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Fit as a Fiddle
page 7

Caring for carers

page 5

Keeping busy?
Thats good page 4

Whats it worth?
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

The rewards of volunteering as part of a team

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

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.

Opportunities
Anyone 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.

Issue twenty five l summer 2015

Changes to UK driving licences

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.

In 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.

Local support for Staywell

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 8256
e: hello@staywellservices.org.uk
w: www.staywellservices.org.uk
agenda 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.com

Print: Full Spectrum Print Media Ltd, t: 01268 288637.
Printed on 100% recycled paper

2 l Issue twenty five

Who we are

Supporting local
people since 1946

Bradbury manager on local radio

In 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

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

Help Staywell
change lives
volunteer

Agenda editorial

Viewing to a plan

Staywells many services

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

Computer tutor
Teach 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/helper
Run or help with activities at
our Kingston or New Malden
centres, working as part of a
friendly team.

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

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

Phoneline advisor
Taking 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

Staywell supporting
you in your home
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.

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.

Help@Home service recruiting

Paid 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/

Issue twenty five

l3

Agenda Feature

Keeping busy? Thats good

The 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.

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 brainhealthy 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

4 l Issue twenty five

of an excess of lycra or overvigorous 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 chairbased 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

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.

Dementia care updates

There 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.

First Contact l 020 8408 8170

Staywells telephone advice service, open Monday to Friday 9.30am 4.30pm

Continuing our series on the Care Act

The Care Act Carers

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

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.

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.

Free legal
advice surgery
Held 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.

Issue twenty five

l5

Raleigh House
Raleigh 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 5EA
Telephone: 020 8949 4244 Email: raleigh@staywellservices.org.uk

Green tokens and green fingers!

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
The green-fingered Waitrose team:
local organisations. Having made
Carol, Graham, Helen, Elliot, Claire,
contact with centre manager Cathy
June and Maria
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.

Raleigh House diary dates

The Saturday Club
A 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 October
5 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 openings
Raleigh House will be opening on some additional weekend days over the
summer. Please get in touch for further information.

6 l Issue twenty five

The Bradbury
The 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 2RA
Telephone: 020 8549 1230
Email: bradbury@staywellservices.org.uk

Mayor helps celebrate The

Bradburys 10th birthday
Over 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
The Mayor cuts The Bradbury
with members, who had come here to enjoy a
birthday cake with member
taste of our lively activities.
number 001, Michael Pearson
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?

Plans for new outdoor room

In 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.

The Bradbury diary dates

Wed 1 July Spanish Day, 8 inc. food & drinks
Tue 14 July Trip to Brooklands museum, Weybridge, 11am - 3pm, 15
Wed 5 Aug Hawaiian Summer BBQ, from midday
Tue 11 & 18 Aug Practical Ideas for Happier Living
Every Wed 12 2 The Bradbury Centre Lunch Club
Other upcoming events: Film Club: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
MacMillan: Raising awareness of cancer and complementary therapies.
Classical Music and Cream Tea, Summer Quiz, Country Drive and Pub Lunch.

Staywells community support services

Fit as a fiddle for 5 years

Free 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.

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.

weight and improving their

Special
fitness, with 74% telling us they
are still eating more healthily
Alongside the ever-popular
three months on.
signature courses (Nordic
The biggest benefits for
Walking, Aquacise, Body
participants are often not
Balance and chair-based
measured in kilograms or
exercise) programme
centimetres, but in how they
coordinator Grace Shorthouse feel. Grace uses a measure
has also flexed the programme called the Warwick Edinburgh
over the years to give people a scale to help people gauge
chance to try something
how they feel about different
different, including special
aspects of their lives before
courses of cycling, singing and and after taking part. The
dancing: We aim to find out
biggest improvements last
what people really want to do, year across all courses were
where and when.
related to feeling close to
Grace carefully selects skilled other people, feeling like I
instructors who provide fun
belong to a community and
and appropriate activities,
feeling good about myself.
perfect for those just getting reMany groups who started
acquainted with regular
exercising together have
exercise or who want to try
become firm friends and
something more challenging.
support each other to keep up
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

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.
I feel more confident and
have more energy.

I have met some lovely

people and I will continue
meeting with them.

Free Fit as a Fiddle courses

Are 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

Issue twenty five l

stay well
services that change lives

Kingston

Community Furniture
making homes, saving waste

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.
Furniture shop

Corporate removals

Volunteering
Competitively priced removal opportunities

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

service for businesses in and

around Surrey. We accept
bulk loads as well as
unwanted office furniture,
IT equipment and chairs.

Housing options

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

Staywells Housing Options

service now works with
Community Furniture to
Waste management
provide a full package of
We provide a complete waste advice and support if
management service for
youre thinking of moving
Surrey were happy to quote or downsizing. Call
on all types of removals,
020 8942 8256 for
including bulky waste.
more information.

Have 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.

Get in touch to find out more about any of our services or to volunteer.
Unit 33, Adams House, Dickerage Lane, New Malden, KT3 3SF
020 8942 5500 www.kingstoncommunityfurniture.org
Staywell is the working name for Age Concern Kingston upon Thames. Registered charity no. 299988