March  2015  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sunshine Scene    

ALL THE BRIGHTEST AND WARMEST NEWS FROM HOME MATTERS

‘HELLO’ to  all  our  lovely  friends  from  Gabby,  Lesley,  Helen,  Geraldine,  Aileen  and  our  super  volunteers!  

Welcome  to  the  latest  edition  of  The  Sunshine  Scene!    

Lots  has  been  happening  since  our  last  newsletter  and  as  always,  we  have  thoroughly  enjoyed  spending  time  with  you  in  your  homes,  out  and  about  and  at  the  Sunshine  Club!  We  would  firstly  like  to  give  a  big  sunshine  welcome  to  our  newest  member  of  staff,  Aileen,  who  is  enjoying  getting  to  know  you  all.  As  I  sit  and  write  this,  the  birds  are  

chirping  outside  and  the  first  vase  of  daffodils  is  sat  on  the  desk!  Spring  has  sprung  and  there  are  lots  of  things  to  look  forward  to  over  the  next  couple  of  months  including  Easter,  warmer  weather  and  the  arrival  of  the  second  Royal  baby!  I  hope  you  have  enjoyed  the  last  few  months  with  us  all  here  at  Home  Matters  and  here  is  to  making  more  memories  

over  the  next  few  months!  Gabby  x  

 

Thursdays  at  The Sunshine Club  

Over  the  last  few  weeks  many  of  us  have  been  getting  together  every  Thursday  morning  for  some  fun,  games,  tea  and  

cake.  “Kung  Hei  Fat  Choy!”    Happy  Chinese  New  

Year!  

On  the  19th  February  at  the  Sunshine  Club  we  welcomed  in  the  year  of  the  Goat  with  a  

noodle  lunch  and  tried  our  hand  at  

chopsticks!  Some  were  naturals  but  most  of  us  are  going  to  stick  to  knives  and  forks!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The  17th  February  was  Pancake  Day,  and  the  beginning  of  Lent  was  marked  with  a  

feast  of  yummy  pancakes  that  our  volunteer  Marcus  kindly  made  for  us  after  donning  his  white  pinny  and  baker’s  hat,  as  well  as  some  tasty  donations  from  our  Sunshine  Club  friends.  We  had  a  flipping  great  time!  Helen  admits  she  isn’t  much  good  at  making  pancakes  so  it  was  a  good  job  that  Marcus  was  here  to  show  us  how  it’s  done!  For  those  who  don’t  join  us  at  The  Sunshine  Club,  what  did  you  have  

with  your  pancakes  this  year?    

We  all  sported  some  attractive  red  noses  on  the  12th  March  for  the  annual  Red  Nose  Day.  We  talked  about  all  things  

funny  and  played  “Guess  the  punch  line  to  the  joke”.  Our  friend  Liz  baked  some  lovely  cupcakes  with  glace  cherry  noses  

and  smiley  faces  which  went  down  a  treat  with  plenty  of  cups  of  tea!  So  far  this  

year,  over  £78,000,000  has  been  raised  by  Comic  Relief.    

   

We’ve  learnt  that  Mary’s  favourite  song  is  “We’ll  meet  again”  and  Ben’s  nickname  was  once  “Spikey”  because  of  his  short  hair.  We  were  all  touched  when  Dolcie  told  us  that  the  greatest  gift  she  had  ever  received  was  her  beloved  husband  Reuben.  

We  all  had  a  giggle  with  Doris  as  she  told  us  about  the  cockerels  she  used  to  keep.  The  cockerels  would  chase  her  brothers  around  the  yard  but  they  never  chased  Doris  as  she  was  the  one  who  fed  them!  

Geraldine’s  revelation  that  at  the  age  of  2  she’d  had  a  crush  on  Kenneth  Kendall,  the  Newsreader,  took  the  prize  for  the  most  embarrassing  secret  of  all!    

                   A  brief  reminisce  back  to  our  Christmas  meal  at  The  Whittington...  

The  Home  Matters  Dementia  lunch  is  now  but  a  distant  memory.  We  are  already  one  quarter  of  the  way  through  2015!  How  time  flies!    

 We  all  wore  our  finest  party  outfits  and  a  Christmas  hat.  Some  were  much  more  tasteful  than  others  like  David  and  Diana’s  handmade  ivy  headbands.  Gabby,  we’re  not  sure  your  turkey  hat  with  the  dangly  legs  comes  under  the  ‘tasteful’  category!    

We  were  each  given  party  bags  to  take  home  with  us.  The  contents  were  all  handmade  with  love  and  care.  The  egg  cosies  were  knitted  by  Lesley,  the  calendars  were  stitched  by  Abi,  the  Christmas  cakes  were  made  by  Gabby  and  the  sweetie  bags  were  made  by  Gabby’s  daughter  Katie.  Santa  will  no  doubt  want  to  recruit  them  as  elves  to  help  this  year!    

   

Your challenge is to find as many words as possible whilst bearing in mind that each answer must:

• be at least 3 letters long • contain the central letter in the wheel • be spelt correctly

Can you solve the word wheel? There is a prize for the person who can make the most words from the available

letters in the wheel and making a 9 letter word, using each letter only once. Please let us know your answers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mayday and Whitsun aren’t far away which means warmer weather and longer days are just around the corner! What did you do when you were young at this time of year? We

would love to hear your tales when we next see you

Complete  the  sayings...  

1. A  bird  in  the  .............  is  worth  two  in  the  bush.    

2. An  Englishman’s  .............  is  his  castle.    

3. As  fit  as  a  ...............  dog.    

4. As  the  .............  flies.    

5. ............  home  the  bacon.    

6. By  .............  or  by  crook.    

7. The  ............  bird  catches  the  ..............    

8. A  feather  in  one’s  .............    

9. Honesty  is  the  ............  policy.    

10.If  it  .............  broke,  don’t  fix  it.  

The  Aims  and  Objectives  of  The  Sunshine  Club  -­‐    Known  in  the  Health  &  Social  Care  field  as  CST  (Cognitive  Stimulation  Therapy),    is  to  provide  the  opportunity  for  individual  people  with  dementia  and  their  carers  to  attend  activity  based  sessions.    The  sessions  aim  to  stimulate  and  engage  individuals  with  little  emphasis  on  learning  but  greater  emphasis  on  the  social  benefits  of  being  in  a  group.    Sessions  are  frequent  and  informal  but  have  structure  and  a  focus.      We  aim  to  encourage  contentment,  confidence  and  positivity  to  reduce  social  isolation,  reduce  stress  and  anxiety,  thereby  improving  the  feeling  of  wellbeing  and  reducing  the  incidents  of  crisis.    Our  greatest  focus  is  for  the  individuals  to  feel  safe,  have  fun  and  to  feel  happy!  

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

 

 

 

 

We decided it would be fun to set 15 (ice-breaker) questions so we can get to know everyone a l i t t le better!

Our second wil l ing volunteer is Abi .  

1)  Describe yourself in 10 words or less. Like a seed, reaching upwards, with lots sti l l to give.

2) Who would you l ike to be stuck in a l i f t with and why? Richard Hammond. Why? I would love to go for a fast drive in his Porsche and so it would be a good opportunity to persuade him to take me.

3) What's your motto in l i fe? Turn your face to the sun and the shadow fall behind you. – Maori Proverb. Or yesterday is history, tomorrow is a Mystery, today is a gift that is why it ’s called the present.

4) What is your favourite song and who by? Flora’s Secret by Enya.

5) Does your name have a special meaning and or were you named after someone special? I am the only one out of 4 children that my father chose the name for. Ironically, Abigail means; ‘Fathers Joy’.

6) Name one funny trait you have, that you would l ike others to know. (When answering this my father said – “You have so many to pick from!!”) - I say tucking my Jeans into hiking socks when taking my dog Logi a walk.

Thank you Abi for taking part, and hopefully we know a l i t t le more about you now. We love the picture too, such a cutie!

‘Getting to Know You’ is now a regular feature in our newsletter and so if you would l ike to put yourself forward to have a go, just let Gabby know. Its Helen’s turn next!  

Getting  to  know  you!  

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

   

 

 

 

 

P R L I D O F F A D S N

I R C O W S L I P F X Y

G P O R D W O N S G Y J

I V E S O R M I R P J H

F T E L O I V T L U V C

O Y G V N N V U F H M M

T V A U P S X X I C R U

J B U T T E R C U P G S

D A I S Y H V E X Q X B

Y M A R I G O L D B L A

F L L E B E U L B G U H

N X K Z R S U C O R C K

PRIMROSE DAFFODIL CROCUS SNOWDROP

BLUEBELL COWSLIP VIOLET DAISY

BUTTERCUP MARIGOLD

Can you solve this Spring-themed word search?

The  Second  Royal  Baby...  

It  won’t  be  long  until  the  second  royal  baby  will  be  arriving  but  will  it  be  a  girl  or  a  boy?  Before  Prince  George  was  born,  there  was  plenty  of  speculation  as  to  what  he/she  would  be  called  but  I  wonder  if  William  and  Catherine  have  a  

name  in  mind?  

We  will  all  have  to  wait  until  sometime  in  April  to  find  out!  

                           

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home-made Hot Cross Buns

Ingredients 300ml full fat milk 50g butter 500g strong bread flour 1tsp salt 75g caster sugar 1tbsp sunflower oil 7g sachet of fast action yeast 1 egg, beaten 75g sultanas zest of 1 orange 1 apple. Peeled cored and chopped 1tsp ground cinnamon 3tbsp apricot jam

Method 1. Bring the milk to the boil, then remove from the heat and add the butter. When almost cooled, put the flour, salt, sugar and yeast into a bowl. Make a well in the centre. Pour in the warm milk and butter mixture, and add the egg. Mix well, and then bring everything together with your hands until you have sticky dough.

2. Tip on to a lightly floured worktop and stretch and fold the dough for a few minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in lightly oiled bowl and cover with lightly oiled cling film. Leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

3. Knead the sultanas, mixed peel, orange zest, apple and cinnamon into the bowl of dough. Leave to rise for 1 hour more.

4. Divide the dough into 15 even pieces and shape each piece into a smooth ball. Arrange buns on a baking tin lined with parchment leaving enough space for them to rise. Cover with more oiled cling film and leave to prove for another hour.

5. Heat the oven to 220c/200c fan/gas 7. Mix the flour with 5 tbsp water to form a thick paste. Spoon into a piping bag and pipe a cross on each bun. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.

6. Gently heat apricot jam until melted and brush over the buns to add a sweet glaze then leave to cool.

By  Marcus  Butler  

Did  you  know?    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

There is an island in the Southeastern Pacific Ocean called

‘Easter Island’ after it was discovered on Easter Sunday in 1722

by a Dutch explorer!

Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first

full moon of the Spring Equinox

During the rationing of World War Two, when sugar was scarce,

instead of an ice-cream or some chocolate, children would be given a carrot on a stick at Easter time! Do you remember being given one as a child? What a great way to ensure the youngsters got their

five-a-day!

Easter eggs symbolise hope and rebirth.

Spring is the start of new life

after all!

The UK’s first chocolate egg was produced in 1873 by

Fry’s of Bristol

 

In  Memory  of  our  dear  friend  Betty  Caswell  

The  end  of  2014  brought  with  it  some  sad  news      when  we  heard  of  the  death  of  our  friend    Betty  Caswell.    We  will  all  remember  Betty  as  she  would    want  us  to  remember  her  -­‐  laughing,  smiling,    game  for  most  things  (as  this  photo  of  her  shows)    and  what  fabulous  nails!    We  enjoyed  many  trips  out,  often  meeting  up  with  other  friends  but  our  trips  always  involved  tea  and  cake!  Betty  became  quite  expert  at  judging  the  quality  of  our  elevenses  and  decided  that  whilst  Brierley  Hill  market  was  a  bargain  (£1.05  for  tea  and  a  slice  of  bread  pudding  the  size  of  a  house  brick!)  she  preferred  the  Victoria  sponge  and  china  tea  cups  at  The  Vineyard  at  Halfpenny  Green!        Our  car  journeys  would  be  filled  with  chat  and  music.  Betty  would  always  tap  her  foot  along  when  she  heard  the  big  band  swing  music  that  she  and  her  late  husband  Jack  used  to  dance  to  when  they  were  courting.  The  car  trips  also  gave  Betty  chance  to  reminisce  about  the  places  she  had  lived  and  worked.  Betty  would  point  out  where  she  had  lived  as  a  child,  her  homes  with  Jack  and  her  3  daughters  and  the  shop  she  had  run  in  Pensnett.      Even  though  we  knew  Betty  for  less  than  a  year  we  got  to  know  a  lot  about  her  and  she  was  clearly  a  very  popular  and  well  loved  lady  in  her  local  area.  This  was  never  more  evident  than  at  her  funeral  when  there  was  standing  room  only  and  once  a  quick  trip  around  Brierley  Hill  market  to  fix  a  watch  became  a  morning  chewing  the  fat  with  stall  holders  who  remembered  Betty  from  many  years  ago.      It  was  an  honour  and  a  privilege  to  get  to  know  Betty  and,  even  at  a  time  when  her  state  of  health  provided  her  with  limitations,  the  things  she  said  and  did  let  us  see  the  real  Betty  -­‐  the  Betty  her  family  and  many  friends  knew,  loved  and  will  be  thankful  they  had  around.    

 

 

Birthdays  at  The  Sunshine  Club!  Over  the  last  few  months,  we  have  celebrated  many  birthdays,  not  just  at  The  Sunshine  Club!    

Here  are  a  few  photos  from  some  recent  celebrations...  

 

 

 

   

Dolcie  and  Sue  

Mary  and  Doris  

New  Members  of  the  Sunshine  Club    

A  very  warm  welcome  to  all  of  our  new  friends  who  have  joined  us  this  year.  The  Sunshine  Club  has  enjoyed  welcoming  John  and  Bert  into  our  Thursday  sessions  and  hope  that  you  are  all  enjoying  getting  to  know  us  here  at  Home  Matters!    

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

John   Bert  

We  would  also  like  to  extend  a  warm  Home  Matters  welcome  to  our  newest  member  of  staff,  Aileen!    

Aileen  has  hugely  enjoyed  meeting  you  all  and  getting  to  know  you  both  in  your  homes,  and  at  C.S.T.  She  has  written  a  small  piece  about  

herself  –  what  a  busy  lady  she  is!  

Hi,  my  name  is  Aileen  and  I  have  been  married  to  my  Husband  Mike  for  3  years.  I  am  a  hardworking  Mom  of  

four  lads  (Well,  they’re  almost  6ft  men  now!)  My  youngest  son  will  be  18  this  year.  I  am  a  bubbly  Christian  lady  and  

attend  a  Pentecostal  Church  where  we  live  in  Birmingham.  I  have  worked  in  the  caring  field  for  many  years  –  I  am  very  much  a  sociable  person  and  humorous!  My  hobbies  are  painting  when  I  have  the  time  and  energy  and  I  also  love  nature  and  taking  photographs.  I  love  to  visit  new  places  and  go  on  holidays.  My  favourite  place  would  have  to  be  the  beach...  Looking  at  the  sunset,  feeling  the  wind  in  my  

hair  and  jumping  over  the  waves!  Wonderful!  I  am  looking  forward  to  having  my  first  Grandchild  in  July...  

a  Grand-­‐daughter  to  spoil!  

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

STOP  PRESS…STOP  PRESS…STOP  PRESS…STOP  PRESS…STOP  PRESS…STOP  PRESS…STOP  PRESS…  

This  Newsletter  is  for  you  -­‐  please  feel  free  to  send  in  letters,  photographs,  comments  and  suggestions  for  publication  in  our  next  issue  which  will  be  ready  at  the  beginning  of  July.  If  there’s  anything  you  would  like  to  see  included  then  just  say  and  all  reasonable  suggestions  

will  be  considered.  

Please  send  your  articles  and  contributions  to:  Home  Matters  Dementia  Service  CIC  

The  Barn  82A  Park  Road,  Quarry  Bank,  Brierley  Hill,  DY5  2HP  Or  email  gabby@dementia-­‐support.co.uk  Tel:  01384  340441  for  further  information  

This  leaves  us  with  one  last  opportunity  to  wish  you  all  a  very  happy  Easter  from  all  of  the  team  at  Home  

Matters!  

 

I Had an Easter Bunny I had an Easter bunny, One day she ran away.

I looked for her by moonlight, I looked for her by day.

I found her in the meadow With her babies 1, 2, 3.

So now I have four rabbit pets To run and jump with me.