16 minute read
Well Being Moray Wellbeing Hub
CREATIVE STEPS FORWARD IN VOICE FOR THOSE ‘WIRED DIFFERENTLY’ IN MORAY.
Autism, dyslexia and ADHD are just some of the diagnosis labels included under a local Neurodiversity campaign over the last year. Hosted by Moray Wellbeing Hub CIC, the campaign aims to explore how we are all wired differently and the impact of the language we use around this on barriers such as stigma.
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“Everyone’s brain is different, but they are not all valued equally.” Campaign contributor.
Activities have been happening throughout lockdown, with online conversations taking over from in-person chats and a focus on creativity to support exploring identity for all ages. To complement their existing vibrant campaign animation (available for sharing on their website), Champions at Moray Wellbeing Hub have pushed the campaign further with three great opportunities this Spring. An artist led workshop, a campaign t-shirt and a walk in Cooper Park Elgin.
“Last summer we worked with a group of humans who identify as neurodiverse to come up with a list of words and phrases that express their individual identity, that which makes them uniquely them. This list is made of descriptive and subjective responses ranging from personal roles, character traits, things that give pleasure and how they view themselves.” Explains Moray artist Fiona Percy, who conceived and led the art projects within the campaign: “The words and phrases are open to interpretation with crossovers and similarities which hopefully spark connections between us.”
Interest in this work has been strong with 55 people completing an online survey to select their words from the long list. This has both honed the 132 original words to a shortlist of most popular choices and revealed individual ‘identity patterns’ for a new animated artwork.
Whilst creating her final animation, Fiona then worked on a way for people to ‘wear their identity’. She created a new t-shirt design and alongside this a workshop activity to decorate these based on the language survey results. On March 30th a group gathered online with
Moray’s 39 Eng Regt families partner with Moray Wellbeing Hub to keep connected through COVID challenges.
their new t-shirts, paints and a grid to create something special.
“The whole process in the build-up to this session created a sense of community and solidarity. It was really nice to reconnect with neurodiverse people who have been to previous events. For many reasons, neurodiversity is such a broad but intricate web of understanding, meaning, discussion, development and growth. It has been fascinating to explore all links to identity and selfidentity. It’s amazingly complex and ever changing no matter what age you are.”
8th of April then saw Champions gather in Cooper Park Elgin for their first in-person event for the campaign. COVID restrictions required this to be a health walk led by an NHS trained leader. However the social distancing, and heavy downpour, did not dampen their enthusiasm for discussing how best to promote diversity in a positive way and showing off their brand-new campaign t-shirts.
“It was a chance to chat, meet other neurodiverse people and supporters, share ideas on what we could do next in the campaign,” shares Heidi Tweedie, who leads the campaign at Moray Wellbeing Hub, “as a neurodiverse person myself, I really enjoyed meeting up in-person with others and feeling connected. It was a small event, but we plan to have more as walking takes the pressure off many of us when discussing potentially challenging topics.” professional gives you a label you are not neurodiverse. We also welcome those who have not experienced medical diagnosis but feel different and drawn to the term ‘neurodiversity’ to join in the conversation and campaign. We also need neurotypical people to join us as supporters and help make Moray a more inclusive place for all.”
To learn more about the campaign, order a “We are all wired differently” t-shirt or view the campaign animations visit: www.moraywellbeinghub.org.uk or search for them on Facebook.
The campaign is supported by funding from the Knowledge is Power programme, hosted by SCDC and Poverty Alliance, with additional support for creative activity from YOUCHOOSE4, local participatory funding administered by tsiMORAY.
Top on the discussion list was diagnosis and how this could be an opportunity for many people to be much more positive, focusing on strengths rather than what they can’t do. Heidi was quick Moray’s 39 Eng Regt families partner with to clarify the welcome is open for all, “We don’t want people thinking that unless a medical Moray Wellbeing Hub to keep connected through COVID challenges.Lifestyle MAG
www.moraywellbeinghub.org.uk
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram Email hello@moraywellbeinghub.org.uk Phone 01343 576219
01542 888457
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Glynis Ferguson is a Personal Trainer in Buckie, who like the rest of us, had to adapt during lockdown. Glynis successfully ran zoom classes like many others, which were a fantastic alternative in the beginning. Unfortunately class members started to lose some enthusiasm and motivation was lost as her clients became desperate to meet up in person once more.
As a certified women’s health and fitness coach Glynis knew March was Endometriosis Awareness month and thought it the perfect opportunity to offer a different challenge and regain that motivation.
Endometriosis affects 1.5 million women in the UK. It’s a long-term condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb forms in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, causing chronic pelvic pain and infertility.
Glynis gathered a group of 10 female clients to undertake the annual 1 in 10 challenge to raise awareness in support of the 1 in 10 with endometriosis and fight the stigma often associated with the condition. The team undertook 10 active challenges in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Endometriosis UK, enabling them to continue their work supporting those affected by endometriosis and to ensure that everyone is able to access the appropriate care, support and treatment they need.
Each of the ten ladies had to set their own individual challenge and then the whole team completed each challenge together in solidarity of each other.
Every challenge was completed while adhering to COVID social distancing rules at that time.
Our activities included:
• The CrossFit inspired ‘Betty’s WOD’; • 1,000 squats in a day; • The Bin Nevis Challenge – the worst one! (inspired by Lara’s desire to
scale Ben Nevis. So what do you do when you can’t make it to the mountain? You bring the mountain to you!
Ben Nevis summit: c. 1,345m; top of the Bin: c. 320m. (Four times up & down in a row, with the addition of a wee skirt round the lower trails should just about do it.) Unfortunately for us, it rained the whole day so we were soaked to the bone.
• Logie Burner: running up & down the 90 steps of the local hangout 10 times in a row. The fear was real.
• The ‘Cycling Jaunty: a bike ride from Buckie to Garmouth where the quines stopped for coffee & bacon butties before heading back to nurse sore bums.
• Kimmy’s Tyre Flippin: 1,000 flips of a 91kg tractor tyre – brutal.
• Fit Quines Trail: walked the Fish Wives Trail from Newmill to Buckie in homage to the fish wives of Buckie. The first activity we were able to complete as one group due to the relaxing in social distancing measures.
• 80’s Jane Fonda Style workout, complete with neons & side pony tails: but realized I was useless at instructing aerobics or fitness to music as I couldn’t remember the routine never mind the cues, therefore we opted for a Cher exercise video instead. Hilarious and tragic in equal measures.
• Marathon Roller Relay: 26 mile marathon completed in roller boots in a relay format.
Thankfully no casualties on the day.
• Finished with the Polar Plunge: a ‘dook’ at Strathleen beach. It was horrendous!
Following two beautiful days, the last day of the month ended up being cold, wet, wild and miserable. Never to be repeated.
Undertaking the challenge meant that not only were we able to raise awareness of Endometriosis but the team were motivated to increase their physical activity once more and raised funds for a worthy cause at the same time. Lifestyle MAG
We raised £2,540 plus £340 in gift aid. This money will help Endometriosis UK give much needed support and healthcare to those affected.
Why did Glynis Choose to support
Endometriosis UK? “I have a number of clients who are affected by various female health conditions including endo. When they first approached me individually, I barely knew anything about their conditions. Whereas women make up almost two-thirds of all personal training clients, health issues that relate specifically to them remain largely underserved by much of the fitness industry. “Beyond the usual guidance on resistance training and nutrition, topics critical to their health are rarely addressed. These can include: • Pregnancy • Menopause • Hormonal health • Menstrual cycle • Body image issues and disordered eating • Exercise related incontinence due to pelvic floor disorders “For this reason, I purposefully sought to fill the gap in my knowledge so that I could better connect with these women and coach them through their struggles. Now, I understand not only what these conditions are, but also how they may affect health and lives outside of the gym. I look to guide them so they have a better understanding of their conditions and how to manage appropriate exercise practices in respect of the same.”
• Joining their network of supporters, giving them a bigger voice for change and helping them extend their reach for their services and info.
• Help them be the leading provider of support and info on Endo in the UK.
The team members gave their reasons for being involved:
Member A:“I understand the difficulty involved with obtaining a diagnosis for endo. The charity provides excellent support and advice for those going through the diagnosis process and how to deal with the symptoms. I was motivated to help others understand the condition by raising awareness. The challenge provided much needed motivation during the lockdown and I really enjoyed the activities.” Member B: “I had never done anything like it before. I was never interested in exercise or fitness but wanted to challenge myself. I gained confidence in my own ability to overcome challenges I believed were out with my capabilities. I got a sense of achievement once the challenge was complete. I really had fun with the group – it was a laugh most of the time”. Member C: “I know people who have the condition and the hardships they have faced obtaining medical help and diagnosis. I believe it should be better funded and better understood. I really enjoyed completing the activities as part of a team – solidarity. I would have struggled if I had undertaken it as a solo project. “ Member D: “It got me out of the house and motivated during lockdown, something I had been lacking. I enjoyed all of the challenges and the sense of teamwork. It raised my awareness of the condition and the lack of support that’s available. It has made me want to continue to raise awareness and help the charity to continue to offer those with the condition the support and guidance they sorely need.“
Glynis Ferguson
07738 734501 - Buckie
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Digital date to raise a cuppa to Portsoy’s award-winning volunteers
The outstanding work carried out by volunteers in Portsoy was celebrated during an online gathering attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire.
Andrew Simpson joined Portsoy Community Enterprise volunteers at a ‘virtual fly cup’ where he raised a cuppa in their honour, for gaining the UK’s highest award given to local volunteer groups.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, regarded as the MBE for volunteer groups, was awarded to Portsoy Community Enterprise last year but coronavirus restrictions put paid to plans to hold a gathering for the presentation to take place.
Rather than delay matters further, the Lord Lieutenant was invited to join some of the group’s volunteers for an online afternoon tea on Tuesday, 30th March. Portsoy Salmon Bothy director Anne McArthur said that going online provided a safe and socially distanced solution when lockdown rules have prevented volunteers meeting up in the usual way, as well as a valuable way to keep connected.
Miss McArthur added: “In a normal year we have a social get together with our Bothy volunteers in March, but as we couldn’t meet in person, we planned a virtual fly cup instead. “Everyone taking part received a selection of home bakes delivered to their door” “By reaching out to our volunteers in this way, we want to maintain connections and rebuild confidence after a year of coronavirus restrictions that have impacted on us all. It was great to be joined by The Lord Lieutenant to mark the achievement of receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Portsoy Community Enterprise last year became the first recipients of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in the historic county of Banffshire, for its work in promoting the area’s maritime and rural heritage to achieve social and economic regeneration. David Urquhart, chairman of Portsoy Community Enterprise said: “This is an honour that recognises volunteers at every level of our organisation and it is through the collective effort of all involved that we have gained this accolade.” The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises outstanding work by volunteers in their own communities.
Any group doing volunteer work that provides a social, economic or environmental service to the local community can be nominated for the award. Each group is assessed on the benefit it brings to the local community and its standing within that community.
Ahead of the virtual afternoon tea, Mr Simpson paid a visit to Portsoy to hand over the glass trophy and framed certificate to Mr Urquhart and Miss McArthur.
Mr Simpson encouraged other groups to follow in the footsteps of Portsoy Community Enterprise by putting themselves forward for the next round of award applications.
Mr Simpson said: “As the representative of Her Majesty The Queen, I am delighted to be able to present the award to the Portsoy Community Enterprise. Its hard work, imagination and long-term commitment, combined with practical skills and knowledge has resulted in many benefits. It has brought together the local community by encouraging volunteering, promoting the area and celebrating their heritage. “Portsoy Community Enterprise is truly an exceptional group and is to be congratulated on its many successes. It also stands as an example to others as to what can be achieved by volunteering. It is the first group in historic Banffshire to receive the QAVS. “However, nominations for the 2022 awards open in April. I would encourage other groups to celebrate their achievements by putting themselves forward for this outstanding award.” Portsoy Community Enterprise operates Portsoy Links Caravan Park, The Sail Loft Bunkhouse, The Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, The Salmon Bothy and The Boatshed for the benefit of the local community. This in turn provides economic benefit from tourism for Portsoy and the surrounding area while upholding the heritage and cultures of the north east of Scotland.
While Covid 19 has impacted on all areas of its operations, the board of directors remain committed to offering the local community and visitors to Portsoy opportunities to take part in authentic cultural experiences and are continuing to work collaboratively to provide economic benefit through tourism for the town of Portsoy and surrounding area.
More information about PCE and the community-owned enterprise can be found at
