DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON
WWW.GSCENE.COM
THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE ) Martlets Hospice has begun a unique project to support bereaved men as they tend to a community allotment. Funded by Hospice UK, Earthworks is a weekly space for men to get together to grow and harvest an abundance of vegetables, flowers and fruit. Led by a hospice counsellor and a volunteer gardener, it provides a welcoming and supportive environment in which to work, whilst enjoying getting outside in the fresh air.
Jane Cato, part of the hospice’s Bereavement Team, said: “It’s all very relaxed; each morning begins with a cuppa in the allotment shed around the wood burner. Previous gardening experience isn’t important; you can take on whichever jobs interest you, whether that’s lighter work in the greenhouse or getting really stuck into the digging and clearing. Simply getting closer to nature can be very therapeutic, regardless of what the weather’s doing! “It’s a very hands-on way for people to come together and to use their skills and energy to complete practical tasks, whilst gaining the benefit of talking to others who are in a similar situation – if that’s what they want to do. Less than a quarter of those using our hospice bereavement services are men and there’s nowhere else in Brighton & Hove for bereaved men to get together. So, it makes sense to find an alternative way to support those men, since we know we can help them.” To find out more about Earthworks, or to sign-up, contact the Martlets’ Patient & Family Support Administrator: 01273 273400, or email bereavement@martlets.org.uk
LGBT+ PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR DEMENTIA RESEARCH PROJECT ) Jane Green, a qualified dementia nurse specialist studying an MSc in Ageing, Health and Disease at Cardiff University, is conducting research into looking at modifiable dementia risk factors in the LGBT+ and heterosexual populations. Her research survey, which is to investigate factors that may affect the risk of dementia in later life, will aim to find out how common risk factors are in the adult population and examine if there are any differences in the number of risk factors amongst LGBT+ and heterosexual people. Jane says: “Various factors, such as alcohol, smoking and depression, are shown to increase a person’s risk of developing dementia. It is reported that LGBT+ adults are more likely to have experienced depression or other mental health issues. In addition, the prevalence of substance misuse amongst the LGBT+ population is also reported to be higher than the heterosexual population, primarily in relation to tobacco and alcohol. “My research study aims to ascertain if there is a significant difference in the prevalence of dementia modifiable risk factors amongst the LGBT+ adult populations in relation to the heterosexual adult populations. Data will potentially be used to assess if there is a need for health and education provision within the LGBT+ communities.” To complete the survey, which takes just five minutes, visit: cardiff.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/lgbt-dementia-risk-factors
GRIEF ENCOUNTERS - NEW PROJECT AT SWITCHBOARD There is currently no LGBT+ specific service for those experiencing a bereavement. In the New Year, Switchboard is planning to start the set up of a peer support ) The Rainbow Fund is supporting group providing an exclusive and dedicated space to explore grief. It’s Switchboard in developing a new important that the specific needs of initiative, Grief Encounters - a pilot project that aims to support LGBT+ the LGBT+ communities are voiced so they can receive the best and people who have experienced a most appropriate support. bereavement. In addition to the universal experiences of grief, pain and distress, LGBT+ people face other barriers and stressors in bereavement including homophobia (trans/bi/queerphobia), failure to acknowledge our relationships, estrangement from our families, legal and financial issues, being excluded from discussions and decisions being made by family members and health care professionals.
Switchboard are keen to talk further to anyone wanting to share their experiences, thoughts and ideas. If you would like to be on their mailing list to receive updates about further developments of this project, call 01273 234009 to speak to or to leave a message for Jackie, Switchboard’s new Grief Encounters Development Worker. Alternatively, email: jackie.engelberg@switchboard.org. uk
TWO MORE NEW TRUSTEES AT LUNCH POSITIVE ) Every Friday Lunch Positive the HIV lunch club provides a weekly peer-led community lunch for people with HIV at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Brighton.
fundraising for many local charities.
Chris said: "I’m thrilled to become a Trustee of Lunch Positive and with the other trustees, service users and volunteers look forward The Board at Lunch Positive have to the charity’s continued appointed two new trustees Chris Sarson and Margot Uden who bring success." a wealth of governance experience Margot has worked in the in the voluntary sector, and voluntary sector both nationally important insights into living with and internationally on a range of HIV. With these latest appointments, initiatives that focus on the Board continues to diversify in engagement and empowerment terms of members, skills and through volunteering, and is experience. particularly interested in peer support.
MARGOT UDEN
)
CHRIS SARSON
8
Chris who has experience of buddying with AIDS support services in Leicestershire, is also joining the charities management committee. He has been a fundraising coordinator in the local voluntary sector and instrumental in
Margot added: "I have always had such admiration for Lunch Positive, what the team achieve together every week, and the impact it has on so many people’s lives. I am delighted to be part of the team and am looking forward to exciting times ahead for the organisation." For more information about Lunch Positive, view: www.lunchpositive.org