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Activities Remotely Newsletter St John's Foundation Est. 1174

2021 Activities Remotely Newsletter #7

In Newsletter #7 we have gardening tips for February and March, writing workshops from Dorothy House, Footsteps Festival 2021, meditation from Stephen, and positive and uplifting news, so there's plenty to do and make you feel good this week.

We also have the latest timetable for our online programme of activities At Home with St John's, and lots of information about staying safe & well. Articles also include how to stay safe while online food shopping and ideas for keeping busy, plus plenty more.

You can also stay up to date with the latest news from St John’s by visiting our website and social media.

Here's what you can find in this week's newsletter:

Gardening in February

Find out everything that needs doing in February here at Gardener's World.

Flowers

  • Divide congested clumps of herbaceous perennials and grasses to make vigorous new plants for free
  • Transplant deciduous shrubs growing in the wrong place, while they are dormant
  • Pot up containers with hardy spring bedding, such as primroses, wallflowers and forget-me-nots

Fruit and veg

  • Finish winter-pruning fruit trees and soft fruits, including apples, autumn raspberries and blackcurrants
  • Chit first-early potato tubers, such as 'Foremost', by standing them in trays in a light, frost-free place

Greenhouses

  • Cut back overwintered fuchsias and increase the frequency of watering to spur them into growth
  • Remove any faded or yellowing leaves from overwintering plants to prevent fungal diseases
  • Wash greenhouse glazing inside and out to let in as much light as possible

Garden Maintenance

  • Install a nest box with a camera, so you can watch birds raising their broods in spring
  • If snow falls, knock it off evergreen shrubs, hedges and conifers to prevent branches snapping under the weight
  • Spread a layer of well-rotted manure around roses and shrubs

Online Writing Group from Dorothy House

During the pandemic when many of us are feeling isolated and missing connection with others, we are inviting you to discover this new online writing space, a place where you can ‘drop in’ with paper and pen, your thoughts and a cuppa. Whether you've always kept a journal, and writing is a part of your life, or writing for wellbeing is entirely new for you and you're a little hesitant, we're excited to share this with you.

Friday mornings at 10.30am on Zoom.

After the success of the Writing Through Grief workshops, Tessa and Mike from the Bereavement Team at Dorothy House are looking forward to offering this to all within the community, welcoming everyone arriving with their differing and varied experiences of the last year and lockdown.

A writing theme will be offered each week in a relaxed, group setting, with time to chat and reflect. Please be reassured this is about the process of writing, not a ‘polished end product’, freely using your own words to explore as you wish. There will be opportunities, but no obligation, to share and please be reassured no previous writing experience is necessary.

  • Witness your own thoughts and feelings through a variety of writing activities.
  • Uncover surprises and memories, give clarity to thoughts and bring reassurance. * Step back from the present, then return to it after writing.
  • Hear other people’s stories of finding peace through writing.

In a time where many of us are feeling a sense of isolation and distance from others, we encourage you to join us and write your way towards springtime....

For further information please contact us on 01225 721496 / bereavementsupportadmin@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk

Bereavement Support from Dorothy House

Bereavement Online Peer Support (BOPS)

We recognise that during these restricted times, without the usual rituals and presence of family and friends for support, the process of healing can feel delayed, as the isolation and loneliness inherent in grief feels all the more acute and intense. Therefore connection with others who understand through similar experience, can feel valuable and reassuring.

Our BOPS groups provide an opportunity for that connection by feeling both supported by and supportive of, others in the group. Each BOPS meets weekly for 6 sessions and is facilitated by members of the Bereavement Team

Every Monday, 2.30 – 4.00pm by Zoom.

Virtual Information on Bereavement Evening (VIBE)

If you are recently bereaved, come and join the Bereavement Team at one of our Virtual Information on Bereavement Evenings. The evening is an opportunity to explore and debunk some of the myths around grief, the team will provide information and resources, and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Being reassured that what we are experiencing, whilst unbearable at times, is the natural ‘ebb and flow’ of grief, so that we may feel less overwhelmed by thoughts and feelings.

Monthly at 7.00pm on Zoom.

These events are free and are open to everyone. There is no need to have had a previous connection to our organisation.

For further information and to book your place call us on 01225 721496 or email: bereavementsupportadmin@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk

Footsteps Festival 2021

Footsteps Festival 2021 is a year-long celebration of living well with pain. Developed by people who live with pain and professionals in pain management, Footsteps Festival takes a creative approach to living well with persistent pain.

It’s been a tough year for everyone, especially people living with pain, so Footsteps Festival aims to bring people together, with a eclectic and fun mix of free online events on everything from understanding your pain, to finding new and creative ways of living well despite it. Events are happening right across our Footsteps Festival site.

Check out our festival zones:

The festival team is working with artists, health practitioners and well-known arts companies such as Opera North and Balbir Singh Dance Company to create a festival full of inspiring events. Many of these will also be published later on this website. But don’t worry if you miss something – you can catch up with past festival events as they build into an online archive of creative resources for living well with pain.

Find more info here.

From Loneliness to Solitude

We have a solitary robin who sings contentedly every morning and evening on our cherry tree oblivious to all. This reminds me of the solitary meditator repeating their mantra and discovering a restful spirit. Henri J. M. Nouwen describes the benefits of such a spiritual practice and the 'garden of solitude' it can yield.

"To live a spiritual life, we must first find the courage to enter into the desert of our loneliness and to change it by gentle and persistent efforts into a garden of solitude. This requires not only courage but also a strong faith. As hard as it is to believe that the dry desolate desert can yield endless varieties of flowers, it is equally hard to imagine that our loneliness is hiding unknown beauty. The movement from loneliness to solitude, however, is the beginning of any spiritual life because it is a movement from the restless senses to the restful spirit, from the outward-reaching cravings to the inward-reaching search, from the fearful clinging to the fearless play."

From Henri J.M. Nouwen, Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life

Enjoy the 'fearless play’,

Stephen

Positive and Uplifting News

Lifesaving small talk: the hairdressers trained to chat about organ donation

Hairdressers in the UK have been trained to chat to clients about organ donation, helping bring about a record number of BAME organ transplants. With minority groups least likely to have a Covid vaccine, what can be learned from the initiative to increase uptake?

Read the full article here.

Plan to turn UK hills into batteries revealed

The UK’s hills and mountains could soon be the high point of green energy innovation after engineers revealed plans to turn them into ‘batteries’ to store renewable electricity.

Borrowing technology from traditional hydropower plants, the project would use excess green energy to pump water uphill via underground pipes. The water would then be released and flow downhill over generating turbines, when demand for electricity was higher.

Read the full article here.

After years of neglect, UK front gardens are blooming

For decades they have been paved over, parked on and neglected by homeowners across the country. But according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the UK’s front gardens are blooming again – thanks partly to lockdown.

Comparing data from two surveys, the charity estimated that front garden greenery has increased by an area 70 times the size of Hyde Park since 2015. The flourishing of front yards comes at a time of rising awareness about the environment and the health benefits of green spaces.

Read the full article here.

Free copy of Positive.News magazine

Sixty per cent of Brits are finding it harder to stay positive right now, according to research by Ipsos Mori. Positive.News want to help. That’s why we’ve decided to offer a free copy of Positive News magazine to everyone who needs it.

Take some time for self-care or show care towards someone else, with a free magazine while stocks last – only pay postage. To get your free copy, simply use the code STAYPOSITIVE when purchasing from the Positive News magazine shop.

Sir Antony Gormley announces 'UK's biggest art exhibition'

Museums and leading artists are inviting the British public to take part in what they hope will be the biggest art exhibition ever mounted.

The Great Big Art Exhibition is being launched by Sir Antony Gormley, who is asking people to make an artwork at home and put in their window or garden.

Details of how to take part, including a free activity pack, are available from arts organisation FirstSite.

He has suggested animals as the theme for the first two weeks of The Great Big Art Exhibition.

Step 5 - the finished dog

"We want to let the inner animal out," he said. "People will find their inner animal… it could be a whale or a dinosaur". Read more at the BBC here.

Baker Street - Baking Competition

Baker Street is inviting you and your residents to compete against care homes across the UK to create a sensational show stopping dessert, using our delicious, quick and easy-to-use sponge cake layers as a base.

Whilst we can’t taste your culinary creations in person we’ll be judging on appearance, so be sure to snap a photo before you get stuck in!

How to enter: To enter, simply complete the entry form here and upload photos of your Baker Street sponge layer creation, along with your winning recipe idea by 5pm on 31st March 2021.

Isolated, not Lonely.

The National Activity Providers Association (NAPA) are running online support sessions are open to everyone.

The topic for this session will be: Whole-Home Approach: Barriers and How to Overcome them

The overall focus will be:

  • The importance of socially distance activities
  • The difference that those activities make to staff, residents, friends, and families
  • Barriers to making it happen
  • How barriers have been removed to enable activities
  • How staff are dealing with the emotional consequences of providing activities at this time.

Book your place here.

Free Online Courses from Somerset Skills & Learning

Introduction to Women’s History

6 sessions starting Monday 3 March 2021, 10:00-12:00

Are you interested in history and historical debate about what brings about change? Do you enjoy learning things about the past and how it has impacted our lives today?

This 6 week course will look at the women’s suffrage movement, the different campaigns and techniques used by activists, and the role of the First World War. It will also explore how and why women achieved the vote.

The course will start on International Women’s Day. You could do this course for your own interest or use it as a stepping stone to further study. Book your place here.

Improve Your Memory

Tuesday 9 March 2021, 12:00-15:00

Are you worried that your memory is not very good and that you keep forgetting things? Do you go into a room and forget why? Has lockdown made it worse or is it your age?

Don’t worry, you are not alone! This 3-hour workshop will explore different memory techniques and show you how to use them in your life or when studying.

Join our friendly tutor to find out more about keeping your brain and memory healthy with just a few key exercises. Book your place here.

Dignity in Action Day

"Dignity, in general, is hard to define, but what is clear is that people know when they have not been treated with dignity and respect. Dignity covers all aspects of daily life, including respect, privacy, and autonomy, and is a basic human right. Dignity is about interpersonal behaviours, as well as systems and processes, and I believe that when people are treated with dignity and respect they become empowered, giving them a sense of self-worth and fulfilment in their everyday lives.

I was asked to be a Dignity Champion by my Manager and after visiting the Dignity in Care website and reading their mission statement, I knew that taking on this role was right for me. As care workers, every member of the Independent Living Assistant (ILA) team has previously worked in stressful environments; including understaffed dementia homes or on busy hospital wards, where we have witnessed a lack of dignity and respect, resulting in poor quality of care. This isn’t always intentional and even the best of us can be caught up with systematic poor practice when in these environments.

It was only when I joined the ILA team at St Johns Foundation that I realised that there was a different way to show care. Along with our values of trust, courage, and kindness, dignity and person-centered care are at the heart of our service. This means we provide an outstanding service that is second to none.

This is why on the 1st of February, we celebrate Dignity in Action day and continue to be the Beacon for other local care services in celebrating and promoting dignity in care."

Becky Tutton - Independent Living Assistant at St John's Foundation

Free Creative Writing Workshops (NEW CLASSES)

Expressive Creative Writing

Monday 22 February 2021 at 10:00-12:00

This short online workshop will provide you with the skills and knowledge to be able to practice expressive creative writing and apply it to your daily life.

Expressive creative writing shows imagination and creativity, rather than fact based technical writing and is a form of therapy to express something. Book here.

Wild Writing: Nature-Based Expressive Creative Writing for Wellbeing

5 week course starting Monday 1 March 2021 at 10:00-12:00.

You will learn what Nature-based Expressive Creative Writing (ECW) is, the tools and techniques it involves, and how it can be used for personal wellbeing, growth and connection with others, as well as a celebration of the natural world and a means of sharing knowledge and awareness of the environment and current threats to it. Book your place here.

Craft Your Own Concertina Keepsake Book

Fridays 5 & 12 March 2021 at 10:00-12:00

Learn how to make a unique concertina keepsake book. Get crafty with our two-part workshop and create your own memory book full of secret pockets, compartments and pages to fill with something special.

Concertina books are simple to make and beautiful to look at, making them a great gift for loved ones. Custom design special pull-out pages with frames, pockets and spaces to fill with precious memories. Book here.

Get Crafty: Greetings Cards Workshop

Friday 16 April 2021 at 09:30-12:30

Fancy getting crafty at home? Want to put a smile on your loved ones’ faces? Join our online greetings card craft club and learn how to make three gorgeous gift cards to send to friends and family! Book here.

Classes from Creativity Works

Creativity Works provides creative courses and activities, which inspire and empower people to explore, develop and grow. Through our work we draw communities together and enable more people to access the arts, with a particular focus on those living with mental health challenges or facing difficulties in their lives.

We aim to help you stay creative, connected, learning new skills and be inspired by the world around you.

Peer led groups:

  • Get Creative peer led art group - Tuesdays 1.30pm – 3pm - face to face sessions
  • Writing Space peer led group - Tuesdays 2pm – 3.30pm - online / face to face
  • Keynsham Snap & Stroll at home Facebook page for residents of Keynsham

New online Zoom projects:

  • Journaling for Wellbeing, 6 week course - 27th January – 3rd March 10.30am – 12noon
  • Writing for Wellbeing Taster session - 22nd Feb 2pm – 3.30pm
  • Writing for Wellbeing, 5 week course - 1st – 29th March, Mondays 2pm – 3.30pm

Click here to see classes available.

Ginger & Polenta Cake Recipe

Learn how to make this mouth-watering ginger polenta cake. The ginger in this recipe gives this gorgeous gluten-free cake a delicious kick. This delicious bake takes only 15 mins to prep and then you can let the oven do all the hard work for you. The tangy ginger flavour and the softness of the polenta sponge work wonders together. This recipe makes around 15 slices. Enjoy it over a cuppa! Find the recipe here.

The Duchess of Cornwall starts online bookclub

St John's Foundation's patron HRH The Duchess of Cornwall has started an online bookclub, The Reading Room, in which she recommends books to read during the lockdown. The bookclub started after the success of sharing her reading lists through the pandemic. The Instagram page (@duchessofcornwallsreadingroom) currently features her two most recently recommended books 'The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse' by Charlie Mackesy, and 'The Mirror & the Light' by Hilary Mantel, as well as speaking with the authors and providing thoughts for discussion.

‘To me, reading is a great adventure. I’ve loved it since I was very small and I’d love everybody else to enjoy it as much as I do. You can escape, and you can travel, and you can laugh and you can cry. There’s every kind of emotion humans experience in a book.’

HRH Duchess of Cornwall pictured here in 2017 with St John's Foundation's over 55s Swans Ballet class, led by tutor Kim Jones.

Over the next eight weeks the featured books include:

  • The Mirror & The Light - Hilary Mantel
  • Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens
  • Restless - William Boyd
  • The Architect's Apprentice - Elif Shafak

View more at The Reading Rooms page here.

Goldies Live!

Every Tuesday and Thursday at 11am Rachel and Cheryl are running fun, free, online singalongs. To join in all you need to do is visit the Golden-Oldies website www.goldieslive.com or YouTube and Facebook Page. The sessions are recorded and go 'live' on YouTube so you can watch as many times as you like - free of charge. The song words are on the screen so you can join in and Sing&Smile in your own homes.

You can also email Goldies with song requests for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries, or just because you like it: info@goldieslive.com

Scam alert - residents need to be vigilant as criminals offer COVID-19 vaccine

Residents across Bath and North East Somerset are being warned about coronavirus scams and fraudsters who are claiming to be from the NHS.

Across the UK, members of the public have received fraudulent text messages claiming to be from the NHS offering them the opportunity to sign up for the Covid-19 vaccine.

The texts ask the recipient to click on a link which takes them to an online form where they are prompted to input personal and financial details. In some cases the online form looks very similar to the real NHS website.

In the UK, coronavirus vaccines are only available via the NHS. Individuals may be contacted by the NHS, their employer, a GP surgery or a local pharmacy to book an appointment for the vaccine. At no point will payment be requested, the vaccine is always free of charge.

Read more here.

The online archive helping elderly people beat lockdown isolation

As millions of elderly and vulnerable people in the UK face yet more time stuck inside with limited social contact, a new online service is offering them a valuable lockdown lifeline.

The Living Memories Online portal, a not-for-profit community interest company, contains more than 2,000 archive films and newsreels from the 1930s to the 1970s. As well as capturing important world events, the clippings cover everyday life at home and work. The idea is that the films help spark memories and encourage older people, including those with dementia, to reminisce with families, friends and carers.

View more information at Positive.News.

COVID Vaccinations: We speak with Jean and Bethany

As the COVID vaccine is rolled out all over the country, we spoke with two recent recipients of the vaccine – Jean and Bethany. Luckily for us, Jean is my grandmother and Bethany is my sister, so they were more than willing to have a chat about the vaccinations, lockdown and how they been managing.

Jean, right, pictured here with her late husband Eric

Jean, 91, from Midsomer Norton, was on the priority list for the vaccine due to her age. She received a letter from the doctors surgery inviting her to have the jab and said afterwards “It was fine – no problem at all! It was a tiny little sting and then gone in no time”.

The vaccination took place in the Somer Centre in Midsomer Norton, to make to process easier, staff members were “outside directing us where to go. We went in and queued and were ready within a few minutes. There were a few people at different tables having their jabs, but everyone was quite far apart.”

Prior to receiving the vaccine Jean was feeling apprehensive “I had been quite worried about it, I’m not usually bothered by injections but there had been so much stuff on television all the time, I couldn’t help but be worried.”

Should everyone get the vaccine? “Oh yes, definitely, I would say everybody needs it. It was done in no time, I was amazed. If you know anybody who is sceptical tell them to go ahead and do it. [It’s] a tiny needle! – it’s nothing to worry about.”

I also spoke with Bethany, 27, an Accredited Pharmacy Checking Technician for a local pharmacy in Midsomer Norton. Bethany is due to return to work in the pharmacy in March 2021 after being on maternity leave for her first child, born in May 2020.

Bethany with her daughter born in May 2020

“[Beforehand] I wasn’t worried about the vaccine, although a bit concerned about side effects, but I have been fine so far. I’m glad I had the vaccine. I think they did a really good, efficient job, and made it safe and socially distanced.”

“I had the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine and I think the doctors were very helpful and informative. I’m glad I had it.” The doctors also advised Bethany that she would receive the second dose within 3-12 weeks, adding they would be in contact to confirm a date.

“My fiancé, Reece, and I found it difficult having our first child in lockdown. Ordinarily there would be lots of socialising with other parents in a same position as me, but due to COVID we’re all cut off from each other. I think being online and joining online meetings has really helped. I have been very fortunate to have had support from family and friends, who have been in touch through social media and left us lots of gifts too.”

Bethany has been in her role for two years, working in the pharmacy for over five years and will be returning in March this year. The vaccination was organised by her manager for herself and all of her colleagues. “When I went for my vaccination everyone in my time slot was all pharmacy or NHS staff – a lot of faces from local pharmacies.”

“I would recommend that if people feel comfortable getting it then they absolutely should, it is worthwhile to stay protected so we can resume normal life quicker.”

At Home with St John's

Our activities resume from Monday 18 January. Click the links below to book your place!

Mindfulness Meditation with Sandhya

From Monday 18 January 2021 @ 10am.

Take a moment to pause, slow down, and breathe. Learn how to bring mindfulness into our every day activities. No previous experience necessary.

Sandhya will share with you relaxation exercises and stress busting techniques. They will incorporate Mindfulness meditation, movement, deep relaxation, breathing techniques and lots more.

‘This meditation course fulfilled my expectations and more’

Please bring a bottle of water, a cushion and a blanket for deep relaxation. Teaching us how to bring mindfulness into our every day activities.

Click here to book your space.

Breathe and Begin with Jacky Wise

Monday to Thursday morning 8.30am - 8.50am

A unique time of deep breathing and mindfulness, with a motivational thought and prayer to help you through the day.

Led by Rev Jacky Wise.

Join the Facebook group here.

Drawing & Painting in Watercolours with Sarah

From Tuesday 19 January 2021 @ 10am.

Enjoy learning and developing different watercolour techniques in Sarah's step-by-step sessions. With your fellow painters, you will create a watercolour sketch and come away with ideas to develop further. Suitable for beginners through to the more creatively experienced.

Click here to book your space.

Gentle Yoga with Jules

From Tuesday 19 January @ 2pm.

Great for beginners or people returning to exercise, recovering from injury, illness, living with fibromyalgia, a disability, arthritis, health issues, long term illness, chronic pain or chronic fatigue, an elder, or in need of stress relief! Classes are fun, informal and everyone is made to feel welcome.

You will be practice Breath exercises, Meditation, Mindfulness, Gentle Yoga Postures and Relaxation (Yoga Nidra) Exercises will be mainly be chair based, but you can also practice on a mat, in a bed, standing, whatever works best for you

Click here to book your space.

Chair Yoga with Liz

From Wednesday 20 January 2021 @ 10am.

This class is for anyone who would like to improve their mobility, balance and co-ordination. The exercises are a mix of gentle yoga-based stretching, strengthening and breathing - all done either sitting or standing (no lying down on mats).

Click here to book your space.

Tai Chi Movements for Wellbeing with Betsan

From Thursday 21 January 2021 @ 10am

During this gentle and relaxing class, you will learn 'Tai Chi Movements for Wellbeing' (TMW) - an easy-to-learn sequence of twelve movements designed to promote physical and emotional wellbeing.

Click here to book your space.

Free Fun Monthly Quiz with Ricky

On Friday 22 January, Friday 26 February and Friday 26 March @ 10am.

Taking place on the 4th Friday of each month at 10am, join Ricky for a free, fun, online quiz.

Lots of fun prizes to be won!

We look forward to seeing you there.

Click here to book your space.

The Silver Line

Help for older people

Talking Therapies

B&NES Community Wellbeing Hub can help you

From B&NES website: As the country enters a second national lockdown the Community Wellbeing Hub, previously known as the Compassionate Community Hub, stands ready to support vulnerable people across Bath and North East Somerset.

The hub, which is a collaboration between Bath & North East Somerset Council, Virgin Care and 3SG, was formed in March to provide a range of support to residents during the coronavirus pandemic. Over the past seven months the hub has received 8,700 calls, delivered 394 emergency food parcels and supported hundreds of people with help from a volunteer for shopping and medication pick-ups.

Residents across Bath and North East Somerset can contact the Hub or organisations can refer someone who is in need of help by:

Shopping & Paying Online Safely

With more of us shopping online than ever before, MoneyAdviceService has put together an essential list on to how stay safe online. Whether you're doing grocery shopping, online banking, buying a book or DVD there's advice for everyone here.

How to use Zoom

Use the following videos and links to get started on Zoom. There are lots of useful tips and information about making an account, joining a class, and setting up your own meetings with friends/ famil

Use this link to find out how to get started on Windows and Mac.

From Zoom.us how to join a meeting

From BusinessInsider

The best of the best (updated weekly)

We're taking the opportunity to showcase the best of the last twenty newsletters, whether it's helpful info on buying food or making it, keeping yourself entertained, or staying safe - it's all here.

Food Shopping Online

Morrisons Food Boxes

Essentials Boxes We've made stocking up the cupboard easier with our range of Essentials Food Boxes. You can choose from mixed essentials, meat, fish, vegetarian and gluten free boxes – with more being added every week.

Occasions Boxes Food is often at the heart of a traditional get-together. Celebrating those special occasions with our friends and family has become more of a challenge under the current circumstances. Whether you order a themed box to enjoy with your household, team up with friends and family who've ordered a box too, or send a box as a surprise and share the celebration via social media our Occasions Food Boxes are a way of sharing a meal together – whilst apart.

View all of the boxes available here.

B&NES Community Wellbeing Hub

B&NES Hub have combined resources to ensure that, as a service, we are able to provide sustainable and appropriate responses to meet community needs. This includes access to over 2,500 volunteers recruited, checked and trained by Banes 3SG.

Here's how the community hub can help:

  1. Delivery of urgent supplies
  2. A friendly phone call
  3. Collection of medication
  4. Money matters and work
  5. Mental wellbeing (including loneliness, low mood, anxiety)
  6. Advice on keeping active
  7. Advice and support on achieving a healthy weight
  8. Housing issues
  9. Housing Advice
  10. Food and cooking
  11. Advice and support on stopping smoking
  12. Understanding public health advice

You can access support via the helpline on 0300 247 0050 or via email. This service will operate 5 days a week Monday – Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm. Click here to find out more.

B&NES 3SG

BaNES 3SG - Here, you can find a list of places across Bath and surrounding areas who are delivering groceries, food, takeaways and even medicines. Check out the full list with contact details for each place offering services.

Online Deliveries

Milk & More – basics including milk, cheeses, breads and more, all delivered to your door.

Hello Fresh – fresh food items delivered to your door.

Morrison's Doorstep Delivery - The Morrisons Doorstep delivery service is available to vulnerable and elderly members of the community, unable to go shopping in-store. Call 0345 611 6111 and select option 5 to place your order.

You Want 2 Cook

Our fantastic cooking teacher, Louise is offering a variety of recipes for you to do at home via her Facebook pages: Youwant2cook and What2eattoday

Meals on Wheels

If you're struggling to get the meals you need AgeUK, B&NES Council and Bath City Farm are all offering home deliveries for those in need. For more information from these providers follow the links below.

BaNES Council meals-on-wheels service, information can be found here.

AGEUK offer a range of meals delivered to your door, to view the meals available click here. To place an order with AgeUK please contact: communitymeals@ageukwiltshire.org.uk or phone 01793 687017 (Age UK Wiltshire covers the B&NES Meals on Wheels area) or use the online booking form.

To contact Bath City Farm - please email them at mealsonwheels@bathcityfarm.org.uk

Wiltshire Farm Foods – visit their website or phone 0800 077 3100. Ready-made meals which can be microwaved or oven cooked at home.

Health at Home

Mindfulness from Mind.org

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a technique you can learn which involves making a special effort to notice what's happening in the present moment (in your mind, body and surroundings) – without judging anything. It has roots in Buddhism and meditation, but you don't have to be spiritual, or have any particular beliefs, to try it.

It aims to help you:

  • become more self-aware
  • feel calmer and less stressed
  • feel more able to choose how to respond to your thoughts and feelings
  • cope with difficult or unhelpful thoughts
  • be kinder towards yourself.

Found out more from Mind here.

Wellbeing Packs Delivered to your door

Compassionate Community is offering to deliver a bi-monthly wellbeing pack, either for yourself or on behalf of someone who would benefit.

Click here to find out more about the wellbeing packs available, and follow this link to request your own wellbeing pack.

Anyone is welcome to download and print-off back-dated packs by clicking on the links below:

  1. Wellbeing Pack 1
  2. Wellbeing Pack 2
  3. Wellbeing Pack 3
  4. Wellbeing Pack 4
  5. Wellbeing Pack 5
  6. Wellbeing Pack 6

The Help Hub

The Help Hub are a "group of qualified therapists who are here to listen and support individuals who find themselves with limited contact due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus."

Available to anyone in the UK, the HelpHub is helping those suffering from anxiety, loneliness and isolation. Some are fearful, worried about their health or their loved ones.

The HelpHub enables people to speak to someone who knows how to listen to their fears. Through the website, people book a twenty-minute appointment to speak to one of over 800 therapists, all of whom are volunteering their time and expertise to ensure the HelpHub can provide a free service.

Find out more information here.

NHS Guidance

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has meant only leaving your home if it's essential, but it's still easy to get NHS help using your smartphone, tablet or computer.

This page contains information to help you:

  • contact your GP
  • order repeat prescriptions
  • manage long-term conditions
  • maintain your mental and physical wellbeing

If you need an NHS service, try to do it online first. If you cannot access what you need this way or do not have internet access, try asking a friend or family member to help you, or speak to your GP surgery on the phone.

Visit the Health at Home website by using this link: https://www.nhs.uk/health-at-home/

Creativity & Learning

Somerset Skills & Learning

Offeering a wide range of courses and a supportive learning environment, with friendly tutors to help you achieve your goals. SSL provides nationally recognised qualifications, traineeships, apprenticeships, training and career development courses, maths and English, digital skills and a range of distance learning courses.

To view all the courses available for free online click here.

ArtSeen is giving away free lantern kits to all St John's patrons

ArtSeen is a new organisation in Bath delivering community arts. We would have been coordinating a BIG community Bath Lantern Procession this year, if not for Covid-19.

Instead, we are coordinating the Light Fantastic Lantern Project https://www.artseen.info/lanterns-2020

Learning

The Open University offer a variety of free online courses covering everything from arts, sciences, health, wellbeing and much more.

Gardening Tips from the National Trust - lots of good advice from beginners to seasoned growers.

RSPB Bird Watching - an A to Z of birds.

RSPB Wildlife Guide - identify all wildlife around you.

Painting

Greyson Perry's Art Club - Greyson Perry, one of Britain's leading artists, brings the nation together through art, making new works and hosting masterclasses set to unleash our collective creativity during lockdown.

Learn to Draw - a free online tutorial covering sketching basics and materials.

Oil Painting for Beginners - basic techniques with a step by step demonstration for all abilities.

Introduction to Acrylic Painting - how to paint with acrylics, a paint along art class.

Easy Watercolour Painting - painting ideas for beginners step by step.

Stitching & Crafting

Hand Embroidery for Beginners - covering how to prepare for hand embroidery. Learn how to use embroidery hook, and how to start stitching.

Kirstie Allsopp Keep Crafting & Carry On - in this episode she makes a cool light box, a beautiful spring garland and a fun painted pebble game.

Books

Free Books Online – a resource of fifteen websites where you can read books for free.

Online Video

Netflix – an online video streaming platform to watch TV, films and documentaries. From £5.99 per month.

BBC's Silver Screen Classics - all your favourite films online for free.

YouTube – videos covering everything from arts to education and more.

Crosswords & Puzzles

Crosswords and puzzles – lots of options to choose from here.

Virtual Tours & Events

Stonehenge virtual tour - take an interactive tour of Stonehenge with our 360 degree view from inside the monument.

BBC Rewind & Reminiscence Archive - this platform provides access to a selection of footage from the BBC Archives, designed to support reminiscence therapy.

Virtual Events in Bath - lots for culture vultures. With over 120 events spread out over ten days, the multi-arts Bath Festival is the perfect excuse for a longer stay in the city. The line-up features rock, classical and world music from a host of global performers, and for bookworms, there’s an encyclopaedic literature programme of talks and question and answer sessions from top writers.

Frome Open Art Trail - The Frome Open Art Trail celebrates local artists and makers, normally taking place alongside the Frome Festival in July. Now it will be online as a Virtual Art Trail.

Staying in Touch

How can we stay in virtual touch with our relatives?

As the government encourages "social distancing" in the fight against coronavirus, older adults are facing the prospect of being told to stay at home and isolate.

But what if a parent or older person in your life, doesn't already have access to video calling tech?

Integrated kit can be the easiest solution - and could be hundreds of pounds cheaper than buying a laptop, tablet, or a mid-range smartphone.

Amazon, Google, and Facebook all have smart devices with screens for video calls.

One problem with all these devices is their expense and another is their need to be on a stable, decent wi-fi connection at all times. Sometimes, a smartphone might be the better option.

Read the full BBC article here.

Exercise

BBC Exercising at Home – the BBC are offering tips on exercising at home, and The Green Goddess – “the original keep-fit queen of the 80s - is making a comeback on BBC Breakfast. Eighty-year-old Diana Moran will be doing exercises three times a week from self-isolation so viewers can follow along at home”.

Beginners Tai Chi – a good beginners Tai Chi class which can be done seated or standing.

Chair Yoga – for beginners and anyone wanting seated chair yoga.

General Work Out – aimed at older persons, can be done seated or standing.

Meditation – a 5 minute video on meditation that you can do anywhere.

Our fabulous tutor, Jules, has also put some of her courses online for free. The short mindfulness and yoga videos can be viewed here. Below is one of Jules' most popular videos: Chair Yoga.

Uplifting News Stories

Poetry in the pandemic - project aims to engage young people in creative writing

Man, 73, finishes 1,000-mile lockdown run - he completed his personal challenge of running 1,000 miles during the coronavirus lockdown.

Re-wilding Britain: the plan to restore an area the size of Manchester - a new nature network plans to re-wild 300,000 acres of land in the UK, in a bid to boost biodiversity and tackle climate change

Nurse hugs two-year-old son after 11 weeks apart - a self-isolating nurse has finally hugged her two-year-old son after 11 "heartbreaking" lockdown weeks apart.

Hundreds of socially-distanced hearts appear in Bristol parks - the 374 large white hearts are being applied to Queen’s Square, Castle Park and College Green in Bristol

Suffolk villagers club together to buy dog a wheelchair - a dog is a "happy chappy" again after villagers clubbed together to buy him a wheelchair so he can enjoy walks after losing the use of his back legs.

Free bike repair vouchers - there are an estimated 16.5m cycles gathering dust in England’s sheds and hallways, according to the charity Cycling UK. But that number could be about to fall with the introduction of the government’s ‘fix your bike’ scheme, which is giving away 50,000 bike repair vouchers worth £50 to people living in England.

Blue tit rescued from Ipswich garden may become 'a friend for life'- a blue tit found abandoned in a back garden seems to have adopted his human rescuer as his mother.

Medal for lockdown litter picking boy in Sleaford - a seven-year-old boy from Sleaford has been given an award for his tireless efforts to keep his local park tidy.

Rainbow of knitted flowers to mark the 72nd Birthday of the NHS - A rainbow made from more than 1,300 knitted or crocheted flowers has been put on display in tribute to the 72nd Birthday of the NHS.

St Mungo's Wellbeing Guide

In St Mungo's Wellbeing Guide, you'll find useful online resources and ideas to support positive mental health and wellbeing whilst at home during Covid-19. Each resource is based around one of the 5 Ways To Wellbeing, which may help to maintain your positivity, gain a fresh perspective and give you a different focus during this difficult time.

Find all of the information here.

Make Your Own Face Mask

Previous Newsletters 2021

Click on the links below to access previous newsletters, each week full of different and fun things to do:

Activities Remotely #1 2021, Activities Remotely #2 2021, Activities Remotely #3 2021Activities Remotely #4, Activities Remotely #5, Activities Remotely #6

Previous Newsletters 2020

Activities Remotely 1Activities Remotely 2Activities Remotely 3Activities Remotely 4Activities Remotely 5Activities Remotely 6Activities Remotely 7Activities Remotely 8Activities Remotely 9Activities Remotely 10Activities Remotely 11Activities Remotely 12Activities Remotely 13Activities Remotely 14Activities Remotely 15Activities Remotely 16Activities Remotely 17Activities Remotely 18Activities Remotely 19Activities Remotely 20Activities Remotely 21Activities Remotely 22Activities Remotely 23Activities Remotely 24Activities Remotely 25Activities Remotely 26Activities Remotely 27Activities Remotely 28Activities Remotely 29

We hope you will find this useful while our activities are temporarily suspended. Please forward this information pack on to anyone who you feel would benefit.

We would also love to hear from you – how are you managing? Do you have useful tips to share? Get in touch at community.outreach@stjohnsbath.org.uk and we could feature you and your advice in the next newsletter!

Created By
Sam Norris
Appreciate

Credits:

Genesis Trust, Creativity Works, Goodfood, BBC, Positive.News, Mindful.org, Mind.org, Google, National Garden Scheme (NGS), Sam Norris,