Newsletter feb 2017

The

of

Newsletter

Issue 7 February 2017

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday - Our newsletter celebrates its first Birthday!

Our first newsletter at the beginning of last year was sent to around 150 people.

This edition will reach over 3000 people across Edinburgh and beyond ……..so a big thank you to everyone for your contributions, news stories and supporting the work of Edinburgh’s dementia community networks.

If you have an event or story you would like to feature in the newsletter please contact Paul on 0131 622 844 or email paul.hudson@edtheatres.com

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Highlights from 2016 Dementia Friendly Performance of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang On Friday 14th October last year we staged Scotlands first dementia friendly performance of a major touring musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Despite a technical fault with Chitty towards the end of the show folk had a great time and were able to share the experience with their families and friends.

As a special treat the cast members came and spoke to the audience at the end of the show and had their pictures taken.

Alison Oates, Norman & Isabel MacKenzie from Lunch Breaks at the Eric Liddell Centre Photo by Neil Hanna

Thanks to everyones feedback we have been able to adapt some of our procedures for future shows and one person also suggested that we should add some grab rails in the gents toilets to help with the step up to the urinals – so we have!

The UK’s First Dementia Friendly Opera…

Scottish Opera’s ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ In collaboration with Festival Theatre, Scottish Opera staged the UK’s first dementia friendly opera on November 12th 2016. The audience was treated to a shortened version of the full opera with the story being told by a narrator. The response to performance was very positive with one person writing to say: “one of the couples I support attended the performance and were delighted with the experience. They have both been keen opera goers in the past but would not have considered going to a performance now due to the length of performances.

They know the opera well and said that the abbreviated version was pitched just right. They said the performance was superb and that having the narrator was fantastic.”

This month Jane Davidson, Scottish Opera’s Director of Outreach and Education announced that: ’Following a successful pilot project which saw the UK’s first ever dementia friendly opera performance, Scottish Opera is delighted to continue our innovative approach towards assisting people living with dementia to access our productions through a specially adapted version of La bohème,’ This will be staged at the Theatre Royal Glasgow on May 13th and at Festival Theatre on Saturday June 3rd at 3pm.

For more details and booking information please see p5 2

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Vacancies…

Recruiting Now…Mystery Shoppers As a part of our continuing drive to help our Theatres become more dementia friendly we are recruiting a number of mystery shoppers to assess how we are doing.

Like all mystery shopping schemes we shouldn’t know when you are paying us a visit. So our lovely partners at Culture Republic are running the mystery shopper scheme for us.

If you would like to join the mystery shopper team or would like to find out what is involved please email Clair Gilchrist: clair@culturerepublic.co.uk or telephone 0131 516 6832

Extra! Extra! – Reviewers Wanted…

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a reviewer for a show? Well here’s your chance to become a member of the VIP press night for the world’s most successful rock & roll musical Buddy - the buddy holly story. The press night is at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh.

On Tuesday 28 February at 7.30pm two lucky couples will be met at the press desk, given their tickets and then taken to the press reception for a wee drink and a read of the programme before the show starts. Then all you need to do is write up a short review of the show and your experience of the night and you will be able to see your review printed in this newsletter and on the theatres facebook and twitter pages.

For more information contact Paul on 0131 622 844 or email paul.hudson@edtheatres.com

Building Focus Group Members A small group of people living with dementia are helping us to become more dementia friendly at the King’s and Festival Theatres. We are looking for people to join us to see shows at the King’s and assess how friendly the venue is.

Here is the link to our first film made at the Festival Theatre it can be viewed on the Life Changes Trust You Tube page: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldcSWzEP6rg For more information contact Paul on 0131 622 844 or email paul.hudson@edtheatres.com 3

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Tea dances Third Monday of every month 2pm – 3.30pm These are held monthly in the Lafayette Bar at the Festival Theatre. Refreshments are provided and there is limited parking available in the courtyard. Spaces can be booked in advance by calling stage door on 0131 662 1112.

Call 0131 529 6000 to book free tickets

Reel Folk Thursday mornings Feb & Mar 10.30am – 12pm National Galleries of Scotland, along with Live Music Now Scotland and the Festival Theatre are holding Reel Folk sessions on Thursday mornings during February and March. These sessions are participatory, and workshop-based. That might mean audiences learning to play instruments, or even writing their own songs!

For venue, more information and bookings please contact Paul Hudson on 0131 622 8444 or email paul.hudson@edtheatres.com Sir Henry Raeburn. Niel Gow 1727-1807. Violinist and Composer, 1787 © National Galleries of Scotland

Curious Shoes The Studio 3 Mar 11am, 4 & 11 Mar 2.30pm

Image: Brian Hartley

Curious Shoes tells the story of four intriguing characters on a journey from Here to There. Live music, movement and very few words bring this funny, entertaining and beautifully simple story to life. Step by step and moment to moment the audience is invited to join our quartet of talented performers on their curious voyage of discovery.

Created by Magdalena Schamberger, Artistic Director of Hearts & Minds, an arts in health charity with over 15 years experience of using the performing arts to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia. Curious Shoes is a bespoke performance developed with this audience at its heart.

Call 0131 529 6000 to book free tickets

There are additional performances designed especially for residential and care homes on: Friday 3rd March at 2.30pm and Friday 10th March at 11am and 2.30pm.

To book for these performances please call Paul on 0131 622 8444 or email paul.hudson@edtheatres.com You are not able to book these performances through the box office.

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Scottish Opera Memory Spinners – Spring Season

Scottish Opera 2016/ Sally Jubb

Through music, storytelling, movement and visual arts, Scottish Opera’s Memory Spinners programme helps people living with dementia and their carers relax, get creative and form new support networks. The group meets every Tuesday from 1pm to 3pm with a light lunch provided at 1pm and the sessions finish at 3pm.

The spring sessions start on Tuesday 2nd May. For more information or to book a place, please contact Audrey Blake on 0141 332 9559 or email Audrey.Blake@ScottishOpera.org.uk

La bohème Dementia Friendly Performance FESTIVAL THEATRE Sat 3 June 3pm Tickets £10 1 hour 45 minutes including interval After the success of Scottish Opera’s first ever dementia friendly opera in October 2016, we’re delighted to present the second dementia friendly production this June. This specially created, fully-staged opera is performed by The Orchestra of Scottish Opera, a narrator and a wonderful cast of singers. Together they will lead the audience through Puccini’s heart-breaking opera.

The sublime score never fails to cast its spell – Puccini’s lush orchestration and exquisite vocal lines combine in some of the most ravishing music in opera. Set amidst the romance of Paris’s famous flea markets, and inspired by the Jazz Age of Josephine Baker, this production will be full of colour, character and style.

Call 0131 529 6000 to book

Festival Theatre Drop In Café Second Tuesday of each month 11.30am-1pm The drop in café at the Festival Theatre is for anyone affected by dementia. Drop in to say hello and have a chat over tea, coffee and cakes.

Call Paul on 0131 622 8444 for more information or email paul.hudson@edtheatres.com

The Festival Theatre Club Third Thursday of each month 1pm-2.30pm Is a drop-in social group for people who support or care for someone living with dementia. We meet in the café at the Festival Theatre.

Call Paul on 0131 622 8444 for more information or email paul.hudson@edtheatres.com 5

Events SUNFLOWER CAFE

for people with dementia and their carers

Palmerston Place, Edinburgh

Sunflower café – Palmerston Place Church

3rd Wednesday of every month 2pm to 3.30pm The sunflower café is for people with dementia and their carers.

To attend or find out more information please contact the church office on 0131 220 1690 or by email to: admin@palmerstonplacechurch.com

Calendar of memories

Stories, songs, laughter and reminiscence in the storytelling court.

A free event hosted by the Life Stories Project at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

2.30pm-3.30pm.

For more information call 0131 556 9579

Garden. Library. Museum. Gallery.

Free guided visits for anyone affected by dementia. See the diary of events on p9 for current dates.

Garden Social 0131 248 2981 Library Social 0131 623 3734 Museum Social 0300 123 6789 Gallery Social 0131 624 6560 Art in the City Meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 10.30am-12 noon.

Contact Diana Morton on 0131 529 6365 or email diana.morton@edinburgh.gov.uk for more information

Singing Groups

Inverleith Meets 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at Inverleith Saint Serf’s Church Hall. Contact Sheila Hardie 0131 551 1229 or Kate Walker 0131 554 4940 Fairmilehead Meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at Fairmilehead Parish Church Hall.

Contact Anne Sommerville on 0131 447 5132 or Moira Pate 0131 667 8336 The Singing Group in East Edinburgh (formerly Craigentinny) Meets in Willowbrae Church Hall, EH8 7EZ from 2.15pm-4.15pm.

Contact Helen Fraser 0131 661 2344 or Katie Crumlish 0131 554 0213 Chesser Meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the Month at Gorgie Dalry Stenhouse Church Hall. For more information call 0131 455 7731 Let’s Sing! Every Tuesday 11am to 12.30pm Fisherrow Community Centre, South Street Musselburgh For more information contact Penny Stone at lets.sing.brunton@gmail.com or call 07805 454 620

New Group

Stories to be Heard

Meets in The Library at Penicuick Centre, Carlops Road, Penicuick from 1-3pm.

For further information please contact Mags Bryan on 0131 660 1216 or email mags@volunteerinmidlothian.org.uk 6

Café Social Groups The Palm Café

Held on the last Tuesday of the month from 2.30-4pm. A social group café for People in Balerno, Currie or Juniper Green.

Contact Teresa Straczynski for more information on 0131 662 1204, 07557 944 073 or tstraczynski@alzscot.org

D – Café

The Café meets at the Quaker Meeting House, Victoria Terrace on the last Thursday of every month from 1pm-3pm. Tea/coffee and biscuits are provided. Everyone is welcome to drop in.

Contact Teresa Straczynski for more information on 0131 662 1204, 07557 944 073 or tstraczynski@alzscot.org

Oasis Café Edinburgh

Activities and support for people with dementia who are 65 and under and their carers.

Contact Alan Midwinter, Service Manager on 0131 551 9350 or EdinburghServices@Alzscot.org for more information

The D Café Musselburgh

Meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 11am-2pm. Lunch is available at 12.45pm costing £4.

A Carer Support Group is available from 11.45am-12.45pm which includes support for people with dementia.

Contact Hazel Johnson for more information on 0131 6541114 or MidandEastlothianServices@Alzscot.org

The Portobello Café

The Espy, 62-64 Bath Street, Portobello. We meet every two weeks from 11.00am-1pm.

Contact Teresa Straczynski for more information on 0131 662 1204, 07557 944 073 or tstraczynski@alzscot.org

The D café Midlothian

Meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month in Dalkeith Baptist Church from 12 noon-3pm Lunch is provided at a cost of £4.

Contact Alaine Chalmers, Service Manager for more information on 0131 654 1114 or midandeastlothianServices@Alzscot.org

Monday Café at Cramond Kirk Hall

Meets monthly on the first Monday of every month from 1-3pm.

Contact Teresa Straczynski for more information on 0131 662 1204, 07557 944 073 or tstraczynski@alzscot.org

Edinburgh Singing Group The Forget Me Notes

This is an all-inclusive choir for those who love music. They meet fortnightly on the 2nd and last Thursday of each month at 7-8pm, at The Salvation Army Hall in Gorgie Road.

For more information contact Alan Midwinter on 0131 551 9350 or EdinburghServices@Alzscot.org

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Useful Numbers Dementia Helpline 0808 808 3000

Edinburgh & West Lothian Service

The 24 hour Dementia Helpline is free and confidential, and you don’t even have to give your name if you prefer not to.

Call at any time for advice and support or email helpline@alzscot.org

This Service is for individuals who have a diagnosis of dementia, their families and carers. We offer information, support and a range of activities.

Contact Alan Midwinter or Debbie Rae for more information on 0131 551 9350 or EdinburghServices@Alzscot.org

Alzheimer Scotland National Office

Mid and East Lothian Service

22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, EH3 7RN. Phone 0131 243 1453 email alzheimer@alzscot.org

Office open: 10am-3.30pm Monday, Wednesday, 10am-3pm Tuesday and Thursday and Friday.

Alaine Chalmers, Service Manager on 0131 654 1114 or midandeastlothianServices@Alzscot.org

Dementia Advisor Edinburgh City Contact Teresa Straczynski on 0131 662 1204, 07557 944 073 or tstraczynski@alzscot.org

Dementia Advisor East/Midlothian Contact Hazel Johnson on 0131 654 1114 or hjohnson@alzscot.org

Other Useful Numbers Vintage Vibes Vintage Vibes is a fresh new service tackling isolation and loneliness among the over-60s in Edinburgh offering companionship, reliable support and the chance to be more socially connected. wwww.vintagevibes.org.uk For more information call 0131 343 0955 or email hello@vintagevibes.org.uk

LOOPS Community Navigator Discover Magazines for the South East and South West are out now!

Keeping connected and active is a really important part of keeping well, both physically and mentally.

We recognise that it can sometimes be hard to find out what is going on in your local area. The ‘Discover’ magazines are aimed at people over the age of 65 living in either South East or South West of Edinburgh.

The magazines contain information about local groups and activities, as well as practical advice on how to keep well. Look out for the magazine in your local library, or give us a call at Health in Mind to order your copy direct to your door. We can also arrange to meet with you individually and discuss options in your local area.

Call 0131 225 8508 and ask for Edyta or Jenny for more information

Lothiansound This is a free service for people who are blind, partially sighted or no longer able to read the newspaper. They provide a weekly recording of the local news www.lothiansound.org.uk or more information call 0131 661 2850 (answer machine) or email info@lothiansound.org.uk

Friends of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links Look after 80 acres of parkland in the heart of Edinburgh. Volunteers who are willing to handle a rake or help with litter pick ups are always welcome.

Contact Tommy Ruddock for more information volunteer@fombl.org.uk www.fombl.org.uk 8

Diary Monday

February 6

February 13

2017

FEB

Tuesday

February 7

February 14

Wednesday February 1

February 8

February 15

Drop in Café 11.30am - 1pm Festival Theatre 0131 622 8444

Thursday February 2

Friday February 3

Reel Folk 10.30am -12 noon Scottish National Portrait Gallery 0131 622 8444

Just the tonic Herbal tonics and tinctures 10.30am – 12.30pm Royal Botanic Garden 0131 248 2981

February 9

February 10

Reel Folk 10.30am -12 noon Empire Rooms Festival Theatre 0131 622 8444

Beatrix Potter: scientist, artist, and author 10.30am - 12 noon National Library 0131 623 3734

February 16

February 17

Reel Folk 10.30am -12 noon Empire Rooms Festival Theatre 0131 622 8444

The Rise of Photography 10.30am -12 noon National Museum of Scotland 0300 123 6789

Theatre Club 1pm – 2.30pm Empire Rooms Festival Theatre 0131 622 8444

February 20

February 21

February 22

Tea Dance 2pm - 3.30pm Lafayette Bar Festival Theatre 0131 529 6000

February 27

February 28

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February 23

February 24

Reel Folk 10.30am -12 noon Empire Rooms Festival Theatre 0131 622 8444

Gallery Social 10.30am - 12 noon Scottish National Portrait Gallery 0131 624 6560

Sat-Sun Feb 4-5

Feb 11-12

Feb 18-19

Feb 25-26

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