Friday 13 October 2023
Welcome to Community, your Dumfries and Galloway community bulletin.
We are always keen to hear of any positive stories about things that are happening in your community and would like to feature them in Community – please email us at communitybulletin@dumgal.gov.uk and one of our reporters will get back to you.
 A to Z of Dumfries and Galloway Council
J is for Just the Thing
This is Gillian Thomas. Gillian works for the council as a rehabilitation officer who supports people with visual impairment.
The aim of her role is finding solutions to issues that affect someone’s ability to live an independent life. Gillian does this through assessing needs and providing support and training – including use of white canes.
Gillian loved dogs as a young person and upon meeting a guide dog trainer decided that this would be a fantastic job – and meant she could help someone and play with dogs at the same time. After studying a diploma in rehabilitation studies specialising in visual impairment, Gillian learnt about different eye conditions and skills including Braille, touch-typing, independent living skills and how to use canes.
She has been working in this industry since 1995 and has been with Dumfries and Galloway Council since 2013.
Support from Gillian comes in many forms – one client was moved to tears when a specific light was placed in her home that allowed her to read for the first time in months.
Another client has been supported for years as they navigate everything from cooking to using public transport on their own
Gillian told us that it is the smallest changes that can sometimes make the biggest impact. One example was shown in one couple that Gillian worked. The gentleman in the couple made comment that he was always hungry, while separately the gentlemen’s wife made comment that “he never finishes what’s on his plate at dinner.” Potatoes and pasta in particular were left uneaten, so Gillian enquired what colour the dinnerware was. Gillian recommended changing to a black plate from a white one to see if this helped depict the food from the plate. A week later, reports were in that the husband had a full stomach and his wife was happy that less food was being wasted.
Another example of the amazing work Gillian conducts every day is helping a young person learn to use public transport. To support a client make independent journeys by bus, Gillian makes the journey herself first. Gillian thinks about changes to surfaces, certain smells a client might pass that they could relate to the journey routinely, what would happen if they missed the right stop, what would they then smell, sense, or hear. Would the client benefit using an app on a device to remind them to get off at the right stop? These are just small examples of what Gillian would consider as she planned for one simple journey for a client – a client who will then have the confidence and ability to independently meet friends for coffee, pick up groceries and do all the things those with their sight take for granted every day.
FACT – Gillian is one of only three people in our Council who can tutor clients in cane use.
Said Gillian: “There are many types of canes needed for different visual impairment issues and client needs. Of all the resources we have to offer, the cane is the most technical to teach. It requires full body coordination and can take a considerable time to learn to use effectively. If you step forward with your left leg the cane needs to be out to the right, then over to the left as your right leg swings forward…it's not as simple as you might think.
“I love my job so much. I saw a cane user who I supported walk through town the other day and I was so proud of them and of myself too; for being the one that enabled them to use the cane and get in and out of town, living life to the fullest.
“My work is so varied, sometimes you have quick wins and other times you take it very slowly, but there is always progress to be had – and this means a lot to me. It is a joy to get to know the clients and see them develop and emotionally conquer challenges that come sometimes with eyesight deterioration.”
Gillian, you told us that your aim is to make people's lives “bigger, bolder and brighter”, and that is exactly what you do every single day. Thank you.
 Free Activities for the Holidays
Groups, teams and organisations are gearing up their holiday programmes and activities across the region. Dumfries and Galloway Council has a wide range of activities for families, children, young people, adults right across the area, many of which are free. We've pulled them together below. Click the buttons and see what you could do this holiday.
Annan Museum
Tuesday 17 October, 11am to 3pm – Spooky Stories and Peculiar Potions
Join us for some creepy stories of weird happenings from the Mostly Ghostly team then head to the potion kitchen to mix up own witch's brew. Choose from eye of newt, crushed dragon bones, unicorn tears and many more weird ingredients to create a potion with colour changes, fizzes and pops.
There will also be an activity trail to follow around the special exhibition 'Dead and Undead in Annan'. All activities are free, just drop in.
Tuesday 24 October, 11am to 3pm – Phantastic Phantoms
Design your own ghostly image printing block and use ink rollers to create printed cards with the spooky scene. You can also follow a special spectre trail around the museum.
This is a free family event, no need to book, just drop in any time between 11am and 3pm.
Dumfries Museum
Saturday 14 October, 10am to 4pm – Prehistoric Crafts Day
Exploring the lives of our ancestors in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages through a range of activities. Try making a small pot similar to examples found in Dumfries or create your own cup-and-ring mark inspired art. Discover new displays of Bronze Age artefacts in the museum and get the opportunity to handle original prehistoric stone tools.
All activities are free, no need to book, just drop in between 10am and 4pm.
Thursday 19 October, 11am to 3pm – Peg Phantoms
Join us for a spooky twist on traditional peg dolls and create your own wooden peg ghost, monster, vampire or other creepy creature.
There will also be a trail around the museum to spot more peg phantoms hidden among the artefacts. This is a free family activity. No need to book, just drop in.
Monday 23 October, 7pm – Women, Witchcraft and Birds
Many Goddess archetypes connect with birds in some way and, arguably, some of this symbolism developed into the early modern idea of ‘the witch’. The persecution of those accused of witchcraft will feature in this talk with accusations involving flight, feathers and birds as familiars included.
Free talk, no need to book, just turn up.
Thursday 26 October, 11am to 3pm – Spooky Stories and Peculiar Potions
Enjoy some spine-tingling tales of weird happenings, then mix up a witch’s brew with curious ingredients such as eye of newt, powdered fairy, and vampire blood to create a potion with colour changes, fizzes and pops.
This is a free family activity. No need to book, just drop in between 11am and 3pm.
Thursday 26 October, 7pm – Birds of the Nith with Stephen Rutt
Using the museum’s recently refreshed taxidermy displays as a starting point, Stephen Rutt will explore what they can tell us about the Nith and what the river can tell us about the range of birds that make their home in its range of habitats.
Free admission, no need to book, just turn up.
Family Learning Opportunities
Family learning sessions provide parents/carers and children with lots of fun learning opportunities. When families learn together, everyone learns new skills and the emphasis is on fun.
Family learning holiday programme runs from Monday 16 October to Wednesday 25 October. See the full programme for more information on each session or to book your place.
Get The Kids Off Their Screens Holiday Programme Returns
The Parent Council from Kirkpatrick Fleming Primary School have again teamed up with Kirkpatrick Fleming Community Council to deliver a holiday programme for the kids in the village and surrounding area.
The ‘Get the Kids Off Their Screens’ programme of activities will run during the week commencing 23 Oct and will include short mat bowling, table tennis, Halloween crafts and baking, boccia, indoor curling, spooky biscuit making, textile and woolwork, Lego club, slime making, party games and a family beetle drive.
The programme of activity is open to primary age pupils and younger siblings from Kirkpatrick Fleming and Springfield Primary Schools and surrounding communities.
Youth Work Service Holiday Programmes
Dumfries and Galloway Council's Youth Work Service works with young people aged 12 to 25 years to provide a range of youth work opportunities across Dumfries and Galloway. The service delivers a range of projects, programmes and services across our region to broaden young people's horizons, and to aid in their personal and social development.
Our Council's Youth Work Service provides free activities to young people across the region. You can keep up-to-date with their news on their social media channels: www.facebook.com/YouthWorkDG
Read the posters for the area-based holiday programmes below.
 Learners Together group members with their award, meeting elected members before Dumfries and Galloway Council Communities Committee meeting.
Learners Together Recognised
A local voluntary group from Wigtownshire has received national recognition for their local work to support learning and skills development in their local community. 'Learners Together' picked up the 'Group Award' at the national Adult Learners’ Week Awards ceremony organised through Scotland’s Learning Partnership.
Formed in 2018, the group have gone from strength to strength over the last few years supported by the Council’s Lifelong Learning Team, and have attracted over £98,000 of external funding to provide a range of courses and learning opportunities such. These include driving theory, arts & crafts, cookery, family events, mental health & wellbeing support, funding a community garden project and many more.
Three committee members from Learners Together have written books and poems, had them published, and have attended the Wigtown Book Festival to talk about their experiences and learning.
During COVID the group bought “isolation packs” and helped deliver them within their local community to help support those who were struggling.
The award is testament to the members of the group who have overcome their own personal challenges and barriers in order provide a vital Service to their community.
 Photo shows (left to right): Robert Lowther – Community Assets Manager (West), Hazel Kerr – Community and Democratic Services Officer, Archie Dryburgh MBE – RBLS Area Secretary for Glasgow, Ayrshire, and Dumfries and Galloway, Derek Crichton – Director of Communities, Liz Manson – Head of Community Services, Chris Woodness – Ward Officer (Nith)
Recognition for Support of the Armed Forces
In his capacity as the Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS) Area Secretary for Glasgow, Ayrshire, and Dumfries and Galloway, Archie Dryburgh MBE recently presented medals to mark support that has been given by individuals to the armed forces.
Derek Crichton received a commemorative medal in his capacity as Responsible Officer/Director on behalf of Dumfries and Galloway Council, for ensuring support is in place for our Armed Forces Champion – including support to the RBLS, veterans, our armed forces community and cadets.
Liz Manson, Robert Lowther, Chris Woodness and Hazel Kerr all received commemorative medals for their operational involvement – in particular the of the Legion's 100th Anniversary events – and their ongoing commitment and support of Royal British Legion Scotland.
These 100th anniversary commemorative medal were commissioned by RBLS, and a small number were given to RBLS Areas to present as they saw fit to those who had gone over and above in support of the RBLS during the anniversary year.
 Wild Goose Festival is Back for 2023
This year’s programme offers a fun-filled series of inspiring and educational, family-friendly activities and events across Dumfries and Galloway.
The eleven-day festival runs from 19 to 29 October, weaving art, culture, and nature together through a series of activities from interactive storytelling, nature walks, conversations to performances and creative workshops for all ages.
The festival is produced by The Stove Network and forms part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2023. This year’s festival will include an immersive Wild Goose Festival Hub, and offer a special youth engagement programme.
 Regional Events Growth Fund Announced
Dumfries and Galloway Council has announced that more than £120,000 will be available for festivals and events grants in financial year 2024/25, as part of the Dumfries and Galloway Events Strategy 2023-2027.
At the meeting of the Council's Communities Committee on 3 October, councillors agreed to introduce the Regional Events Growth Fund and continue the Major Events Fund. Events organisers can apply to the two funding programmes from Monday 16 October with a deadline of Friday the 24 November.
The Regional Events Growth Fund is being established to provide finance for the most ambitious community events to grow into regional attractions, and the Major Events Fund will continue to support signature events.
Full details of the Regional Events Growth Fund 2024/25 and Major Events Fund 2023/2024 are available on the Council’s website, or organisations can email to request the application forms at events@dumgal.gov.uk
 Save up to £2,000 a Year on Childcare Costs for your Little Pumpkins
Autumn is here and as the October school holidays start, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding working families to give their childcare budget a treat this Halloween by opening a Tax-Free Childcare account.
Parents can use Tax-Free Childcare to help with childcare costs for school holiday clubs, breakfast or after school clubs, childminders or nurseries. It provides working families with up to £2,000 a year per child off their childcare bills for children up to the age of 11, or £4,000 a year up to the age of 16 if their child has a disability.
For every £8 paid into a Tax-Free Childcare account, families automatically receive a top up from the UK Government of £2. Using the tax-free top up, families can save up to £500 every 3 months for each child or £1,000 if their child is disabled.
Opening a Tax-Free Childcare account is quick and easy and can be done at any time of the year. Families who have not yet signed up should check their eligibility and apply online today.
It takes around 20 minutes to open an account and money can be deposited at any time. The money can be used straight away or left in the account and used whenever it is needed. Any unused money can be withdrawn at any time.
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