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HANDYPERSON SERVICE
Handyperson volunteers carry out small/minor maintenance jobs in older people’s homes in the Stirling, Bridge of Allan, Dunblane, Callander and Clackmannanshire areas. The service is co-ordinated by registered charity Volunteering Matters. There is no charge and donations are gratefully accepted. Volunteers welcome. For details during the current climate call 01259 928088.
COUNCIL ON DISABILITY STIRLING
The office in Cameronian Street regrets having to close its doors for an indeterminate period due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Staff do not know how long they will be unable to see clients on a face-to-face basis. However, there will be someone in regularly to check the phones, mail and emails. Please get in contact should you need assistance and COD will do its best to help you.
ROCKTALK
Stirling’s talking newspaper for the blind is free to visually impaired members of the community. Contact Mike Milne at enquiries@rocktalk.org.uk or 01786 816673.
NEURO CENTRAL
Meetings on first Monday of the month at Stirling County Cricket Club have been cancelled until further notice. See www. neurocentral.co.uk for more details.
ALZHEIMER SCOTLAND
Contact dementia advisor Donna Paterson at dpaterson@alzscot.org, 01786 8311 or 07733 302772.
GOING FORWARD STROKE GROUP
Meetings currently suspended.
TOWN BREAK
The charity group supports people with early to moderate stage dementia to live well. For more information in the current climate, contact 01786 641841 or email admin@townbreakstirling.org.
FRIENDS OF THE SMITH
Meetings currently suspended.
PARKINSON’S
All Stirling and Clackmannanshire branch meetings have been cancelled until further notice. More details from Jim 01259 762734, Muriel 01360 850357 or National Helpline 0808 800 0303.
STIRLING CITY CHOIR
The choir has resumed rehearsals, using Zoom, on Tuesdays at 7.30pm. Current choir members who wish to participate should check their email for details. Any potential new members should contact the choir through the website www.stirlingcitychoir.org. uk The choir will be concentrating on Vivaldi’s Gloria at the start of the session. It is hoped that physical rehearsals will resume in St Columba’s Church Hall when guidelines permit.
THE ARTS SOCIETY TIRLING AND FORTH VALLEY
Anyone who would like to join the Stirling and Forth Valley group contact the membership secretary by e-mail : artssocsfvmembership@gmail.com or www.theartssocietystirling.org.uk.
FORTH VALLEY FRIENDS OF SCOTTISH OPERA
If you’d like to get updates by email from the Friends, whether you’re a member or not, please contact Elise Macrae at macraefernbank@btinternet.com.
ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION (STIRLING BRANCH)
Due to the current and continuing Covid restrictions, the branch will not be holding any monthly meetings but will let everyone know when these will resume. If you would like any further information about the branch please contact us by emailing the secretary on secretary. aashstirlingbranch@btinternet.com or by contacting the chairman by phone 07940 828434 or email: james21healy@ outlook.com.
DUNBLANE VERSUS ARTHRITIS
Monthly meetings cancelled due to the coronavirus. The website with helpline and forums are available to any person requiring information relating to their arthritis. They can be found at www. versusarthritis.org; helpine 0800 5200 520 and email helpline@versusarthritis. org. Local contact dolly.g@talktalk.net.
BRIDGE OF ALLAN AND DUNBLANE ROTARY CLUB
A heart attack victim needing immediate treatment in hospital; those seriously injured in a major road accident needing urgent medical attention; a patient on an island who urgently needs to get to hospital. What links these and others requiring rapid access to specialist hospital treatment? The answer is that all are dependent on the expert provision made by Scottish air ambulances to provide rapid access for patients to appropriate medical attention. Jim Brand, a First Responder, and a specialist in cardiac response, spoke at Thursday’s meeting about the work of the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA). Working in partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) and other emergency services, SCAA is an integral part of Scotland’s frontline emergency response network, responding to trauma incidents and medical emergencies across the country, covering an area of more than 30,000 square miles. Formed in 2013, SCAA started its operation with a helicopter based in Scone. A further helicopter, based in Aberdeen, was added last year. Each of the bases also has a BMW X5 rapid response road vehicle. With these resources, and a team of four pilots and 12 paramedics, SCAA can take expert care to the scene of time-critical emergencies, whether on a road, in a field or at someone’s home. SCAA then transports patients to specialist hospitals where patients can receive the most appropriate advanced care. Last year SCAA responded to about 460 callouts, with 44 per cent involving traumas of various sorts, 17 per cent cardiac emergencies, with the balance other medical emergencies. Jim emphasised that the ability to provide timely medical intervention and transport is vital: a patients’ chances of survival and full recovery are greatly increased if they receive the right medical care within the first hour of injury or illness. SCAA can be airborne within five minutes of receiving an emergency call and can reach 90 per cent of Scotland’s population within 25 minutes, in many instances, even more quickly. The service is a lifeline, particularly to rural and island communities. Jim illustrated this by an instance when a four month-old baby boy in a rural community had been very seriously injured by a dog, and was in danger of losing his life. Swift intervention by SCAA with rapid transfer to Aberdeen Hospital, undoubtedly saved his life. Jim emphasised that it was important to recognise that SCAA, Scotland’s only charity air ambulance, is entirely funded by the people of Scotland, primarily through donations, fundraising, events and its life-saving lottery. The cost of the current operation is about £4 million each year, with each mission costing some £2500. There are opportunities to support SCAA through donations, its lottery and other forms of giving. SCAA is also very pleased to welcome volunteers who can marshal at fund-raising and other events, as well as by spreading the word about SCAA and generally supporting its work. More information about SCAA can be found at www.scaa.org.uk. Information on the club’s programme and activities can be found on the website: www. dunblanerotary.org.uk or on Facebook.