Perth Six Circle Project supports some of the most vulnerable, lonely and isolated people within our community and since the lock down began in March 2020, we are proud to say we have not only remained open but have extended our hours and days across the full week during this very challenging and unprecedented time.  We reassured our service user that we would carry on supporting them and that our aim was to continue applying a person centred approach to address their needs.

We took the “What can we do to help” approach rather than closing our doors.  This meant thinking outside the box and looking for different solutions to any issues that arose during the last 5 months.

• Initially we phoned all of our service users, most daily, so they all had the chance to speak to someone, then where we could, we would FaceTime or WhatsApp those who were able to do this, so that they could see a person and not just hear a voice.
• For some, we took them shopping, delivered shopping and set up online accounts so they could do their shopping.  If they needed prescribed medicines picked up, we helped were we could.
• We provided easy to read and understand guides to staying safe and kept all of our services users up to date with the changes to Government Guidelines on COVID-19
• We delivered or posted activity packs, which included brain teasers, Sudoku, word search to name a few, to their home addresses as well as delivering Jigsaws, games and art equipment to help keep them busy and we continue to replenishes these…

As time went on and government guidelines changed we were able to meet them for Walk and Talks initially on a 1 to 1 basis then onto 2 or more joining, ensuring government guidelines were adhered to, which we regularly monitored. 

We have recently moved to having small clusters, timetabling events such as, socialising (coffee and cake, breakfast and lunches clubs), exercise, walking, garden games, football, basketball, badminton and crafts, again continuing to adhere to government guidelines.

Over the last 6 weeks we have increased our activity frequency Monday through to Friday, which has allowed us to support our services users get out and attend more often.  We have also managed to support referral agencies and invited new service users to join the Project, increasing the number of service users we can help and support.  In addition to this, we have also continued to offer our Crisis Intervention service, which has been well utilised!

There are so many things we have done over the last 5 months, too many to mention. We will continue to work hard and adapt for as long as we need to, to provide this invaluable service to the most vulnerable, lonely and isolated people in our community.

Check out the last couple of months pictures to see some of the things we have been doing.

 

 

 

We are actively providing services during this challenging time!

During this very challenging and unprecedented time, we would like to inform all that the Project is still operating and will continue to do so – ensuring government guidelines are adhered to, which we will regularly monitor. 

We are in the position that we can work from our offices at Aultbea House in relative isolation, due to the nature of our premises. 

Unfortunately, until further notice will not be able to accommodate visitors to the Project to ensure appropriate social distancing for staff and help minimise the spread of COVID-19.

Perth Six Circle Project supports some of the most vulnerable, lonely and isolated people within our community and we feel that during this time it is imperative we continue to do so, especially since many other services, that our service users’ access, have sadly had to close their doors.

We have reassured our service user that we will carry on supporting them and that our aim is to continue applying a person centered approach to address their needs through:

• Providing regular face to face contact through ‘Walk & Talk’
• Meeting those – whom we have asked not to travel by public transport – in their own local/rural area for a ‘Walk & Talk
• Regular contact to ensure they have some form of social contact, particularly for those who have self-isolated – telephone, face to face, Facetime, WhatsApp chats…..
• Educating on ‘Social Distancing’, keeping safe, hygiene…..
• Providing support with shopping –  accompanying them to the supermarket, or setting up an online account…..
• Providing Activity Packs – relaxation techniques, mindfulness instructions, word search, Sudoku, brain teasers, jigsaw…..
• Corona Virus Information and Support Packs – Prevention of spread of infection, useful contact numbers…..  
• And much, much more!

This morning some of the Project staff had a ‘Walk & Talk’ meeting, keeping to the social distancing rule of 2 meters (6 foot) apart at all times – a practice we will adopt across services.  Members of the public acknowledged they were impressed to see people following government guidelines and staff were impressed that other walkers started to mirror this – keeping to the opposite ends of the walkways.  This has given reassurance that it is possible to meet with service users without violation any government guidelines.           

We know how essential social contact is to our service users mental wellbeing and how important it is to encourage them to have some type of physical activity.  As a staff team we are extremely flexible and adaptable and will continue to provide Project services – adapting where and when required, making sure we follow government guidelines at all time, to ensure the health & safety of us all.  Therefore, some aspects of services may change, as government information is updated, and as a result we will inform service users of these changes as swiftly as possible.

So, just to say:-

We are ‘Open for Business’ – not quite as you know it, but with the same drive and enthusiasm as always, to help our service users live healthier, more independent lives and ultimately integrate – somewhat at a distance –  into their local community.

Wishing you all good mental health and wellbeing!

Marlow and the staff team.

Very busy month and lots of different activities, below is some of the activities we done throughout the month and the service comments about these:

St Johnstone six week coaching program

‘Supportive team members’

‘Banter good’

‘Liked the variety of activities’

‘Amazing day- Really improved my moods’

People’s behaviour could have been better; it embarrasses all of us’

‘Brilliant’

 Falkirk Wheel

‘Chance to interact with people I wouldn’t usually’

‘Cultural’

‘Relaxing’

‘Something different’

Swimming

‘Great’

‘Good exercise’

Adventure golf and Cinema

‘Cinema was good’

‘Horrible weather but good day’

‘Loved all having a coffee together’

Cinema

‘Braw’

‘Happy we went to see that movie’

‘Good day been a while since ive been to the movies’

Wellbeing event

‘Nice to look at stalls’

‘Maybe try something’

‘Good range, made contacts’

Cooking and IT

‘Feel like MasterChef’

‘Absolutely brilliant’

‘Sociable’

‘Is my happy face not enough?’

Young at Heart and Piperdam

‘Good working with another group’

‘Great activities’

‘Tiring’

SPS health check

‘Makes you aware of your fitness’

‘Braw’

‘Helps your fitness’

It was great to get back in January after our time off. Below is some of the activities we done throughout the month and the service comments about these:

Wetherspoons for brunch

‘Great day, really good. Good to see everyone’

Movie and cooking

‘Learnt more about cooking’

‘Liked sitting and chatting with everyone’

‘Great fun and a laugh’

‘Brilliant loved it’

Badminton

‘Good to do something healthy’

‘Loved every minute of it’

Edinburgh Museum

‘Nice to do something different’

‘Great fun learnt loads’

‘Love history’

‘I was not anxious walking around’

‘Excellent’

Mindfulness

‘Relaxing’

‘Good will try it again’

Tea and Norrie Millar Witchcraft and Wizardry

‘Good to all sit together and eat’

‘I got to hold an owl’

‘Good to something in the evening’

Saints coaching- Walking football

‘Not something I would normally do but I enjoyed it’

‘Enjoyed, learnt stuff and good energy’

Burns supper meal

‘Braw poems’

‘Good food’

‘Loved the music’

 

December was such a busy month for us all – some of the comments from our Service Users below

Pitlochry Walk  

Getting out and socialising puts me in a good mood

Great to be outside on a good day

Learned loads about Pitlochry

Nice weather and great scenery

Decorate Project

Braw day, I enjoyed decorating

Really good day, I had fun

Loads of laughter

Christmas movie (Elf)

It’s been a good day

We all had a great laugh at the movie

Film reminded me of my youth

IT Skills

Years since I did any IT Skills – really enjoyed

Struggled with the IT but I kept going and I am proud of myself that I did

Excited to learn computer skills

Christmas Activities and took donation to the Foodbank

Great, relaxed fun day

Great to see and learn what the Foodbank does

Had loads of fun making cakes and decorating with stars

Christmas Meal

I had a brilliant time

Great to all get together

Lovely meal

Great laugh

Dobbies for Coffee and Cake

Really good day, better than being at home watching TV

Great day, good to be out and about.  I loved the Christmas displays and stuff

That was good, glad I came

I liked that, it was good to be out and it was a nice Christmas shop