Another interesting and busy week. Along with Music Memory groups and Choir we had two very different activities.
A housing crisis was identified in Edinburgh just over a year ago and as benefactors of The One City Trust, we were invited to around the table discussion by the Lord Provost where we were to look at homelessness and the housing crisis. The discussions and presentations were all very interesting. We split into small groups and discussed how the voluntary sector could offer services that would assist and support people with issues relating to housing. The beauty of meetings like this is that it helps you to reflect and see how Forget Me Notes provide a community that becomes a vital part of the support people receive. At St Brides we have a Chinese community of five people who attend most weeks. This all began on week one of the St Brides group just eighteen months ago. We were drumming up support and asked a lady if she would like to come and sing. She said that she didn’t speak English, so we encouraged her to come and sing in Chinese. Since that first week she has brought four friends, she sings a solo each week, gives out song sheets and supports the care home attendees. It is so good to see her confidence grow and understand what her attendance at the group means to her. I can only imagine what it must be like to move from a country from the other side of the world to a housing area in Edinburgh where there are known social disadvantages and not to be able to speak the language. This lady has found a community, a home that gives her the space to express herself affecting all aspects of her life and sense of well-being. It is as I reflect on situations like this that I realise just how much Forget Me Notes have to offer when considering those people who are displaced and haven’t a home.
Yesterday (Saturday) we celebrated with Morningside Hope, a day centre in Morningside who support various dementia projects. It was great to see around one hundred people singing and sharing stories of what has been delivered over the last three years by the project. The Music Memories group has evolved and changed in that time with new people and people moving on. It was good to be able to celebrate all that we have achieved together.
We have another exciting week ahead with some amazing challenges that I can talk to you about next week.
Speak to you next time.