Art sessions and exhibition

We recently ran online art sessions for carers, funded by Creative Scotland and in partnership with Findhorn Bay Arts. Jen Cantwell, a multi-disciplinary illustrator, artist, designer, and maker (pictured above) provided gentle tasks for participants to carry out and continue developing between sessions. Carers got involved in making paper collages with images and text, composite creatures, embroidered photos and postcards, 3D collage in matchboxes and on luggage tags, and book art. Participants reported that they greatly enjoyed and benefitted from the sessions. Here are just a few of the many comments we received:

“A great chance to meet other people and get some me-time. It’s a great feeling for that short time to not feel like the only adult in your life.”

“I have a lot of stress and anxiety, and doing the class was respite from this.”

“I feel like I’m me for these couple of hours. It’s a long time since I’ve felt like me.”

“It has been so good to meet other carers, because we all understand each other’s situations and what we are all going through.”

“Sometimes you don’t see the value of something like this until you take part. There’s such a feeling of shared experience, knowing that carers are all in the same boat.”

“The way in which these were run via Zoom was absolutely ideal as you could take part anywhere. I had time during the sessions to concentrate on something other than the numerous balls that are always having to be juggled. Very grateful for the opportunity.”

“Jen was empathetic and presented us with activities that we could enjoy irrespective of our experience and skill in art and craft. 10 out of 10. Thank you, Jen, and Quarriers.”

Carers indicated that they would be grateful if a project like this ran again, and this is something we aim to provide should more funding become available.

The creations made during the online art sessions were displayed in our office for two days in March, with carers coming along to view them over coffee and cupcakes. We have added as many photos as we can on page 7 for those who were unable to attend.

“Thank you very much for the invitation. I’ve had a lovely afternoon.”

“There are some cracking pieces of art there. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed looking around. Thank you.”

“Thank you for our lovely cupcakes. We’ve enjoyed our afternoon.”

“The exhibition is fantastic, and I’ve enjoyed the convivial atmosphere.”

No cold callers

If you or your cared-for would like one of these free door stickers, kindly sent to us by Able Community Care, please get in touch.

Essential Companion tickets

Aberdeen Performing Arts (APA) can provide one free Essential Companion ticket for those who need someone to be with them in order to attend an event at one of their venues. An Essential Companion is someone who assists the customer with mobility or guidance and ensures their safety. (An essential companion is not normally someone who is only required to provide assistance with transport to the venue.)

Free SIM cards

We have received a number of free SIM cards from Vodafone UK as part of their everyone.connected campaign. If you are struggling with the cost of mobile data, please get in touch to see if we can help. The free SIM might not suit everyone as it could mean switching to the Vodafone network, but you would benefit from 40GB of free data for the first six months before being offered a £5 deal. Information on the campaign here: http://bit.ly/40Ri5mL

Sleepio

Sleepio is an NHS-funded, evidencebased, digital cognitive behavioural therapy programme to help tackle poor sleep and insomnia, which is available at no cost to those aged 18+. To get started, visit https://www.sleepio.com/

Learn more about safety and suitability at https://www.sleepio.com/suitable

Daylight

Daylight is a free, NHS-funded digital programme to help those aged 18+ tackle anxiety and worry. Clinically proven to help, 71% of participants reported being less anxious as a result of using it. Check it out here: https://www.trydaylight.com/nhs

Feeling anxious or struggling to cope?

Visit www.clearyourhead.scot and www.nhsinform.scot/mindtomind

APA are pleased to accept your loved one’s bus pass if it has a ‘+1’ symbol (or equivalent) as entitlement to a free Essential Companion ticket. Please show the bus pass (or equivalent) to the Box Office, where staff will either create or update your cared-for’s customer record with Essential Companion status, valid for three years. Then, whether tickets are booked by phone or online, one ticket will be discounted automatically at checkout.

If you are the Essential Companion, APA recommends that you:

• Familiarise yourself with the venue, and the location of services and facilities

• Speak to the Front of House team to discuss evacuation procedures

• Let the team know of specific needs

If your cared-for’s bus pass does not have a ‘+1’ symbol, Aberdeen City Council can issue an updated one. This is called a Companion Concessionary Card, and your cared-for should be entitled if they:

• Receive the higher or middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance

• Receive the standard or enhanced rate of daily living component of Personal Independence Payment

• Receive Attendance Allowance

• Are registered as blind

• Receive War Pensions Scheme Constant Attendance Allowance

If you require support from Aberdeen City Council regarding this, you can ring their Customer Contact Centre on 03000 200 292 (option 5 then option 5).

If you need help or information from Aberdeen Performing Arts, please contact the Box Office on 01224 641122 and they will be happy to assist.

Carers’ Corner

We have been sent this lovely photo of a sunset at Port Beach near Fremantle, Australia, taken by carer George Lindsay’s granddaughter, Eilidh. She lives in Perth, Western Australia, and enjoys capturing sunrises and sunsets, chatting with her mum about the time difference between Perth and Aberdeen. Sunsets bring community and family together and are often a time to sit and reflect on the day that’s been and gone.

If you have anything you would like us to feature in a future edition, whether it’s a photo, poem, useful info for other carers, or anything else carer-related, please send it to susan.middler@ aberdeencarers.org.uk.

Barney Crockett

At our Monday Men’s Group in March, we were pleased to be joined by Cllr Barney Crockett, who came to the office to give a fascinating talk about growing up in Aberdeen from the 1950s to the 1970s. We were all ears, and it was great to reminisce about old times!

“The talk by Barney Crockett was high quality. He knew his subject. Excellent presentation. Thoroughly enjoyed it!”

“We had a great time at Barney Crockett’s talk and were well entertained. The history of Fittie was very interesting, and his photos were all well explained. It would be nice