You can lose a part of yourself when you give up full time work, says Philippa Furner, a volunteer with the charity Staywell. This is really rewarding, and totally different from my working life. Its something just for me.

Philippa is one of thousands who give their time to local charities and projects every year 41% of people across the UK according to recent government statistics. But whats in it for them? Why, in this age of time poverty do people want to give this most valuable commodity for nothing?

Each week Philippa gives a few hours to help people to continue living independently at home during a difficult time; a role designed to fit around her busy life as a mother and part-time PR professional. Sometimes youre the only one they see, she comments.

Praise

Erika, 91, received support after a spell in hospital: Philippa first came to me to help with my shopping. It didnt take her long to work out just what I needed and I dont mean my shopping, but the support I needed to move forward. Shes really listened to and encouraged me, giving me new ideas. I cannot praise her enough.

Its not difficult, given this feedback, to imagine how worthwhile this must feel its even been dubbed the helpers high, but for Philippa, one of over 120 regular volunteers with Staywell, volunteering is not just about giving back to her community. Alongside helping with practical tasks, she also gets training to provide sensitive social support to those she

works with. For her the role is also about achieving something special as part of a supportive, professional team: Im interested in people, and the people Ive met are amazing.

While straightforward altruism and the social aspects of volunteering may be obvious attractions, there is increasing recognition that the gains of volunteering are manifold. Talking to Staywells volunteers, who range in age from 16 to 91, they cite a range of benefits including enjoyment, satisfaction and achievement, meeting people and making friends, broadening life experience and employment prospects, boosting confidence, reducing stress, improving physical and mental health.

Volunteers are the social glue keeping our communities together, said Justin

FREE!

Whats it worth?

The rewards of volunteering as part of a team

newsINSIDE: Keeping busy? Thats good page 4

Fit as a Fiddle page 7

Caring for carers page 5

agenda

ISSuE TWENTy FIvE l SummER 2015

Davis Smith, director of volunteering at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO). Staywells Rachel Furze, who has been leading the organisations involvement as a founder member of volunteering collective Team Kingston, agrees: Organisations which work in partnership with their volunteers, support and value them, can have real impact.

Creative

Recent claims have it that the economic contribution of volunteering to the UK is 100bn. Staywell estimates that the work of its volunteers alone was worth almost 366,000 last year exceeding 1.5m over the last five years. However, focusing solely on economic value can detract from other elements of worth such as the

special character of services delivered by those who elect not to be paid for what they do, and the way volunteers can help shape those services.

The organisation works in partnership with Year Here, a programme providing an alternative to traditional gap year volunteering overseas. Bright graduates Cosmo Murray and Clare Davis each spent four months based at Kingstons The Bradbury. The idea is that their immersive frontline experience of working with older people will feed into building creative and entrepreneurial responses to social problems like isolation and loneliness. Both agreed that the experience had been eye-opening. Cosmo has written passionately in his blog about how the language of the old age burden is damaging peoples ability to empathise and care for the elderly. Its been absolutely amazing, reflects Clare, Ive learned so much.

OpportunitiesAnyone can volunteer: any age, any background, currently employed, retired or looking for work. You may be able to commit to three days a week or as little as a few hours a month. Whatever your interests or situation, there could be a role for you.

For more details of volunteering opportunities at Staywell see page 3 or get in touch with us directly: 020 8942 8256, staywellservices.org.uk.To find out about roles all over Kingston contact Go Kingston Volunteering: 020 8255 8685, gokingstonvolunteering.org.uk.

Staywell is a charity and, with so many demands on our time and finances, we greatly appreciate it when an organisation, large or small, decides to support our work.

l Sainsburys in Eden Street, Kingston and John Lewis in Kingston have donated vouchers for our prize draw this year, helping us acknowledge our invaluable volunteers.

l Kingston Morris & Spring Groves Morris Men collect from their audiences to support local charities and have chosen to support Staywell with their 2014 collection, donating a generous 500.

We are grateful to the local businesses and charities, and to all those who have donated to us in recent months your support is vital, thank you.

How to contact us:

Staywell, 14 Nelson Road, New Malden, KT3 5EA

t: 020 8942 8256e: hello@staywellservices.org.ukw: www.staywellservices.org.ukagenda news email: agenda@staywellservices.org.uk

The views expressed in agenda news are not necessarily those of the trustees, staff or volunteers.Published by Age Concern Kingston upon Thames Registered charity no. 299988 Company no. 2272550

Design: Eileen Higgins, e: ehdesign@virginmedia.comPrint: Full Spectrum Print Media Ltd, t: 01268 288637. Printed on 100% recycled paper

The People Helping People summit, hosted by Kingston Hospital Trust in the spring, was a showcase of the difference volunteers make locally. Manager of Staywells GP partnership project, Stay Well at Home, Tulloch Kempe was part of a panel discussing the way that volunteers are improving continuity of care between Kingston hospital, home and community locally, through successful partnerships between organisations.

Tulloch is experienced in working collaboratively to identify unmet needs in the community and developing services to meet those needs. The Stay Well at Home service was launched six years ago and has evolved into a key support mechanism for local people, GPs and community healthcare services. The small staff team is supported by 20 volunteers.

The summit was a great opportunity to share success stories, challenges and ideas with other organisations, says Tulloch. We look forward to more collaborations like this in future.

Staywell is the new working name for Age Concern Kingston upon Thames. We are a leading independent charity dedicated to supporting the community. We have 70 years experience of supporting people to live safely and independently in their own homes and over the years have won awards for this, the most recent being the 2013 Charity Award for Social Care and Welfare.

Our vision is to make your life a greater life. We have a history of working in innovative ways with local people to deliver the services that they want, and of working in partnership.

We provide a range of community-based services which help and support people to live in their own homes. These include information, advice and advocacy; practical help in the home (eg handyperson services, cleaning and domestic help, shopping, support after a hospital stay) and social activities (social centres, lunch clubs, telephone befriending, dementia club). These services are accessed by hundreds of people each year.

Our staff are supported by over 120 trained volunteers who add value and huge commitment to all the services we provide.W

ho w

e ar

e

2 l ISSuE TWENTy FIvE

Bradbury manager on local radioIn the run up to The Bradburys 10th birthday Laura OBrien, centre manager, was interviewed on local radio about what the centre offers.

A lot of people say The Bradbury keeps them well, Laura told DJs on Radio Jackie. It keeps them out of hospital, it keeps them from getting depressed, it gives them a purpose. It is their lifeline.

Many people heard Laura and decided to come along to the centres birthday celebration in April and find out more, but it doesnt stop there. The Bradburys doors are open from 10am every weekday and new faces are always welcome.

Whatever your skill is, whatever you enjoy doing, we can find a niche for you at The Bradbury, says Laura. If youre over 60 and you dont feel old, this is the place for you.

See page 6 for more on The Bradbury and the centres birthday celebrations.

People helping people

Local support for StaywellSupporting local people since 1946In 2016 we will celebrate 70 years of working as a charity to help people live happier, independent lives. Have an idea for how we could celebrate such a tremendous landmark? Please contact us with any requests or suggestions, and watch the next issues of agenda news for details of the final plans.

From 8 June this year the paper part of the driving licence will officially disappear if you have a photocard driving licence. This is coming into force as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) continues to digitise motorists records, with tax discs having been discontinued last year. But what does it mean for you?l If you do have a photocard licence, you can destroy your

paper counterpart licence from 8 June and just keep the photocard.

l Old style paper driving licences issued before the photocard was introduced in 1998 will still be valid and should NOT be destroyed.

l The information that is currently held on paper counterparts (such as driving offences) will now be accessible through new online driving licence enquiry services, in addition to those currently available by phone, post and intermediary.

l Anyone updating their licence, for example with a change of address or medical conditions, will automatically be issued with a photocard licence only. This will be free of charge.

l Once a motorist has a photocard licence, however, it must be renewed every 10 years for which there will be a charge (currently 20).

l Anyone aged over 70 needs to renew their licence every three years, updating it with any medical conditions. This is free of charge.

l Any motorist could face a 1,000 fine if they are caught with an invalid licence so, whichever type you have make sure it is valid and up-to-date.

A spokesman for the DVLA said: Getting rid of needless bits of paper, making changes to free up drivers time, while saving money for the taxpayer, is all part of our commitment to cut unnecessary red tape. If you have any queries or need some assistance with your driving licence contact Staywells Information, Advice & Advocacy team on 020 8408 8710.

Tulloch Kempe (pictured on the right), part of the Staywell management team

Changes to uK driving licences

AgENDA EDITORIAL

After the 2010 election the Coalitions health secretary Andrew Lansley launched a major reorganisation of the NHS. The change took years to work through and cost billions. From an outsiders point of view all that effort and cost seems only to have resulted in a sideways shift we had Primary Care Trusts and we now have Clinical Commissioning Groups. It is difficult to find anyone who feels the NHS is in a better place as a result of these changes; in fact there are many who will say it is actually in a worse place finances are even tighter and staff morale is even lower.

Restructure

Is it assumed that the NHS Five Year Forward View, introduced in 2014 by NHS CEO Simon Stevens, will now become the five year plan? The new government has not announced any major health restructure changes, much to the relief of many and Jeremy Hunt continues as health secretary.

The challenges the NHS faces are increasing year on year. Although occasionally there is progress in specific areas generally services are becoming increasingly crisis driven as demand impacts on GPs and overwhelms hospitals. This has led to an ever increasing spending gap, which we are told will be 30bn if nothing changes between now and 2020.

Increasing

There is no one single silver-bulleted solution for the NHS, but one area that clearly needs to be got right is care of the increasing numbers of older people, who after all are the overwhelming users of health services. Unfortunately, Stevens five year view doesnt give the recognition or the priority that this area desperately needs.

So, what should be done? In many ways it is simple: much more needs to be done around prevention. Investing in preventative services increasing support and improving peoples wellbeing is an investment in the future; get this right and efficiency savings will follow.

Community-based health and social care services cost a lot less than hospital care, so getting far more done in the community, more support delivered at home, will have a big impact on reducing the demand on both GPs and hospitals.

viewing to a plan

Shes absolutely fantastic. Hes given me new ideas. She really listens. Just a few examples of the positive feedback received by the Stay Well at Home service over the past year. This community service, funded by Kingston Clinical Commissioning Group, and heavily supported by volunteers, helps people over 65 stay well and independent at home during a difficult time, such as after an illness or bereavement.

Over 560 people have been referred to the service in the last 12 months. Many come through GPs and hospital staff working closely with Staywell to ensure linked-up support across local health and social care services. Averaging 87 years old, clients are offered customised help depending on their needs, ranging from a friendly phone call to an expert member of staff working with them to build

and put into practice a Well Plan for the future.

Last year 400 home visits were carried out by the community team and their dedicated volunteers, with approximately 2,400 hours of volunteering time going into the local community through this service alone; an invaluable support to local people, as the customer feedback shows: Staywell first came to me to help with my shopping. It didnt take the volunteer long to work out just what I needed and I dont mean my milk or bread, but the support I needed to move forward.

With almost 60% of clients living alone, and around half living with multiple long-term health conditions, this type of service has never been more in demand. Staywell are even now looking at how to develop this service to help growing numbers in the future.

ISSuE TWENTy FIvE l 3

Staywells many services have never been busier and we are always looking for more volunteers. Roles available include:

Computer tutorTeach one-to-one tutorials at our Kingston or New Malden centres introducing older people to computers, often for the first time, and helping people discover email, the internet and basic Microsoft applications.

Activity tutor/helperRun or help with activities at our Kingston or New Malden centres, working as part of a friendly team.

BefrienderSupport isolated or lonely people by visiting them regularly in their home engaging in conversation, board games and other social activities.

Community support volunteerHelp people stay independent at home by visiting them to help with practical tasks and provide some social support.

Phoneline advisorTaking calls, giving advice and information on a wide range of issues. Specialist training and support provided.

And many more roles available...

Have other skills? Not sure what youd like to do? Only have limited time? Please get in touch wed love to meet you and talk about how you could help.

Call 020 8942 8256 or email hello@staywellservices.org.uk

Help Staywell change lives volunteer

Staywell supporting you in your home

Help@Home service recruitingPaid roles available with local charity delivering friendly, practical support in and around the home.

I love what I do. It fits into my family life, I can choose the hours that I want.I feel valued and totally supported and the hourly rate is good.I enjoy all my visits and feel I am making a difference.

If you want to do a rewarding job that really makes a difference to the people you support, Staywell could be the place for you.

020 8942 8256 staywellservices.org.uk/job/

AgENDA FEATuRE

4 l ISSuE TWENTy FIvE

Staying active has proven medical benefits for both preventing or delaying the onset of dementia and managing the condition, including improving circulation, aiding relaxation and helping aid sleep, as well as keeping parts of the brain stimulated. Research shows that the combination of physical and mental activity with social engagement and a brain-healthy diet is more effective in maintaining brain vitality than any of these factors alone. Trying something new or continuing a long-standing hobby also helps us to stay mobile and independent.

Programmes backed by Harvard Medical School have suggested that activities such as Zumba have promise in the management and even treatment of dementia, as well as neuromuscular conditions such as Parkinsons Disease.

Demand

The market is catching up with the demand from seniors. From Aerobics to Zumba Gold, there are more and more options available for those looking for exercise that feels right for their age, without fear

of an excess of lycra or over-vigorous instructors.

Aside from mainstream classes provided by gyms and clubs, Fit as a Fiddle (see page 7) offers a range of free physical activities tailored for the over 50s and Kingstons The Bradbury (see page 6) provides a wide range of active classes, from Tai Chi to chair-based exercise, dance and Zumba Gold.

Purpose

Whats even more interesting is that medical research has started to link purpose in life with cognitive and psychological health in older people. A US study suggests that having a strong sense that your life has meaning and direction is associated with a reduced risk of dementia.

The sense of purpose is a distinct aspect of wellbeing that is increasingly of interest to researchers. Whilst the scientific basis of the protective effects are not yet understood, there is strong evidence that those enjoying an active social life by volunteering, learning new things and being part of the community are better

Dementia care updatesThere are currently estimated to be over 14,664 people aged 70 and over in Kingston borough, with the 75+ population predicted to increase by 52% in the next 20 years. One in 20 70-80 year olds will have dementia, rising to one in five over 80. We can therefore estimate that there are approximately 1,670 people with dementia in Kingston 11% of people aged 70 and over.

As in many parts of the country, in Kingston a Dementia Strategy is being developed to define how we can address some of the challenges that this illness presents and push forward the local response to the growing demands it places on families, carers and health and social care services.

People living with dementia and their carers have taken part in a major Customer Voice consultation which is intended to inform and influence the development of health and care services locally.

Staywell is working with experts in the field, the Dementia Services Development Centre of Stirling University (DSDC). Three lead managers have undertaken an internationally-recognised learning programme for staff working in care settings, using a validated model which will enable them to cascade training to other care staff, to volunteers and to expand good practice locally.

Keeping busy? Thats goodThe healthier and happier we feel, the better life is

for us and those around us. This may be an obvious

statement, but for people living with dementia, and

those who care for them, this is even more

important. Staying socially, mentally and physically

active has been shown in research to help slow the

rate of cognitive decline by up to 15%, especially

when done together.

protected against both Dementia and heart disease.

For many people, a sense of purpose is connected with their roles in life: wife, father, teacher, football team coach and so on. For people with dementia, major life roles usually disappear. But their past social roles are deeply tied in with their ongoing sense of self. For many people living with dementia, their past social roles have great importance and they strongly want to relive these. The way we respond to this can have great impact on the persons quality of life.

Socialise

For carers, peer support can be vital. The Saturday Club is a regular gathering for people living with dementia, their families and supporters. It meets once a month, providing an opportunity to socialise in a supportive environment and enjoy a variety of activities such as games and music, as well as access to specialist information and advice.

Its so nice because I meet up with the other carers and we can talk, and you find that

things arent so bad after all! says Terry, a member since 2013.

The group has helped over 50 families living with dementia in the last year, some of whom have been attending since its launch in 2010.

For more information about the Saturday Club or Staywells other services for people living with dementia and their families, call the First Contact telephone advice line 020 8408 8170.

ISSuE TWENTy FIvE l 5

First Contact l 020 8408 8170Staywells telephone advice service, open monday to Friday 9.30am 4.30pm

In England, millions of people provide unpaid care or support to an adult family member or friend, either in their own home or somewhere else. Caring for someone covers lots of different things, like helping with their washing, dressing or eating, taking them to regular appointments or keeping them company when they feel lonely or anxious.

If this sounds like you, you are considered to be a carer. The Care Act says you can get help and advice from the council, national services and local networks to carry on caring and look after your own wellbeing.

Local support

The council where the person you care for lives can help you find the right support. This could be a direct payment to spend on the things that make caring easier; or practical support, like arranging for someone to step in when you need a short break. Or you may prefer to be put in touch with local support groups so you have people to talk to.

A carers assessment is about you and your wellbeing and will look at the different ways that caring affects your life and work out how you can carry on doing the things that are important to you and your family. Your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing will be at the heart of this assessment. It should cover your caring role, your feelings about caring, your physical, mental and emotional health, and how caring affects your work, leisure, education, wider family

Free legal advice surgeryHeld monthly at Raleigh House. To make an appointment phone the First Contact advice line on 020 8408 8170.

Keeping cool this summer

With summer temperatures on the way its important to stay cool and refreshed when the weather gets warmer. Heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are common and can take us by surprise.

If temperatures soar as high as last year, reaching a sweltering 33C and above, people who are frail, have mobility problems or heart conditions are most at risk. Risks are also greater for older people who live alone without others to look out for them.

Even those of us who are healthy need to watch out: as we get older we sweat less and are therefore less able to regulate our body temperature. Some top tips for staying cool:

l Keep out of the heat

l Avoid strenuous activity

l Try to spend time in the coolest parts of your home

l Keep windows open when you are at home, but still remember security measures

l Drink lots of fluids

l Eat cold food such as salad and fruit

l Use damp towels or cloths to cool off

l Keep up to date with weather forecasts

Contact a doctor or ring 111 if you are worried about your health during a heatwave.

The Care Act Carers

Providing impartial advice

and relationships. As a result, you may be eligible for support and advice and guidance to help you with your caring responsibilities.

You can have a carers assessment even if the person you care for does not get any help from the council, and they will not need to be assessed themselves. You can ask for a carers assessment at any time.

Benefit

Councils may charge a fee for some of the support services they offer. If they think you might benefit from a service, a council might ask to look at your finances to see whether you can afford to pay. If you cant afford to pay, they might offer you the service for free.

Continuing our series on the Care Act

The First Contact telephone advice line provides advice and information to older people and their families in Kingston. It is based at Staywells head office in New Malden and responds to over 1,300 enquiries a year.

Mary Macan, manager of the service says, We respond to many enquiries about local services, older peoples and carers rights and entitlements, and information about money matters.

First Contact is open Monday to Friday between 9:30am and 4:30pm. Call the number above or email advice@staywellservices.org.uk.

Councils may also need to look at the finances of the person that you care for if they are going to provide support directly to that person.

If a council decides that you have needs that meet the new national level they will discuss with you what support they can provide.

If your needs are not eligible, the council will give you information and advice about other types of support that are available in your area. This may include putting you in touch with local voluntary organisations such as Kingston Carers Network and Staywell.

To find more about support for carers locally contact Kingston Carers Network on 020 3031 2757 and Staywell on 020 8408 8170.

One sunny day in April, a team from Waitrose in New Malden gave their time to help create a new sensory garden at Raleigh House.

Waitroses green token scheme is well known; Raleigh and The Bradbury have both been beneficiaries of this, as has the Saturday Club but the company, with John Lewis, also runs a partner volunteering scheme, giving staff time out from the workplace to volunteer for local organisations. Having made contact with centre manager Cathy Weight, June (horticultural expert) and Carol from Waitrose worked with Cathy to plan a garden full of herbs, colours and scents for Raleigh members to enjoy.

On the day, the team of six brought plants from Waitrose, plants from Carols father-in- law, and provided a touch of TLC to plants that had survived the Raleigh gardens spell as a building site. They also recycled pots, stands and an arch for climbing plants that keen gardener Graham saved from the scrap heap.

Gardens are important to people, said Carol. They can come out and use the garden when theyre here, enjoy the smell of the lavender, and even taste the other herbs when theyre used in Raleigh House kitchens!

After hours of hard work the garden has been transformed. The volunteers had a great day doing something completely different from their day jobs and are keen to come back again.

Its really nice to spend time with your colleagues outside work, said June, We really talk for a change, and thats almost the best bit.

6 l ISSuE TWENTy FIvE

The BradburyThe Bradbury offers a lively, vibrant and friendly atmosphere, with a wide range of activities from tai chi and yoga, to dancing classes or computer lessons. Just a ten minute walk from Kingston town, The Bradbury is a good place to come for a bite to eat. Our caf serves drinks, snacks, lunches (including a roast lunch on a Wednesday) and plenty of homemade cakes. When the weather is good you can eat al fresco as we have a pleasant patio garden.

Manager: Laura OBrien The Bradbury, 37b grange Road, Kingston KT1 2RATelephone: 020 8549 1230 Email: bradbury@staywellservices.org.uk

Raleigh HouseRaleigh House provides a warm and friendly environment for those who are seeking companionship and daily activity.

You can choose to attend for a full day, including a hot lunch, or half a day. Transport is available to and from the centre for those who need it, every day except Wednesday, or we can help you access alternative transport.

The centre is spacious, with a large lounge and dining room, an arts and crafts room, hairdressers, a coffee lounge and a pleasant courtyard garden and terrace. One-to-one computer lessons, podiatry and holistic therapies are also available for members and non-members. Opening times: Monday Friday 10.00am 4.00pm.

Manager: Cathy Weight, Raleigh House, 14 Nelson Road, New malden KT3 5EATelephone: 020 8949 4244 Email: raleigh@staywellservices.org.uk

The green-fingered Waitrose team: Carol, graham, Helen, Elliot, Claire, June and maria

green tokens and green fingers!

Plans for new outdoor roomIn response to feedback from Bradbury members, Staywell is commissioning an outdoor room for the corner of the garden: a summer house more space for the wide range of groups and activities on offer, and to enjoy the beautiful, award-winning garden all year round.

Already supported by a generous donor, a final fundraising push is needed to secure the new room, which Centre Manager Laura hopes will be completed later this year, subject to planning permission. To visit the centre or contribute to the summer house, please contact Laura at The Bradbury.

mayor helps celebrate The Bradburys 10th birthdayOver a decade of fun, friendship and support were celebrated on 28 April, as over 70 people thronged The Bradbury to mark its 10th Birthday. New visitors were able to chat to members, find out about whats on offer at the centre and get a flavour of the activities, with demonstrations by the Tai Chi and Zumba Gold groups.

The Mayor, Ken Smith, spoke passionately about the great work done by over 30 volunteers at The Bradbury, and guests admired, then enjoyed, a beautiful cake created by staff and volunteers.

Member Basil Hunt said: It was marvellous to see such a happy throng of visitors, mingling with members, who had come here to enjoy a taste of our lively activities.

If you missed the open day, The Bradburys doors are always open on weekdays from 10am. Why not pop in to see what is on offer, enjoy the friendly atmosphere and maybe even put on your dancing shoes?

The mayor cuts The Bradbury birthday cake with member number 001, michael Pearson

Raleigh House diary datesThe Saturday ClubA service for people living with dementia, their family members and supporters. Second Saturday of the month, 11.00am2.00pm.Next dates: 11 July, 8 August, 12 September, 10 October5 per person including refreshments and a light lunch (served at 12.00 noon).Contact the team on 020 8942 8256 or email hello@staywellservices.org.uk if you would like to attend or for more information.

Weekend openingsRaleigh House will be opening on some additional weekend days over the summer. Please get in touch for further information.

The Bradbury diary datesWed 1 July Spanish Day, 8 inc. food & drinksTue 14 July Trip to Brooklands museum, Weybridge, 11am - 3pm, 15Wed 5 Aug Hawaiian Summer BBQ, from midday Tue 11 & 18 Aug Practical Ideas for Happier LivingEvery Wed 12 2 The Bradbury Centre Lunch Club

Other upcoming events: Film Club: The Second Best Exotic Marigold HotelMacMillan: Raising awareness of cancer and complementary therapies.Classical Music and Cream Tea, Summer Quiz, Country Drive and Pub Lunch.

ISSuE TWENTy FIvE l 7

Staywells community support services

Fit as a fiddle for 5 yearsFree Fit as a Fiddle courses from Staywell have been running for five years, with tremendous results and an enthusiastic cohort of graduates raving about their experiences. agenda news finds out what makes the programme so popular.

No matter whether youre a complete novice or returning to exercise after a long gap, the range of courses and instructors provides something for everyone.

Special

Alongside the ever-popular signature courses (Nordic Walking, Aquacise, Body Balance and chair-based exercise) programme coordinator Grace Shorthouse has also flexed the programme over the years to give people a chance to try something different, including special courses of cycling, singing and dancing: We aim to find out what people really want to do, where and when.

Grace carefully selects skilled instructors who provide fun and appropriate activities, perfect for those just getting re-acquainted with regular exercise or who want to try something more challenging. She also ensures groups stay small, so people can get to know each other and the course content can be easily tailored to their needs.

Healthy living

83 courses have been provided in 30 different locations since 2010, giving free activity and weight loss support to over 1,130 local residents. Of these, 67% lost weight during the six-week course alone, losing on average 2kg. Those who continue with regular exercise are shown to continue losing

weight and improving their fitness, with 74% telling us they are still eating more healthily three months on.

The biggest benefits for participants are often not measured in kilograms or centimetres, but in how they feel. Grace uses a measure called the Warwick Edinburgh scale to help people gauge how they feel about different aspects of their lives before and after taking part. The biggest improvements last year across all courses were related to feeling close to other people, feeling like I belong to a community and feeling good about myself.

Many groups who started exercising together have become firm friends and support each other to keep up

What is Fit as a Fiddle?Six-week exercise courses, designed specifically for over 50s, aiming to help people get fit, lose weight and have fun. Each of the weekly sessions includes an hours exercise and an hours healthy lifestyle and weight loss workshop. Courses are completely free to those living in the borough of Kingston.

I have met some lovely people and I will continue

meeting with them.

I feel more confident and have more energy.

Free Fit as a Fiddle coursesAre you over 50, live in the borough of Kingston, and want to get fit, lose weight and improve your wellbeing? Why not join a free 6-week course starting in September 2015?

Take your pick from gentle exercise to more vigorous activity with either: Nordic Walking, Aquacise, Body Balance, cycling or chair-based exercise. All courses include healthy lifestyle/weight loss workshops.

For more information and to book a place, please contact: Grace on 020 8942 8256 or email: grace.shorthouse@staywellservices.org.uk

their new-found regime. Some of the Nordic Walking groups from 2010, when the courses launched, are still meeting up regularly five years on.

Opportunities

For some, signing up to Fit as a Fiddle is the start of making a bigger change in their lives, or getting through a difficult time. Being part of Staywell, the programme has close connections with other services and opportunities. For example, Teresa took up Body Balance when she was ready to try something new. She enjoyed the course and liked the people so much that she began volunteering with Staywell, becoming a familiar face at their head office in New Malden and providing great support to Grace and her colleagues.

For more about volunteering see the front page.

Theres more to it than losing weight and getting fit. Fit as a Fiddle provides a range of courses that help people feel healthier and happier and, above all, are great fun.

To find out more or sign up to a course contact us by phone: 020 8942 8256, or by email: grace.shorthouse@staywellservices.org.uk.

Its good to meet up with others in similar

circumstances trying to overcome similar obstacles.

Furniture shopOur Surrey furniture shop sells everything from wardrobes and sofas to cookers and fridges, all fully tested and ready to be collected or delivered. There are discounts for those who are unemployed or on a tight budget.

House clearanceFriendly, responsive and very reasonable prices. Items collected are restored, reused or recycled, helping families in need and reducing landfill.

Community collectionsGot furniture to donate? We can do the heavy lifting and collect it from you for a minimal fee.

Based in the heart of Kingston, award-winning Community Furniture offers quality used and recycled furniture. We can also collect unwanted furniture to be restored and reused or recycled. We work to support families in need whilst also helping the environment by saving waste. Want to support your local community? See our range of services below.

Get in touch to find out more about any of our services or to volunteer. Unit 33, Adams House, Dickerage Lane, New Malden, KT3 3SF020 8942 5500 www.kingstoncommunityfurniture.org

Waste managementWe provide a complete waste management service for Surrey were happy to quote on all types of removals, including bulky waste.

Corporate removals Competitively priced removal service for businesses in and around Surrey. We accept bulk loads as well as unwanted office furniture, IT equipment and chairs.

Housing optionsStaywells Housing Options service now works with Community Furniture to provide a full package of advice and support if youre thinking of moving or downsizing. Call 020 8942 8256 for more information.

volunteering opportunitiesHave some time on your hands? Looking for a way to give something back? Looking for work experience? Volunteering could be for you.

Community Furniture is looking for people who can greet customers, help with deliveries and collections, restore furniture or even help with behind-the-scenes admin. However you can help, youll get valuable experience and rewarding work with a great team.

stay wellservices that change lives

Staywell is the working name for Age Concern Kingston upon Thames. Registered charity no. 299988

Community Furniture making homes, saving waste

Kingston