Making a Difference

Achieving a Healthy and Caring Community

On the B.A.L.L

We are constantly being reminded about the growing trend towards and ageing population and the implications of this for local service provision.  Looking after the health and well being of the older population is therefore clearly a major priority.

The BALL (Be Active, Live Long) Project was set up over a year ago with this aim in mind.  The project seeks to foster companionship among older people, improve their confidence and self esteem as well as increase their ability to function independently.  At present, there are groups meeting weekly in Hopeman, Lossiemouth, Forres, Lhanbryde, Tomintoul, Keith and Spey Bay with another group meeting monthly in Fochabers.  A pilot project is operating in Dufftown to try and get men more involved.  Following an intial organised programme over 12 weeks, each group is supported to manage their own programmes and budgets.

Various agencies are involved in the project, including Age Concern Scotland, NHS Grampian, Grampian Police and the Council's Community Learning and Development and Sports and Arts Development teams.

The BALL Project has also spawned various satellite' developments, including the Buddies Project, where senior school pupils teach computer skills to older people, the 'Knock, Knock' Drama Project, where older people deliver a play around the issues of doorstep crime to other older people's groups and a multi-media arts project providing the opportunity for older people to learn how to use digital and video cameras.

To My Friends
Now I’m a widow and live all alone, 
Wednesday mornings are good and not far from home.
My neighbours are nice and so kind to me,
Taking me here, there, from ‘A to B’. They tell me,
If ever I’m feeling down, “hey! Just pop in, we
Are always around”. I’ve learned so many new things to do
Calligraphy, art, to busy me all winter through, 
Making cards, flower arranging, decorative roses. My brain’s
Kept alert with the quizzes and posers.

With dancing and exercise to keep me fit, what with hoops,
Balls, curling and jolly hockey sticks.
Advice available, if my spending runs amok, is my
Pension gone! – did I really need that frock?
Also my new friends, who are always there, from
Fochabers, Mosstodloch, Dallachy, Bogmoor and elsewhere.
Your company is precious and I do enjoy our meetings. No,
Don’t worry there are no Hawaiian greetings.

So, my thanks to you all, at our group known as B.A.L.L
Anne Cook Spey Bay BALL Group