LIVING TREE NEWS 21 8 May 2020
Dear Living Tree members and friends,
We are now in our 7th week of lockdown. It is a time of mixed experiences and emotions: pleasure at seeing the spring blossom and bluebells flourishing; the clear blue skies and our community coming together with many acts of kindness. We know too that there is sadness as we are separated from those we love and some of us will know people who have been closely affected by COVID 19 or other illnesses. Thank you again to everyone who is making sure that we can stay in contact with each other and to the essential workers who are looking after us all. Let us focus on hopefulness too as we watch the amazing compassion and creativity in our own community and hope that these qualities can shape a different kind of future for us all.
CREATIVITY IN LOCKDOWN
A few of us have enjoyed watching Grayson Perry’s Art Club on Channel 4 (https://www.channel4.com/programmes/graysons-art-club). His thoughts on art as a way of coping with the COVID lockdown are inspiring. Another lovely project from Magic Me might suit people who are reluctant to draw or paint – just choose a favourite picture from around your house and take a picture of yourself holding it, then write 2 – 3 sentences telling us why you like it and what it reminds you of – more here (https://magicme.co.uk/project/cherishedpicture/). We have also posted some more ideas and images from Libby at the end of the newsletter – biro studies of sheep based on Henry Moore’s studies, or book making. Keep whatever you do or make and we will all share the work when we meet together again.
CHARITY AUCTION
The next Living Tree charity auction will be held on 15 November 2020 at The Ropemakers. We have decided to donate the proceeds of the auction this year to Weldmar Hospice who have cared so beautifully for some of our members in the past. Remember to hold onto any quality items for the Auction when the recycling centre opens this month!
We are thinking at this time of those LT members who do not have the internet, so please do contact us if you, or someone you know, would like a chat on the phone 07341 916976.
NATIONAL, REGIONAL and LOCAL RESOURCES
Local GPs are circulating the following poster: BE CAUTIOUS about cancer https://www.thelivingtree.org.uk/information/resources/ possibly in response to the news that people are reluctant to go to their GPs during these times.
The most up to date national information on COVID-19 is: GOV.uk/coronavirus and for health information NHS.uk/coronavirus. Regionally DCC has issued useful information to support those who are caring for people with coronavirus https://www.carersupportdorset.co.uk/news/coronavirus-faqs-for-carers/ and information about council services at this time https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/emergencies-severe-weather/emergencies/coronavirus/community-response/communities-and-volunteering.aspx.
You might want to look at the Live Well Dorset website please – www.livewelldorset.co.uk They offer a free service for people wishing to improve their health and wellbeing with useful information on how to promote and maintain good physical and mental health during the Corona virus crisis.
The COVID-19 Community Support Network is led by local volunteers with Bridport Town Council. A single phone number 01308 808900 provides access to advice and practical help with food shopping, prescription collection, wellbeing or other issues. A new website has been created with information on deliveries, open businesses, food takeaways, home services and more.
https://sites.google.com/view/bridportcommunity/home
PATHWAYS TO CARE Hopeful Hampers & Good Neighbours Transport
Hopeful Hampers is Bridport’s original food bank scheme. If any LT members would like to receive a hamper of dried food goods please email bridporthh@gmail.com. The food bags can be collected by arrangement from Good Books, Gundry Lane, Bridport, DT6 3RL or in some circumstances they can be delivered. Good Neighbours are still offering transport for LT members to Dorset County Hospital for essential appointments to anyone who is not in quarantine and has no symptoms. Phone and leave a message on the Good Books answerphone 01308 420483 and someone will call you back.
Sherry is posting daily on The Living Tree Facebook page, with useful information and uplifting responses to this situation.
WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO TO HELP EACH OTHER
TELEPHONE SUPPORT SERVICE
We have set up a telephone support service. If you are in isolation or would like to chat to another Living Tree member (about non-medical issues), please email Rosemary with your phone number at thelivingtreedorset@gmail.com. If you do not have internet please phone and leave a message on 07341 916976 with your name and phone number and we will get back to you.
SINGING with Jane Silver-Corren
Jane, our regular singing teacher, is running 3 singing sessions a week on Zoom on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 3.00pm. The sessions last one hour and are fun and light-hearted. If you are interested please email: janesilvercorren@gmail.com and she will send you the Zoom link.
WRITING WORKSHOPS with Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is currently working on a web version of a writing on-line group. In the meantime there is a Living Tree Facebook writing group already meeting and Living Tree members can join that. The link is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/900274730437584/
STEPPING OUT
It has been great to see so many of you at Stepping Out classes. Richard and Jo are running classes on Zoom on Monday and Friday mornings for Stepping Out participants. Please contact Jo on j.perfect@bridportleisure.com if you usually attend Stepping Out and haven’t already received the information about joining the classes.
TRIPUDIO
Friday meetings always start with Tripudio, a daily 15 minute lymphatic and cardiovascular exercise regime which can be done in your home, patio or the smallest garden. If you know the regime, keep doing it – it is an excellent gentle workout. For those who have not experienced this at Living Tree meetings Julia Williams (Tripudio teacher) demonstrates the Tripudio regime and the diagram of the exercise on the Living Tree Facebook page. Karen Forrester-Jones is also offering free online 30-minute Tripudio Flow sessions via Zoom at 2.00pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week (excluding Bank Holidays). If Living Tree members are interested contact Karen at forresterjones.k@gmail.com for the links to the sessions.
MACMILLAN and PENNY BROHN UK RESOURCES
If you have concerns about medical issues concerning your cancer or treatment Macmillan has a number of useful resources and virtual support https://www.macmillan.org.uk/coronavirus. Please note that any urgent issues should still be referred to your Clinical Nurse Specialist. The Macmillan Support Line is open and free to call: 0808 8080000 seven days a week, 9am – 5pm. There is a Macmillan online community https://community.macmillan.org.uk/?_ga=2.262204556.1005417077.1584443318-1429638338.1580739434 and Age UK has a useful website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/
The Penny Brohn UK Centre www.pennybrohn.org.uk provides online resources, including a series of free online classes from international leaders in health, wellbeing, psychology and lifestyle. They are also running a Helpline 0303 300 0118 and some 1:1 services. Just contact bookings@pennybrohn.org.uk if you have any concerns or just need to talk.
THE LIVING TREE THERAPIST PARTNERSHIP – UPDATE
In February we launched our new partnership with local complementary therapists with 10 therapists on our books and more in the pipeline. Members wishing to use these therapists through our partnership scheme were invited to apply for a therapist card which would entitle them to six sessions with a therapist of their choice from that list. Due to the current restrictions on our lives, only three of our therapists are able to offer their services to Living Tree members albeit not face to face, but by using modern communication technology – email, telephone, online, Zoom.
The three therapists are:
- Dianne Dowling – coaching for living and working with cancer. Contact: 01460 220587 or diannedowling@btinternet.com
- Sue Howse – mindfulness focused support.
- Contact: 07741 018530 or email howsesp@yahoo.co.uk
- Louise Wender – 1-1 counselling & group Worry-Busting Zooms Contact: 07786 035285 or email louise@louisewender.co.uk.
If you feel you would like to use these therapists during the lockdown period via the Therapist Partnership please contact Rita on 01308 482366 or email: lttherapistpartnership@gmail.com. If you would prefer to see these therapists privately and are able to self-fund your therapy then please contact them directly using the contact details above.
OTHER EVENTS AND LOCAL SUPPORT GROUPS
AXMINSTER AND LYME CANCER SUPPORT, C’SIDERS WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND CANCER GROUP, BUTTERFLIES CANCER SUPPORT Dorchester and STALBRIDGE CANCER & RECOVERY SUPPORT group meetings are now cancelled until further notice. Contact these groups directly to find out about other kinds of support available in these areas.
CONTACT US
Tel 07341 916976. Contact thelivingtreedorset@gmail.com with any mailing list enquires/changes of address, ideas for events or items you would like to include in the next newsletter or on the website.
LIVING TREE WEBSITE
www.thelivingtree.org.uk – have you visited our website or Facebook page recently? Info being added all the time. Our INSTAGRAM address is the_living_tree_dorset – thanks to Karen. We have discontinued our Twitter account.
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