AAW Issue 4 - Spring 2006

back to index

Stressbuster

Looking for a new way to beat the stress? We sent our reporter to investigate the clash of two local pool teams to taste the excitement and tension as well as some free sandwiches.

The competition was between Arun Care (Littlehampton) and The Old School House (Shoreham) which ended Arun Care 6 : The Old School House (TOSH) 3

On the table pleasantries were exchanged after the rather lush tea provided. All present, slowly gathered around the pool table. The enthusiasm spiralled from the start. Some very close and nail biting games later, it was 5 games to Arun and 2 games to TOSH, sadly for the hosts the best players fell one by one. Though the match was lost, the last two games were doubles and fought just as hard and saw some jaw dropping potting from Simon (a volunteer at TOSH). These games ended 1 each.

On the subject of pleasant things, a big shout to Kevin and Frances who got married on September 17 2005 and hail from Littlehampton… we wish them all the best with heart felt congratulations. Do you have your own stressbusting sports and activities? Send us your ideas.

back to index

Nature notes

As the dark days of winter gradually recede, the strength is returning to the sunshine, the earth warms and the natural world starts to awaken again. Here are a few things to look out for when out and about in your local area.

• The woodland plants are emerging. In the wild they are kept warm in layers of leaf mould under the trees, and flower early before the new leaves on the trees block out the sunlight. Snowdrops are first to appear, then later the daffodils. Very few wild daffodils can be found these days, but naturalised garden bulbs in roadside banks are a welcome sight for us, as well as an early source of nectar for insects. The primrose appears early, as its name suggests, ‘prima rosa’, the first rose. Another early flower is the lesser celandine, which resembles the buttercup. Early spring flowers tend to be yellow or white, as they are pollinated by night-flying moths, rather than the butterflies which are attracted to the blue , pink, purple and red flowers of summer.
  
• Only a few birds sing through the winter, but in the springtime the male birds burst into song. They sing to mark out their territories as well as to advertise themselves to potential mates. The glorious dawn chorus can be heard if you are awake early enough. Migrant birds arrive during the spring to take advantage of the longer hours of daylight. The sound of the chiff chaff is unmistakable; it sings the sound of its name. In late spring the distinctive call of the cuckoo, another seasonal visitor, can be heard in woodlands.
  
• The hedgerow trees and shrubs are flowering. The hazel, which is wind-pollinated, produces its catkins early, before the bees are flying. The pussy willow flowers in time for the first queen bumblebees emerging. Later the blackthorn flowers appear, which are creamy white, then the hawthorn, or the May Tree. The hawthorn used to flower around May Day and was central to the ancient customs of the coming of summer. Nowadays it flowers nearer the middle of May, owing the change of the calendar in the middle ages. You can tell the blackthorn flower from the mayflower because the blackthorn flowers on the bare stems before the leaves emerge.
  
• Birds start their courtship displays and begin to pair off ready for mating. Nest-building activity takes place. You may see birds gathering twigs and flying off with them, or hear noisy rooks in the tree-tops fighting over nesting materials. Soon the caterpillars emerge to eat the fresh new leaves on the trees, and they in turn provide food for the young of birds such as tits and robins.

Soon all the trees are in leaf, there is real warmth in the sunlight, the wild flowers are out and the countryside is alive with birdsong. Summer is here, and life is good.

back to index

Valentine's day origins

Every year, around one billion cards are sent on Valentine's day. Only Christmas generates more post, with around 2.6 billion cards sent. Vast amounts of chocolates are given to loved ones, and florists experience their busiest time of year, with roses sold at premium prices. But why does all this commercial frenzy occur every year, so soon after Christmas and New Year? Surprisingly, the festival has origins going back to the days of ancient Rome.

According to legend, Valentine was a priest who performed secret weddings for young men who were forbidden from marrying because the Emperor Claudius II decreed that soldiers should stay single as married men did not make good warriors. Valentine ended up being executed as a result of his disobedience, but while in prison he is said to have fallen in love with his jailer's daughter and sent her a love letter signed from yourValentine.

The timing of Valentine's Day feast may have a Roman origin as well, as it may represent a Christian version of the feast of Lupercalia, a pagan fertility festival involving animal sacrifice when young people were paired up when their names were chosen by being drawn from an urn. This took place in February, the beginning of Spring, when homes were ritually cleansed and the god of agriculture honoured. Pope Galasius declared the lottery system unchristian and outlawed it, and the date of Valentine's Day was set as 14 February. In the middle ages this was believed to be the time when birds started their mating season. The first modern Valentine's cards date back to the Victorian era, but
Valentine's cards and messages were being sent in the hand written
form since medieval times and earlier. So when you send a card to
the one you secretly admire, or when you present your partner with
chocolates and roses this year, remember you are participating in a
festival that goes back centuries.

back to index

Valentine's love heart biscuits

This romantic recipe is easy to make and a perfect gift for a loved one or special friend at this time of year! The recipe makes 12 hearts, depending on size.

200g butter (room temp.)
100g caster sugar
Vanilla extract
300g plain flour, sifted.

• Mix together the butter, caster sugar and vanilla extract with a wooden spoon in a bowl. Sift in the flour, with a little salt, and mix together.
• Once it reaches a good doughy consistency, use your hands to knead it. Roll the mixture out onto a generously floured board or surface.
• Use your template to hand cut the hearts and then transfer them to a greased baking sheet.
• Bake them in a pre-heated oven (180c) for 15 minutes until they look a light, shortcake colour.
• Transfer them to a wire rack so they can cool.

Handy hint. Drizzle melted chocolate over them, or try writing a romantic message on each one. Place in a jar once they have set and tie a bow round the neck of the jar for the perfect finishing touch!

back to index

Working with animals

Caring for our pets can sometimes be a challenge and sometimes rewarding, but what would it be like to spend our working lives looking after other people's animals?

I spoke to Dan, a student at Brinsbury College in Pulborough, who is doing a year-long course in animal care. I started by asking him how long he had been interested in animals. From an early age we had pets in the family. I’ve wanted to work with animals since I was a youngster. Dan would ideally like to work in a zoo, or in kennels, feeding the dogs and walking them. The pay is not good, but if I enjoy the work, I don't mind.

A typical day may involve learning about animal behaviour and how to spot signs of disease, as well as all about feeding. “We learn about a different animal every two weeks. We do practical work and health sheets and essays”. There are four people on Dan's course, but sometimes they join students from other courses where subjects overlap. The only aspect Dan is not so keen on is working with the farm animals. On Thursdays we spend all day at the farm, milking and mucking out and changing the horses bedding. Dan's main interest is in domestic animals, and he would like to have his own puppy when he has a place with enough room.

Before starting his college course, Dan attended two work placements arranged by Pathways to Work, first in a veterinary surgery for three months, followed by six months in a pet shop. He also studied at Northbrook College, achieving City and Guilds qualifications in Basic Skills and Skills for Working Life, which helped him to get onto the Animal Care course.

Before all this Dan started with voluntary work at Glebelands, a local day centre. I took the tea trolley round, I enjoyed it as it gave me a routine”. Now he is looking ahead to June next year when he completes his course and plans to look for paid work. “I've got a good reference and a good CV, he says, looking forward to a new career, where all his hard work will be rewarded.

back to index

Who cares for carers?

It is now thought that there could be millions of carers in this country. Carers’ work can range from tasks which we tend to dismiss, such as helping with shopping, to physical support of disability and illness. It is becoming increasingly acknowledged just how much support is provided through informal carers and that we need to consider the needs of carers as well.

Caring for someone can take its toll on a carer, particularly where there is severe disability or emotional or behavioural problems. Carers can feel torn between feelings of guilt for talking about how hard and tiring their role has become, and feeling resentful, sometimes feeling taken for granted or ignored. Anyone would want to care for their loved ones if it becomes necessary, but doing so on a daily basis can be physically and
mentally exhausting, particularly if they feel they have no support. If these feelings build up it can lead to resentment for the person being cared for which leads to increased feelings of guilt.

So what can be done to help carers? Emotional support as well as financial and practical advice can make the world of difference to carers. There are now carers groups in most areas which can offer support and advice, or just an understanding person to express concerns and difficulties to. Doctors and social workers making time for carers and making them feel included can be a small thing which makes a big
difference. Similarly, appropriate advice regarding financial assistance in the form of welfare benefits can help to relieve an additional burden.So if you are caring for someone, remember you are a much valued person and there is support, both practical and emotional, in your local area.

back to index

We welcome your views and comments on the articles in this newsletter and look forward to dialogue with readers over future issues.

: Health, Wellbeing and Lifestyle is an independent, user-led publication, produced quarterly, and aims to reflect interesting views of society health and well-being, and to raise the profile of mental health issues and the profile of The Corner House Resource Centre which produces this publication. Whilst we aim only to publish articles that do not upset, discriminate or violate in any way other people, we hold the right to change submitted articles slightly to achieve this, and views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Shoreham and District Mental Health Association (SDMHA), the Trustee Board of The Corner House Day Centre nor the Editorial Team. We do not undertake any responsibility for contributions and any products or advertisements mentioned do not imply endorsement by SDMHA.

If you need the newsletter in an alternative format, contact:

SDMHA (AAW Newsletter)
The Corner House
45 Southwick Street
Southwick
West Sussex
BN42 4TH

Phone: 01273 871575

THE EDITORIAL TEAM:

Service Users: Simon Boulton, Sally McNally, Wayne Beale
Vocational Worker: Julie Bose / Chair of SDMHA: Denise Carroll

back to index