When I think about giving blood I always think about that voiceover from the TV advert saying “Do something amazing – give blood”. I always thought people like my Dad who gave blood were heroes! But now I donate, I don’t feel like a hero. Every time I attend I get a thank you from the nurses and a smile of recognition from my fellow donors as I nibble my
Have you ever been told that you eat too loud, or chew with your mouth open, or breath too loud? If you haven`t then I tell you that it is quite uncomfortable, especially if you like eating nuts like I do. After being told off for being a noisy eater by my wife I started to realise that her irritation is caused by something more than just stress. This led
It seems every day is National Something-or-other Day... but when I saw this day was coming up (just weeks after National Tea Day) I knew I wanted to write about it. One of the things people often say when they start working at Touchstone is that their clothes seem to be fitting quite snugly with the curries and refreshments from training and other get togethers. The IAPT team is no
Colleagues may have noticed in our offices signage stating ‘Working to become Dementia Friendly’. Something seen across a number of organisations and businesses including on emergency service vehicles. So what does it mean? Does it mean that staff in all organisations/employers who say they are ‘Working to become Dementia Friendly’ are competent to sensitively deal with service users with Dementia or their Carers or family members? If it’s a NO
Hi. I’m back with (I’m sure) the highly anticipated part B of my musings about dementia. As promised below is a transcript of my interview with a person living with a parent with dementia. I hope you enjoy the read and even better if it changes the way you might view those with and those dealing with dementia, as it has done for me….oh and we also get to find
My name is Leota Benjamin and I have worked for Touchstone for several years. My current role is a Mental Health Outreach Worker with The Community Support Team. In addition, I work as an approved Foster Carer, employed by Leeds City Council Children Services for more than 10 years. Being a Foster Carer is a highly skilled and specialist role, which requires energy, compassion and understanding. My main role amongst
I’m a cognitive behavioural therapist who joined the IAPT team at Touchstone this month and this is my first ever blog. I’ve chosen dementia as my first topic, quite simply because I was asked! :) Dementia is a term I understand but is not something which I’ve ever fully considered. I guess the way life is set-up means if we’re not dealing with things of immediate concern then there seems
On the 13/14th April, Sikhs all around the world celebrate Vaisakhi and a procession called 'Nagar Kirtan' led by five Khalsa 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
There’s a set of cutlery from 1950, with the embossed numbers hammered in. It represents my fathers RAF National Service, over 2 years spent as a 20 year old young man straight from College. Like his tools he made at English Electric in Thornbury after National Service that as an Apprentice, or the Morris Dancing hat and bells, or the songbooks from his years in the Folk music world,
Touchstone is proud of the contribution we make to the city-wide Leeds Dementia Strategy. There are an estimated 8,500 people living with dementia in Leeds, of whom just over 6,400 have a diagnosis. Since 2013, the number of people with a dementia diagnosis in the city has increased by 40%. Touchstone, along with other charities, local people and communities has risen to the challenge to make Leeds a dementia-friendly place