Mary Ferrie (80) from Bathgate and Helen Orr (81) from Harthill took it in their stride when 50+ health and wellbeing website Living it Up asked them to join its crew to review the Fringe.
The pair – from West Lothian 50+ Network – got their glad rags on and joined Living it Up’s researcher and cameraman to do some schmoozing at the press launch, before reviewing three shows and grilling the performers to camera.
Mary and Helen first met in 1976 – when Helen was lecturing on nursery nursing – and they’ve been firm friends ever since.
Mary said: “When the Living it Up team contacted us about being guest reviewers, for their coverage of the Edinburgh Fringe, we jumped at the chance! Their website is for people like us who want to keep their independence, try new experiences and just have fun.
“The best act we reviewed was Victoria Wood and Me, by a lady called Mo Shapiro. It was excellent and we told her we thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Helen added: “The press launch was great fun too. We haven’t done anything like this before, so it was a good laugh. One of the acts said ‘laughter’s the best medicine’. That’s true; no matter what age you are.”
The budding reviewers were given chalk boards to mark each act they saw out of 10. They later sat down for face-to-face interviews behind the scenes with the actors, which were recorded byLiving it Up’s sound crew.
livingitup.org.uk is a digital service with health, care and wellbeing tools and information for people over the age of 50 in Scotland. It’s supported by NHS24 and the Scottish Government and covers Forth Valley, Highland, Lothian, Moray and Western Isles, including remote areas.
A spokesperson for Living it Up said: “Mary and Helen did us proud! It’s great for us to feature people like them, as they’re a true example of what older people can be and do, if they have tools and inspiration at their fingertips.”
She explained: “Our website has four strands: DISCOVER, SHINE, CONNECT and FLOURISH – all of which have different health and wellbeing themes and resources.
“For example, in our website’s FLOURISH section, we have experience guides. These are written by real people to shed light on living with specific conditions and to highlight coping mechanisms for life experiences.
“In our SHINE section, there’s inspiration to re-ignite an old hobby or skill, perhaps in a voluntary capacity. Our CONNECT part teaches people about the latest technology, with step-by-step-instructions. It also inspires some ‘upskilling’ by highlighting local classes for like-minded people. By clicking on our DISCOVER section, users can type in their local area and find activities and resources relevant to them within reach.”
A CHANCE TO WIN
Living it Up has been given tickets for the Fringe, thanks to festival host Gilded Balloon. To be in with a chance of winning, check out the competition on Facebook.
West Pilton Park: Tuesday 4th August, 1 – 4pmWest Pilton Park Action Group is holding a ‘Tea in the Park’ event on Tuesday 4 August as part of the series of consultation events that we have been holding on West Pilton Park.
There will be line dancing, tai chi, a home baking competition, bingo and live entertainment. We have marquees in case it rains too!
This is all part of the West Pilton Park Action Group’s work towards making West Pilton Park a friendly welcoming space: see our Facebook page West Pilton Park Action Group too.
‘Take Small Steps to Stay on Your Feet’ campaign launched
A new campaign to encourage older people to keep fit and healthy by avoiding falls has been launched by the City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian.
‘Take Small Steps to Stay on your Feet’ gives older people five easy tips to try and prevent falls and also information about what to do if they do suffer one.
Falls are a major problem for older people with more than 30% of over 65’s falling every year, with many more than once.
They can cause physical injuries such as fractures and head injuries and also psychological harm along with longer term problems such as disability, loss of independence and social isolation.
In Scotland the cost of falls by older people living in the community has been estimated to exceed £471m every year.
The new campaign has five top tips for older people:
Get checked out top to toe – have your eyes and hearing tested regularly, wear shoes and slippers that are comfortable and fit properly, and get your GP to regularly review your prescription medications
Calcium keeps bones strong – eat a well balanced diet that contains calcium rich foods like dairy products, green leafy vegetables, bread and fish
Get enough Vitamin D – to help keep your bones strong. Natural sunlight is a good way or take supplements from your GP or pharmacist
Stay active – exercise such as walking, gardening and dancing can strengthen muscles, bones and improve balance
Clear your way at home – make sure there’s nothing that might cause someone to trip or bump into them such as rugs, loose carpets and items lying on the floor
In addition, the campaign advises older people what to do if they have a fall. These include: move to a soft surface, keep warm, call for help and keep moving. There is also information about the best ways to get up after a fall.
Councillor Ricky Henderson, Health and Social Care Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It’s important people realise that falling is not an inevitable part of getting older as many falls can be prevented. By making a few simple changes, older people can reduce the risk of falling both in and out of the home.
“The consequences of a fall can be devastating but by following these five easy tips we can make a real difference to older people’s lives.”
Lynne Douglas, Corporate Lead for Falls Prevention and Bone Health, NHS Lothian, said: “Preventing falls is vital in helping older people to live well and safely in their communities. This is an excellent initiative which is a result of collaboration between NHS Lothian services and City of Edinburgh Council and we hope that, most importantly, it will make a difference to the lives of older people in Edinburgh.”
Leaflets and posters highlighting the campaign will be issued to surgeries, pharmacists, libraries, care homes and sheltered housing complexes in the coming weeks.
More information about ‘Take Small Steps to Stay on your Feet’ can be found at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/fiveeasysteps or www.nhsinform.co.uk/falls.
Drylaw’s Rainbow Club Day Centre celebrated their thirtieth anniversary with a Las Vegas-themed party last week – and you can bet everyone had a great time!
When it was first established in Drylaw Church in 1985 the Rainbow Club offered lunchtime sessions and companionship to older people. Since then, the organisation grown and developed – overcoming many challenges along the way – and remains an important part of community life in Drylaw and the wider North Edinburgh community.
Manager Jackie Brown has been at the helm throughout, and as ever Jackie, the staff and volunteers put on a great party for guests and members on 17 June.
As The King himself might have said: Viva, Las Rainbow!
Pictures courtesy Jackie Brown at Drylaw Rainbow Club Day Centre
Fire crews in unprecedented move to reach those at highest risk
Firefighters throughout Scotland will be deployed to protect vulnerable people in a nationwide ‘week of action’ aimed at preventing accidental house fires and the tragedies they cause.
The unprecedented move follows a recent appeal from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) for the public to help it reach those most likely to be killed or injured as a result of fire in the home.
Between January and May, 28 people lost their lives as a result of fires and June has so far seen two more fatalities.
People over the age of 60 accounted for almost two-thirds of those killed and, as well as age, the common factors contributing to many of the deaths were smoking, ill-health, living alone and limited mobility.
With evidence many fire tragedies could be prevented SFRS is taking the major step of sending operational crews and community firefighters to households throughout the country to offer residents advice on keeping their homes and everyone in them safe.
Ahead of the ‘Week of Action’ to protect people from fire, the service is again issuing a plea for families, friends and neighbours to take responsibility for keeping those close to them safe.
SFRS Chief Officer Alasdair Hay said: “We are totally committed to protecting the public and this significant step shows the importance we place on preventing fires from happening.
“The nationwide approach to this week of action means our personnel will be visible throughout Scotland and pro-actively contact as many people as we possibly can.
“We rely on responsible citizens and partner agency colleagues to put us in touch with individuals who may be at increased risk of experiencing a fire in their home and those strong partnerships are absolutely vital to preventing tragedies.
“As the country’s firefighters work to protect every community I would urge everyone to join Scotland’s fight against fire by ensuring anyone who might need some help gets that potentially life-saving support.”
Statistics show those aged 65 and over are more than twice as likely to die in a fire as people of other ages.
The speed with which a fire can develop and spread toxic smoke, heat and flames means those who are old, who live alone and who have issues with their health or mobility are at particular risk of being injured or killed.
Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Paul Wheelhouse, said: “The work of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to raise awareness of the risks of fire is very valuable and means that we are safer from the risk of fire at home than we have ever been.
“However it’s crucial not to become complacent and the recent spate of tragic fire fatalities has shown some people, particularly the elderly, immobile and those who live alone, are still at risk.
“That’s why it is so positive to see the fire service working with partners, including health authorities and the voluntary sector, to develop new ways to identify those individuals in communities who are most at risk, and to make early interventions to ensure they are protected.”
The ‘Week of Action’ will involve local senior officers calling on the support of partner agencies to reach those who they know to be at risk.
By visiting homes firefighters can help residents understand the risks and take very minor actions known to dramatically reduce the chance of a fire starting.
Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay, the SFRS director of prevention and protection, explained why their efforts also mean occupiers are less likely to be hurt or killed if a fire does happen in their home.
He said: “We often see smoke alarms in the wrong position and firefighters conducting a home fire safety visit will correct this to make sure people are protected.
“If someone is over the age of 60, lives alone or has difficulty moving around then it can take more time for them to escape in an emergency.
“They need to know not to smoke in bed, or even while feeling tired and sitting in a chair. If the person just can’t avoid doing this then we can work with partners and communities to help make them safer.
“There is a huge amount of support available but we need our partner agencies and the public to help us make sure it gets to those who need it.”
He continued: “We also want to remind people that if they hear a smoke alarm activating then they need to call 999 and report it right away.
“Many people can be reluctant to make an emergency call and assume an alarm has gone off due to something innocuous like burnt toast, but the fact is waiting to see if the alarm stops could cost someone their life.”
With an aging population – 23 per cent of the UK will be aged 65 and over by 2035 – helping older people prevent fires and stay safe is certain to remain an issue for every community.
Free home fire safety visits take around 20 minutes to complete and are conducted by local SFRS crews at a time convenient for the householder.
A popular feature of the Join Scotland’s Fight against Fire campaign, they are available by calling the freephone number 0800 073 1999, by texting ‘FIRE’ to 80800 or by filling in an online form at www.firescotland.gov.uk.
Chair of the SFRS Board Pat Watters added: “Our staff throughout Scotland work around the clock to keep people safe and there is nothing more upsetting than seeing lives needlessly lost and ruined.
“Every single one of us has a responsibility to play our part. Fire isn’t something that only happens to other people or only concerns emergency responders.
“The messages from firefighters are very clear and everyone in Scotland can play a life-saving role by thinking about fire safety and doing what they can to help protect their community.
“There isn’t a city, town or village in the country that can afford to ignore the warnings and I would urge everyone to understand the risks and join Scotland’s fight against fire.”
Enjoy afternoon tea at Friday’s Big Chinwag and help raise money to combat loneliness
We’re joining the mother of all natters this Friday to raise money to help lonely older people in Scotland and hope people aged 65+ can join us!
We all enjoy getting together for a good chat with friends, family or colleagues, but sadly 1 in 6 people over the age of 65 in Scotland feel cut off from society. Many older people can go for a month without seeing or speaking to anyone and this just isn’t right.
Please come along to Out of the Blue at The Old Drill Hall on Friday for our afternoon tea and natter – it will be great fun and you’ll be helping Age Scotland tackle loneliness in later life.
Thursday night’s first session of the Circuit Class attracted seven people with a further 5 older people turning up and putting themselves forward for next week’s session.
The Metafit formula was changed to allow older users to take part and, with more elder people joining the group, we are sure that the decision to ‘re-shape’ Metafit – as reported as reported in the NEN, our own website & and North Community Newsletter and Facebook – was the correct journey to make.
As word of mouth goes round we think we’ll get even busier so thanks to all who supported our news and to the participants – see you all next Thursday!!
The fitness programme previously known as Metafit has changed it’s name and it’s purpose. To allow older people to attend they have made the programme -now called Circuit Class – less intensive for those who cannot manage the more exertive tasks.
The first Circuit Class will take place on 9 April at 6.30pm and will continue weekly every Thursday The cost is £5 per person. Please bring a water bottle (although these will be available in the cafe for 50p).
EXERCISES WILL BE ADAPTED FOR DIFFERENT NEEDS
Participants must be over sixteen years old and should wear suitable clothing and footwear.
HANOVER (Scotland) Housing Association has taken a look into the future to make sure it’s ready to welcome the next wave of residents coming their way – by rebranding it’s services.
Hanover, which is based in McDonald Road, launched it’s dynamic new branding this week with on-street billboards at hospitals in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The housing association’s awareness campaign aims to ensure that customers have a selection of housing choices at their fingertips.
A spokesperson said: “The new branding spans all mediums: print, online and for the first time street billboards, to make Hanover easier to recognise and access by whatever route. This includes a strong online presence for the increasing number of ‘tech savvy’ over-55s.
“The new approach to Hanover’s brand identity and website comes as a response to the increasing number of people in Scotland’s ageing population who will be seeking accommodation now and in the future.
“Consideration has been given to ‘simple solutions’ in terms of the needs of helping older people to find a home in which they will feel safe and secure, whilst maintaining their independence.
“Navigation through the new website utilises case studies of ‘real’ Hanover residents with on location photography across a number of regions in Scotland, highlighting the spirit of independence a resident can enjoy with the backdrop of a closer and safer housing community.”
Research was conducted by BOLD design agency, part of Community Enterprise Scotland, who undertook workshops with residents, staff and stakeholders to help ‘redefine the future brand and make it even more identifiable as a warm and welcoming housing association that really understand the needs of the growing numbers of elderly people’.
The result of the ‘redefinition’ is a fresh overall look and feel – a more colourful and eye-catching ‘street’ logo with the strap-line ‘independent together’, along with branding to make it more readily recognisable as a caring and professional housing association.
Commenting on the rebranding, Helen Murdoch CEO, Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association, noted: “We have a great reputation here at Hanover and keeping ahead of the ageing population curve is vitally important to ensure we have the right balance of services.
“I have asked residents how they have come to know about Hanover and they have often replied ‘word of mouth’.
“They have also added that: ‘Hanover is great but not enough people know about the good work that you do’. So, rebranding will go a long way to rectify this and increase awareness amongst potential new residents.”
Ms Murdoch added: “Rebranding is not a decision to be taken lightly, it is one that has to have tangible cost benefits and will help us attract more residents and fill our properties.
“It will also help our vital activities such as telecare and repairs reporting, which we offer other organisations, to be more clearly promoted.
“This in turn supports our core business of providing quality housing and services for older people. Finally, we want residents and potential new customers to know we are caring and professional and that the new logo and branding will help us achieve this more.
“We also recognise that outstanding customer service is paramount both for today and tomorrow and we aim to ensure that it is underpinned by first-class support services to meet the needs of our housing customers.
“We take great pride at Hanover in being upfront with our potential customers what they can expect from us and now and in the future. Our new branding and website will go a long way to address this along with our drive to create safe and secure housing and healthy, connected communities.”
John Ayscough, creative director at BOLD design agency, said: “It is vitally important that potential customers can recognise Hanover signposted by a recognisable and eye-catching logo.
“So, by distilling the responses from our research to address the instant recognition factor – we created the row of colourful houses, strapline, ‘independent together’, and brought the site to life with the “Meet the Resident” case studies to really bring the human element into play.
Mr Ayscough added: “Many older people are proficient at using technology and can surf the net with ease. We recognised that the current website was difficult to navigate and it required a more modern approach to match changing demand.
“With greater numbers of people living longer and on their own – the way people want to live has changed considerably – with more people wishing to live alone but in closer connected communities.
“The website now has a clear selection of options that align with the type of care people require at any one stage without losing their independence.
“From being ‘independent together’ in their own home – be it rented or owned with greater opportunity for community living and joint activities; living in sheltered, very sheltered, to special amenity housing and on-site care and telecare services – placing greater consideration on the future needs and requirements of our older people.”
