The Elder Tree

***Active Men's BBQ***

This week we held our second Annual Active Men's BBQ, and this year we had the weather on our side! We've had some great feedback from those who came, and are already making plans to make next year even better.

We wanted to say a huge thank you to our partners at Argyle Community Trust who helped with the event and manning the BBQ in that sunshine, ensuring all 150 of our beneficiaries who attended got a burger or sausage.

We would also like to thank Improving Lives Plymouth for letting us borrow their amazing Games Galore kits for people to play.

We also were really glad we could show our appreciation to the amazing runners from Wolferstans solicitors, who took part in running the £10k and half marathons to help raise funds for us as a member of their Charities of the Year, by letting them have some fun in the sun and a burger!

*** EXTRA FUN AT EXTRA CARE: WINTER/SPRING EDITION ***

Our Extra Care Groups have had a wonderful Winter/Spring with so many fun in house activities, visitors and day trips!

Have a look below at what they have been getting up to:

📦A Day at The Box Plymouth - St Barnabas
💆‍♂️ Temple Spa - Runnymede
🦙Alpaca visit - Runnymede
🌺 Summer flower making - St Barnabas
🦜 Plymouth Parrots - Runnymede
🎂 Tammy's 95th Birthday with Special Guest 'Elvis' - Runnymede
🕷 Bug's Life - Runnymede
🎨 Arts and Crafts - Runnymede
🐣 Easter Bonnet Competition fundraising £100 for Alzheimer's Charity
🐰 Pets and Picasso - The Rise
⛱ Virtual Reality Experience: A day at the Beach - St Paul's Court
🐠 Cream Tea / Fish Supper - Runnymede
💘 Valentine's Local Shop Fare - Runnymede
🪇 Music Makers - Runnymede
🎤 Entertainers: Singer Lorraine Brown, Singer Richard Pinn, Singer Stevie Jay and Charlie the dog, Dancer Toby Gorniak - Runnymede

*** JOB VACANCIES ***

2 WEEKS UNTIL APPLICATION DEADLINE!

We are looking to hire!

We are looking at expanding our Active Lives team - this is the team that delivers our exercise and movement groups such as Tai Chi, Pilates, and seated and standing exercise for over 50s. The team currently delivers over 40 groups with on average 400 attendances a week across the city. Ideally we are looking for candidates who are interested in working with people over 50 years old, to deliver exercise and movement groups in Plymouth.

Alongside this, we are also looking to hire a qualified Postural Stability Instructor to help us deliver our 'FaME Strength and Balance' groups both in Plymouth and in some West Devon locations (Tavistock, Kingsbridge and Ivybridge). These groups deliver a nationally recognised programme to help people who have had, or are at risk of, a fall build up their strength and confidence.

For both of these roles we would consider both freelance and part time contracts, subject to interest and interviews.

For all roles access to own transport is essential.
Anyone who is interested, please send your CV to [email protected]

Deadline for applications are Wednesday 24th July 2024.

Thanks for reading!

***Summer Pirates!***

If you happened to be in Plympton on Wednesday you may have heard some unusual sounds! Our amazing Extra Care team, with brilliant support from Cera and Housing 21, put on a great event for the residents at The Rise. A hog roast and the brilliant performing, and a bottle of rum to the best dressed guest!

It was a superb event, everyone enjoyed themselves, and thankfully no one had to walk the plank!

We are very grateful for this raffle from the team at Plymouth Property Maintenance Ltd, really kind and very generous of them. As a small, local charity, we treat every penny as if it is our last and any money raised as a donation will directly benefit our 1700 beneficiaries by helping us to continue providing befriending activities across Plymouth which tackle social isolation and loneliness and promote wellbeing and independence.

🎉RAFFLE🎉
We are running a raffle in which all proceeds will be donated to the The Elder Tree.

The Elder Tree is a local organisation that supports socially isolated people aged 50 and above, and provides social groups, befriending services and activity programs.
If you can spare an hour of your time a week, consider reaching out to the fantastic team at the Elder Tree. Your company could truly make a difference to someone’s day.

The raffle prize is an official signed, framed, Plymouth Argyle shirt that has been signed by members of Plymouth Argyle Football Club team squad – season 2023 -2024.

Tickets are £10 each, and you can buy multiple numbers. To enter our raffle, select a number(s) from 1-50 and comment your chosen number on this post. We will then DM you the payment details, and once payment is received, your number(s) will be reserved for you.

We will update this post with the available numbers and once all numbers have been allocated, we will carry out a live drawer and announce the winner on our page.

1. Aden Wisker
2.
3.
4.
5. James Llewellyn
6. Mick Quick
7. Steve Clarke
8. David Stephens
9. Sam Mather
10. James Llewellyn
11.
12. David Stephens
13. Aden Wisker
14.
15.
16. Marc Hambly
17. Sean Daykin
18. Mick Quick
19. Julie Wisker
20. Iain Pickles Nicol
21. Aden Wisker
22. Mick Quick
23. Connor Warren
24. Ryan Howe
25.
26. Sam Legett
27. James Llewellyn
28.
29. Mick Quick
30.
31.
32.Sam Legget
33.
34. Steve Clarke
35.
36. Sam Mather
37. Simon Schad
38.
39.
40.David Stephens
41.
42.
43.Sam Legget
44.Michael Stanbury
45. Colin Weaver
46. Claire Booth
47.
48.
49.
50.

Good luck!

***Happier Green Spaces***

Please see below about some brilliant weekend social groups meeting up over the summer to explore our cities great green and blue spaces. If you're interested, please contact Shelley on the details provided.

***JOB VACANCIES***

We are looking to hire!

We are looking at expanding our Active Lives team - this is the team that delivers our exercise and movement groups such as Tai Chi, Pilates, and seated and standing exercise for over 50s. The team currently delivers over 40 groups with on average 400 attendances a week across the city. Ideally we are looking for candidates who are interested in working with people over 50 years old, to deliver exercise and movement groups in Plymouth.

Alongside this, we are also looking to hire a qualified postural stability instructor to help us deliver our FaME strength and balance groups both in Plymouth and in some West Devon locations (Tavistock, Kingsbridge and Ivybridge). These groups deliver a nationally recognised programme to help people who have had, or are at risk of, a fall build up their strength and confidence.

For both of these roles we would consider both freelance and part time contracts, subject to interest and interviews.

Finally, we are also looking to hire a Social Prescriber for the Lower Limb Service - this individual would work alongside the Lower Limb services and Well Leg Nursing Teams to help and support clients with their wider wellbeing and encourage a positive attitude to self care and access to the wider community. This is a 15 hour a week contract over a minimum of 3 days, Monday to Friday. This job role can also be accessed via Indeed - https://uk.indeed.com/job/social-prescriber-lower-limb-service-5801fac22dd6ff8e

For all roles access to own transport is essential.

Anyone who is interested, please send your CV to [email protected]

Thanks for reading!

We are delighted to share that we've been selected to be spotlighted by the National Council for Volunteer Organisations Small Charity Week, which runs 24th June to the 28th.

Read our interview below, and check out the other great information on their website:

https://www.smallcharityweek.com/post/spotlight-on-small-charities-elder-tree-befriending

Many thanks to the NCVO for their continued support.

Spotlight on small charities: Elder Tree Befriending Elder Tree Befriending's Operations Manager Elliott Malone tells us about their impact.

*** VACCINATION CENTRE ***

On the 13th June 2024 The Elder Tree Centre is open as a Vaccination Centre for the Spring Covid Booster.

We are pleased to offer over 75's or anyone who is immunocompromised in the area of Cattedown, St Jude's and Prince Rock to drop in to get their vaccine.

Our doors will be open between 1:30pm - 4:00pm with on street parking available.

📍 The Elder Tree Centre, 3 Tresillian St, Plymouth PL4 0QP 📍

A change is as good as a rest!

Some of our venues across the city hosted the Local Election as Polling Stations last week, so a few of our groups were unable to do our usual activities.

The Honicknowle Seated Dance Exercise Group enjoyed their afternoon tea and cake at Tesco Transit Way & The Elder Tree Centre Light Lunch Club enjoyed tucking into some warm soup at Dunelm Friary Retail Park.

What a tasty treat! 🍰🫖☕🥄

***Community Grant***

A huge thank you to Councillor William Noble - Moor View Ward for his very generous Community Grant donation to our Standing Exercise group at Elm Community Centre, Groups and Events.

The money will be used to help towards out rent for the year, and is deeply appreciated during these turbulent times due to the cost of living crisis.

Thank you again Will!

*** FUNDRAISER CELEBRATION ***

Our Elder Tree 'Singing 4 Fun' grop which runs at St Paul's Church in Efford, have raised an AMAZING £500 for Plymouth's RNLI.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution are celebrating their 200th year of service this year!

Here is David, one of the group members presenting the RNLI with a cheque!

*** CALLING ALL CARERS ***

New group for Carers and people living with Dementia/Mild Cognitive Impairment at Southway!

The Church of the Holy Spirit, Southway, Plymouth

Please see details below:

*** ACTIVE MEN ARE GLOWING IN THE DARK ***

Last Friday evening our Plymstock Active Men group met up with guests to play 'Glow In The Dark Kurling'.

Using special UV lamps kindly loaned by our friends in the Plymouth City Council Sports Development Unit we were able to light things up at Plymstock United Church.

Everyone had a fun filled evening and we are looking to repeat the event with some of our other Active Men groups across the city!

Are you an unpaid for a family member, friend or neighbour?

We’d love to hear from you. We’re asking unpaid carers of all ages in to complete a short survey, which will help to develop a new Carers Strategy, making sure that the right help is available to carers in the future.

The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete and is available here: https://buff.ly/3IgT2lW. The survey closes on Wednesday 20 March.

Fill | Carers Strategy 2024 Survey Plymouth Carers Strategic Partnership Board is creating a new Carers Strategy for 2024 and beyond. There is currently an action plan in place, but we would like to enhance this with a strategy. We are focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for carers and want to base this on your answers to...

We are extremely thankful to Chris Robinson's Plymouth who has kindly donated several of his wonderful books to the charity.

These fantastic books show our amazing city throughout the years with lots of beautiful photos, and already has made a big impact to our beneficiaries at our groups and some 1 to 1 befriending visits in beneficiaries homes, stimulating memories of days gone by.

Thank you again Chris for your generosity, it is very much appreciated and enjoyed.

We are delighted and humbled to announce that we've been selected as the main charity for Wolferstans solicitors Charity of the Year 2024!!🎉

We are very excited for the year ahead and the many amazing events planned.

We are very thankful to have been chosen, so a huge thank you to the Wolferstans team from everyone here at The Elder Tree

The internationally renowned company, Richard Chappell Dance will be presenting their latest creation 'Hot House' at The House, Plymouth University in March.

As part of Richard Chappell Dance's community engagement project, the company hosted some special workshops within some of our own Active Lives Dance Exercise Standing groups.

We all thoroughly enjoyed the visit from Richard last week!

*** BURNS NIGHT CELEBRATIONS ***

Our 'Singing 4 Fun' group trying to kill the haggis for the Burns Night meal, alongside neeps and tatties.

Every occasion is celebrated with smiles, laughter and FUN!

If you are interested in the group, please give the office a call on 01752 227447 or make an online referral at www.eldertreeplymouth.co.uk

*** STRICTLY COME ELDER TREE ***

Our Active Lives Dance Exercise Standing groups have been enjoying our Festive Dances!

Strictly Come Dancing, we are razzle dazzle ready and rehearsed to be backing dancers for The Christmas Special with our.... Christmas Charleston!!!

Elm Centre... IT'S A 🔟 FROM US! 🤩👏🪩

*** UNIVERSITY PLACEMENTS ***

The Elder Tree are loving hosting 1st Year Medical Students from University of Plymouth University of Plymouth Faculty of Health !

Across the year, Elder Tree are supporting 18 students across 9 settings in the city as part of their community placements.

This time gives the students a flavour of The Elder Tree and time to engage in chat and activities with our beneficiaries.

*** COVID VACCINATIONS ***

Please see the posters below about extra walk in vaccination locations.

*** SPECIAL REMEMBERANCE CHOIR ***

"We will remember them"

Every year our 'Singing 4 Fun' Choir Group hold a one minute silence to remember those lost in conflict past and present around the world.

Here are a few pictures of our remembrance.

The silence is followed by the group singing the old songs around the remembrance display at St Paul’s Church in Efford.

***CARERS RIGHTS DAY***

Please see the attached information below about the upcoming Carers Rights Day Information Event.

*** WINTER WARMER ***

From 1st November until the end of February, Asda are offering people aged 60 and over the chance to enjoy soup, a roll and UNLIMITED tea and coffees for just £1 in any of Asda’s 205 cafes.

Location: Leypark Drive - Estover Plymouth PL6 8TB

Opening Hours
Monday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

SHARE this post far and wide to make sure people aged 60 and over can have something warm to eat and drink over winter!

*** LCP Meeting Update ***

Hi everyone - due to the poor weather today, this event has been moved to an online one. Anyone who was interested in attending, please email [email protected] and we can send you the link. Thank you and stay safe

*** WEATHER WARNING ***

A quick message to all our beneficiaries: we know that there is some bad weather coming to our city over the next few days. Our groups will still be running however, and if we do close one we will give you a call to let you know.

However, if you don't feel safe to make the journey to a group, then please don't attempt it. We'll see you when we see you next.

*** AUTUMN EVENTS ***

Runnymede Extra Care group have been hosting Autumn themed events!

🍂🍁 Harvest Festival Poetry Reading with Torbridge Primary and dogs!
🎃🧛‍♂️ Halloween party!

*** CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN ***

With only 9 weeks to go until Christmas Day, our Crafters at Milehouse have been making Runners... It's never too early!

Here's one from Our PL2 Craft Group at Restore Church Plymouth

***HAVE YOUR SAY***

Please see below information about our Local Care Partnership here in Plymouth.

The Plymouth Local Care Partnerships (LCP) is a collaboration between a wide range of organisations and groups who help people live happier and healthier lives.

Many factors affect people’s health and wellbeing from their homes and personal finances to their education and employment. Our LCP brings together the organisations and groups that provide these services (and many others) to better support people and communities.