Stranraer Academy Senior Pupils Volunteering Event 9thJune 2015

Over 15 project/organisations have agreed to participate in a Market Stall presentation of opportunities for Senior Pupils that are potentially on offer within the community. Building Healthy Communities (West Wigtownshire) are keen to meet Senior pupils interested in establishing a Participatory appraisal (PA) support group within Stranraer Academy.

The development of a PA Senior Pupil Group, established at the academy, will have a role of establishing the views of school peers and teachers with regard to their experiences, expectations and needs for the future of Stranraer Academy.

.

The Training will be hands on; it will enable you to be skilled, confident community researchers and help strengthen the academic and social life experiences for all students. You will use the information gathered to inform teachers and other agencies in the delivery of Services at Stranraer Academy. Skills training will be provided, learning practical tools and techniques for effective participation, working as a group and developing a sustainable PA Network at Stranraer Academy will be explored .

If interested then come along on the 9th June.We look forward to meeting you !.

A personal reflection - on the benefits of by being part of SHAWL Arts Group

This was written by Katie Louise Clive who attends regularly with her fellow Artists with Building Healthy Communities SHAWL Arts Group and summarises everything that the Project Group expresses.

Building Healthy Communities (West ) Tai Chi for Health Group Portpatrck

BHC Volunteer Joe McGurk - My Story

My name is Joe McGurk I am a volunteer with Building Healthy Communities and have been for around about 8 years.  My first experience of the organisation was when I was informed about them through a friend, I then went on to meet Murdo who seemed positive and from there I could see that there was great potential.  It was clear that there was an opportunity to be involved with Community Projects which encouraged me and I felt very much empowered.

I had been writing poetry from a young age and one I could see that it was evident this was a passion of mine, very keen to share my work I became involved with individuals with similar interests.  People seemed to enjoy my company in a laid back social setting, which the BHC Office did become and I felt very comfortable in Community Groups. 

This gave me the opportunity to explore other Community work which I found very inspiring and from there I was introduced to a range of training opportunities which I found very helpful.  I am currently involved with a range of BHC Community Initiatives including the SHAWL Group , Social Media Sub Group and Dumfries and Galloway PA Network.

   This provided a broadening of my knowledge of Community Development and how to consult and engage with members of the public on aspects of need and understanding of relevant issues important to them.

Since becoming involved as a volunteer my confidence and self belief has greatly improved and this has allowed me to become involved with other organisations within the Community. The experienced gained has allowed me to be a voice for those experiencing inequalities and barriers in life.

Tai Chi for Health Stranraer Academy ( May 2015 )

Exam times can be a stressfull time for our young people in Education, Wigtownshire Practioners forum have organized some daily  stress release events to be held at Stranraer Accadmy during the week of the exams ,where Students can come along and engage in a range of stress free activities ,which include Tai chi for Health , African Druming and Stress Management activities

   So if your sitting Exams this season ,Why not come along and participate ?

Dates
Wed 13th May   12 -1pm
Thurs 14th May  12 -1pm
Mon 18th may    12- 1pm
Tue 19th May     12 -1pm
Wed 20th May    12- 1pm
Tue 26th May      12 -1pm 

Tai Chi for Health Taster Session - Portpatrick Village Hall 13th May -11.30 -12.30pm

Tai Chi for Health (West Wigtownshire)
Portpatrick

Tai Chi for Health (West Wigtownshire) are pleased to announce that they will be providing a Taster Session of Tai Chi for Health at Portpatrick Village Hall on Wed 13th May 2015  11.30am -12.30 pm

Three Trained Facilitators who are trained in Tai Chi for Arthritis and Diabetes are keen to promote the awareness of this form of exercise, known to benefit most aspects of health and is recognised as an essential part of the management of arthritis pain.

Diet and exercise are the corner stone of diabetes management. Exercising with Tai Chi encourages mental relaxation and reduces stress, building strength, balance and flexibility, through slow fluid movements. Scientific studies have shown Tai Chi to have beneficial effects on cardio–respiratory fitness and muscular strength, balance that minimises the complications of diabetes

If you are interested to come along to this Free to join activity, Contact Murdo Macleod - Tel 01776700632/email murdo.macleod2@nhs.net 

Senior Pupils Volunteering Opportunities Stranraer Academy 9th June 2015 -1.30 - 3.30 pm

Wigtownshire Youth Practioner Forum are pleased to announce the forthcoming event at Stranraer Academy.  The days event will consist of a range of Market Stalls supported by a range of Community Organisations and Businesses from across the community, offering volunteering opportunities to pupils in years 4 - 6

We still have some spaces left in our Market Stall arena for any community organisation or local business who would like to take up the opportunity to highlight their services and offer Volunteer placements to our 4th - 6th year Students.

For further information, contact 

Murdo Macleod, Building Healthy Communities   01776700632 

Linda Greenhill  Community Learning and Development 07709479646

Building Healthy Communities Tai Chi for Health Steering Group ( D&G West )

The next Meeting of the Tai Chi for Health Steering Group (D&G West) will be held on the 15th May  at the Murray Arms Hotel ,Gatehouse of Fleet, at 3pm - 5pm
We offer a warm welcome also to our  recently qualified Volunteer Facilitators who completed their training recently , and are attending the meeting.

BHC Tai Chi For Health Facilitators

BHC Chair Based / Light Weight Excercise Group, Glenluce

Hi Folks !
The Summer is upon us and the group have commenced their summer exercise programme at Glenluce Bowling Club. We meet every Monday from 10.30am - 11.30am.
The Summer programme will run from the 5th May  untill the 6th July 2015.

We are always looking for new members to come along. If you want to find out more, contact Building Healthy Communities, who will be pleased to provide you further information on how you could join.  

Furniture Craft Group (Pilot project)

With economic struggles and changes to welfare reforms in our community, financial hardship and cost of living is a difficult experience for  us all ,cost of new furniture is an expensive commodity that becomes a burden to family budgets
Why not learn some new skills in furniture craft ,renovating your old furniture and give it a new life ?

Building Healthy Communities  (west wigtownshire) will be running a six week workshop late May early June 2015 ,delivered by a trained facilitator experienced in this form of Craft Work .

Above are some examples of the facilitators previous works

If you are experiencing finacial hardship , this would be an opportunity to learn some new and exciting skills to use in your own home

                                                  Limited spaces available  so book now !

                                                                      Interested ?     
                                                                      Contact

                                                                Murdo Macleod

                                                      Building Healthy Communities

                                                                     Innistaigh
                                                                 Dalrymple Street
                                                                    Stranraer
                                                             Tel 01776700632

                                                            Email : murdo.macleod2@nhs.net                

SHAWL Arts Group Exhibition

Building Healthy Communities (West Wigtownshire )  SHAWL Arts group are pleased to announce their exhibition at Stranraer Library commencing Tue 5th May till the 15th May 2015
The Arts group are a self managed group of local artists and those interested in Art in the community , who meet up weekly at the Corronation Day Centre in Stranraer on a Thursday morning,The group welcome new members, experienced  or beginners

A small example of some of the artists work  from the Exhibition on show at Stranraer Library from the 5th May till the 15th May 2015