Author: laurahendersonsite

A charity that has been combating loneliness in West Stirlingshire for more than 20 years has issued an urgent appeal for more volunteers.

Re-engage, formerly known as Contact the Elderly, tackles social isolation among older people through regular Sunday afternoon tea parties and other activities.

The monthly events are usually held in a local host’s home and guests are chauffeured to and from the gatherings by volunteer drivers – a crucial service that solves any transport worries for those who have difficulty getting out and about.

The West Stirlingshire group is one of more than 140 in Scotland with more than 1000 guests whose lives are often transformed through this simple solution of some kindness and company over a cup of tea. The group, which covers Balfron, Fintry, Drymen, Buchlyvie and Killearn, has been going for more than two decades but is currently experiencing a shortage of drivers.

Lorna Dunbar, the charity’s support officer for the area says: “Social isolation is one of society’s biggest problems, especially among the older generation, but we see the huge difference social events like ours can make to someone who perhaps doesn’t have the chance to interact with others as much as they would like.

“We believe everyone should have the opportunity of a social life, no matter how old they are, and we’d really love to hear from locals who can help us enrich the lives of the older generation in their communities.”

Drivers are asked to devote just a few hours one Sunday a month to the charity.

“It’s really not much to ask if you’ve got a spare Sunday afternoon and for anyone new to volunteering it’s an ideal way to get involved,” said Lorna.

“Guests are usually over 75 and our volunteers are generally much younger so it’s also a great way to bring the generations together. I’m confident locals will step forward to help us out and I can guarantee they’ll get as much out of it as the guests – it’s just so satisfying to see the difference you can make to the life of someone who is feeling isolated.”

To find out more about becoming a volunteer or guest of Re-engage, please contact Lorna Dunbar at lorna.dunbar@reengage.org.uk   or tel 01738 730249

Contact_the_Elderly_AR

Pic Alan Richardson, Dundee. http://www.pix-ar.co.uk Free to Use Contact the Elderly guest ann with 1000th guest Doris

The Your Stirling You Decide Participatory Budget exercise is now within the final stages of the process, and there have been decisions made by a number of communities on their final choices, following community engagement and voting events throughout Stirlingshire.

You can access your community’s choice and others on the Stirling Council website at https://www.stirling.gov.uk/ysydprogress

Your Stirling: You Decide is Stirling’s version of participatory budgeting, an initiative that gives local people a direct say in how a portion of our budget is spent. During 2019 citizens across Stirling’s seven electoral wards had the chance to influence how to spend £100,000 in each of the seven wards, of public money. This year the money could be used

for infrastructure and the environment, for example – roads, pavements, parks playgrounds, outdoor gyms and public spaces to name a few.

During the month of January we will be announcing the remaining communities’ choices on the Stirling Council Website and local social media sites.

On the 9 December 2019, the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre officially launched the FollowIt App, a mobile app to record incidents of stalking.

The innovative mobile app was created with and for women experiencing stalking. It is designed to help women record and securely store what’s happening to them. Through the app you can create a log of stalking incidents that can be used to report this crime to the police.

Full details are available at their website: www.followitapp.org.uk

Find out more about the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre at                                         www.scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk

A country where more people choose to walk more often will be healthier, happier, greener, safer and more prosperous. We can all do our bit to get Scotland walking. Watch this new animation to find out more https://vimeo.com/358006632

And to talk about what you can do to get Scotland walking contact walkingstrategy@pathsforall.org.uk

The National Walking Strategy is the Scottish Government’s ambition for a nation that walks more every day. More people walking will improve physical, mental and social health, create safer, friendlier and less polluted communities, and boost local economies through increased footfall and healthier, more productive staff.

To see the strategy and the action plan, revised earlier this year, visit:

https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/mediaLibrary/other/english/186.pdfand https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/mediaLibrary/other/english/final-walking-strategy-action-plan-10-sept-2019.pdf

Poppyscotland’s ‘Bud’ is an 18-tonne truck that transforms into a contemporary exhibition and interactive learning space, designed to teach communities across Scotland about the importance of remembrance and the heritage of the poppy.

Bud is travelling around Scotland to schools, community spaces and events over the next 4 years sharing Poppyscotland archives, veterans’ stories and the poppy’s history. It aims to be a catalyst for challenging assumptions, creating conversations and allowing the public to gain a deeper understanding of remembrance and the poppy’s role in modern Scottish society as a symbol of unity and hope.

Bud will be on the road for more than 220 days a year and will visit all 32 local authority areas in Scotland over the course of the next 4 years.

Visitors will hear moving stories from veterans and learn more about the work carried out by Poppyscotland since the charity’s inception through films and stories from those who have served, those still serving and their families. Each visitor will also have the chance to make their own poppy, using the same techniques used by veterans who work tirelessly each year to make five million poppies ahead of the annual Scottish Poppy Appeal.

Poppyscotland Chief Executive Mark Bibbey said: “At the heart of every poppy is someone’s emotions, opinions and stories, and that’s why we created Bud. This is not about imposing a particular view on visitors; quite the opposite in fact.

“Through contemporary conversations about the poppy and our heritage, we hope to better understand the significance of remembrance and its importance to society. We aim to challenge assumptions and create conversations, and, ultimately, engage with a more diverse audience.

“Over the next four years, Bud will play an important role in exploring the history of remembrance, through the eyes of veterans and ex-service men and women. It will be an absolute privilege to travel the length and breadth of the country, welcoming everyone on board to explore the space for themselves.”

More than 50,000 Scots are expected to engage with Bud over the course of the campaign. It can travel anywhere in Scotland, attending events of all shapes and sizes.

If you want to discuss Bud attending your events you can book at https://poppybud.org.uk/ or contact Sandra Comrie, Bud Volunteer Support Coordinator on 0141 473 6221 / 07808 261076.