Later Life Small Projects Awards
As part of the Mental Health and Wellbeing in Later Life Programme, funding was awarded in 2004 to eight small projects in communities across Scotland.
Age Concern Orkney
Roadshow will travel around the islands and parishes showcasing activities involving older people in Orkney, stimulating activity based on their skills, ideas and needs; individuals and groups will be given information to progress ideas. Contact Age Concern Orkney.
Edinburgh Chinese Elderly Support Association (ECESA)
This project aims to provide activity and encouragement to older Chinese pensioners to enhance good mental and physical health and self-esteem. Help will also be given on making the most of incomes and benefit entitlements so that they can become more financially independent, with the benefits to emotional wellbeing that this brings. Contact ECESA.
Cumbernauld Action for Care of the Elderly (CACE)
This project aims to engage older men in Kilsyth and surrounding villages in a programme of health education and recreational activities. The project will provide a weekly programme for a fixed period of time with the aim of forging social networks and increasing involvement in the local community. Contact CACE.
Pilmeny Development Project (PDP)
PDP aims to reduce isolation among older men (50) by encouraging them to have a more active social life and to be more engaged with their communities. The pilot will look at what opportunities and supports there are for isolated older men to become involved in activities that support mental health and wellbeing and work to increase awareness of them among service providers. Contact PDP.
Ageing Well Project in East Lothian
'Active For Life', East Lothian's Ageing Well Project, has a remit to promote physical activity amongst the over-50 population. A programme of arts activities will be delivered in the community using both tutors and trained volunteers. Contact Ageing Well East Lothian.
Shetland Welfare Trust
The project involves training a member of the team as a trainer who will then teach care staff aromatherapy massage techniques for use with elderly service users. Contact Shetland Welfare Trust.
Alzheimer Scotland, North Aberdeenshire Services
The project aims to increase self-esteem by providing activities to carers of those with dementia, by offering support, building friendships and giving access to respite from care.
Contact Alzheimer Scotland.
Phoenix Community Health Project
The project aims to carry out inter-generational work and provide opportunities for isolated older people to participate in locally organised programmes. Contact Phoenix Community Health Project.
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Real life stories of living with, recovering from and caring for people with mental illness.
Living with Bipolar Disorder (manic depression) Jemma tells it how it is. Updated weekly.
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Let there be light
Exposure to the full, broad-spectrum light found outdoors during the daytime helps us sleep better and wards off 'winter blues' and Seasonal Affective Disorder (which is less common but more severe).
Even just getting short periods of strong daylight every day can make all the difference, but this is a tall order for anyone working indoors during our dark Scottish winters.
Luckily, sitting in front of the right kind of electric light is just as effective. Ask at large pharmacies or medical suppliers about light therapy boxes. A proper light therapy box is needed, because the brightness required is far greater than that of normal indoor lighting and is a slightly different colour.
More top tips ...
