ABERDEEN SANDS
Helpline (0870) 7606649
Email : help@aberdeensands.com
Website: www.aberdeensands.com
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER - JULY 2005.
COMMITTEE:-
CHAIRPERSON: Sarah Moreby RUBISLAW LIAISON: Jill Cozens
SECRETARY: Jennifer Milne MEMORY POCKETS: Kate Thorgilson
Valerie Stoddart
TREASURER: Karen Pert NEWSLETTER: Jennifer Milne
NEXT PREGNANCY GROUP: Kate Thorgilson TRINITY PROJECT: Lesley McKay
ANNIVERSARY CARDS: Helen O'Reilly TELEPHONE ROTA: Fiona Donald
Hello All.
Can I remind anyone who has books or literature belonging to Aberdeen SANDS to return them, if you are finished with them - this way, someone else can benefit from reading our books. If you are not finished with them, please feel free to hold on to the books, however sometimes books just get forgotten about and then it becomes hard for us to try and track them all down. Emily is currently our "Librarian" and you can contact her on Aberdeen 277069 to arrange to return the books.
Thursday 1st September is the date for our Annual General Meeting. I know this has been mentioned before, but we will have some vacancies. Firstly we shall be looking for a new Chairperson to replace Sarah Moreby, a new Treasurer to replace Karen Pert who kindly stepped in to the fray and also a new Secretary. I don't mind carrying on with the newsletter to be honest, as long as someone else takes over as Secretary and simply feeds me information to include in the newsletter. Please, please some of you consider it, otherwise Aberdeen SANDS will face the situation it faced almost 2 years ago when no-one had come forward to replace the office bearers, and the group was faced with the threat of closure. Sarah and I are available should any of you wish to discuss what is actually involved in the roles.(Jennifer 745669) Should we not have any names put forward by the AGM on the 1st September, then the AGM discussion will be centred around the closure of the group, which will be a terrific loss to a city the size of Aberdeen. HELP!
Befriender Training has been ongoing and at last we managed to arrange some training to help those members who have been doing informal either on the phone/email or at meetings.
Over two Saturdays, in May and June 6 people from Aberdeen SANDS, and others from as far a field as Fraserburgh, Fife and Shetland, attended the training. We were lucky enough to be able to use the excellent facilities at the Milgarery Centre in the Maternity unit free of charge (thank you to Rubislaw staff for arranging this for us). The course content consisted of a mixture of discussions groups, role play situations, sharing stories and experiences etc. The first day was mainly learning listening techniques and understanding the role of the befriender and various types of situations and the second day concentrated more on our own experiences and actual bereavement situations. So the last day was quite demanding, however I think we were able to enjoy meeting and talking with each other. In between the two days delegates were required to complete a workbook which is added to the overall assessment. Those who manage to pass (which hopefully will be all of us!) will be able to now befriend officially in group situations. The second part of the training is to be held in Dunfermline in October and November and will lead to individual befriending qualifications. Thanks must go to Ann and Helen from Glasgow SANDS for the tutoring and to Karen Seton for doing all of the hosting and arranging for these two days
The Next Pregnancy group
The Next Pregnancy Group is open to all interested - please contact Kate Thorgilson is you are interested in attending.
Memory Pockets
Help with the creation of Memory pockets is always welcome - these are such a special gift to give. Valerie Stoddard has made 23 pockets and has handed them in to Rubislaw, where they are much appreciated. Big thanks to Valerie for that and her continued efforts.
Trinity Cemetery Project
For information on headstones or kerb stones please contact Department of Burials and Cremations, ACC, St Nicholas House, Aberdeen, for order forms and pricing information or contact our own Lesley MacKay.
Donations
Thanks goes to Mr Jim Rankin, Ms Rosemary Baxter and Maggie Munro for their most kind donations. A big thank you also to Alison Whimster for her annual Webb Ivory donation - this is much appreciated. Aberdeen SANDS would also like to give thanks to Rhona and Steven Garland, who donated £130 to our funds, in memory of their dear twin boys Lewis and Kieran, who were so sadly stillborn on the 2nd May this year. Our thoughts go out to the Garlands at this time, when I'm sure they are still struggling to come to terms with their tragic loss.
New Arrivals
Fiona and Alasdair McCallum are delighted to announce the arrival of a beautiful baby daughter, Rhianna, born on the 15th May 2005 weighing in at a healthy 8lb 8oz. Rhianna is a little sister to the late twins, Connor and Aiden, who are remembered with much love. Well done to the McCallums - we are delighted for you!
Anniversary Cards
Should you wish to receive a card on the anniversary of your baby's death(s), please send your name and address, along with your babies name(s) and date of passing, to Helen O'Reilly, 12 Forvie Terrace, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB22 8TH. Tel 708198.
Please advise Helen whether you wish the card on your babies' birth(s) or death(s), if there is a difference in the dates.
Fundraising
Any ideas or plans - please let us know!
FORTHCOMING MEETINGS - All welcome...
DATE TIME MEETING VENUE
Thurs 7th July 8pm Monthly Meeting Helen O'Reilly's Home
12 Forvie Terrace
Bridge of Don, Aberdeen
Thurs 4th August 8pm Monthly Meeting CANCELLED FOR HOLIDAYS
Thurs 1ST Sept
7.30pm
8.30pm
A.G.M
Monthly Meeting
Jennifer Milnes Home
12 Westdyke Avenue
Westhill, Aberdeenshire
Thur 6th Oct 8pm Monthly Meeting Jennifer Milnes Home
12 Westdyke Avenue
Westhill, Aberdeenshire
Thur 3rd Nov 8pm Monthly Meeting Lesley McKay's Home
1 Westfield Terrace
Aberdeen
NEXT PREGNANCY PLEASE CALL
MEETINGS, DATES KATE THORGILSON
TIMES AND VENUE ON 791377
CHAPLAINCY DATES FOR 2005:-
Quarterly Memorial Services Wed 28 September 10.50am
Wed 7 December 10.50am
Trinity Service Sunday 5th June 2pm
SANDS Christmas Service Sunday 4th December 11am
If you have any contributions for the next newsletter please give them or email them to me, Jennifer Milne by the end
of June. Thank you. My email address is jenni.milne@gmail.com.