magazine issue 03 the magazine of hertfordshire · if you’re worried that you’ve been losing...
TRANSCRIPT
magazine
Issue 03
Pick up your free copyThe magazine of Hertfordshire Independent Living Service
www.hertsindependentliving.org • [email protected] • Tel: 0330 2000 103
Inside: • Puzzles • Recipes • Life stories • Poems • Memories
Countywide teddy bears’ picnic
Family legacy of serving the community
and much more!
3
4: Interview: Laslow shares his story of leaving Hungary, and his lifelong passion for photography
7: Active Ageing: helping older adults get active and remain independent
8: Interview: WVS - three generations of volunteers
10: Small Acts of Kindness: the charity helping you to keep warm
11: Hidden hydration and our Dietitian’s terrific trifle recipe
12: Creative Corner
14: A countywide teddy bears’ picnic
15: Puzzle page
16: 10 years of delivering meals… and more!
17: School memories of wartime Britain
18: How you can help make a difference / Puzzle page answers
19: Supporting your independence: how HILS can help
Independent Living // Issue 3
Send your comments and contributions to Herts Independent Living Service:
By email to: [email protected]
By post to: Hertfordshire Independent Living Service, Unit 16, Green Lane One, Blackhorse Road, Letchworth, Herts, SG6 1HB
To find out more visit: www.hertsindependentliving.org
With thanks to: Editor – Gemma Payne, HILS Designer – Mike Jones Design Printer – CZ Design & Print
Hertfordshire Independent Living Service is the operating name of Hertfordshire Community Meals Limited, a registered society number IP30206R under the co-operatives and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, registered with the Financial Conduct Authority and as a charity with HMRC registration number XT37228.
Welcome to the third edition of our HILS magazine, ‘Independent Living’ As HILS celebrates its 10th year serving Hertfordshire residents, I’ve been thinking about how privileged I’ve been to be involved with HILS throughout that time. One of the most inspiring parts of my role is meeting our wonderful clients. A few months ago I met a lovely lady who lives in Baldock. She made me laugh with her stories, and as she waved me off at the door she said something that I’ll never forget: “I don’t want to be old; I just want to be me!”
I’ve thought of those words on many occasions since. None of us wants to be defined by our age, or by where we live, or what we’ve done. We want to be loved and appreciated for who we are.
Every one of our clients has stories to tell, and getting to know the people who we are privileged to serve is often the thing that HILS’ team members love most about their roles. We all need friends to help us out, and it’s good to know that HILS can be there to provide a little extra support when it’s needed.
If you’re worried that you’ve been losing weight unintentionally, or you’ve lost a little confidence and are less active than you’d like to be, please tell our team members as we’d love to help. We can provide free nutrition screening and advice, or weekly exercise support in your home, to help you feel healthier, happier, and more independent, so you can feel more like you!
We hope you enjoy reading this issue of Independent Living. Please get in touch with your stories and ideas to feature in the next edition!
Sarah Wren MBE Chief Executive
Hertfordshire Independent Living Service
In this issue:
4
my life story
Independent Living // Issue 3 5Independent Living // Issue 3
Arriving in England“I’m lucky that I came to England, it’s a wonderful country. Being one of the first survivors to travel from the East to the West was a great experience. What’s the best way to learn a new language in a country full of good-looking young ladies? Well, let’s just say I soon learned!”
“My first job in England was as a builder, constructing the flat I now live in. Within nine months, I spoke good English and had started my own photography business. I wasn’t going to hang around! There is no such thing as a free breakfast, you have to work for it - I have always been my own man and been self-employed. My first exhibition was in Stevenage in the early eighties, in the basement of a church. From there, I have gone on to have international exhibitions in Europe and California. It has now been more than 50 years since I arrived in England, and I am very happy. I am still creating my own work, and my life, as you can see, is photography.”
Photography“To be an internationally recognised photographer was unimaginable, coming from a country where I could not even take photos or exhibit my work! My work was recognised by the British royal family, when Princess Diana saw my photographs of the ‘Princess of Wales’ rose, which I took for Harkness Roses. I was so happy that she liked them and I had an appointment to photograph her. But then, tragedy struck:
the Princess passed away. I felt hugely honoured that my work was recognised at the highest level. It gave me a good feeling inside, and keeps me going.”
“When you look at my pictures, you are looking into my heart and into my mind - it’s me. I’m a very positive person, and you can see that in my work. I’m so happy to share my life and work with the readers of this magazine. It means a lot. My highlight has been - to be born!”
Originally from Hungary, Laslow Puskas moved to England in 1956 after the anti-communist revolution, at 18 years old. Within nine months of arriving in London, Laslow had learned the language, and started his own photography business – going on to become recognised internationally, and by the royal family, for his work.
The End of the Revolution“Only two people in my whole town had a camera – and I was one of them! Under the Russian occupation, no one was allowed a camera, because it was considered a threat to the regime. The first picture
I took was of a flower: roses from my own back garden. I always liked flowers, and that was the beginning of my love for photography.”
“Anyone could be considered an enemy in the eyes of the regime. Anybody could be accused, and was watching everyone else. The regime controlled everything about you: your body, your soul, your behaviour. It was a terrible system to live under. Any person in uniform , or an official, could scare you to death!”
“My father was a station master, so I experienced history from my bedroom window. It was a major train line, in fact the only one running from East to
West from Russia. As a young lad, I could see prisoners coming in when the Germans occupied parts of the Soviet Union. Then going back again, when they lost.”
Escaping the regime “Everyone wanted to get out. As a youngster, I was like a burning torch - fighting to escape. When I left Hungary, all I had was the pocket money my mother - bless her - had managed to save. We were sent to a camp in Austria where we stayed in a barn for several days, just to be safe. Until one day, someone opened the door and asked: “Anyone want to go to England? We’ve got one seat”. And instantly I put up my hand. I was happy to bring my life to the West. “
The amazing life of
Laslow Puskas
“Me enjoying my work.”
“This story shows nature and man-made power colliding.”
“Nothing matches the beauty of a rose; every one is unique.”
“Two very different means of transport!”
“There’s nothing wasted, in my eyes. One autumn, I noticed leaves blowing against a fence, and I saw a story.”
7Independent Living // Issue 3
active ageing:
ertfordshire has received National Lottery funding from
Sport England to help reduce the number of inactive older adults. Awarded to Public Health Hertfordshire, and HILS, the funding will be used to provide personalised exercise support for older people living in the community.
“Being active is one of the most important things people can do to maintain health and wellbeing as they age” says Mike Diaper, Executive Director at Sport England.
Staying active has been shown to reduce risks of some chronic diseases by up to 30%, improve feelings of wellbeing, and reduce the risk of falls in older people.
The three year programme will provide:● One to one support in the home, or out in the community, with weekly sessions for up to three months.
● Resources and information about local activity groups and ways to exercise safely at home.
● Exercise specialists will be available to tailor support and adapt exercise to accommodate health conditions and physical ability.
Richard Roberts, Cabinet Member for Public Health at Hertfordshire County Council, explained: “The great thing about this programme is that we are making the most of the unique partnership we have with HILS to offer exercise in people’s homes. Getting active is always the right thing to do whatever your age. For our oldest and most vulnerable residents this can be an absolute tonic for better health and wellbeing.”
Meet our Active Ageing Exercise Specialists!HILS’ Active Ageing Team consists of qualified exercise specialists and community team members who all have experience of working with older people. Meet Dean and Nicki, two of our Active Ageing Specialists:
Dean – “My background is in fitness and personal training. I really enjoy working with older people as I feel like they get the most out of it. My first session was with a lady who receives meals on wheels, and she did really well. She really enjoyed the session, and couldn’t wait to start the programme.”
Nicki – “I’ve been in the fitness industry for 27 years. I’m very excited to be part of this project which is completely unique. This is my forte, helping to get older adults passionate about being more physically active.
I love seeing people who are less physically active reap the benefits of getting active. They are a very enthusiastic group and it gives me immense satisfaction.”
Active Ageing:The new service which is helping older people across the county get active and remain independent
Dean and Nicki with client Alf
Interested? Email: [email protected] Call: 0330 2000 103
Visit: www.hertsindependentliving.org/active-ageing/
H
a generation of volunteers
Annie, 59, and her mother Jean, 93, are part of three generations of volunteers – from Annie’s grandmother Alma Oyler, and her pioneering work through the Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS), to delivering meals on wheels together following World War II (WW II); Annie and Jean share their family history of voluntary work in the community.
Annie: We’re passing down the legacy of volunteering from my grandmother Alma, born in 1897 – a bookeeper turned Centre Leader at the Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS) in Cheshunt during the Second World War.
Jean: The WVS played such a big role during WW II; it’s quite amazing what they did. Unlike the First World War, women were taken into the forces, so gradually, women were being recognised as actually quite useful! That was the idea behind founding the WVS - to recruit women into the war effort ‘behind the lines’.
This year, the Royal Voluntary Service (formerly the Women’s Voluntary Service) is celebrating 80 years since its founding by Lady Reading in 1938. Throughout this time, the place of women in society has changed dramatically - but they are still a driving force in the community and charity sector.
A: Lady Reading and my grandmother used to write letters to each other– she had these amazing qualities of leadership, and really understood the complexities of needs in the community, for people of all ages.
J: My mum and Lady Reading really did seem to have a good rapport, I must say. It wasn’t all plain sailing with the WVS, because many of the volunteers came from different social classes, which was more important in those days. But mum was always very popular.
A: Alma had a lovely quality about her. She brought the best out of people, and they really loved her – so she had a lot of influence over people without
Women’s Voluntary Service:
Three generations of volunteers, and the origins of meals on wheels...
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trying too hard, and that was very effective.
J: After the war, in 1946, they had a Victory Parade in London, for all non-military services, like the WVS. Mum became recognised as one of the best WVS leaders in the country, and was invited along. It took place in Westminster in front of Winston Churchill, the prime minister at the time – there were 127 WVS women represented there, and my mum was one of them.
The beginnings of meals on wheels
J: When the war was underway, local authorities started providing places where people could go and have a lunch for very little, for people that were bombed out, and local workers. Before the war, there was nothing like that, so it sparked the serving of cheaper meals for the community. It must have been the beginning of the welfare state; the idea of bringing the food around.
A: The Women’s Voluntary Service then became the vehicle for delivering meals on wheels after the war.
J: I delivered the meals for around 10 years. We collected the food from a school in Hatfield, and we used the British Aerospace canteen too. The food wasn’t very exciting, it was nothing like the food we get from HILS!
A: There was no choice; it was quite institutional, so it would be sausages or fishcakes or something very basic.
J: The food was kept in these big heavy aluminium chests,
with a charcoal bottom to keep it hot, so you had to have two people to lift it. We didn’t have a uniform, we just wore aprons so we didn’t soil our clothes. It was all very matey –we delivered to about 10 to 15 people, and only delivered on weekdays.
A: I was about eight when I started helping out in the school holidays. Each meal cost one shilling and sixpence back then, and my job was to collect the sixpences.
J: They were all older people we were delivering to. There was a kind old lady, Mrs Smith, who I was very fond of, and helped her with breakfast too.
A: She stood out in my mind because she was such a sweetheart! She was on her own, and absolutely dependent on her meals on wheels. I was so young, but she made such an impact on me.
J: She was such a dear person. You got to know the people, and build a bond.
A lasting impactA: Without a doubt this
inspired me. I’ve spent 35 years in health and social care, and my whole career was mainly working with older people. These were formative years for me as I was exposed to the need for caring for each other at an early age and the importance of community. I am very grateful to my mum for giving me the opportunity to really understand vulnerable people, and how they were coping with these difficulties.
J: It’s humanity. We’re all part of the human race, and the more we can engage with people, old or young, the better.
A: That’s why I love this affiliation with HILS; it’s passing down the legacy from my grandmother and my mother.
Annie has started the ‘Friends of the Jubilee Centre’, an association set up to support our community centre in St Albans. If you would like to become part of the group, email us at: [email protected]
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community
mall Acts of Kindness source and distribute practical gifts to
older people throughout Hertfordshire. These help them stay warm in their homes and reduce health risks, such as: strokes, falls, and heart attacks, which have all been linked to excessive cold and wintry conditions.
Our Warm in Winter gift bags contain a selection of essential keep-warm items, such as a lovely large fleecy blanket, a thermal hat, some socks and gloves, as well as a mug with hot drinks and soup. The gift bags also contain lots of information about local activities and services especially for older people.
If you or someone you know would like to receive one of our gift bags, then please either give us a call on 01923 372717 or email [email protected]
Our Small Acts of Kindness gift bags are distributed free of charge to any person aged over 55 who lives in Hertfordshire.
This winter, we have been delighted to work in partnership with HILS to deliver Warm in
Winter gift bags to their clients and have been overwhelmed by the lovely thank you letters and cards that we have received. A big thank you from us to everyone who wrote and called, and we are so glad that you enjoyed your gifts.
Here are some ways that you can help us:
1. Nominate someone – please call us 01923 372717 or email us [email protected] if you or someone you know would like a Warm In Winter gift bag. 2. Support us - we are a local, ambitious, award-winning organisation. In the three years since our launch we have increased the number of gift bags we provide from 50 to 5,000 every year. These have benefitted over 8,800 of Hertfordshire’s most vulnerable and hard to reach residents. We welcome donations that enable us
to give a gift bag to everyone who needs one. www.smallactsofkindness.co.uk
3. Volunteer to help us – without the support of our amazing volunteers, we simply would not be able to do what we do. We invite you to join over 100 other volunteers who help us pack and distribute gift bags. They also support us with our accounts, marketing, admin and publicity. If you would like to join our lovely family please call Lynne Misner, our CEO, on 01923 372717 or email her at [email protected]
4. Follow us on social media Twitter @smallkindact and Facebook @smallactsofkindness.co.uk
Small acts of kindness can help you keep warmIf you, or someone you know, feels the cold over the chilly winter months, local charity Small Acts of Kindness can help!
As we get older, we can start to feel less thirsty and forget to drink enough water, but healthy adults still need the same amount of fluid. If we don’t drink enough we can suffer from dehydration, which is common in older people. Dehydration can make us feel tired, dizzy, and can affect memory and concentration. Here are some tips from one of our registered nutritionists, Annabelle, to stay hydrated.
Food: the hidden hydrator The majority of your fluid (70 – 80 per cent) comes from drinks. However, food is often overlooked as a water source. It supplies the average person in the UK with 20-30 per cent of the liquid they need― particularly if you choose fluid-rich foods like soup, or serve meals with a sauce such as gravy.
Annabelle says: “Adding certain foods to your diet can contribute to your overall hydration – soup,
fruits, and vegetables, all contain more than 80 percent water!
In my role at HILS, I help to design balanced, nutritious menus to ensure a variety of healthy options. Some of our meals have more fluid than others. Many contain the equivalent of more than two cups of tea (over 340ml)! These include our Gammon and Mushroom Pie, Salmon Crumble, and more! If you are cooking at home, salads, stews and curries also have a high fluid content.
Hidden hydration nutrition
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
Alethea’s Terrific Trifle!Our dietitian Alethea shares her family recipe for homemade trifle. For a fluid-rich recipe, why not try it yourself?
Recipe method:
1. Make up the jelly as per instructions on the packet.
2. Cover the bottom of your dish with trifle sponges. Add a few spoons of the canned fruit on top on the sponge.
3. Pour on just enough jelly to cover the sponges and soakin a little.
4. Add another layer of sponges and fruit. Pour on more jelly to cover.
5. Repeat this layering process until your dish is half full. Add the banana slices on top and use the back of a spoon to push these down gently to make sure they are covered with jelly.
6. Leave the jelly to set. Once set, pour the readymade custard on top and spread.
7. If you want to decorate more try adding whipped cream, strawberries, mint leaves or chocolate curls.
8. Eat and enjoy!
Recipe:
Ingredients:
Trifle sponges
Jelly any flavour
Tropical fruit in a can
Banana sliced
Readymade custard
You will need:
A large bowl/dish,
measuring jug
and a spoon.
S
12 13Independent Living // Issue 3 Independent Living // Issue 3
Kingfisher Club PoemWritten by Jan, HILS dementia
fun club volunteer
My special day is ThursdayWhen I don a different hat,
The Kingfisher Club in Catherine Street,Is where you’ll find me at.
There are some lovely people, Who love to come and share
In fun and games and quizzesTo be with people who all care.
There’s Jean a West End WendyWho’s always been on stage,A grand dame of the theatre,
A star at any age.
There’s Sandy who was once a nurse,intelligent and smart,
and alf a gas board foreman,who excels in any art.
Gentlemanly Peter worked for the BBC,A charming man so very quiet,
Who loves photography.
Barbara is so bubbly,She has a lot of fun,
She makes things for her family, And is cared for by her son.
Marie Madeline, she comes from France,She is really good at Art,
And loves the English language,So she readily takes part.
Joe, a newer client,Has fitted in so well.
Our other Barbara, demure and sweet,Enjoys it you can tell.
Ben loves ball games, loves to sing,As loud as he can be.
Our John, he was a tailor, Still so smart, and so witty.
Amy, quiet and unassuming,Loves the quizzes and the fun.
Mary likes to sit and watch,And she’s partial to a gum.
But the person who maintains the group,Our Gina is the one,
She works so hard with lots of thought,To make this group such fun.
We can’t forget our Marco,Who brings joy to all who come.It’s all about the care they give,
To me and everyone.
Autumn LeavesWritten by our Kingfisher Club clients
I believe in autumn leavesThat start to fall off the trees
Rustling leaves up to my knees It makes me sneeze into my sleeves
Let’s prepare for dark and coldIt does get better as you get old
If you do as you are toldYou will have a heart of gold!
After looking at Blackfriars lights during rush hourWritten by Andy Strowman, local resident
I learnt to love in lightsNot to be carried farTo forgotten places.
Offering strangers a drink.A tea or coffee.
I learnt to love in lightsThe blues and reds
And city blocks.
I learnt to try to beValuable to people.
Is there a way to be ?
I learnt to love in lightsAnd find familiar friends.
Are you a budding artist, gardener,
photographer, or creative crafter? We’d
love to show our readers photos of your
work! See page 3 for contact details.
HILS Puzzle Page
British wildlife word searchBADGER DEER FOXGRASS SNAKE HEDGEHOG MOLEMOUSE OTTER RABBIT SNOWY OWLSQUIRREL WEASEL
14 15Independent Living // Issue 3
celebrate
his year, HILS led the celebrations by taking teddy bears’ picnics
to clients’ homes, in a special initiative to raise awareness of the importance of good nutrition and hydration.
Sarah Wren MBE, Chief Executive of HILS, said:
“Over a third of our clients are malnourished on joining our service, which can lead to other serious health conditions: frailty, falls, and loss of independence. Thanks to kind donations following our ten year anniversary, we were able to deliver free cream teas and teddy bears to all of our meals on wheels clients.”
“We are passionate about giving our clients excellent nutritional support, and also ensuring that our clients feel happy, healthy and cared for. Everybody needs some reassurance, especially when life is challenging. Teddy bears are a great way of reminding our clients they are loved” Sarah added.
Lots of our meals on wheels clients wrote back, demonstrating what HILS is all about – changing
people’s lives for the better.“Very many thanks for the
surprise cream tea, also the happy little teddy bear. First one I have had in 88 years. I would also like to thank all staff who bring my dinners each day, they are so friendly and helpful” wrote one client.
Nobody should have to wait 88 years to receive a teddy bear!
Another happy client wrote: “To all my friends at HILS, thank you so much for special ‘teddy’ and food – much appreciated. Love from Joan.”
Another client phoned us to say the cream tea reminded her of a holiday she took in Devon when she was younger.
Susanne, community team member at HILS, told us: “We also had a client that asked for another teddy bear, because he wanted twins!”
We hope our campaign helped our clients feel special and cared for – to find out how you could help support our community campaigns, turn to page 18.
Countywide Teddy Bears’ Picnic!
Over 2,000 Hertfordshire residents who receive meals on wheels enjoyed a free cream tea, with a teddy bear companion, to celebrate
international Nutrition and Hydration Week
T
puzzles
Number Square PuzzleTry to fill in the missing numbers.
Use the numbers 1 to 9 to complete the
equations. Each number is only used once.
Each row is a maths equation. Each column
is a maths equation. Remember that
multiplication and division are performed
before addition and subtraction.
G X D M S X J W D Q C W R V M
D U T Y N N X X H L N J N B X
P P O K O J Q E R M X F T F J
D K F P W E S I M Z K M V V K
C H Q Z Y U M W V U C Y P S Y
W X X I O D O Y K J M K O L L
C R X M W C L C X F N R Q S E
E V T S L K E H O T T E R N S
T V F B U H I X E L I T I Q A
R E G V E A C L L D F B U P E
G R A S S S N A K E G I B S W
D H V V X J X B W S R E P A C
R E G D A B T H Q R D O H I R
E K E D T W Z V E S Z T L O C
C T O R R Z Q L U V N K O K G
16 17Independent Living // Issue 3Independent Living // Issue 3
anniversary
Friends: “I got evacuated up north, so I used to tell them what was going on down south. Germans used to go to London, but there were so many guns, they used to bomb Kent instead!” – Alf
“I was in a gang, there was about eight or nine of us. We had to do something naughty every day, or go somewhere we shouldn’t go! We used to break out of the school grounds.” – Jenny
“There were lots of bullies at our school, and there were two or three that bullied me. I used to tell my twin sister to bash them – she was a lot bigger and taller.” – Mary
Lessons: “I used to enjoy French, but that’s just because I used to fancy the teacher!” – Jenny
“We had a lot of blinking homework –good job I had two sisters!” – John
Dinnertime:“I liked anything that was sweet with custard. You used to get your rations of meat at school. We had ex-army cooks who did the best roast potatoes.” – John
“It was during the war when we were kids, and you had to eat up all your greens. We didn’t have to buy any fruit or vegetables, because we used to grow it all.” – Jenny
“Mum used to make a lovely pie with liver and bacon, and a roast on Sundays, with apple crumble or rhubarb and custard.” – Barbara
Scrumping!“We used to go scrumping – stealing apples and pears from orchards and people’s gardens. We got caught once, and got walked right out of town – but it didn’t stop us! Where we lived, there were orchards everywhere. Then when I came back from the army, they’d been covered with houses.” – Alf
“They couldn’t see you scrumping because of the blackout!” – John
Discipline: “My teacher was an ex-army man, and he treated the boys really hard. I got the cane every day! We used to get rulers on the back of the hand, and the girls had slippers thrown at them.” – John
“My brother Norman used to go to the headmaster a lot and get the cane – he was very rude and cheeky!” – Barbara
“When the teachers were strict, you used to pray for the siren to go off. Seconds later hundreds of children would be in the air raid shelter. You were supposed to carry on doing your work, but we never did!” – John
Sport: “Cricket was my favourite, in summer on a sunny day, it was lovely! My favourite memory of school was playing football, I used to love it. I was taken to play football at Kent school for boys” – Alf
School memories of Wartime Britain
Our Kingfisher Club clients share their memories of going to school in wartime Britain
Do you have a special memory you would like to share in our next edition? Please write to us! See page 3 for contact details.
memories
he charitable service began with one site in Letchworth, and two
vehicles. Community meals on wheels driver Angela Hyde has been with us since day one – and delivering meals for a lot longer!
“I’ve been with HILS since the beginning; there were only seven of us back then. It has got a lot bigger since – there are a lot more people, and in terms of what we can provide too” says Angela.
“I first started when the service was run through the council – and have been delivering meals on wheels for 21 years now! This job has really opened my eyes. I’ve had clients before who are younger than me, and there are a couple of people who’ve been with us since we began – so the meals have been keeping them
going for all these years!”In just 10 years, HILS has
become the largest and most successful not-for-profit meals on wheels service in the UK, with over 200 team members, a fleet of 74 vehicles, and four sites across the county. HILS now provides a whole range of independent living services, in addition to meals on wheels.
“It’s lovely to see people smiling when you walk through the door, and it’s nice to know I’m helping. It’s great seeing clients that you can have real good banter with – you get quite attached to people, so it is hard when someone passes away.”
“You go to some clients’ homes and think: what would you do without the meal? It’s surprising how many people still receive meals on Christmas Day too – they are so grateful because you’re doing it on a holiday, when pretty much everywhere else is shut. We’re still there to support them: even if it’s snowing we’re still there!” Angela adds.
In partnership with Hertfordshire County Council, HILS has changed the lives of tens of thousands of older, disabled, and vulnerable
people for the better, tackling loneliness and malnutrition in the community, 365 days a year.
“If we see anyone in trouble, we report it straight away. I had one client last week who didn’t answer the door – luckily she had a keysafe, so I let myself in. I found the lady had fallen and was on the floor, so I had to ring the ambulance. Someone from the office came out to finish my delivery round, while I waited with her until the ambulance came. She was ever so grateful. It’s reassuring for clients knowing we’re coming, and gives their families peace of mind too.”
“We’re like a big family here – everyone’s really friendly, and they’re lovely people to work with. I’d miss them if I left – I even miss everyone when I go on holiday!”
HILS celebrates its tenth anniversary since its founding in 2007 as the first ever meals on wheels social enterprise
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Could you join our kind, caring team? To view current vacancies, visit: www.hertsindependentliving.org/vacancies
Celebrating 10 years of meals… and more!
Number Square Puzzle Solution:
British wildlife word search solution:
18 19Independent Living // Issue 3 Independent Living // Issue 3
Our charitable objectives:
1. The relief of poverty, sickness and disability by the provision of meals and services to people who are elderly, frail, ill, disabled or otherwise in need.
2. The relief of unemployment. We reinvest any surplus into helping our clients and expanding our services.
We also like to give our clients small gifts throughout the year, to make them feel special and cared for. Previous gifts include our teddy bears, calendars and free cream tea packs.
Without kind donations, this would not be possible.
Sarah Wren, Chief Executive of HILS, says:
“I want to thank all supporters who allow us to continue providing our vital service; we wouldn’t be able to do it without people like you. When you donate, you will be helping to support our work to tackle malnutrition and loneliness in our community.”
How to donateWe accept donations on ‘MyDonate’ by BT. Find out how
you can make a difference and Gift Aid your donation at: www.hertsindependentliving.org/fundraising/
By cheque: Please make cheques payable to Hertfordshire Independent Living Service (HILS). Address on page 3. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH IN THE POST.
By BACS: Account name: HILS Sort Code: 20-41-12 Acc. Number: 3043 8413
If you need to get in touch with us about your donation, please contact:[email protected]
Charitable giving Did you know we are a charitable, not-for-profit, social enterprise?
This means we trade to do good and support people. Active Ageing Exercise support to help you be more active and mobile.
Advocacy Supports people to make the right decisions regarding their care and support. HertsHelp: 0300 123 4044
Alarms & telecare Equipment to support you at home by alerting someone if you need help. Herts Careline: 0300 999 2999
Breakfast meals Available to meals on wheels clients at an additional cost; delivered at the same time as your hot lunch time meal.
Chef cover We can provide food for chef cover at lunch clubs or day services. In an emergency, we may be able to provide meals with 24 hours’ notice.
Community centre Based in St Albans, featuring a weekday drop in restaurant, and rooms to hire seven days a week. Jubilee Centre: 01727 847264
Eye testing Free home eye testing service available through A1 Opticians: 0800 023 4964
Food & Grocery packs Free emergency food packs containing three days’ worth of food delivered to your home for those facing a crisis. HertsHelp: 0300 123 4044
Hertswise Countywide dementia support groups. HertsHelp: 0300 123 4044
Home from Hospital bags Free grocery pack containing food and essentials for those leaving hospital.
Kingfisher Club St Albans-based fun club for people living with dementia.
Keysafe installation Supply and installation of keysafes, helping you to feel safe at home: 0330 2000 167
Lunch club service Food for groups, delivered hot and ready to serve in multi portion containers at your club or day service.
Meals on wheels 365-day-a-year hot meals on wheels service delivered right to your home, between 11:30am and 2pm.
Medication prompts Available to meals and pop-in clients, at no additional cost. Must be referred by a health or social care professional.
Nutrition & Wellbeing service Individual dietetics support available to all meals clients at no additional cost.
Pop in visits Short, five minute lunch-time visits which help you to feel safer in your home, with the reassurance of someone visiting you each day.
Tea service Available to meals on wheels clients at an additional cost, delivered at the same time as your hot lunch time meal.
0330 2000 103 (local rate number)
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Supporting your independence: How HILS can help
HILS Puzzle Page answers:
We know that living independently is very important to our customers. There’s no place like home. Award-winning Herts Careline offers a discreet and low cost way to do this via its community alarm and telecare service. A simple pendant worn as a necklace or on a wrist band can be of great reassurance that help is on hand 24/7 if needed.
Over 61,000 people over the age of 65 live alone in Hertfordshire, and Herts Careline offers much needed 24/7 reassurance and peace of mind for the user, their families and carers who might live further afield. If you feel unwell, have a fall or need reassurance, you can press your pendant and speak to a locally based, highly trained operator who will arrange the appropriate assistance. Some sensors and monitors will automatically activate when they detect a risk - if you have a fall or if there is a fire.
There are no upfront costs or long term contracts, and when compared to other types of care the monthly cost of the service is very modest - only £3.25 per week (+VAT if applicable). Call 0300 999 2 999 or visit www.care-line.co.uk for more information.
Stay independent at home with a pendant alarm from Herts Careline