4 minute read
care in the community
care in the community The Dove Centre: keeps up vital support
Oban’s much-used Dove Centre is planning a positive future after COVID-19.
Advertisement
The centre in Stevenson Street had to shut its doors when the coronavirus crisis hit, but despite lockdown its workers are still supporting as many people – if not more – than before.
This week chairman of Oban Hospice Ltd David Entwistle sent a message to the community to let people know help is still available to those in need.
And with plans to set up a new befriending scheme later in the year, Mr Entwistle has appealed for people to help fi ll a funding shortfall.
‘Inevitably coronavirus has put somewhat of a stop to the eff orts of our hardworking fundraising arm The Friends of Oban Hospice but our work at the centre still continues. We’d encourage people, if they can, to give donations we rely on.
‘We are still supporting 55 to 60 people a week and our men’s and women’s groups now meet up on WhatsApp,’ he said.
The centre’s two workers Peter Darling and Lucy Hunt are keeping in contact with service users and others needing a chat or advice, and they have been helped by volunteers and therapists too.
‘The centre will reopen as soon as it is safe and following government advice, but it’s likely to be a gradual process which means the WhatsApp groups will probably have to continue for a while and it might be just one or two people coming into the centre with face masks, but it’s important we let people know, even those who have not come to us before, that we are here for them now,’ added Mr Entwistle.
He said fears about COVID-19 and anxiety over lockdown had ‘frightened’ a lot of people. ‘This virus does not respect age or condition, it’ll go for anyone and that has quite frightened a lot of people, adding to worries they might’ve already had. No one who would benefi t from the Dove Centre needs to go without our help at this diffi cult time,’ he said.
It costs about £75,000 a year to run the service, including salaries funded by the community’s generosity, it gets no money from the health or social service.
One of the most recent grants it secured was £10,000 from the Crerar Foundation to employ a lymphodema massage therapist.
Just before lockdown, the centre was due to meet with the Highland Hospice at Inverness to fi nd out more about its successful befriending service, which it plans to use as a model for its own later in 2020.
To contact the Dove Centre for help or to make a donation call Peter Darling on 07483 116185 or Lucy Hunt on 07592 633251.
The Dove Centre is still supporting 55-60 people a week online, on the phone and using WhatsApp.
Nikki’s Canine Sassoon
Nikki’s Canine Sassoon was set up in 2017 by City and Guilds qualified groomer, Nichola MacGillivray.
Having been born and brought up at her parents farm in Barcaldine, she has always been an animal lover. Along with having the natural ability to quickly read animal’s behaviours and put them at ease.
Nikki undertook her City and Guilds training at well known and respected training centre, Scotgroom. While being trained by award-winning dog groomer Agnes Murphy. She passed her City and Guilds diploma with merits and distinctions.
Having a real passion for grooming, Nikki is now working towards her ICMG (International Certified Master Groomer) qualification. This is a very highly regarded qualification in the dog grooming world, with only a few qualified in the UK.
Taking part in seminars is a regular occurrence for Nikki and ensures that her training and methods are up to date and correct.
Nikki is a member of the Groomers Spotlight which advocates for the dog grooming world to become regulated and training to become essential. It’s a great resource for owners to refer to when choosing a qualified groomer in their area.
You can rest assured that your dog will be in safe hands at Nikki’s Canine Sassoon. With lots of treatments on offer: • Specific breed grooms • Asian Fusion grooms • Handstripping • Wash and blow drys • Ultrasound teeth cleaning • Pawdicures • Blueberry facials • Nail clipping
Nikki is also very passionate about the general health and wellbeing of the dogs in her care. She facilitated canine health and wellbeing evenings, along with canine emergency first aid courses for owners. More of these courses will be rolled out very soon using webinars due to our current situation.
Having recently moved her business into town, Nikki is delighted to have seen a significant rise in her customer base. Her business is now based within Glengallan Industrial Estate which is an ideal central location.
