Dartford Giving

By Kate Hargreaves

This month’s Dartford Giving isn’t what I’d first envisaged for a December volunteering article. Normally, there are lots of ways to help the vulnerable at Christmas. Normally, there are homeless shelters where you can volunteer in a wide variety of roles from chef to manicurist to sports co-ordinator. Normally, you can fill a shoe box with presents to help those in refuges, in homeless centres, in care homes. Normally, there are campaigns that need volunteers to collect winter coats to help keep the homeless a little bit warmer. But 2020 isn’t normal. So instead we can turn our attention a bit closer to home; after all, they do say that charity begins at home… You can reach out to those close to you, and maybe even those a little bit further away too. Some suggestions for how you might like to do this are outlined below.

Having meaningful conversations with friends and family How are you doing? How are you really doing? Asking people this simple question twice can get an entirely different response. Sometimes people closest to us may be facing challenges that we’re not even aware of, especially this year and over these cold, dark winter months. Letting someone know that you are there for them, to have a proper conversation, can really help. Given the rules in the recent second lockdown, it is likely that we will maintain the freedom to go for a walk outside with one person from another household, and this is such a great way of encouraging people to talk. Sitting across a table from someone with a cup of tea can inadvertently be quite intimidating if there are difficult topics to address, but going outside for a walk in the fresh air, potentially with some nice scenery and with some endorphins flowing from the gentle exercise can be the perfect way to have more in-depth conversations. Mental health-focussed peer support groups such as Mental Health Mates and Walk Talk Walk are founded on this principle. Sending Christmas cards If you’ve got out of the habit of sending cards, this might be the year to get back into it. Writing a bit more than the obligatory sentiments might boost your own mood and the recipient’s, as well as giving you a chance to update them on any new hobbies you’ve taken up in the year of the lockdown (and yes this includes talking about your addiction to The Crown or The Undoing). If you start writing and just don’t want to stop, why not write a couple of extra cards to an unknown recipient and post them to a local care home, asking the staff to give them to a resident who does not have many visitors? Similarly, I’m sure the hard-working NHS staff at Darent Valley Hospital or your local GP office won’t be averse to receiving some well wishes showing your support and gratitude. Happy New Year If you’d like to chat about any of the above, or are feeling a bit lonely at the moment and would like to have meaningful conversation, feel free to email me at kate@ dartfordliving.com. Dartford Giving will return in the New Year with more ways that you can volunteer in the local community. Until then, stay safe and stay connected.

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kElly coppola is sEt to sharE hEr slimming sEcrEts KELLY COPPOLA IS SET TO SHARE HER SLIMMING SECRETS

A slimmer who transformed her life by losing 2 stone is using her success to shape a whole new career helping other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams too. Kelly Coppola joined her local Slimming World group in Hextable 18 months ago and has lost 2 stone.

Now she has trained as a Consultant for Slimming World, the UK’s largest group-based weight loss organisation at their national training academy in Derbyshire. Members at the group are getting ready to welcome Kelly as their new Consultant when she takes over the group on November 18th.

Kelly says: “Obesity is becoming such a huge issue across the UK. When I first joined Slimming World as a member, I never dreamed that I would end up helping other people to lose weight but now I just can’t wait to get started. After losing 2 stone and completing my training, it’s a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, insight and understanding that helped me, so that I can give my members the support they need to get to target.

“Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone. I couldn’t have lost 2 stone without the weekly help, encouragement and understanding of my own Consultant and group. I remember feeling nervous and embarrassed when I walked through the door for the first time.I hesitated but then pushed the door open to hear chatter,laughter and recieved a lovely welcoming smile from my consultant.It was such a lovely atmosphere.Phew,I did it and have never looked back. Slimming World has helped me believe in myself and I want to pass this feeling on.Group to me is like an ever growing family,always there for each other,encouraging everyone on their journey to their dream weight.

Before joining Slimming World I would panic diet especially if there was an event or an occasion coming up.I’d tried faddy diets and slimming tablets and the hunger was overwhelming. Thinking about what to wear to cover my wobbly bits was always a drama too, the “jean wiggle dance” was always a fascination to my daughter. Now I can put anything on without a second thought.Having the confidence to wear fitted tops and skinny jeans instead of floaty tops and elasticated trousers is such an amazing feeling. I thought I was destined to struggle with my weight for the rest of my life but when I came to Slimming World it was different. I never felt like I was on a diet. The eating plan encourages you to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes and lean meat and fish, you are never hungry and no foods are banned so there’s no deprivation. I couldn’t believe I’d found a way to lose weight without starving myself. Shopping,cooking and eating are such an enjoyable experience now and my confidence in the kitchen has grown. In fact,the whole family enjoy healthier food and we all enjoy gorgeous curries,burgers and desserts.

“Slimming World isn’t just about changing what you eat. Becoming more active is important too. Our Body Magic programme takes the worry out of activity by showing people, many of whom have unpleasant memories of being forced to take part in activity at school, how they can build activity into their daily routine without having to take up traditional forms of exercise like going to the gym or running. Everything counts from walking to gardening to washing the car. I love cycling with my daughter and have taken part in her cycling team club rides to get my Body Magic! It has been incredibly special to enjoy a sporting activity together. As a Consultant it’s my role to create that warm, supportive atmosphere to get people sharing their ideas and experiences to help others - it’s going to be great fun!” Slimming World has changed my life,my confidence has grown so much. No more jean wiggle,no more avoiding normal everyday foods,no more tedious diets and no more hunger! I can’t wait to pass this feeling on.

Kelly’s Slimming World group will be held at The Howard Venue,Hextable every Wednesday afternoon and evening and Thursday mornings from Wednesday November 18th and Thursday November 19th For more information or to join Kelly’s groups call her on 07904 759587.

Or: For more information visit www.slimmingworld. co.uk or call 0344 897 8000.

CHRISTMAS GINGERBREAD BISCUITS

By Debbie Dickinson

These are a great, easy treat to make with the kids for Christmas! They are also delicious and make fantastic decorations for your Christmas tree and festive display. As always, you can adjust the amount of spice you add or experiment with other flavours in the recipe.

You will need: 125g block butter 150g dark brown sugar 100g golden syrup 400g plain flour 1 egg 1tsp bicarbonate of soda 3tsp ground ginger 1tsp mixed spice Boiled sweets (optional) Icing Sugar Lemon juice (optional) A variety of Christmas cookie cutters

What to do: Crush the boiled sweets, if using, into small pieces. The easiest way is to pop them in a food bag and hit firmly with a rolling pin. Be sure to do this away from anything you could break/damage. Melt the butter, sugar and golden syrup gently in a pan until the sugar has dissolved. Measure the dry ingredients into a large bowl and mix in the egg. Add the butter/sugar mix into the dry ingredients and mix until all the flour has been combined and you have a nice smooth dough. Pop the dough in the fridge to chill for at least an hour. Roll dough out to a nice even thickness of about 5mm. Cut shapes out using your festive cutters. If you’re feeling more adventurous try printing templates out and cutting around them! If you’d like to hang them on your tree, cut a circle out at the top of your shape to tie ribbon through later. Use smaller cutters to cut shapes from the centre of your cookies and completely fill the gaps with the boiled sweet pieces. When you bake in the oven, these will melt into a fabulous window effect! Pop the shapes back in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. Bake in a preheated oven at 180° C for about 10 minutes. Allow to cool fully. Meanwhile make the icing by adding lemon juice or water to icing sugar very slowly until you get a smooth, useable mix. If you want, you could make different colours using food colouring. You can either spoon the icing onto your decorations or pop into a piping bag and pipe your decoration. Embellish with edible sprinkles and decorations. Tie ribbon through the hole to hang your decorations from your tree.

MAKING FRIENDS WITH YOURSELF

By Clair Yates

As I write this, we don’t know what December will look like, but it seems as though at least some of the restrictions will still be in place as we move into the Christmas period and the year comes towards a close. As well as the benefits of the physical practice, the teachings of yoga can help us with the uncertainty and isolation of lockdown. I've been reflecting with my yoga students to work out which practices will be most useful this winter to support our physical and mental wellbeing and to help us to feel more connected even when we are physically apart.

Together we have come up with these strategies to bolster us, so we can be more present and engaged whatever the end of this year brings.

Yoga encourages us to connect with nature and with the seasons.

Time outside can help us to notice seasonal changes to our natural environment and though we might not have as many reasons to go outside this winter, making an effort to take at least small amounts of time outside in daylight each day can make a huge difference to our mood and the quality of our sleep. A short walk around my block each morning takes just 7 minutes, clears my head and boosts my energy.

A simple gratitude practice helps us get things in perspective.

This short nightly practice I use with my partner to lift our spirits just before bed, helps us to sleep more easily. We ask each other what are your 3 things today? And we both come up with 3 things we are grateful for in relation to the day that has just passed. It takes just a few minutes and really changes our mood at that key moment just before bed. The act of verbalizing or writing the 3 things down, has been shown to increase the effect on our nervous system of this simple gratitude practice. You can say the 3 things out loud to yourself or your pet, there doesn’t have to be anyone there apart from yourself to hear you say the things you are grateful for. Or you could write the 3 things down - both writing and verbalizing have been shown to magnify feelings of wellbeing.

Supporting causes and charities reminds us that we are part of a larger community of caring humans who want to help to make a difference. If you don’t already, I encourage you to find a cause/local group/ charity that you can support in some way this winter.

Meditating on those you can’t be with is a practice that one of my students shared with me that I have found really helpful. Whilst sitting quietly, bring to mind images of each person you are missing, one by one. This has helped me to feel connected in my heart to those I can’t be with right now to help me focus on the love rather than the missing. May we all feel connected as the year

ends. Take care of yourself, Clair.

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TRAVEL INSPIRATION:

LAPLAND

By Harden Holidays Lapland in winter is a magical experience, a scenic winter wonderland located deep inside the Arctic Circle and blanketed in snow from December to May. Imagine lying in a thermal glass igloo as the Northern Lights dance across a star-studded night sky,or mushing a husky-drawn sleigh across a frozen lake or along silent forest trails. This remote and untamed snowy wilderness rewards exploration via countless activities but you can be as active or relaxed as you want. The 3 main resorts are all located well north of the Arctic Circle at the optimum latitude for seeing the Northern Lights are: Levi, Ylläs and Saariselkä. Each has a distinctly different character but all three are in stunningly beautiful wilderness areas.

Ylläs combines all the ingredients necessary for a perfect Lapland experience. Guests return year after year to enjoy its stunning unspoiled natural scenery, Finland’s longest ski slopes, and an excellent network of cross-country trails.

Levi is the most popular Lapland resort with good reason. In recent years its infrastructure has been developed to an enviably high standard with an impressive range of accommodation and a wide choice of excellent restaurants and cosy bars. Saariselkä is located in the wild mystical north of Lapland, close to Russia and just a few hours from the Arctic Ocean, an exceptionally friendly uncommercialised resort with a unique frontier atmosphere and magnificent cross-country skiing.

Flights from London to Lapland are around three and a half hours long. Also known as Santa’s homeland this country has more reindeer than people! Lapland pulls out all the stops over the festive period, so there’s nowhere better to get into the Christmas spirit. There are lots of wonderful ways to celebrate Christmas, but nothing beats a magical trip with your family to meet Santa and his cheeky elves in his Lapland home. Storytelling around crackling fires and meet-and-greets with Santa himself are all on the agenda, whether you’re visiting for

the day or staying a bit longer. We have access to a fantastic array of suppliers to suit all budgets and needs – please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Example Glass Igloo and Snow Hotel itinerary – from £975pp inclusive of flights:

Day 1 » SnowHotel Flying out to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland, you’ll be transferred the short distance north to the Arctic SnowHotel where you’ll check in to your first night’s accommodation – the stunning SnowHotel. Here, you’ll sleep on a transparent bed of ice under delicately hewn ceilings, raised into intricate frescoes. Carefully chosen lighting sets it all aglow. Although temperatures range between zero and minus five degrees, you’ll be kept warm with an Arctic sleeping bag and even receive a certificate for your troubles. Before you settle in for the night, an included tour will introduce you to the SnowHotel’s unique construction. Perhaps you’ll enjoy dinner at Kota Restaurant for Lappish delicacies served around the roaring fire of a traditional hut; don’t miss out on the indulgent desserts or reindeer steak, served in a red wine sauce. Perhaps cap it all off with a visit to the Ice Bar for drinks served in frozen glasses. Day 2 » Glass Igloo Following a hearty breakfast, you’ll swap over to your glass-igloo home for a two-night stay. And what nights they’ll be, with the chance to watch the Northern Lights play out right above your head, framed by your igloo’s thermally heated domed glass. There’s even an aurora alarm service that can be turned on for those not wanting to miss out on any midnight colours. The rest of the day is left free for optional excursions, with such winter classics as husky sledding, ice fishing and snowmobiling making the most of your spectacular Arctic location. There’s even the chance to ride a new electric snowmobile – emission-free ‘eSleds’, which are the first of their kind in the Nordics. Day 3 » Glass Igloo Your final day is again left free for optional adventures. Perhaps spend the morning on an snow-sculpting course to gain a unique insight into craftsmanship that goes into creating the ice hotel’s ephemeral beauty. Or perhaps choose between a traditional Finnish sauna or Snow Sauna, where icy walls provide a wonderfully invigorating contrast to the hot stream. There’s also the chance to explore Rovaniemi itself, heading into the town centre with free return transfers. In the evening, maybe you’ll take your final dinner in the hotel’s spectrally lit Ice Restaurant, where dishes such as roasted elk and braised fish are sure to keep you warm. Day 4 » Depart for UK After breakfast on your last day, you’ll be transferred back to Rovaniemi for your flight home.

Example 4-day Santa’s Lapland itinerary – from £1,099 per adult inclusive of flights:

Day 1 » Welcome Fly across the Arctic Circle and be greeted at Ivalo Airport by my reindeer and friends. Then it’s time to pick up your thermal suits and try tobogganing in the snow in preparation for the fun times ahead. Day 2 » Adventure Day This extra day on the 4-day break will normally be your second day giving you the chance to let the excitement build and get involved in your choice of fantastic optional adventures. Day 3 » Search for Santa A host of activities for you to enjoy, including: A Private Meeting with Santa Claus; Reindeer Sleigh Ride; Husky Sleigh Ride; Igloo Fantasia; The Reindeer Centre; Ice fishing; Snow Hockey; Kick-Sledding; Tandem Skiing; Mini Skidoo Rides; Tobogganing Enjoy the gala dinner while you re-live every unforgettable moment of your wonderful Christmas adventure! Day 3 » Grand Finale Time to relax and explore the souvenir shops in the village for toys and Christmas gifts before travelling back to the airport. Take this opportunity to experience another big adventure from a range of optional adventures. From our family to yours we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happier New Year!

Call - 0800 023 8974 E-mail - tim@hardenholidays.co.uk Website: www.hardenholidays.co.uk Visit us at: Unit 1B Henley House, Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1AS (Opposite Prospect Place & Costa, next to Subway)