it is a source of stress and anxiety which means this time of year is not enjoyable at all and can make their physical and mental health suffer. Many people find their feelings of grief are much harder to cope with, too. Continue reading Coping with a not-so-Merry Christmas
Pilton Community Health Project Annual General Meeting
Tuesday 1 December from 2 – 3.30pm, PCHP Office Boswall Parkway
Lauren’s swopping Muirhouse for Maldives, Maui and Morocco!
Lauren Laing’s Circuit Training class has now come to a sudden end here at the Millennium Centre (writes James McGinty). Why? Lauren apologised for the short notice, but she has accepted a year’s contract with a cruise liner company – starting immediately! Continue reading Lauren’s off to see the world
Happy 19th Birthday to you, Maggies Centre!
Living in Harmony Group meets tomorrow evening
It was fantastic to see so many people at the Positively Diverse event at the beginning of October. There was some great feedback, including how helpful it was to hear from residents themselves about their experiences (writes Hannah Kitchen).
We have been looking through people’s postcards, notes and feedback and are keen to help you follow up on some of the things you were inspired to do at the event.
Living in Harmony Forum, Wednesday 28 October, 5-7pm at Pilton Community Health Project
The Living in Harmony forum is a space for residents and workers in North Edinburgh to work and learn together in order to make services more accessible for people from BME communities, and to put on activities that increase friendship and understanding between people in the area.
On Wednesday we will be meeting to carry on some of the conversations we started at the Positively Diverse event. I’m attaching a draft agenda. Please contact me if there are any items you would like to add.
We would love to see you there. Please reply to this email to tell me if you are able to come. We can arrange free crèche places for anyone who needs them, but need 24 hours’ notice to do this.
Hannah Kitchen
Development Worker, Living in Harmony,
Pilton Community Health Project, 73 Boswall Parkway, Edinburgh, EH5 2PW
Telephone 0131 551 1671
Like us on Facebook for regular updates www.facebook.com/PiltonCommunityHealthProject
Friday 6 November 10am-4pm
Steeping Stones North Edinburgh
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Join us at Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre
Thursday 29 October 12:30pm
RSVP:
10 Wardieburn Road, Edinburgh
Telephone 551 1632
Email: info@steppingstonesnorthedinburgh.co.uk
MY Adventure has teamed up with City of Edinburgh Council to deliver FREE guided cycle rides around our amazing city. Join us as part of the Smarter Choices, Smart Places initiative to explore the cycle network – a fantastic way to get around the city we love.
The paths are gentle and away from traffic, the perfect way to access so many of Edinburgh’s wonderful sights – the whole family is welcome. Our guides are experienced and friendly and even if you don’t have a bike that’s no problem. Just get in touch and we will loan you one for free!
Join us in Rodney Street Tunnel EH7 4EW 12 noon for a trip to the Forth Road Bridge or Portobello; alternatively there will be shorter cycle rides for the wee ones! We will also have displays in Rodney Street Tunnel about cycling in Edinburgh, tonnes of free information and even a smoothie making bike!
Check out our website www.myadventure.org.uk for more information and to book online, or phone 0131 629 3065 and receive a free gift on the day!
Older Scots urged to ‘embrace the health benefits of poetry’ as new collection on ageing launched
Older Scots are being encouraged to embrace the health benefits of reading and writing poetry as an exclusive new collection of poetry on the theme of ageing is launched this month.
Released by independent charity the Saltire Society in partnership with the Scottish Poetry Library, Second Wind is a collection of almost 50 finely-crafted poems from award-winning Scottish writers Douglas Dunn, Vicki Feaver and Diana Hendry.
Wise, funny, cutting and honest, the poems collected in Second Wind seek to challenge false preconceptions about ageing and tackle a wide range of age-related themes including childhood memories, illness, retirement, absent friends and grandchildren.
Two special readings of the new collection by its authors will take place as part of Luminate, Scotland’s creative ageing festival. Now in its fourth year, the Festival has a busy schedule of events running across Scotland throughout October. The first reading event for Second Wind (already sold out) takes place at the Saltire Society’s headquarters in Edinburgh on 15 October at 6.30pm and the second will be held at 6pm on 26 October at the Aberdeen Maritime Museum.
The Second Wind collection is launched as the most recent survey results from the Scottish Government show that the percentage of Scots aged 60-74 who read regularly for pleasure rose from 65% in 2009 to 73% in 2013, a higher percentage than any other age group.
Recent research from the Mental Health Foundation suggests that participation in cultural activities results in increased confidence and self-esteem among participants, and may help to improve long term cognitive functioning, communication, memory and creative thinking.
For those who would like to explore the Second Wind poems in more depth, the Scottish Poetry Library will also host two specially facilitated poetry reading groups in Edinburgh on Saturday 7 November at 11 am and 2pm. These events will be led by poet, tutor and former Scottish Book Trust Reader in Residence Kate Hendry, who is also the daughter of Second Wind contributor Diana Hendry.
Saltire Society Executive Director Jim Tough said: “There is a growing body of evidence to show that creativity in later life has real health benefits. What is more, this new collection of poems demonstrates just how much older writers have to offer. Hopefully, it will inspire many more from the older generation to get involved both in reading and writing poetry.”
Speaking on behalf of the Scottish Poetry Library, Director Robyn Marsack added: “The later work of artists – think of Beethoven, Matisse, Yeats – often shows their willingness to change direction, their maturity as artists combined with new insights. We’re delighted to have been able to provide the impetus for three poets whose undiminished poetic energy will strike a chord with many readers.”
