ARE YOU ALONE OR LONELY?
Some people are both. Others, maybe most of us, are sometimes one, sometimes the other. Some people are lonely amongst crowds of people – in big cities for instance. Perhaps the most difficult times to be alone – when being alone turns into loneliness – is when we are facing bereavement or relationship breakdown and we are grateful for other people’s kindness and attention but would sometimes rather be alone because all we really want is to have what is lost back. But that brings you up against a brick wall. Or when you feel that even the people you love are not on your side. There are so many different lonely situations and each one for each person takes
different strategies to cope.
Getting to grips with loneliness takes courage and some serious, realistic thinking. When are we lonely?
If someone dear has been lost or if we find ourselves far distant from those we can confide in and trust; perhaps when we lack colleagues with common interests or there are cultural or language barriers; maybe if there is a different work set up such as retirement or life changes in other ways; sometimes we shut ourselves away for fear of rejection or because of low self-esteem.
Any of these ways of loneliness can lead to feelings of worthlessness, depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, stress and ill health so it all needs to be addressed – but how?
It is important that we cultivate self-compassion. Loneliness, for whatever reason, is a normal human experience and not a personal failure. Building a structured daily routine helps to ward off aimlessness. Practicing gratitude (counting our blessings!) helps to keep the mind on what’s positive. Keep connecting with as many real people (rather than just social media) as possible – with neighbours, with family, in shops, with health professionals. If it’s not possible to get out of the house any longer, it’s helpful to try to find things that can be done to keep busy. If we can’t manage old hobbies anymore, we need to find new ones to help while away a few hours.
In Wincanton the Balsam Centre has many community events – so do the Methodists and other organisations. The library has reading groups and volunteers who can personally deliver books and they are usually happy to have a chat. They also supply free large print books and companionable audio books are free to anyone with sight problems – they are usually £2.60. The loan period is 3 weeks. Keep eyes and ears open for opportunities to talk with and to listen to people. Above all, keep healthy, be curious about everything and experiment (carefully!).
It has taken us some time, but Wincanton Cares is now
setting up a befriending scheme. If you would like to find a friend or if you would like to volunteer to befriend someone, please phone Annette on 07756 759741. Leave your number and she will phone you back with more
details. Or you can fill in the form on our
website and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
VARIOUS AND VERY USEFUL INFORMATION
As your local charity for the over 55s, you need to know that you can trust WINCANTON CARES to help you get the care, support and information that you need. We are already recognised by the Charity Excellence Framework and we have now been awarded a Social Care Impact award by the Social Care Institute for Excellence.
Wincanton Cares – your charity you can trust:
Trouble with Benefits? Don’t know where to turn? Call Wincanton Care’s Benefits Officer: Michael Pagan, on 07514 752607
Wincanton Cares Talking Table on the move! Calling anyone who is an Unpaid Carer, bereaved, socially isolated or just plain lonely. Our aim is to travel round the ABRI Community Rooms each month (Deansley Way, Balsam Close and Rodber Gardens) so that we can share fun, joy, companionship and Crafting. Please phone Annette on 07756 759741, leaving your number so that we can understand how many people are hoping to come. Abri tenants can contact Carol directly.
A Carers Information Day is coming to the Balsam Centre on 31st July. Book a slot to talk to an Adult Social Care representative about Carers Assessments and finances. We will be there! Once again, call Annette for more information: 07756 759 741.
Tips for coping in hot weather. Keep out of the heat if you can. If you have to go outside, stay in the shade, especially between 11am and 3pm; wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes. Avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter. Cool yourself down. Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks. Have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes. Keep your living space cool. Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep.
THE WINCANTON FOOD BANK
Opening hours: Every Friday morning 9.30 – 12.00
Place: Upstairs at Uncle Tom’s Cabin – the pub nearly at the top of the High Street on the left as you go up the hill.
This is a temporary situation. Sam, the landlady of Uncle Tom’s, has very generously lent this room at no cost to the Food Bank to tide it over until they can find a large (ish) lockable room on the ground floor in central Wincanton. Any suggestions would be welcome!
In the meantime, anyone in need is very welcome to come to Uncle Tom’s on Friday mornings to stock up on food supplies. I was there recently and was amazed at the variety of food available. As you would expect there are tins of vegetables, main meals, soup and fruit, dried goods, toiletries and so on. But there are also fresh vegetables delivered each Friday morning from a gardening project that kindly gives anything they have spare.
Donations in the form of food are welcome. Food can be left in Morrisons while you’re shopping, put in a box kept at Wincanton Primary School or given to the staff at Uncle Tom’s. The food should not be past its Expiry or Use By date. Money, as well as food, can be given by individuals to the Food Bank itself on Friday mornings.
The staff at the Food Bank never turn away anyone in real need, but ideally recipients should be referred to them by an organisation such as Wincanton Health Centre, the Balsam Centre or Wincanton Cares.
Until the Foodbank staff have sorted out their changing contact details please phone Annette 07756 759741 if you have any questions or suggestions for them.
LIVING WITH PAIN IS A PAIN BUT THERE IS HOPE!
Do you live with a long-term persistent pain condition? Does it affect your sleep, and emotional wellbeing? Does it restrict your daily activities and stop you doing the things you want to do?
The Rural Practice Network (a group of 5 local GP surgeries covering Castle Cary, Bruton, Wincanton, Queen Camel & Milborne Port), has a non-medical pain management programme called Live Well with Pain – the Ten Footsteps – which is available to people registered with any of these 5 surgeries, with two opportunities for people in Wincanton!
A monthly in-person ‘Live Well with Pain’ café meets on the third Thursday of each month at the Abri communal lounge on the corner of Common Road and Deanesley Way, Wincanton BA9 9RG from 2.00-4.00pm. Drop in for a free cuppa and a chat with others in the same situation!
A monthly online ‘Live Well with Pain’ group that meets on the third Wednesday evening of each month from 7-8pm on Microsoft Teams.
For more information, please email sue.crisfield1@nhs.net or call 07749 418850 or call the health coaches at Wincanton Health Centre on 01963 435700 or send a message through the Rural Practice, Or visit the Live Well with Pain website.
Regular Monthly Meetings and Events
And finally. If you need help right now:
Or contact us on 07834 597893
And if you need more help: Wincanton Cares 07756 759741 Email us at info@wincantoncares.org or browse the website at www.wincantoncares.org
