SIKH ELDERS SERVICE NEWS: SPRING & SUMMER 2019 1

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To make a referral to the Sikh Elders

Service:

Please contact one of the team on

0113 216 3143

or email

sikhelders@touchstonesupport.org.uk

The referral form is available on our

website:

www.touchstonesupport.org.uk/

services/sikh-elders-service

Contact Details:

Sikh Elders Service

Touchstone Support Centre

53-55 Harehills Avenue

Leeds, LS8 4EX

0113 216 3143

sikhelders@touchstonesupport.org.uk

Office Hours

Mon - Thurs: 09:00—17:00

HELLO & SAT SRI AKAAL JI

Welcome to the 2019 Spring & Summer edition of the Sikh Elders Service news and events.

I hope you enjoy reading about what we have been doing over the last six months, as well as hearing about future events and activities for you to be involved with.

Welcome to the new team members at Sikh Elders Service: Gursam Kaur Dhanjal - Sikh Elders Service Manager Sarbjit Kaur - Community & Volunteer Support Worker Kuldip Kaur Dhupar - Administrator The Sikh Elders Service supports older Sikh and South Asian people living in Leeds who are aged 55+ to improve their health and wellbeing.

We provide support, information and guidance and a range of local activities, as well as a Befriending service to help reduce social isolation.

This is either through one to one support or in a group setting. All our staff are Punjabi speakers and have an understanding of the Sikh faith and culture. If for some reason we cannot help you with your needs, we will find someone who can.

Kind regards,

Sikh Elders Team - Gursam, Zeba, Sarbjit & Kuldip

Sikh Elders Service

News

Issue 21: September 2019

If you would like to subscribe to the SES News & Events, please contact us by telephone 0113 216 3143 or email us with a request on sikhelders@touchstonesupport.org.uk

Next News & Events will be produced for January & May 2020

Gursam, Kuldip & Sarbjit on

Sikh Elders beach trip

Zeba & Sikh Elders

on a picnic

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Sikh Elders Service (SES) has a valued team of committed volunteers who spend some of their spare time furthering the work of the service.

Sikh Elders Service Users attend Cha Da Cup on Mondays for a cup of tea, physical exercises, lunch and other activities for their health and wellbeing. The volunteering role involves helping set up the event space, offering a friendly welcome, serving refreshments and lunch. There are trips out, exercises, planned activities and guest speakers on Monday’s. This role involves engaging with the Sikh Elders and encouraging them to participate in the activities, physical exercise as well as relaxation sessions.

We are looking for volunteers that are:

Good listeners, empathetic and friendly.

Able to speak and understand Punjabi.

Open-minded, accepting of others and sensitive to the needs of others.

Caring, compassionate and confident.

Befriending Support Roles: This role involves a friendly home visit to a service user or meeting them in the community. Activities can include going to the Gurdwara or a trip to the local shops, signposting or being a listening ear to alleviate feelings of loneliness and social isolation.

Office Support Roles: Volunteers can gain valuable admin and marketing experience in the SES office. If you like design and digital media work then we can always use your support with newsletters and updating our website and social media .

Sikh Elders Volunteers - Become a Volunteer at Sikh Elders

Q&A with Mohan - SES Volunteer

Our other super SES Volunteers

Kal - CDC Hira - BBY Kashmir - Chef CDC Neelam - CDC Balwinder - CDC Gurdial - CDC

Mohan Singh

Mohan has been a valued volunteer

with Sikh Elders Service since 2017.

Mohan supports with pick ups and

drop offs for Sikh Elders Cha Da Cup

(CDC) service users. He helps with

setting up lunch, making hot drinks

and talking with the Sikh Elders.

He enjoys the monthly Bhoolee Bisree Yaadien

social evening where he entertains the Sikh Elders

by singing romantic Bollywood songs.

Why did you volunteer with Sikh Elders Service?

I had a lot of free time after I retired and I wanted to

get to know the community, meet new people and

help the elderly. This volunteering role fitted in with

my lifestyle and I have been doing it for nearly three

years.

What has been good about volunteering with SES?

I have met new people. I enjoy engaging with the

activities at Sikh Elders and encouraging others to

join in too. I like going outdoors, singing, talking to

people, the food and supporting the elderly.

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Visiting new spaces—Café Leep & Chaiwalay

Getting out and about

SES organises trips and outings to local

places of interests and lunching in new

environments and spaces.

“Since becoming a widow I miss the

company of talking to someone. I like

going out with the Sikh Elders as I am

most happy when we are together and

we have interesting conversations. I am

alone during the day.”

The benefits of being active become even more important

as we age. Health professionals encourage older adults to

stimulate the brain and the body on a daily basis, whether

it’s nurturing social connections or improving mobility

through exercise.

The Sikh Elders visited new spaces and went for walks in

the community. The Sikh Elders team introduced local

cafes and social places where they could visit and enjoy

the environment and the food.

We visited Café Leep, Chaiwalay, Roundhay Park and the BAME Hub.

The Sikh Elders enjoyed a hearty English dinner at Café Leep. Café

Leep is run by people with learning disabilities. They make hot and

cold food and drinks. They also run cooking classes and we are

hoping to book sessions in the future for the Sikh Elders.

Chaiwalay is a new local café. We all ate Aloo Pronthey or English

vegetarian breakfast for our lunch. Chaiwalay were a little rushed of

their feet as it was their first large group booking. Our Sikh Elders

were very patient and understanding. The Pronthey were yummy

and they also serve delicious Indian masala tea!

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SIKH ELDERS YEARLY BEACH TRIP—SCARBOROUGH

SIKH ELDERS SERVICE USERS FEEBACK

Sikh Elders focuses on holistic health and wellness, we motivate our service users to lead active lifestyles including having fun outings like the beach.

You can make memorable outings with your Sikh Elder friends and family and offer the chance to engage in thoughtful reflection.

There’s something about being near the beach that invigorates the body and improves your mood. Whether the Sikh Elder simply wants to walk along the sandy seashore, watch seagulls, hunt for seashells, or build sandcastles, the beach provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The Sikh Elders had sunshine, blue sky, warm sea and smiles all day. They all said they had a wonderful day and wished it was longer.

We like bringing the Sikh

Elders outdoors to the

groups & events.

We enjoy the relaxing

with art therapy

We like Yoga

I love meeting everyone and having

conversations

Volunteers

are friendly.

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Vaisakhi—April 2019

Cha Da Cup Activities

Dementia Action Week 2019

Ripaljeet Kaur from Touchstone De-

mentia Service came to visit Sikh Elders to

talk about Dementia.

Sikh Elders took part in a creative activity

and we had a Q&A session.

One of our Sikh Elders also shared with the

group how he felt having a neurological

assessment after following a stroke.

Sikh Elders Service users prepared a banner that was displayed on the bus traveling in the procession for the elderly and disabled. Colouring has been considered to be a therapeutic activity. It’s an inclusive activity ideal for all ages. Colouring is known to reduce and relieve stress and improve hand eye coordination. Like meditation, colouring let’s you switch off your brain from other thoughts – which for anyone can be very satisfying. They all made a brilliant contribution towards the banner for the Vaisakhi celebrations.

On the 13/14th April, Sikhs all around the world celebrate Vaisakhi. A procession called ‘Nagar Kirtan’ led by the five beloved (Panj Pyaare) proceeds through public spaces. Vaisakhi marks the inauguration of the Khalsa, the body of committed Sikhs who have decided to dedicate their lives to the values of the Sikh Gurus. The Khalsa meaning “pure sovereign” was founded to create a group of people who were prepared to stand up to injustice, to protect people from religious persecution, uphold freedom, foster spiritual observance, promote honesty and equality and ensure all people could access basic needs such as food and health.

Twitter: @sikhelders

200 Followers. Yay!!

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ESOL Classes —2019 (English Learning)

BHOOLEE BISREE YAADEIN (BBY - MONTHLY ACTIVITY)

ESOL courses cover:

Speaking and listening

Reading and writing

Vocabulary

Punctuation & Grammar

Well done to our Sikh Elders ESOL students for completing your modules successfully. SES Users covered topics such as Heath and wellbeing, safety signs, me and my money in the last two terms.

Sikh Elders Service User ESOL feedback:

“I struggle with writing English but I like coming to the classes as I get help from the teacher”

“The activities are a good way of learning new words”

*** Thank you Swarthmore College for facilitating the ESOL classes & to BAME Hub for the room hire, teas and coffees. ***

BBY is a monthly social event for Sikh Elders and their family and friends to join in with :

Singing old and new Bollywood & Punjabi songs

Listening to music

Reciting poems, sharing jokes and riddles

Playing Antakshiri and quizzes.

Making new friends, laughing and eating together

Monthly themed playlists with lyrics on PDF via WhatsApp

Music is known to bring people together. Music has been shown to be a powerful memory retention tool and good for the brain and singing can boost your mood as well. At this event adults are encouraged to communicate and connect with other members of their community, often making new friends in the process. Participating in music can have profound effects on older adults’ mental, physical and emotional well being.

Some of our regular attendees have gained confidence in sharing songs and singing solo to the audience.

Our volunteers Balvinder and Pravin have been supporting BBY over the years with hosting the event with delightful music, singing and jokes.

Thank you to the BAME Hub again for the room hire & to the caterers who provide the evening meals.

ESOL Classes (15 week) begin on

Tuesday 24th September

at BAME Health & Wellbeing Hub,

Reginald Terrace, Leeds LS7 3EZ

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Cha Da Cup—BAME Hub Trial

Picnic in the Park

Cha Da Cup group has reached its maximum number

and the team is looking for alternative venues to deliver

this. We also have a long waiting list for this service.

Sikh Elders Service organised two trial days at the BAME

Health & wellbeing Hub in Chapeltown.

Sikh Elders Service team are still working on getting it

right for the service users so that they have a new social space to relax, exercise and engage with the

community and activities.

Sikh Elders Service will be running Cha Da Cup from the BAME Hub in October 2019. The session will now

run from 10-3pm. Sikh Elders will be connecting with new people and activities in the community.

Thank you to the Sikh Elders team and volunteers for sharing a picnic with the Sikh Elders.

Vand Chhako is one of the three pillars of the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikhism. The other two pillars are Naam Japo (meditation and singing of hymns from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) and Kirat Karo (to honestly earn, with hard work, by one's physical and mental effort, while accepting God's gifts and blessings). Vand Chhako means to share what you have and to consume it together as a community. This could be wealth, food, time. etc. The term is also used to mean to share ones wealth with others in the community, to give to charity and to generally help others who are in need of help.

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SIKH ELDERS SERVICE TEAM INTERVENTIONS

UPCOMING SIKH ELDERS SERVICE EVENTS & PROJECTS

Focussed .. Determined .. Supportive Fun .. Smiles .. Laughter .. Friendly

Yoga

&

Stress Resistance

Self Expression

&

Art Therapy

Connecting

with

nature

Social activity &

Supportive

Relationships

Brain exercises,

reading & exploring

mind-set

Healthy

& Active

Lifestyle

Confidential one to one support

Signposting

Peer Support

Support, Advice & Information

Outdoor trips & Fundraising events

International Day of the Older

Peoples (IDOP on 1st Oct)

Sikh Elders has been awarded a grant to celebrate IDOP. This years theme is Age Friendly Leeds. Sikh Elders Service are focusing on an Intergenerational Gardening Event with a primary school to celebrate IDOP.

Gardening is a great way for older adults to pass on knowledge, traditions and skills to the children and younger people in their family or others. It is a fun activity that encourages everyone to care for the environment, be active and healthy, have conversations, make healthy food choices and work together as a team.

Our event will be on the 7th October at Khalsa

Science Academy. This activity will encourage

social interaction between generations for a

common purpose. Intergenerational practice is

inclusive and we want to actively encourage all

ages to mix together, to learn from each other, to

help each other.

Bhoolee Bisree Yaadein (BBY)

September 19th

October 17th

November 21st

December 19th

*** SAVE THE DATE ***

Saturday 23rd November 1pm—6pm.

Sikh Elders Service Annual Dinner & Dance Fundraiser

Booking details & further information will be on Eventbrite next month.

Community Services

Marketplace Networking

Event:

Thursday 26th September

10am to 3pm at Leeds Market

event Space, LS2 7HY

Connecting with Sikh Elders - Loneliness

and Isolation Workshop (November 2019)

Facilitated by Sikh Alliance Yorkshire

The event will consist of short talks from a variety of perspectives and lived experience.

We will have round table discussions and share views and experiences in relation to this important topic to help inform our work to reduce loneliness and isolation.

Further information will be on Eventbrite

next month.

Stall spaces will be available. Email us.

Social Media:

Twitter @sikhelders Instagram: sikhelders Facebook: sikhelderservice

Further info: www.touchstonesupport.org.uk/services/sikh-elders-service

or email us at: sikhelders@touchstonesupport.org.uk