Carers Focus Newsletter: Carers Week June 2020

Dear all,

This year Carers Week falls on the 8th-14th of June 2020. Normally ECC hosts an event for Carers Week, usually a social event or a fun workshop, but unfortunately due to the circumstances around Covid-19, this year looks a bit different. We’re very disappointed about this of course (we had great plans!) and are hoping to be able to reschedule for next year. However, we thought that just because we can't all get together physically shouldn't mean that we can't participate in Carers Week in another way. We asked carers to look back to a time when they went on a holiday, trip or attended an event that they really enjoyed and to share with us a photograph or a short written story about it. A very big thank you to Caro, Janet and Pauline for their stories of travelling abroad and to places a little closer to home. We hope you enjoy!

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“There are many visits and events so wonderful to have experienced, it is difficult to choose a special one. However; I will always remember my first school trip abroad in the '60s when I was sixteen. Starting in Glasgow and by bus, trains and ferries, I and school friends travelled through France, Switzerland and eventually arrived in Italy. There were many discomforts (no hotels, just school dormitories), unbearable heat and strange food - however, I loved my first 'big' adventure, and everything I saw gave me such a thrill that it sparked off a desire to travel and see as much of the world and people as I could. I will always fondly remember my school trip abroad.” — Carer Caro

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“We went to Linlithgow to see the palace and discovered a fascinating place. The palace, being in the village and only a short walk from the railway station, allowed us to walk everywhere we needed to go. We visited quaint little curiosity shops on the Main Street. The café (converted from the old fire station) had been there for years. In fact, you can find a photo of a famous visitor from the ’70s - Billy Connolly - and the food was good too! The palace itself is a magnificently preserved piece of history where the legendary queen of Scots was born. I was intrigued by the fountain in the central courtyard which depicts medieval characters from all walks of life: millers, ploughmen, milkmaids, (ever seen Shrek?) as well as mermaids for good measure. The palace looks out on a tree lined lake and having heroically climbed to the turrets we could see for miles over the rolling countryside. The weather was perfect for an autumn day and for weeks afterwards I entertained visions of life as lived in a palace in the 16th century and how well it would suit me. A truly memorable day.” — Janet

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Achiltibuie

“A place I've been many times and can't wait to go back to is Achiltibuie, near Ullapool. I go with my ex-husband Richard, he is one of the people I care for, to see my lovely sister-in–law Rose and her partner Graham. We go on a gold bus! So comfy! Given coffee and Empire biscuits and a bottle of Iron Bru! We watch the Beautiful Scenery out the window, rain, snow or sunshine it’s always beautiful. The bus stops at Inverness, we are met by Rose and Graham, he says “hiya our kid” in his brilliant Manchester accent, and drives us to Ullapool music blaring, us singing until we get to the local Tesco and stock up on wine and snacks. We arrive at their house in Achiltibuie and are met by Tilly, their cat, who gets comfy on our bags. First thing I do every time, is take a glass of wine on my own and go out to the garden, listen to the silence and take in the scenery, the most beautiful view, Islands, mountains and sunset. I go back into a lovely meal, Rose and Graham are the most amazing cooks! Then we spend the night dancing, drinking wine and laughing. During the day we go for walks along the beach, to the local village shop, or go a run in the car. Rose runs the Piping School Café on Achiltibuie, it is lovely, amazing views and food to die for! She caters for everyone vegan, vegetarian etc. The café is full of paintings by local artists, we spend time looking at them. Then after lunch at the café, we go back to Rose's to watch old films in front of a roaring coal fire, in the winter, and have the deepest hot bath ever. In the summer we sit out in the garden on seats on the decking, admiring the view, looking at all the plants, flowers and vegetables growing, and beautiful lights round the decking come on as the sun goes down. Then it's back to our beautiful city of Edinburgh feeling blessed, but counting the days until we go back to Achiltibuie x” — Pauline

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A past event that we enjoyed !

Music Matters

One of our most memorable and enjoyable events has to have been the musical event we hosted, Music Matters. It was so popular we turned it into an annual event that also became a part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival. Organised by our brilliant advocacy worker, James, it successfully ran for five years straight from 2013- 2017. Music Matters featured many fantastic and talented musicians including: Yusuf Azak, The Son(s), Admiral Fallow, The Cathode Ray, Jo Mango, Vic Galloway, JP Mason and even 2015 Scottish Album of the Year Award winner Kathryn Joseph. The funds raised were used for social events and other opportunities for mental health carers.

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We very much miss everyone and hope you are all safe and well this Carers Week of 2020. Thank you for reading! We hope it is not too long before we can get together again soon. - Best wishes from all of us here at Edinburgh Carers Council