walking group 30th Sept 2013

Good walk today from colinton to juniper green along the water of leith the weather was fine went for coffee at the deli

Fab fun Friday

As usual the centre very busy for our Karaoke keep the good turns playing folks!

Open Day

Get Ready for the Wednesday 9th October for our open day, everyone welcome 12-4.  Home baking, Art exhibition, Poetry and information look forward to seeing you all.

Hibs v St Mirren

The match on Sat was fun !  Hibs were very lucky Two goal nae bad .  Thank you to the Stafford Centre for the fre tickets

From Tommy and Ann

University of Edinburgh

Many thanks to Catriona from the University of Edinburgh who visited the Stafford centre as part of a research project on peoples views of nicotine replacement therapy and E cigarettes.  All those that took part received a £10 gift voucher which as you can see Stuart was delighted with.  We look forward to seeing the results of the research.

Football Fans

Many thanks to Hib's football club who gave the 'Still Caring project' a donation of tickets for Saturday's game, looking forward to the match report guys, on a 2-0 win for the Hib's.

Karaoke friday!

Another great Karaoke session her at the centre, some fab tunes being sung today, including some classics, well done guys takes me back to my youth!!!!

A bit of self advertising never hurt anyone! http://www.staffordcentre.org.uk/#!radio-show/c1hks

Mental health Services Stakeholders Meeting 17th Sept 2013

Mike, James and Eric attended the Mental Health Services Stakeholders Meeting at Waverley Gate.
Really good event and very informative!  Thanks for taking all the notes and all your input.

Don't get curried away!

I dry fry cumin seeds, fennel seeds, coriander seeds and black peppercorns for a few minutes until they release their intoxicating aroma.  Then I add olive oil, grated ginger, sliced garlic and some chopped chillies; gently sauté for 5 minutes; add 2 or 3 large chopped onions, turmeric, curry powder, paprika, and tins of chopped tomatoes.  When everything is bubbling along nicely; the scintillating vapours filling the air; making my mouth water, I add either chicken or beef or mushrooms or whatever; two stock cubes, put on the lid and cook for 20 minutes to two hours (the longer the better!)

Just before serving, add chopped fresh coriander and yoghurt and/or coconut to taste,

A magnificent, tasty, appetising, low-fat Stafford Centre curry; being served shortly, just for you.

The Hall

Well the hall and windows (picture to follow tomorrow) have been decorated and I hope like me you thinks they are fab!

We are sailing..........

Wow what a fantastic day we had sailing around Loch Lomond, and no your eyes are not deceiving you that Alison having a shot at the controls wow-thanks to all that supported us, can't wait to come back next year!

We are here

Well, here we all are, what a spot to have lunch, and no rain, Loch Lomond is so calm, can't wait to go sailing shortly

Bonnie bonnie Banks here we come!

Well here is everyone on the bus, going on our wonderful trip to Loch Lomond, hope it doesn't rain!  Everyone is very excited, got the sweets for the bus and waterproofs in case it does rain.

Suicide prevention day

Thanks to our peer volunteers who prepared our stall and manned it.  We spoke to over 100 people and gave out over 90 leaflets.  Two people joined the centre on the day.  Difficult subject mater for some, but the people we spoke to were glad that this subject was being be disused, thanks to all for your support.

Real Food 50th

We had a visit from Real Foods today who are celebrating there 50trh Birthday!  They are visiting Broughton Street locations to give away a healthy breakfast. Thanks guys for the wonderful treats!

McDonald Road

Hey this is our Service Promotion team at McDonald Road library, today tdoing some great work and getting the word about the centre out there!

Wednesday Art Group

Another great afternoon today in the art group; a calm, quiet but very creative space. Everyone finds their own projects to work on, often inspired in the moment such as today, a bowl of apples from someone's garden made the starting point for a lovely pastel still life.Others are working on their own process, based on  abstract qualities, colour, shapes, textures of vibrant inks on textured paper, collaged together, suggesting leaf and bird shapes.Another person creates delicate figures based on impressionist paintings.No one needs to have any experience to join but amazingly everyone find their own way, despite the challenges creating art work can bring up!

 Two new people arrived and were welcomed by the group, and sometimes the best part is seeing each others' art at the end and how different everyone's work is. Thanks to one of the group who  worked on a banner for our event next week, part of World Suicide Awareness Day.That will take place on Tuesday 10th September and is open to all. Please watch this space....
Fiona , Art Group Leader

Self carer event

Self-carer,

Rapid improvement event

Community voices have worked with Linda Irvine, Mental Health Strategic manager to explore these issues and find solutions.  Self-carers, mental health, social care and voluntary sector professionals all came together on the 3rd September to discuss how things can be improved.  For more information and to become involved call Laetitia at Advocard on 0131 554 5307

are you on DLA?

Are You on DLA? – it’s being replaced by Personal Independence Payments (PIP)

The new PIP benefit is being introduced to replace DLA for everyone over 16 and under 65

Timetable

People who currently receive DLA will be invited to apply for PIP as follows:-

New applications from June 2013;  Existing DLA fixed awards to be replaced with PIP from October 2013; Remaining (indefinite or lifetime awards) from October 2015.

PIP ia based on two components: daily living and mobility;

Each component has two rates: - Standard and Enhanced

Weekly payment rates:  Daily Living – Standard (8 points) - £53.00 Enhanced (12 points) - £79.15: Mobility - Standard (8 points)   - £21.00   Enhanced (12 points) - £55.25  

When you are invited to claim PIP:- register by telephone to start claim and supply relevant information:-

Date of birth; national insurance number, GP address and details; contact number; diagnosis; bank a/c details; etc.

A medical questionnaire is then sent to you and you have one month from the date of issue to complete and return it.  You may then be sent for a face to face interview with ATOS. (DWP estimates that 75% of claimants will be assessed face to face.)

A points system (similar to ESA) will be used to establish if you are entitled to PIP and if so, which rate you are entitled to.  The assessment will be carried out at an ATOS Centre (not York Place) or at your home if your GP says you have a medical reason for not attending the Atos Centre. Any award will normally be for a fixed period  eg 9 months 1 or 2 years, etc.

There are no plans to replace DLA for children under 16 or for those aged 65 and over on 8 April 2013.

Details of the points system and further information available from Donald at the Stafford Centre (0131 557 0718)

storytelling for Carers

Thirteen people came along to the Scottish storytelling centre yesterday.  The first of eight sessions.  After a riddle, a story and black currants we heard from Dr Ian Ross about autogenics.  All those in attendance keen to learn more and anticipate more stories and song.

walking group

Quote of the day on the walking group .  "I've lived in Edinburgh  for over 65 years and i never knew this walk we went on today even existed."   David