19 minute read
FOSTER PARENTS
cOULD yOU Be a fOSTer ParenT?
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We may be in lockdown, but life isn’t. Th at is why the National Fostering Agency is actively looking to recruit more foster parents.
‘Th ere is always a need for foster parents,’ said Pam Goodfellow from the agency, ‘and we are always looking to talk to people about what fostering can off er them and they can off er a foster child.’
Fostering provides a full-time, safe and nurturing family environment for children and young people in need. Foster parents must be over 21 and have the necessary bedroom space to accommodate the children.
You might care for a child for two or three days through to months or years. Each fostering arrangement is tailored to the child’s unique circumstances and your own.
And just as there is no stereotypical foster child there is not one type of foster parent.
A broad range of carers provides more choice for
‘If fostering is for you, you will fi nd it the most magical and rewarding career you can ever have. ‘Helping a child grow up within a safe and nurturing environment is one of the most enriching and rewarding decisions you will ever make. ‘And we are here each step of the way for you and the children.’
- Pam Goodfellow, National Fostering Agency
the equally diverse range of children and young people.
Th e agency welcomes applications from people of all ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, physical abilities and the LGBTQ+ community. You can be single, married, a homeowner or a tenant - what matters is your ability to care and nurture.
Th e agency is there all the way with a reassuring selection process and excellent training.
Once you foster you will have a dedicated social worker and a ‘foster buddy’ a more experienced foster parent you are paired with for friendly support.
‘We are one of the UK’s most experienced agencies and we’ll support you every step of the way – starting with your application to become a carer,’ said Pam.
Your fostering allowance is the amount paid for the care of a child and covers food, clothing, travel, activities, savings and anything else your foster children may need. It includes enough to help with your own living expenses.
National Fostering Group pays a far greater allowance than the minimum amount set by the UK government.
‘We don’t want you to struggle fi nancially and you should always be able to give your foster child what they need,’ said Pam who is ready and waiting to discuss fostering with you.
Foster parents who can look after sibling groups are especially needed right now. If you could help keep brothers and sisters together you would be playing a vital role in fostering today.
keep Active the Right way with parkinson’s Disease.
Living with Parkinson’s Disease is tough at the best of times. And, lets face it, with COVID-19, now is defi nitely NOT the best of times or the easiest to Keep Active.
To try and help you live a more Active and Independent life with Parkinson’s I wanted to share the basics of How to Keep Active Th e Right Way with PD.
Th e principles for these exercises are – Power, Eff ort and Amplitude.
For many people PD is a bit like driving your car with the handbrake stuck on. So, to overcome the ‘handbrake’ any movement you are going to do needs to be :- Full of Power – to help increase the strength of the movement you produce High in Eff ort – to make sure you are getting the most eff ective movement possible Large Amplitude – Make it way bigger than you think you need to.
An example of this would be walking – many people with PD try to speed up your walking by
www.simpsonphysio.co.uk
Home visit serviCe
trying to take ‘quicker’ or ‘faster’ steps. What typically happens, is that you get many more of your normal small steps, but very little increase in speed.
So, instead of thinking ‘I need to speed up’, I want you to concentrate on taking LARGE/BIG, Eff ortful and Powerful steps.
Done properly you will see a really good improvement in the size of your stride and in the speed you can walk at. Th is is just one example of how being able to exercises the right way can help you live a more independent and active life with PD
One of my clients, who has been diagnosed with PD, has very kindly done a video to speak a bit about how we are helping him live better with PD. To see the video please go to www.simpsonphysio.co.uk and go to the Parkinson’s Disease Physio page.
To fi nd out more about how we can help you, please go to www.simpsonphysio.co.uk or email us at enquiries@simpsonphysio.co.uk
I look forward to hearing from you.
fraser simPson
Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist
Call noW to book:
07988 015190
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a Garden iS Great medicine
Whilst the lockdown and shielding remain in place, your garden is one of the safest and most relaxing places to be says Kieran Gallagher of Cardwell Garden Centre
The world has become a very diff erent place in a very short space of time. I have always tried to keep in mind the fragility of everyday life and how it can radically change overnight, but the way that this awful virus has swept through the world has been staggering.
I off er my sincere sympathies to anyone who has suff ered through this terrible time and my continued support for our amazing NHS and all the emergency and front line workers. I say continued support as we must never forget the continued support as we must never forget the sacrifi ces and eff orts made on our behalf, especially sacrifi ces and eff orts made on our behalf, especially once this pandemic is over. once this pandemic is over.
Much has been written elsewhere by people far Much has been written elsewhere by people far more qualifi ed on the topic than I am, so from more qualifi ed on the topic than I am, so from here on we are all about gardening and here on we are all about gardening and lifestyle.
Like many things in life that we Like many things in life that we see frequently, I take my garden see frequently, I take my garden for granted. I’ve always had for granted. I’ve always had one. Even when I stayed in a one. Even when I stayed in a fl at we had a shared garden. fl at we had a shared garden. It was mostly grass and it It was mostly grass and it bordered a busy main road, bordered a busy main road, but it was ours. but it was ours.
It was our own little It was our own little green space where, green space where, if we wanted, we if we wanted, we could sit and could sit and unwind. Th at unwind. Th at concept has never been concept has never been more important. more important.
Th e lockdown period Th e lockdown period we’ve all endured has been we’ve all endured has been diffi cult for everyone, but diffi cult for everyone, but for those in the category for those in the category who have had to shield, it who have had to shield, it has been a particularly onerous and has been a particularly onerous and often lonely time. Th e absence of visits from often lonely time. Th e absence of visits from
children, grandchildren and friends has not made it any easier.
Th eir gardens, if they are lucky enough to have access to one, may have been the only time they’ve been outside at all.
Th e trading restrictions on garden centres eased in May when we were encouraged by the Scottish government to off er contact free home delivery to our customers. Th e government recognised that by allowing businesses like Cardwell to sell to our customers it enabled them to actually spend more customers it enabled them to actually spend more time at home and in the garden. time at home and in the garden.
Th e other benefi cial factor to being able to garden is to do with your mental health.
Simply being outdoors and breathing fresh air is therapeutic and to have the serenity of your own private space can be a very relaxing experience. private space can be a very relaxing experience. Th at is especially true with the superb run of Th at is especially true with the superb run of weather we have had. weather we have had.
Whilst Cardwell endorses the government Whilst Cardwell endorses the government message to stay at home, we have been allowed to message to stay at home, we have been allowed to open the garden centre to anyone who wishes to open the garden centre to anyone who wishes to visit. Regular visitors will see some changes visit. Regular visitors will see some changes from the normal way of things. from the normal way of things. Only 85 customers are Only 85 customers are allowed in Cardwell at any allowed in Cardwell at any time. Compare this with time. Compare this with a normal busy day where a normal busy day where we could have 10 times that we could have 10 times that number, Cardwell is a relatively number, Cardwell is a relatively quiet place to be. quiet place to be. A one-way system is in A one-way system is in operation, hand sanitisers are operation, hand sanitisers are placed throughout the store placed throughout the store and screens are in place at all and screens are in place at all checkouts. checkouts. Not everyone will be able to visit Not everyone will be able to visit Cardwell, or want to right now, but if Cardwell, or want to right now, but if you do we can promise we have made you do we can promise we have made it as safe and relaxing as we possibly it as safe and relaxing as we possibly can. can. For those who do not want to visit For those who do not want to visit or are still shielding, we are operating an or are still shielding, we are operating an online store with home delivery and click online store with home delivery and click and collect. and collect.
Stock of most things is quite good and supply chains are slowly coming back to life.
Summer bedding plants are hard to come by, due to the growers halting their operations in March, but we have been able to keep a reasonable level available. We always have something colourful available to buy and that won’t change.
I would like to off er my special thanks to everyone who has been a customer of ours recently. Due to your unbelievable support we now have some security for our business and, as of June 1, we have been able to return 12 of our team to the payroll and off the furlough scheme.
On behalf of everyone at Cardwell, thank you.
Keep an eye on our website and social media where we will post any updates and changes as the situation develops.
Whilst the lockdown and shielding remains in place, your garden is one of the safest and most relaxing places to be and that means that this year above any other it is a place to savour and enjoy.
If you are unable to get any gardening supplies or plants, then spend your time with what you already have. Th ere is always a little tinkering to be done, some weeding or tidying up, cutting the grass and watering during the hot periods.
Hopefully by the time you read this column, or by the time the next issue of this magazine is published, we will have more of the restrictions eased and life can be a little more enjoyable. Until that time please follow the Scottish Government’s advice and stay safe.
Take care, everyone.
The resilienT home
With Covid 19 and all the lockdown, furloughs, redundancies, isolating, schooling and working at home this entails resilience is out secret weapon. When we celebrated Hogmanay not one of us had any idea of what 2020 had in store. And now, after experiencing lockdown, and slowly opening up daily life again, we all know far much more about ourselves and how we can cope in a stressful situation.
housekeeping
Housekeeping sounds such an old-fashioned notion but how you ‘keep your house’ is the key to success. Do it well and you instantly remove a huge area of stress when you have to face a challenge.
Resilient housekeeping: • Declutters and frees up more storage for supplies be they food, stationery and books for children’s lessons and workspace for adults. Kitchen cupboards, fridge and freezer need the same treatment. • Knows WHAT is in the house and WHERE it is. This prevents mistaken multiple purchases; will your great-great-grandchildren inherit your lockdown stash of ketchup?
• Develops the mindset of a caterer or hotelier and knows how much food, cleaning materials and toiletries it consumes on average over a given period, buys quantities accordingly, - with a margin for backup - and remembers to ‘rotate’ new stock to reduce waste.
• Prepares as best it can for the unexpected by having torches, candles, batteries, power banks for tech, a good supply of over the counter medicines, (child-proofed) a
camping stove if all electric - and remembers to inspect these items regularly once stored.
• Fills the petrol tank when it is half-empty and checks the tyre pressure at the same time.
• Hides away treats to delight, reassure and break routine: think everything from a bag of sweeties to a bottle of gin or an on-line gift card (thank you couriers).
• Has a supply of greetings cards, postcards and stamps because nothing cheers a kid or an older relative up more than having the real thing, not virtual, land on the doormat (thank you posties).
• Knows that the difference between good housekeeping and people thinking you have joined some weird, doomsday ‘prepper’ cult is called commonsense. And when you use this you don’t end up brawling in Tesco over the last packet of penne or loo-paper.
home sweet home
Now that you have been locked down inside your fourwalls for more days than ever want to repeat you have had plenty of time to think about how the actual fabric of the property works for you.
Heaven forbid that we are called on to do this ever again so now is the time to rethink and make the actual physical space work to its best advantage.
A resilient home: • Freshens up the paintwork and cleans the carpets after kids, cats and dogs have been penned up for so long.
• Rethinks flooring in high-traffic areas like the hall, landing, stairs and kitchen.
• Realises that an extra bathroom or lavatory will make all the difference and balances this against the need for extra room, or storage space by fitting an en-suite.
• Creates a multi-function room through smart furniture choices that can switch from family living space to school room or office. Think extendable tables, seating with storage, good-looking storage boxes to hide papers and equipment at the end of the day.
• Thinks about adding French windows or bi-fold doors to open up living space into the garden.
resilient (adjeCtive)
• able to feel better quickly after something unpleasant such as shock, injury, etc • (of a substance) returning to its original shape after being bent, stretched, or pressed - The Oxford English Dictionary
• Acknowledges that amongst all this open kitchen and living space there also needs to be a quiet spot for work, conference calls and studying.
• Redesigns the garden to get best use, or adds a play area.
• Clears out the garage and adds shelves, a second fridge or freezer, or creates an indoor play space or home gym.
• Builds an extension, if funds allow; a loft or basement conversion or adds a garden room or shed.
• Installs a new - or refurbishes - the fitted kitchen because it has taken a hammering during lockdown.
• Never puts off repairs, no matter how minor, because there is now a risk that you cannot call in a tradesperson even when minor turns major. Or the purchase of a new appliance.
• Knows, in all honesty, what it can and cannot DIY. There are going to be some excellent offers to be had as businesses restart but that magnificent luxury wallpaper is not a bargain if it hasn’t been hung properly. It will be a sad mess. Bring in the experts.
• Adds greenery to flats and homes without gardens with an array of potted plants, some of which are herbs or vegetables.
A great amount of what we can plan for our homes will depend on our finances and many of us are now facing uncertainties we never thought we would encounter. For some it will mean downsizing. For others it will mean combing generations in a larger home.
There is so much uncertainty and our finances need to be in the hands of experts who have a better overview of the money market than the average saver can ever have.
400g macaroni 70g butter 50g plain our 900ml milk 100g of Mull of Kintyre Cheddar – grated 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese – grated 1 tablespoon of Isle of Arran mustard, or English Mustard Salt and pepper to taste An oven proof dish
• METHOD •
• Preheat your oven to 180°C • Cook the macaroni as per the packaging instructions. • Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan, then stir in the fl our and cook for two to three minutes on a medium heat, stirring continuously. • Gradually add in the milk and keep stirring to ensure a smooth consistency. • Next, stir in the Mull of Kintyre Cheddar and Parmesan and allow to melt. Keep a little back for the topping. • Add the Isle of Arran mustard and then remove from the heat. • Drain the macaroni once cooked, then add it to the sauce. • Place in an ovenproof dish and add some of the left-over grated cheese as a topping. • Cook for around 20-25 minutes. • Serve with a side salad of your choice. For additional variety, you could add 150g of Stornoway Black Pudding – cooked and crumbled, which can be added to the sauce, prior to placing in the oven. This will create a delicious Mac’n’Black.
CALMAC & CHEESE CLASSIC COMFORT COURTESY OF CALMAC
Last year the Highlands and Islands ferry operator served up an incredible 50,408 portions of their CalMac and Cheese dish aboard our their vessels and now they have shared the recipe - their take on a classic dish which is an all-time onboard favourite. Like the rest of us CalMac crew and staff have found that staying at home seems to increase our appetites and simultaneously reduce the contents of the fridge.
A CalMac spokesperson said: ‘We are proud to have used and introduced our previous passengers to some of the best produce of the west – and during these unprecedented times we will be publishing updates from our island producer and maker colleagues via our newsletter, website and social media channels. ‘This recipe is one of our most popular menu items. Last year we served up an incredible 50,408 portions of this aboard our vessels. ‘Here’s how you can recreate it at home, using one of chief cook’s easy-to-follow recipes.’
EMPIRE BISCUITS A HOME RECIPE FROM CHRISTINE MACKENNA
450g butter 200g caster sugar 500g plain our Jam Cherries (or jellies)
• METHOD •
Preheat over to 180° Cream together butter and sugar Gradually stir in fl our until blended smoothly On a lightly oured surface roll out the dough to around 5mm thickness Cut out circles using pastry/cookie cutter Bake for around 10 minutes on a wire rack Allow to cool then sandwich jam between two biscuits Mix icing sugar with a little milk (which makes it more spreadable) and spread on top of biscuit sandwich Top with half a cherry (or jellies).
