Tag: LifeCare

LifeCare invites locals to take part in a summer of virtual events

Older people’s care charity delivering fun and free online community sessions 

LifeCare Edinburgh is inviting local people to sign up to take part in its varied calendar of virtual community events.  

Funded in partnership with Inverleith Neighbourhood Network, Foundation Scotland and The TOR Foundation locals can take part for free. Events include history talks, quizzes, conversation groups discussing current affairs and special events such as the recent private virtual visit to Edinburgh Zoo.   

The renowned local charity offers registered care, outreach activities and help at home services for older people living across the North of the city.

Established in 1941, the organisation supports over 800 elderly clients a year including those suffering with dementia, mobility issues, those experiencing isolation and loneliness, food poverty, mental health problems and support for carers.  

The charity usually delivers its calendar of community events in-person at the LifeCare Centre on Cheyne Street, however organisers set up the sessions through Zoom in response to the pandemic.   

LifeCare understands that some people need a little encouragement and support to get started using Zoom.  Organisers therefore offer free, safely delivered one-to-one support for individuals to get started with the IT platform ensuring they have the skills and confidence to use technology to be part of their community. 

Aleks Pacula, LifeCare’s Community Engagement Facilitator said “We’re thrilled that we’ve been able to continue our successful calendar of events across the last year – we have more people signed up than ever before.  

“Shifting the delivery from in-person to Zoom had a few challenges at first but everyone is very much enjoying it now and it’s allowing more people to take part. We all look forward to the sessions – it gives us a chance to catch up with each other safely, see a friendly face, have some fun together and learn new things about where we live. 

“We’ve received a lot of feedback telling us that the talks bring back fond memories and give people the opportunity to share life-experiences with others. Our free tutorials helping people to use Zoom for the first time have been very popular.  

“I know our regulars found the help really useful at the start and they are unstoppable now!  We regularly update our calendar of events online so visit the LifeCare website to find out more and get involved.” 

The charity has already announced a few highlights to look forward to across the summer.  

In addition to their usual weekly schedule of events they will be hosting “Lothian castles on film” by Anne Daly on Tuesday 29th June at 3pm, “The visit of George IV to Scotland in 1822” by Eric Melvin on Tuesday 27th July at 3pm and “Greek inscriptions in Edinburgh” by Ian McHaffie on Tuesday 24th August at 3pm. 

 Gavin Barrie, Chair of Inverleith Neighbourhood Network said “We are extremely pleased to hear about the success of LifeCare’s Community Engagement Project.

“The important project reaches out to some who may be suffering isolation in our community.  The programme demonstrates all that is good when various arms of our community pull together to assist those in need of support. We were delighted to help LifeCare achieve its aims of engaging with local members of our community.” 

Beverley Francis, Chair of LifeCare said “A huge thanks to our generous funders for enabling LifeCare to continue to deliver and grow our important calendar of community engagement activities.  

“These events deliver huge benefits to those in our communities in normal times, but they are even more important through the current time. Activities are designed to keep people connected, give something to look forward to and to provide something stimulating for health and wellbeing needs.  We are encouraging anyone that is interested to get in touch to find out more.” 

LifeCare Edinburgh is a registered charity and relies on the support of its funders.  Key relationships include Barclays, The TOR Foundation, Foundation Scotland, Tesco Bank and all the many local people who take part in community fundraising events.  

For more information visit https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/lifecare-space/whats-on/ 

Lifecare Monthly History Talk: The Shops of Stockbridge

May is Local and Community History Month so come along to LifeCare’s History talk on Tuesday 25th May at 3pm, taking place using Zoom.

We will be taking a look at the Shops of Stockbridge, past and present with Mhairi Curran.

For more information, contact our Community Engagement Facilitator Aleks, to reserve your space: alekspacula@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk or call 0131 343 0940

New chair and four new trustees for LifeCare Edinburgh

LifeCare Edinburgh has appointed Beverley Francis as its new chair and welcomes four new trustees to the board as the organisation celebrates its 80th year.

The renowned local charity offers registered care, outreach activities and help at home services for older people living across the North of the city. Established in 1941, the organisation supports over 800 elderly clients a year including those suffering with dementia, mobility issues, those experiencing isolation and loneliness, food poverty, mental health problems and support for carers. 

Beverley Francis has been involved the charity since 2018 and was appointed vice-chair a year ago.  Elaine Aitken will take up the position as vice-chair having been with the charity since 2017. 

She brings extensive public and third sector experience to the role.  Bringing 16 years in key positions within Scottish Government, including in welfare reform and most recently in health improvement, Francis also has her own consultancy supporting the third sector. 

She is currently in the role as Interim Director for ProjectScotland where she has supported the merger with Volunteering Matters and has previously supported mental health charities AdvoCard and Partners in Advocacy. 

Ms Francis takes over as chair from Jock Miller who held the position for six years. Miller will remain on the board as a trustee.

A further four trustees have joined the board.  Susan Mallinder, Christopher Paton, Jane Hogg and Momin Rasheed all joined the charity at the start of the year.  The new trustees all bring varying backgrounds, experience and skills which will help to shape and drive the organisation’s continued success.

Beverley Francis said: “On behalf of everyone on the board, past and present, we would like to sincerely thank Jock for his leadership, dedication and sheer hard-work over the past 10 years. 

“Through his direction we have successfully and quickly navigated the multiple challenges of COVID-19 and continued to provide essential care to over 500 older people through the crisis who simply could not survive without it.

“I feel absolutely honoured to take up the role of chair at such a vitally important time for us all. 

“Older people have been disproportionately affected by this life-shattering crisis.  We do not yet know the real impact this past year will have had on the people we care for within our communities.  So, we need to be ready to adapt, redesign and deliver the bespoke care they will need in a compassionate and caring way. We need to make sure our older people can safely and confidently re-enter our communities, and they will need our support to do so.

“As LifeCare enters its 80th year as a charity, we are all thrilled to welcome four new trustees to the board who are all eager to get involved.  I am excited to work more closely with the senior management team, alongside our new chief executive Damian McGowan.  Once we are able, I very much look forward to getting out into the community to safely meet with the people we support, our hardworking staff and all of our dedicated volunteers.”

LifeCare Edinburgh is a registered charity and relies on the support of its funders.  Key relationships include Barclays, The TOR Foundation, Foundation Scotland, Tesco Bank and all the many local people who take part in community fundraising events.

For more information visit https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/

New CEO for LifeCare Edinburgh

Older people’s care charity enters its 80th year with new Chief Executive

LifeCare Edinburgh has announced the appointment of Damian McGowan as its new Chief Executive.

The renowned Stockbridge-based charity offers registered care and outreach support for older people in need living across the North of the city. Established in 1941, the organisation supports over 800 elderly clients every year supporting a variety of issues including dementia, loneliness, mobility issues, food poverty, mental health problems and carer support.

Damian McGowan, a trained social worker, brings with him over 30 years’ experience in social work, social care and adult care services.  He is joining the charity following 20 years leading Gowrie Care, part of Hillcrest Group, and most recently as Managing Director at Corcare in Cornwall.

Announcing the appointment Jock Miller, Chair of the Board of Trustees said: “Damian brings a wealth experience and leadership talents which will immediately benefit everyone within the charity and will have a hugely positive impact on all of our important care services. 

“We are thrilled that in the year in which we will celebrate our 80-year anniversary, and in which we will continue to navigate the challenges of COVID-19, Damian is joining us to drive forward and continue our well-known success offering first-class care for older people in our communities.”

Damian McGowan, CEO of LifeCare Edinburgh, said: “LifeCare delivers incredible high-quality care and support to hundreds of local older people within our communities every year. 

“The care which my new colleagues deliver daily enables older people to remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible; they support both their physical and mental wellbeing. This is always vital, but never more so than through this shocking pandemic which has disproportionately affected older people who are otherwise left chronically isolated and vulnerable.

“I am extremely proud and honoured to be joining LifeCare at this crucial time.  Collectively the board and all the staff have worked tirelessly to continue to safely deliver the key support our hundreds of elderly clients continue to need to survive this crisis.

“They have quickly adapted, redesigned, and introduced new key services to make sure that all essential needs have been met.  Once we are able, I very much look forward to getting out into the community to safely meet with the people we support and to working with our board, staff and all of our dedicated volunteers.”

LifeCare Edinburgh is a registered charity and relies on the support of its funders.  Key relationships include Barclays, Lothian Buses, Tesco Bank Edinburgh and all the many local people who take part in community fundraising events.

For more information visit https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/

LifeCare secures £100,000 to provide ‘meals on wheels’ service

LifeCare Edinburgh, the older people’s support charity, is today announcing it has secured £100,000 from Barclay’s 100×100 UK COVID-19 Community Relief Programme. 

This funding will enable the charity to deliver its important new ‘meals on wheels’ service set up to support some of the most vulnerable and isolated local older people through the crisis. 

This will be particularly important over the challenging winter months ahead when older vulnerable people will require more support than ever to maintain physical and mental health and to remain connected to others through this unprecedented time.

The Stockbridge-based charity has almost 80 years of experience supporting older people living across the city.

The range of support services offered by the care organisation allows older residents to comfortably stay in their own home for longer.  For example, the charity runs essential help at home services, registered outreach services and hosts three day centres for those with dementia and the frail elderly living throughout the city.

However, the crisis and the subsequent restrictions, has radically affected the usual range of in-person care services proudly offered by the charity.  LifeCare has had to quickly evaluate, adapt and launch new programmes of support, such as this new meals on wheels service, to ensure that those in need continue to receive the high-quality support older people urgently need.

Kirstine Fergusson, Interim CEO of LifeCare, said: “We are so grateful to Barclays for this phenomenal level of support.  The £100,000 award will enable our dedicated teams to deliver 100 hot meals a day to some of the most vulnerable and isolated older people living across our local communities right now. 

“We all know that the colder, winter months ahead look a little harder for us all this year, but this is particularly true for the people we continue to support every day. 

“Our older people are missing usual interactions such as coming to our day centres and participating in our varied support programmes.  They are no longer easily able to get out of the house, have a change of scene and perhaps sit in our café to enjoy the company of others. 

“Many of our clients live alone, are fearful or unable to leave their homes by themselves and they can become very isolated, so we are delighted that because of this new partnership with Barclays we are now able to visit those most in need regularly to check in, to say hello and to provide them with a hot and nutritious meal to keep them going through the colder and darker days.  This is truly life-changing support.”

Scott Stewart, Head of Barclays Scotland, said: “This crisis has had an unprecedented impact across Scotland and we know this is an incredibly challenging time for many communities.

“By reaching those most in need of support LifeCare is playing a vital role in this crisis.  At Barclays we are doing everything we can for our customers, clients and colleagues to help them through this pandemic.  We hope that the donations we are making to charities across Scotland, including LifeCare, will allow them to amplify their vital work and support more people as the crisis develops.”

This new meals on wheels service will be managed by the team working within LifeCare’s renowned community café on Cheyne Street by their Help at Home service.  The small team will deliver 14,000 freshly prepared hot meals across the coming months.

The charity will be targeting local older people most affected by the restrictions.  If you, or someone you know, would like to benefit from the meals on wheels service please call 0131 343 0940 to discuss.  

For more information visit https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/

Barratt Homes helps Edinburgh communities with charity donations

LifeCare and Tiphereth have each received a £1,000 donation as part of Barratt Homes East Scotland’s regular Community Fund giveaway.

Elderly care charity, LifeCare, will be using the cash boost from the five-star housebuilder to upskill its frontline workers to better deal with the changes to their working environment caused by COVID-19. For Tiphereth, the donation will help towards the refurbishment of one of its facilities, allowing them to welcome more people back to the organisation’s day service.

LifeCare specialises in dementia care, home care and incare for older people, allowing them to live with dignity. By helping older people keep connected to their communities, and to the things they love and enjoy, Life Care aims to guard the elderly against social isolation and the trap of defining people by dementia, poor mobility or advanced years.

Tiphereth is a unique community in Edinburgh where people with learning difficulties, staff and volunteers work and grow together. Through undertaking work for local community groups as well as their own cookery, art and gardening projects members increase their self-confidence while developing lifelong skills.

Alison Condie, managing director at Barratt East Scotland, said: “LifeCare and Tiphereth carry out incredible work supporting the vulnerable and people with learning difficulties.

“We’re pleased to be able to help them and hope that our donation will allow them continue to provide these crucial and important services through what are difficult times for us all.”

Speaking of the donation Vicki Bradley, Fundraising Manager at LifeCare added: “We are delighted that Barratt Homes has chosen to donate £1,000 to LifeCare.

“The people who use LifeCare services are amongst the most vulnerable in society and many are still shielding, so it is extremely important that our workers are knowledgeable in how to keep their clients and themselves safe. COVID-19 has not only changed the way we work but has added extra costs to all that we do, so we are very grateful to Barratt Homes for their generosity to help us continue to support those who rely on our services.”

Gordon Hudson, Fundraiser Manager at the Tiphereth said: “We would like to extend a huge thank you to Barratt Homes from everyone at Tiphereth. While our residential homes have been able to operate throughout lockdown, getting our day service back to 75% capacity has used up 100% of our staff.

“The donation will go towards bringing an extra building up to normal office standard, allowing us to utilise our locations differently and establish safer smaller groups.  This, in turn, will help us welcome more people back, offering respite to parents.”

Now in its second year, the Barratt Homes Community Fund has pledged to donate £1,000 each month to a charity or organisation in the East of Scotland. Charities are nominated by and voted for by employees of Barratt Homes and the focus for the fund continues to be on organisations that improve the quality of life for those living in the area.

The Barratt Homes Community Fund will be continuing into 2021.

Interested charities can enquire about donation opportunities at charity.eastscotland@barratthomes.co.uk

For more information on Barratt Homes, visit the website.

‘Essential’ Edinburgh groups share Lottery cash

Community groups in Edinburgh are sharing in £3.3 million of National Lottery funding to help them rise to the challenges of COVID-19 and beyond.

Thanks to National Lottery players, 141 projects across the country including 13 in Edinburgh are set to benefit.

October 2020 Awards

Lifecare Edinburgh Limited receives £79,990 to continue its Vintage Vibes service across the city for the next two years.

Andrew Ainsworth, Service Co-ordinator, Vintage Vibes, said: “Vintage Vibes tackles isolation and loneliness in over 60s (VIPs) across Edinburgh through one to one friendships with local volunteers, based on shared interests.

“Edinburgh is the loneliest city in the UK for older people – something we know has only been exacerbated through the current pandemic.  This grant will allow us to continue to support our current VIPs and many more over the next couple of years as we move through and beyond COVID-19. 

“We know what a difference their friendships make to our VIPs – one VIP, Norma told us that for her ‘it’s essential to have something like Vintage Vibes’.  Thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund and to all National Lottery players for making it possible for us to continue to make a difference to our VIPs.” 

Thistle Health and Wellbeing receives £120,000  to deliver a programme which will support people who have been severely impacted by long term physical and mental health conditions.  The support will also help clients who are living with the longer term effects of COVIVD-19, including Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome.

The project will help many more people like Rafit Khan, aged 41, from Edinburgh.

Rafit said: ““I met different people which has made me feel good about myself, more confident to approach people. I think groups like this are very beneficial for people with mental or physical problems or with chronic illness. It gives them skills/tools to manage it throughout their life.”

Welcoming the funding, Mark Hoolahan, CEO, Thistle Health and Wellbeing, said: “We are delighted to receive this funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.  The grant will enable Thistle to support more people living with long term health conditions to live a life free of isolation and loneliness.

“Thistle supports people to feel more in control, ensuring that a health crisis does not become a life crisis, and so this funding will have a significant positive impact on the wellbeing of people in Edinburgh and the Lothians.”

Announcing the funding to 141 projects across Scotland, The National Lottery Community Fund’s Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: “These projects in Edinburgh are rising to the challenges of COVID-19 and supporting local people to stay connected with each other in these unprecedented times.

“National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is making such a difference across Scotland.”

National Lottery players raise £30 million every week for good causes in the UK. The National Lottery Community Fund in Scotland is currently focusing its funding on those projects that supporting organisations and communities to respond to the challenge of COVID-19.  

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk