News around the country on charities during the crisis
Supporting cancer patients
Beatson Cancer Charity is enhancing its services by offering much-needed patient care packs and offering an expanded befriending service to the most vulnerable patients who are self-isolating and shielding due to the pandemic.
The charity is one of 300 successful projects which has been awarded £65,000 from Scottish Government’s £50 million Wellbeing Fund which aims to provide vital support in communities across Scotland.
Many people with cancer are having their treatment plan disrupted and people shielding at home face additional challenges day-to-day, in accessing the essential products and services they need to maintain their physical and mental wellbeing. All of this is over and above the daily stress and strain which accompanies dealing with a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Like many other services, the Beatson Cancer Charity was forced to temporarily suspend some of its services throughout lockdown period. The charity has refocussed the skills and experience of its team and now is glad to report that they are hard at work preparing 500 patient care packs and have set up a befriending service which includes keeping in touch by phone to provide emotional and practical advice.
Gillian Hailstones, director of care services, said: “Although we can’t see our patients in-person yet we’re still here to support them the best we can.” “We have had to make significant changes to the way we operate. We are delighted to be in this position to offer these enhanced and extended services for patients going through treatment, helping to prevent heightened anxiety levels, lower social isolation and maintain stability during this time of their cancer journey.’
A weekly phone call or dropping off a few essential items can have a huge positive impact on people who may be self-isolating or shielding for health reasons. Some patients have lost their support network and can’t risk coming along to hospital.
Local charity calls for help after coronavirus closure
Gareloch Riding for the Disabled Association in Helensburgh is a charity that provides therapy through horses to local disabled people – all supported by a team of dedicated volunteers.
In an effort to protect both participants and volunteers from the pandemic, Gareloch RDA has had all activities suspended, since March, until further notice. Group chair, Kate Bennet, said: “We support and work with many people who are more vulnerable to infection so we have made the decision to close our doors until the situation with coronavirus improves. This comes at a big price for us, as without riders we have not got an income. Our loyal horses will still need feed, hay, and to see a farrier - possibly attention from vets, annual vaccinations or regular checks from the dentist, which all add up. With no clear idea of when we will be able to start activities again it is difficult to know if we will have enough money to support our horses until riding resumes.”
Gareloch RDA has seven horses who support over 50 riders and carriage drivers. Research shows horse riding with RDA is not only fun but delivers physical benefits, boosts confidence, improves communication skills and helps participants to build relationships.
Louise Worrall, a volunteer and rider, added: “The impact this will have on some of our riders, myself included, who gain so much from attending our sessions, is huge - both physically and mentally. It has never been so clear just how much the time that we spend with our horses helps. In a bid to ensure these sessions can continue as quickly as possible we need to keep our horses well cared for, in work and fit.”
If you can support Gareloch RDA please consider selecting them for your Amazon Smile charity, look out for the charity’s Just Giving page, which is coming soon, or consider donating some time when lessons return.
Dogs set to enter the virtual show ring
As dog shows across the country continue to be cancelled or postponed, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Guide Dogs is giving people the opportunity to celebrate their canine companions and their talents, by hosting its first ever virtual dog show.
A host of celebrities are supporting the event, sharing their own pictures to inspire others to get creative with their canine friends.
Ainsley Harriott, who has submitted both video and photos of his dog Bobby, said: “The charity Guide Dogs does such fantastic work all year-round supporting people with sight loss, and that work is more important than ever now. I know I’m finding lockdown hard enough, but for people with sight loss, social isolation can happen every day.
“That’s why Bobby and I are so excited to support the Great Guide Dogs Virtual Dog Show. I hope many others will join us – so get those cameras out, get snapping and get entering!”
The virtual dog show is open for entries now, via the Guide Dogs’ Facebook group. Participants can submit a photo or video into one of the 12 following categories, with two categories being released each week for six weeks:
Happiest Hound photo; Scruffiest Lockdown Dog photo; Best Friends photo; Picture Perfect photo; Golden Oldie photo; Sleeping Beauty photo; Waggiest Tail video; Doggy Divas video; Dog Athletics Superstar video; Doggy Paddle video; Top Trick video; Patient Pooches video.
Chloe excels in animal care
A 17- year-old from Tranent has found the lockdown to be beneficial to her learning. Chloe just successfully completed two accredited assessments in animal care in one day.
The journey to obtaining accredited skills has been a challenging one for Chloe. For a long time, she did not feel comfortable at school as she felt overwhelmed when she was around people. It was only when she went to see a counsellor that Chloe discovered that her stress was caused by anxiety. This realisation proved to be a turning point for the 17-year-old.
After being diagnosed with anxiety, Chloe was able to be referred to appropriate support. She soon started using the services of both East Lothian Works and Bridges Project and has not looked back since.
As she is interested in animals, Chloe decided to undertake the Animal Course training programme offered by Bridges Project. The training programme aims to give young people social skills while increasing their knowledge of animals and obtaining a certificate for their CV.
Since starting with Bridges Project in the middle of last year, she has now completed three units of Animal Care. The fact that the 17-year-old completed both the Health and Safety unit and Feeding and Watering unit in one day remotely on her own during lockdown has impressed her tutor, Susan Kerr.
“It is very impressive. This proves that Chloe can manage her workload on her own and keep good routines. She has been a joy to work with,” said Susan.
Chloe also says she is very pleased with her achievements and claims that the lockdown actually made it easier for her to work on her assessments.
“It is quite relaxing to study during lockdown. I have been able to do things at my own pace and it has given me something positive to focus on which can help me move towards my future”, she said.
