
Thursday, 26 May 2022
Health and Wellbeing in the community
As we come out of Covid and the increase in cost of living is a worry for us all, we felt it important to promote the activities in the strath that are beneficial to the Health and Wellbeing of all members of our community. This is not just about physical activity but also about our mental health too. We are very lucky to have two fantastic community assets in The Wildside Centre, run by Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust, and the Hub, run by Boleskine Community Care, who have regular activities that are aimed at improving both our mental and physical wellbeing.
Weekly activities at the Wildside Centre
Monday: Soup to Go.
Soup to Go started last spring to provide wholesome, hot meals to vulnerable members of the community during the second Covid lockdown, and has since grown to become a regular and valuable community service. A warm & friendly welcome and an inexpensive meal is guaranteed, so come along and join your friends and neighbours, old & new, for a meal, a blether, fun and laughter plus a sing along with our musicians. If you prefer, you can have a takeaway, or have it delivered. Please order your soup before 6pm on Sundays by calling Lyn Woods – 01456 486786, or Pam Simpson – 01456 486364.
Tuesday: Meg’s Mindful Movement
Mindfulness and simple movement to help stretch the body and relax the mind. There are many benefits to mindfulness; it helps reduce stress, anxiety and depression, which in turn can help reduce high blood pressure and sleep problems.
For more information contact Meg Somerville via Facebook.
Wednesday: Pilates
Pilates is a full-body exercise method that will help you do everything better. It strengthens and stabilizes your core body, which is your foundation, so that you can move efficiently while improving your posture, flexibility, and mobility. If you’re looking for functional movement—the kind that helps you move better on a day-to-day basis with everyday tasks—Pilates can train you in that too. So why not give it a go and come along to class. Not only will you get a workout but you’ll have fun doing it.
We meet every Wednesday at 10am. For more information contact Sue Fisher; susettefisher@btinternet.com or 07824 387162
Wildside Wednesday.
The Wildside Centre is open all day on a Wednesday to use as your workspace. Get out of the house – use the free WiFi - and enjoy the location of this great facility. WiFi also available in our outdoor spaces if the weather is good. You can also meet other members of the community here and swap ideas and learn from each other!
If you’d like to use the facility email admin@sfctrust.org.uk to let us know if you are coming along.
Thursday: Toddler group.
Wildside Baby and Toddler group is an informal group where parents/grandparents/carers or expectant mums can come along, let the kids play with some soft play equipment and other toys, and enjoy being out of the house and benefit from adult conversation. They are a great support network for new or expectant mums and a great place to meet young families who live in the area.
We meet every Thursday morning between 9:30 and 11:30. Everyone is welcome, most weeks there is tea, coffee and if someone magically finds time sometimes there is home baking!
Alongside these weekly activities, there are regular crafting sessions, where you can learn a new skill and meet like-minded individuals. Throughout the year there are also community events, such as the crafters and crofters markets, the summer gala and winter wonderland to get involved in.
Boleskine Community Care
Boleskine Community Care is a local charity that successfully delivers a range of home care services, which includes befriending and other social activities, in the Stratherrick & Foyers community. One of the key aims of BCC is to reduce social isolation and to support those most vulnerable within the community.
Vital to achieving this are the variety of regular community social gatherings organised by dedicated BCC volunteers, details of which are listed below:
Hub Walks
A range of local walks are on offer, with something suitable for all ages and abilities. A chance to get out in the fresh air for some exercise and a chat. Takes place from the Hub Lower Foyers at 2pm second Tuesday of every month. Refreshments afterward.
Coffee Morning
Social coffee morning hosted at the Hub on the second Wednesday of each month, from 10-12am.
Movin’Aboot
Come along and exercise to music while sitting down. Great for flexibility, cardiovascular health and fun! The session is run at The BCC Hub on alternating Tuesdays at 1pm. All welcome.
Art Class
First Monday of every month 2pm – 4pm
Run by Susan Faller for all age groups and skills level. Come along and see the projects you could undertake, you may surprise yourself.
Music and Song
Every 2nd and 4th Thursday 2pm-3pm
Run by Julie Harvey
Singing for Health and Wellbeing is all about feeling good, enjoying making music with others, learning warm ups for movement, breathing and the voice which you can also use every day not just for singing. We learn new songs by ear and enjoy singing favourites too. We sing songs from all different styles and places - in unison and in harmony.
Singing is an enjoyable way of improving breathing and breath control whilst you are singing but also in everyday life. Better breathing can reduce breathlessness, help manage respiratory conditions and have a positive effect on sleep, mood, memory/concentration and thinking skills, physical movement, fatigue and pain. Singing can be energising or relaxing and provide a lot of enjoyment.
It is open to anyone of any age. No singing or music experience is needed to come.
Cinema Club
Every 1st and 3rd Thursday from 2pm (alternating weeks with music)
Come along and watch your favourite films
We also offer footcare appointments and holistic therapy on a monthly basis. Please contact the Hub on 01456 486247 to book your appointment, or to find out more information on any of the above.
As well as the organised activities listed above, we are also lucky to have a number of local businesses where you can learn a new skill, such as Yoga, singing or music tuition, or that offer opportunities for social interaction. Details of some of these businesses can be found on the Business Directory on the community website - www.stratherrickcommunity.org.uk/directory/
If you need financial help or support, The Knockie Trust offers hardship grants for those suffering fuel poverty or require food vouchers. More information on how to apply can be found here - www.sfctrust.org.uk/the-knockie-trust/
Other useful links:
Highland Council Welfare Support - www.highland.gov.uk/info/335/community_advice/405/welfare_support
Breathing Space Scotland – www.breathingspace.scot
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