Catherine Golds, member of the Centre and former Chair of Trustees, writes about Make a Will Month and why planning to leave a legacy to the Centre is important to her.
Therapeutic Groups
Our therapeutic leisure groups are informal, welcoming groups offering various fun activities and events. Members enjoy a drink and chat with peers or join in with one of the wide range of activities on offer.
The aim of the therapeutic leisure groups is to provide people with the opportunity to connect with other members and to participate in fun activities. When dealing with a long-term neurological condition, life can become dominated by day to day essentials. This leaves little time, energy and resources for enjoying the fun things in life. We want to help you to redress this balance.
Social and Fun Facebook Group
As well as our main Facebook Group, we also have a Social Facebook Group where anything goes! The group are very chatty and love to share things that make people smile. They also offer support to each other, something that has become so important in recent years.
Angell Art Group
The Angell Art Group is perfect for those who enjoy trying their hand at being creative. We have wonderful artists who set challenges and give demonstrations and tips. Whether you love to draw or are a complete novice, these groups are a fun way to get creative and connect with other members at the same time. In the past we have created pieces that have been sold at our art exhibition, Christmas cards and calendars.
One group meets fortnightly on Tuesdays at 2pm while the other meets fortnightly on Wednesdays at 10am. Check out the Centre Timetable for actual dates.
If you are interested in taking part then please email appointments@chilternsneurocentre.org
There is also a Facebook group for Angell Art that members and carers are welcome to join.
Singing Group
As well as being a lot of fun and an extremely social activity, singing has a lot of health benefits. Singing has been shown to trigger the release of endorphins, which are natural mood enhancers, helping to reduce stress and induce relaxation. Cognitive skills are also sharpened through singing, as it requires memory recall, focused concentration, and the ability to multitask.
You don’t need to be a chorister to join our singing group or have any experience of singing. It’s an hour of music to suit all tastes and to bring joy to mind, body and spirit.
The group meets every second Tuesday, from 2-3pm.
If you are interested in taking part then please email appointments@chilternsneurocentre.org
Growing Bright’s Wild Art
Art and craft can have therapeutic value because they provide a way for individuals to express themselves and cope with emotions. Engaging in art and craft activities can also improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and provide a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, the creative process can be used as a form of self-expression and can help individuals gain insight into their thoughts and feelings. They can also be used as a form of relaxation and mindfulness, which can improve overall wellbeing.
Our Wild Art Group is about bringing nature and cosiness into our homes. It is an art group with a difference as we use natural materials and recycled objects to aid our creativity.
The group meets monthly on a Friday at 10am.
If you are interested in taking part then please email appointments@chilternsneurocentre.org
Get Crafting
If you enjoy crafting, this group is for you. Led by Jacqui Woodhead, one of our lovely Parkinson’s members, these are open sessions for any of our members to attend. Come along and see what it is all about. You are welcome to join us if you want to meet others, find a new craft or just turn up for a cuppa.
The group meets monthly on a Friday at 10am.
If you are interested in taking part then please email appointments@chilternsneurocentre.org
Zoom Book Group
The Zoom Book Group meets every month on a Friday (usually last one of the month) from 1-2pm. The group is welcoming and friendly with a mixture of members taking part. They discuss and review a different book (which is chosen as a group) at each session, the group is great for meeting new people and supporting mental and emotional wellbeing through connection and conversation with others.
If you are interested in taking part then please email appointments@chilternsneurocentre.org
Social Group
The Social Group meets every other Wednesday at the Centre from 10am-12noon. There is a different theme for each session – for example summertime and famous people and the activities may include word searches, quizzes and bingo. We also arrange some external trips such as brunch at the garden centre, boat trips and shows at local theatres. The group is a great way to meet other members at the Centre for interaction and friendship. Being sociable and taking part in these activities can also improve memory formation, recall and cognition.
If you are interested in taking part then please email appointments@chilternsneurocentre.org
SMILE: Self-Management and Independent Living Everyday
SMILE is more than just a group. It is a transformative experience designed to help you take control of your life.
- Reflect: Have time to talk to others and listen to how they have managed in similar situations and recognise your own qualities, strengths and values.
- Refresh – every session you will have the opportunity to practice a relaxation technique.
- Reinforce – we will be providing a variety of strategies to support your day to day living during every session.
- Reclaim – start taking back control of your own life.
The group takes place on alternate Wednesdays from 2-4pm.
If you are interested in coming along then please email appointments@chilternsneurocentre.org
Boccia
Boccia is a ball sport related to bowls which has been at the Paralympic Games since 1984. It was originally designed to be played by people with cerebral palsy but now includes athletes with other conditions that can affect motor skills. Boccia can help the players to keep a range of movement in their upper-body, and the score is always kept so there is a real incentive to win and keep pushing their limits! The aim is to help people with mobility issues to become more active, independent and involved in their wider community, and ultimately enjoy the power of sport.
The group meets every Thursday at 12.30pm.
If you are interested in taking part then please email appointments@chilternsneurocentre.org
HOW CAN A GROUP LIKE THIS BENEFIT ME?
Enjoying social and leisure activities within a group setting can help in many ways, both physically and emotionally.
Benefits include:
- Lifting mood/reducing stress
- Improving confidence/providing a feeling of achievement
- Recognising existing skills and learning new ones
- Forming new friendships & widening support networks
- Strengthening thinking skills (e.g. concentration / memory)
- Providing a sense of structure and purpose
- Improving physical stamina & increasing energy levels
