As 2017 draws to a close I look back on a very eventful year.
Earlier in the year I was short-listed for a Tenant of the Year award, my name put forward by Carla Yeomans of Belle Isle TMO. I went with Carla to Manchester where the award ceremony was held.
I came in the last 12, and got a certificate. I want to thank Carla and Chris Simpson for nominating me.
In March me and Carla from BITMOs GATE held a Cuppa for Dementia day. I got the Lord Mayor to come and open the event. We booked a singer, Julie who sang songs from every era.
We had some fantastic prizes on that day for a raffle, the two big prizes, Tea for Two at the Civic Hall with the Lord and Lady Mayoress and a Food Hamper donated by Chris and Julie Holmes. We all raised £100 for Dementia charities.
The event will happen again in 2018, where me and Carla will make it an even bigger event. Watch this space.
I moved in October this year to a new retirement housing complex in Middleton, Acre Court. This suits me better with my Dementia getting worse.
I have met new friends at the Court, indeed on an evening I will sometimes go down to the communal lounge and have a drink with some of the residents, Irene, Mildred, Sheila, Tony and Carol are often down there after Bingo or just down for a drink and a chat.
The Court has regular events going on through the year, Alison the Manager said there are two vacancies up for grabs if you fancy moving here. You will love it here.
I also made myself known at the Middleton Elderly Aid centre across the road from Acre Court. Michele the outreach person from MEA came and gave me a financial review, and Sam has asked me to help organise a Dementia Café there with Peter Smith and Alex my Mental Health care worker
This will be in the New Year. As well as a new walking group to take place from MEA on a Wednesday. I’m taking a First Aid Course.
In the New Year, although I have moved from Belle Isle to Middleton I will keep the BITMOs GATE Walking group going, which will move to Mondays from 11am till 12pm.
I’m looking forward to new walkers in the group and will be looking for grants for the group. Which will enable to pay for such things as Pedometers, t-shirts and more.
The South Leeds Life News Café on a Friday I will keep going, as well as attending other groups such as the very popular Ancestry group led by Julie Holmes.
I also report and photograph, for BITMOs GATE at their events. I can be seen in the area when anything is happening, I will be there to report on it for South Leeds Life, when I can.
I’m on the Steering Group at my Medical practice,which will continue and visit the many Dementia Cafés in the South Leeds area.
Although I remain treasurer for Belle In Bloom in the New Year, I’m to step down from gardening duties, my knee won’t take much more.
I have set up a web site, where you can view my pictures from time to time. Scroll down to the gallery. Click here
So a big thanks to to everyone on the Walking group, personal thanks go to Carla, Lynne, Donna and Ashlyn from BITMOs GATE, without their help nothing would have been made possible.
A big thank you to Peter and Liz Smith and my Metal Health social worker Alex Caine.
I can’t forget thanks to Susan Fisher who makes me laugh, Catherine and Joanne, regulars on the walks and can be seen in BITMOs GATE resource centre.
A big thank you go to Julie and Chris Holmes. Who have helped me a lot this year.
Thanks to Gerry, Steph and Dave from the Breakfast Club
Finally thanks must go to Jeremy, editor of South Leeds Life, for all his support during the year.
Bye for now see you in 2018.
Kenneth Ingram (volunteer and blogger)
BITMOs GATE is located at Aberfield Gate, off Belle Isle Road, LS10 3QH. For more information call (0113) 378 2190 or email gate@belleisletmo.co.uk
