Author: Paula Palmer

heart photo

SIL Picnic in the Park

Posted on | by Paula Palmer

On Wednesday 13th July, Services for Independent Living hosted a Picnic on the Park.  Held on the Grange, Leominster, the picnic brought together staff and service users from across Herefordshire’s registered care providers in an informal celebration of social care.

The picnic was organised to help raise awareness of the importance of social care, to recognise the value of all those who work in care to the people they support and to create an inclusive environment for all to enjoy a day out.

Whilst enjoying the sunshine and a lovely picnic, guests were also there to take part in a record attempt; the first world record for the largest number of social care service users and staff in a heart formation taken by drone.  With residents and staff from Hampton Grange & Gwen Walford Nursing Homes, Hereford Rotherwood Healthcare Lynhales Hall Nursing Home, Herefordshire Forbury Home Merrivale Farm, Ledbury Buckfield House ECHO and Leominster’s Mayor Cllr Trish Marsh as well as those from SIL, the Guinnexx World Records adjudicator (No! that’s not a typo, the real deal was a little costly) registered our attempt at 53 people.

Euan McPherson, SIL CEO, commented; “It has been a great opportunity to meet and get to know people who share our belief that people affected by disabilities can live independent lives and actively participate in society, it has been interesting hearing from staff and service users alike about all the activities and opportunities on offer.  We extend our thanks to everyone who came and made this such a lovely event.  We are actively recruiting and hope to demonstrate to anyone who interested in a job in care the value and variety of work undertaken.”

Many of the guests were heard to say what an enjoyable day out it had been so we expect to see many more picnics being organised and perhaps someone will take on the heart photo challenge.

#LovetoCare #SILheartphotochallenge.

Ends

If you are interested in a job at Services for Living please go to our vacancies or call 01568 616653

Kindle centre logo

The Kindle Centre

Posted on | by Paula Palmer

The Kindle Centre, based at the Asda store, Hereford provides affordable meeting rooms for hire and office space for charities and non-profit organisations. In addition it has a large hall conferencing space, used for conferences, community activities and increasingly services provided to the community.

Our values, in all that we do, are to ensure that we are inclusive and participative, partnership-focussed, and that we deliver valuable and quality outcomes.

You will find a huge range of activities available including:

  • BBO Herefordshire – supporting you into work with help to apply, improving skills, confidence or work experience
  • Hereford Food banks
  • Zumba class – free taster session
  • Free Summer activities for children 5 – 12 years – sport activities, dance, arts and crafts
  • Drama for Change – free to attend mondays 5pm to 7pm
  • Drama workshops summer activities August and September
  • Melody Dance Company Term timetable
  • Southside Project updates
  • Parkinsons Exercise Class (seated exercise for people affected by Parkinsons, any other condition that restricts mobility or seniors)
  • The 17% of men – support group run for the 17% of men in Herefordshire who experienced sexual abuse in childhood.
  • Mental Fitness for Men – a Talk (and listening) Club for men
  • Thursday Lunch Club
  • Hereford 050 – social events, speakers, music, walking group and more for over 50s
  • Writer’s circle – 1st Friday of the month
  • Kindle Singers – meeting on Mondays 12pm to 1.30pm
  • Hereford Art’s Appreciation Society
  • Jumma Mubarak Friday Prayers
  • ESOL – English for Speakers of Other Languages – Thursday and Fridays
  • Shaw Trust Work & Health Programme
  • Cranstoun community based substance misuse services, supported housing, specialist services for young people, families, carers and domestic abuse services
  • Mobility Aids Service from British Red Cross

See more information on meeting times and what’s on offer in the newsletter

maggie is made honorary president

Presidential Honour for Trustee

Posted on | by Paula Palmer

Number 63/ 22 – 20th July 2022

Services for Independent Living (SIL) marked an outstanding achievement at their Summer Garden Party last week.

Maggie O’Neill, one of the founding members of the charity, has recently stood down as a trustee after 25 years of working tirelessly for SIL. To mark this dedication to the charity, SIL has awarded Maggie the position of Honorary President, the first time this has been done in its quarter century history.

Euan McPherson, CEO, said: “Maggie is a truly remarkable individual who has given so much to the organisation and I am pleased we are able to acknowledge that in this way.”

Maggie became one of the small group of people who in 1996, campaigned for the right to have a direct payment. The group were successful in their campaign and as a result the Herefordshire Centre for Independent Living was formed, which later changed its name to Services for Independent Living.

By this time the organisation had become a registered charity and was not only supporting people to employ their own personal assistants, but also providing supported living in people’s own homes.

Maggie said: “Much to my surprise and delight, and with some fear and trepidation, I was asked  by the founding members, Barbara Millman and Marion Tweed-Rycroft, to join them as a Trustee .

“Since then I have learnt so much both as a Service User and a Trustee, even becoming Chairperson of SIL for a short time, before ill health took its toll.

“From thinking I had very little to offer the organisation I am overwhelmed by the appreciation I have received for the contribution I have made over the years and I am thrilled to be appointed Honorary President of SIL, assuring my continued relationship with the people who work for and are supported by  SIL.”

For more information about the work SIL does, or to enquire about working for this award winning organisation, call 01568 616653 or email: contactus@s4il.co.uk or visit: www.s4il.co.uk

Photo – Euan McPherson, CEO with Maggie O’Neill, at the Garden Party on the 7th July

Picnic in the Park

Posted on | by Paula Palmer

This #carersweek2022 (6th to 12th June) has the theme of “Visible, valued and supported”

At SIL we believe that the importance and value of family, unpaid and paid carers should be recognised in all areas of life. Caring should be valued and respected by everyone in our society and this week we are launching Picnic in the Park…

This July we are inviting all carers and those who are cared for and supported to join us for an informal picnic as we attempt to raise awareness of this very important theme. We hope, if you are passionate about care, that you will join us as we try to set a world record – Largest Carers and Cared for Heart. Fingers crossed for the weather!

For more details please contact Paula Palmer on the email in the image or call 0168 616653. As SIL staff are hybrid workers (office and home based) the receptionist will forward your details on for a callback if they are unable to answer your question.

Citizens Advice Logo

Advicelink Cymru

Posted on | by Paula Palmer

Advicelink Cymru is a Welsh Government funded Citizens Advice service designed to help people who are most in need of advice services, particularly those who would not usually seek advice.

Advicelink Cymru offers quality assured advice on welfare benefits, debt, employment, education, housing, immigration and discrimination. The service aims to help people access the right advice, at the right time and make it easier for them to access services again if they need further help—whether that’s about the same issue or something new.

Call the Helpline  Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm: 0800 702 2020. More Information here:  Advicelink Cymru – Citizens Advice

Dementia Awareness Week at The Courtyard, Hereford

Posted on | by Paula Palmer

Dementia Awareness Week runs from Monday 16 – Sunday 22 May. The Courtyard, Hereford are hosting several activities to mark this:

The Courtyard’s Spectacular Tea Dance kicks off the week on Tuesday 17 May at 2pm. This nostalgic, dementia friendly event includes tea, cakes, music and dancing. Tickets cost £4 per participant and accompanying carers go free.

People living with Dementia can also join in with The Courtyard’s regular Playing Together session on Tuesday 17 May from 10.30am. Playing Together is an interactive play session for older adults and pre-school children, along with accompanying parents and carers. The lively and creative session supports participants to communicate through play activities, including music, movement, sand, puppets and visual arts. The session starts with a cup of tea and opportunity to arrive gently, before getting into full swing by 11am.

On Wednesday 18 May, Orchestra of the Swan will host their weekly Café Muse session. Café Muse is a music café for Armed Forces Veterans living with dementia.

Friday 20 May sees the return of The Courtyard’s Dementia Friendly Screenings, with Irving Berlin’s 1948 hit Easter Parade (U). The film will be shown in The Courtyard’s new Nell Gwynne studio set up with tables and chairs. The lights will be dimmed and the sound a little quieter for a dementia friendly experience. Tickets cost £5 and include tea and biscuits. Accompanying carers can attend for free and doors will open 30 minutes prior to the film starting to allow a gentle arrival.

Tickets for all The Courtyard’s Dementia Friendly events can be booked online at courtyard.org.uk or via Box Office on 01432 340555.

orange button suicide prevention

Orange Button Community Scheme

Posted on | by Paula Palmer

A community partnership of voluntary sector organisations have come together to pilot the Orange Button Community scheme across Herefordshire and Worcestershire between April and July 2022

If you are having thoughts of suicide, or are worried about a friend or family member, you can talk to someone wearing an orange button.

The scheme is a way of identifying people that have undertaken suicide prevention training. That they have the confidence to talk to others about suicide. It is a way of showing others in your community who are having thoughts of suicide, or are worried about somebody else, that you are:

  • Comfortable to say / hear the word suicide
  • Can listen without judgement
  • Can inform people where to find help and support

SIL Yearbook 2021

Posted on | by Paula Palmer

Our yearbook is published each year to bring to focus the amazing impact we have, to remind us whey what we do is so important and to celebrate the achievements of our team, service users and their families.

2021 didn’t turn out to be the much improved year we all hoped for with new tighter restrictions being enforced as the new year began; Covid-19 continued to have an impact with many restrictions lasting well into the year and continuing to put us all at risk of serious illness.

But, yet again we have shown that even a global pandemic won’t stop us doing what we do best and we will take you on a round-up of all our events, trips, activities and best moments of the past year with PRIDE.

Look out for awards, personal triumphs, successes and joyfulness.

Click on the image to our view Yearbook

Please email us for a paper copy at contactus@s4il.co.uk or call 01568 616653.

Courtyard Hereford Spectacular Tea Dance

Posted on | by Paula Palmer

https://www.courtyard.org.uk/events/the-courtyards-spectacular-tea-dance-3/

Black and white photo of a woman in a white dress dancing with a man in a suit

Tuesday, 17th May at 2pm the Courtyard, Hereford’s SPECTACULAR TEA DANCE

This fun and nostalgic dementia friendly event will brighten up anyone’s day. Full of music, tea, cakes and dancing. Tickets £4 including refreshments. Accompanying carers free. Call the box office on 01432 340555

Calling all Golfers!

Posted on | by Paula Palmer

Services for Independent Living Charity of the Year Megan Baker House are hosting a Golf Day at Leominster Golf Club on 25th June.

This annual event is a popular one and promises to be a fun day once again whilst raising money for MBH . Contact Lee@meganbakerhouse.org.uk for more details or to reserve your place.

Event details JPG.