Carol Service 2020

join us for a Prama Telephone Christmas Carol Service 17th December 2pm

Friendship Line Call us 01202 022987 Everyday 10am - 7pm

You're never alone with friends on the phone

Would you like to host, or participate in Telephone Friendship Groups?

You can to speak to a group of people about a theme or a topic, or just have a conversation with a few others so that you don’t feel like you’re on your own?

Phone groups can take place any day at any time.

To find out more Contact

Keith on 07752 597334 keith.gubbins@pramalife.org

www.pramalife.org

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On the day Dial 0203 695 926 When prompted to enter conference details press

754301

“I wish you all a merry Christmas, but for thousands of us, Christmas may not be such a happy occasion.

I remember the Christmases of my childhood (yes, my memory really is that good!). Seasons seemed so much more “proper” in those days. Long, endless, summer holidays giving way to hot potatoes and sparklers on Bonfire night. Halloween went pretty much unnoticed in those days…

And then, come December - AND NOT BEFORE! - the shops would start advertising. You’d notice it first in Woolworths. A plastic Christmas tree with some silver tinsel and boxes of six glass baubles (in the days before plastic) on the shelves. Mittens – whatever happened to mittens? – tied with a string round your neck that would probably be considered a safety risk nowadays!

I remember the best thing about Christmas though, wasn’t the enormous meals, mince pies, jelly and chocolates. They always just appeared out of nowhere (thanks Mum). It was the planning and the hopes and expectations for the day. It was all about the presents!

Looking through a Gratton’s catalogue for an idea or asking how many Green Shield stamps mum had collected during the year. I remember cold winter trips around Dudley; in the snow, coming back with bags full of stuff that I wasn’t allowed to look into!

I did the same thing for my own kids. No Woolworths this time around though, and “the internet” instead of catalogues. Not really the same but…

The lists of things that we wanted for Christmas in those days was pretty endless. Even then it was based on what was being advertised on ITV (just a single advertising channel; imagine that). Hot wheels. Thunderbirds. Dinky. A cheap plastic train set (as we couldn’t afford Hornby). The list went on and on.

And then the excitement of Christmas morning! Opening a pillowcase and finding “just what you always wanted”.

And an orange.

Christmases nowadays are different. Often stress-full and fleeting non-events with people feeling either dread that it’s coming or delight that it’s over.

This Christmas is not promising to be a great one either.

The list of Christmas presents that we want this year is not the endless list of a child. It’s quite short and simple really.

It’s to be remembered. To be included. To know that we are cared for. There’s been a new phrase that has entered our language this year “Self-isolation”. It’s a phrase that now slips easily off the tongue but has behind it a host of meaning and emotion. We self-isolate; deny ourselves and our own needs, for the good of those around us: A pro-active act of love for others, that they may not get ill. At Christmas I am reminded of a God who chose to selfisolate Himself from His Father, to be born as a baby and live as one of us so that we may not perish but enjoy eternal life.

This therefore may indeed be a Christmas where some will feel more alone than normal, unable to be with family and friends until this period ends. But I am confident that this season too will end.

Perhaps just a few more weeks and months to go. But, until that time comes please know that Prama is here for you, always trying to find ways to provide the support you may be looking for.

This Christmas we may not get a long list of everything we want but we know that God’s love is constant. God’s presence is real, and because of His sacrifice of isolation, His peace is assured.

Steve Robinson Chief Executive

Dear Singer, Thank you for joining our Carol service, we hope it brings you joy. Music plays an important role in the work of Prama, particularly in some of our support groups. We know that listening to, singing or playing music can bring all sorts of benefits to our lives; as George Eliot said, "Life seems to go on without effort when I am filled with music."

Christmas would not be same if we could not sing carols together. This is something we have done all our lives, so we wanted to give everyone the opportunity to have a collective way of doing so this Christmas, even if we cannot be together. Please sing as you would if you were at a Carol service and if you live with others or have family/friends who would be interested please get them involved.

Let’s see whether we can have the same impact as Dr Seuss describes below: So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear.

And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.

It started in low. Then it started to grow.

But the sound wasn't sad! Why, this sound sounded merry!

It couldn't be so! But it WAS merry! VERY! He stared down at Whoville! The Grinch popped his eyes!

Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!

Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small, Was singing! Without any presents at all!

He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME! Somehow or other, it came just the same!

And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow, Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?"

"It came without ribbons! It came without tags!"

"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"

And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."

"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”…

I would like to say a big thank you to my colleagues Keith Gubbins and Sue Warr for organising this opportunity, this is new territory for us, and we hope it will be fun for you.

Happy Christmas and Best Wishes, Christopher Beale, Director, PramaLife

Hello and Seasons Greetings to everyone who’s dialed in to join us today.

We’ve been very busy during the ongoing Corona pandemic; it’s been a challenge to adapt our services to try to support those who may be feeling a bit lonely and isolated at this time. In normal times, Prama relies on a team of willing volunteers to support every activity that we undertake; from charity shops to fundraising, all our Memory Lane groups, coffee mornings, pop-in sessions, carers support groups and craft activities.

During the pandemic we have put many phone-based activities in place, including a telephone friendship line, telephone befriending, and telephone friendship groups.

We have also gained new volunteers to help us with our Carers Befriending and Mentoring Services.

We are always looking for new volunteers to join our team. You might have a couple of hours to help us if you are a student, if you’re working part-time, if you’re a parent, a carer, if you’re not working and want to add to your CV, or if you are someone who’s retired and wants something meaningful to do with some of your spare time.

The commitment can be as little as an hour a month or as much as a couple of days per week.

Please contact us to talk about what we can do for each other!

01202 207329 Sue Warr PramaLife Pathways Manager Let us all enjoy this Carol Service together….

All of the words to the carols are in this booklet

Opening Prayer Andy Gilbert - Church Care Network Lead Father in a year that has been difficult for so many of us we look to this season and the peace and joy You bring. Let us put off all the worries and loneliness of this year and turn our focus to the birth and life of your Son this Christmas. As we remember the joy of the past years and look expectantly forward for years to come. We also remember before You those who can’t be with us this year and ask that You will bring comfort by Your Holy Spirit and draw close to us through this time together. Let us focus on You our Lord and Saviour.

Amen.

Away in a Manger Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.

The stars in the night sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.

O Holy Night O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth Long lay the world in sin and error pining 'Til He appears and the soul felt its worth A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born O night divine, O night, O night divine Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His Gospel is Peace Chains He shall break, for the slave is our brother And in His name, all oppression shall cease Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we Let all within us Praise His Holy name Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!

O night divine! O night when Christ was born.

O night divine, O night, O night divine.

Luke Chapter 2, verses 1-20

The Birth of Jesus 1

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census take when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He travelled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

11 The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

12And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

15 When the angels had returned to heaven,the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

8

9

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

16

O Come all ye Faithful O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him, born the King of angels; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

God of God, Light of Light; Lo, He abhors not the Virgin's womb; Very God, begotten, not created; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!

Glory to God, in the highest; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be all glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Reading by Sam Pavey - Carers Lead “Christmas Bells� by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

But give me holly, bold and jolly, Honest, prickly, shining holly; Pluck me holly leaf and berry For the day when I make merry

Once in Royal David's City Once in royal David's city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all; and his shelter was a stable and his cradle was a stall: with the poor, and mean, and lowly lived on earth our Saviour holy.

And, through all his wondrous childhood, he would honour and obey, love and watch the lowly maiden in whose gentle arms he lay: Christian children all must be mild, obedient, good as he.

For he is our childhood's pattern, day by day like us he grew; he was little, weak and helpless, tears and smiles like us he knew; and he feelth for our sadness, and he shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love, for that Child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heaven above; and he leads his children on to the place where he is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by, we shall see him; but in heaven, set at God's right hand on high; when like stars, his children crowned, all in white shall wait around.

Closing Prayer – Andy Gilbert - Church Care Network Lead Thank you, Lord, for our time together. Go ahead of us this Christmas, be with all the Prama staff, volunteers, clients and group attendees bringing a deep joy and peace for this season and the New Year to come. Draw close to those of us who are lonely, bring peace where there is stress and comfort to all who grieve. Let us look forward to a Christmas where we remember You in the quiet times and celebrate the joy when we can. Bless us all this Christmas I pray in Jesus name, Amen.

Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King, peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconcile.

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; with the angelic host proclaim, 'Christ is born in Bethlehem' Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King.

Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin's womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail, the incarnate deity, pleased as Man with to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King.

Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace!

Hail the Son of righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King.

For your notes

useful numbers

BCP Helpline – 0300 123 7052 – (Closed 2pm Christmas Eve and Bank Holidays) BCP – General Contact Numbers- please call their switchboard on: 01202 451451 for services in Bournemouth, 01202 795000 for services in Christchurch, 01202 633633 for services in Poole.

Police (Non-emergency) - 101 NHS Helpline - 111 Age UK Silverline - 0800 470 80 90 Samaritans – 116 123 PramaCare – 01202 207300 Leonardo Trust – Help for Carers – 01202 698325, CRISP Carers Support BCP area – 01202 128787, Carers Support Dorset – Dorset Council area -0800 368 8349 CRUSE – Bereavement Services - 0800 088 081676

For your notes

We offer FREE and FAST collection of saleable furniture

Prama Charity Prama charity shops

furniture@pramacare.co.uk www.pramalife.org/charity-shops

Call our Prama Charity Warehouse

01202 207315

Leaving a lasting legacy Leaving a gift in your will to Prama can provide crucial funds for our work; every day our charity supports hundreds of older people across Dorset to enjoy life as they age.

Prama is a Dorset based Christian charity providing 'outstanding'* home care and community activities for older people, those with dementia, carers and people living with an acquired brain injury.

We encourage support from family and friends and aim to create links with the local community through our range of community services including pop-in, special interest and dementia clubs. During covid we have had to adapt, and are now providing phone and online support to many more people

If you would like to leave a gift to Prama in your will, it’s very straightforward.

You can include a gift in a new will or you can amend an existing will with a codicil (which is a separate document to complete and keep with your will). Your solicitor can help you with these arrangements or alternatively we can refer you to McClure Solicitors who offer a free will writing service (you will be asked to consider leaving a charitable donation to Prama, but there is no obligation) call McClure direct on 0800 852 1999 Gifts to registered charities are generally exempt from inheritance and capital gains taxes. A gift to Prama would greatly benefit people in Dorset with minimum burden to your estate.

If you have any further questions about legacies or other ways to donate to our work at Prama, then please contact us on 01202 207328 or chris.wakefield@pramafoundation.org.uk *Outstanding for care rating given by Care Quality Commision Aug 2019

Christmas Quiz and Activities Download the or go to zoom.us

app

Meeting ID is 81967966212 Monday 21st December Join from 1:30 Activities start at 2pm

PramaLife FOCUS befriending and mentoring scheme The PramaLife FOCUS befriending and mentoring scheme is available to you as a carer.

We can join you up with someone to regularly talk to (on the phone or face to face) or with a mentor who is an experienced carer themselves.

It will be an opportunity to talk things through with someone and have a bit of a breather from your caring duties. We understand that being a carer can be isolating and we can offer friendship and support to help you feel less alone.

To find out how we can help you,

call the team on 01202 207329 to talk through your situation.

All calls are treated confidentially, and if we can't help, we will know someone who can! www.pramalife.org

To find out more call 01202 207300 or go to www.pramacare.org.uk We are assisting BCP Council and the NHS by helping people who are leaving hospital. Our hospital to home service is here if you need some short term help, longer term care or end of life care.

Prama has always been known for our high quality care, our care support workers are highly trained in infection control, and we have had ZERO infections during the pandemic.

We can help you or someone you care for in so many ways including Domestic support Meal preparation Companionship Shopping

Respite care Nail cutting Accompanied appointments Sitting Service

For Care

For a brochure or more information please call 01202 207300 Finger or Toenail cutting in your home by our trained staff To book an appointment, call 01202 207308

Single Service £17.50 Multiple Service £30.00 ( 2 services) When other foot problems are identified, clients are referred to their GP for specialist care. Please note that Prama does not provide a full chiropodist service.

Each client must purchase a personal set of nail clippers & file (£10.50) to be kept at their home.

Prama Moran house, 1 Holes Bay Park Poole BH15 2AA

Pathways House 22 Benson Road Poole BH17 0GB

PramaCare and Nail care 01202 207300 PramaLife 01202 207316 Prama Charity Shops 01202 207315

Charity Numbers 1172716 801967