Stay Well and Connected
Stay Well And Connected
Having a sense of wellbeing is important – keeping to a routine, getting up and dressed, eating at regular times, drinking plenty of fluids and keeping a regular sleeping pattern is central to maintaining wellbeing.
It sounds so simple! But we know that these routines can slip when we are faced with difficulties in our lives. You may find that your physical and mental health starts to deteriorate, and you begin to worry about how you will find your sense of wellbeing again. There are positive steps you can take to regain a sense of wellbeing. Evidence shows there are five steps you can take to improve your sense of wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and get the most out of life.
Good connections are important for your mental wellbeing. Making phone calls to others can help hugely. So, give your friends, neighbours, and families a call.
Spread this out over the days so you speak to different people each day.
There are many groups in Aberdeen who will give you a warm welcome as well as help and advice, whether that is practical help as you learn to live with a long- term condition or a peer support group where you meet other people who use their own experiences to help each other.
Connect
Aberdeen City Libraries
Health & Wellbeing Resources
We know that not everyone is digitally connected and that it can be hard to know where to begin looking for a group or a community of interest to you. Your local library is a great place to find out this kind of information.
Aberdeen City Libraries cover the breadth of Aberdeen, with sixteen community libraries, the central library and a home library service for customers unable to visit their local libraries, the lbrary service truely reaches everyone. Membership of a library is free and it will give you access to many resources & services and our staff will be happy to help you with any query you may have.
Navigating health & wellbeing information online can sometimes be difficult and confusing. The library service can offer you 1-2-1 appointments with our Health & Wellbeing Librarian, who will help you access the information you require, from trusted sources.
We hold "Healthy Reading Collections" in our Central Lending Library, Central Information Centre, Culter Library, Mastrick Library and Tillydrone library. These collections supply supportive texts, guides to self-management of conditions and books that supply information on certain conditions. These locations also hold up to date Health & Wellbeing related leaflets to signpost you towards help in managing conditions and up to date information on services available in the community, including peer support.
Whatever your health query may be, you can email the Library Health & Wellbeing team.
PC Access / Wi-Fi
Library membership also entitles you to 2 hours of free PC access per day. non-members can use this resource for 1 hour per day, using our guest log-in option. Printing is available for a small fee.
Public Wi-Fi is enabled across all library sites as well, allowing you to bring along your own laptop, tablet or mobile phone and allow you to work on your own device. The Wi-Fi service is the City Connect service, which is also available in many public buildings, including shopping centres, community centres and Marischal College. Fill in one form and you will be able to connect at any of these locations.
A full list of our libraries, their opening hours and services specific to each library, is available on the Aberdeen City Council website.
ALISS (A Local Information System for Scotland)
Connecting you to your community
ALISS (A Local Information System for Scotland) is a national digital service funded by the Scottish Government, managed by the Health and Social Care Alliance (the ALLIANCE), and coproduced with communities throughout Scotland, to help people find and share information that can support health and wellbeing. ALISS helps people to live well through accessing the right support, including but not limited to services, groups and activities that:
- help self manage long term conditions (e.g. Diabetes support group)
- enable social connection (e.g. community choirs, book groups, befriending services)
- increase outdoor or physical activity (e.g. badminton clubs, community gardens)
- link to a range of practical support (e.g. Money Advice, Advocacy Services)
Aberdeen Equalities Participation Network, developed GREC as resource to improve engagement with equality-related groups and organisations in the city.
The key piece of legislation which governs what GREC do is the Equality Act 2010. The General Duties within the Act require us to eliminate discrimination; advance equality of opportunity; and foster good relations between persons who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
The protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010 are: Age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
GREC can support you make sense of your rights and options if you have been a victim of a hate crime, discrimination, struggling to access services or feel isolated and want community involvement.
Our services include:-
- Support
- Advice
- Advocacy
- Mediation
If you would like to know more, please visit GREC's website, call 01224 595505 or email GREC.
1st Floor
680 King Street
Aberdeen
AB24 1SL
Be Active
Community Activity
You are more likely to stick with exercise if you enjoy it, so look out for something you like doing. Local halls and community centres have a vast array of activities going on every week.
We have lots of outdoor space to enjoy too, including allotments and community growing spaces. Check out what’s on in your area by linking into ALISS via the website below and connect to your community. You can search for services, groups and activities by entering your postcode or your nearest town.
Sport Aberdeen
Sport Aberdeen provides inclusive opportunities for everyone to get active and participate in physical activity regardless of whether you are starting out, recovering from injury, living with a long-term health condition or an older adult.
With more than 30 indoor and outdoor venues across the city, Sport Aberdeen offers a vast array of sports and physical activites. From public sessions to private hire, from lessons, classes & coaching, to holday camps and children's parties. There is somethjing for everyone, regardless of age, gender or ability.
Active lifestyle program consists of a range of bespoke classes and activities specifically designed for older adults, those living with long term health conditions, recovering from an injury, or just starting out.
The community ethos for Active lifestyles enables people to stay socially connected and active whilst supporting and improving their well being. The aim is for participants to improve their physical fitness strength and balance resulting in improved functional fitness and day to day living.
If you want to contact Sport Aberdeen you can email them or call 01224 507744
Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV)
ASV offers variety of indoor and outdoor sport and activity opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
The ASV Evergreens Lifestyle Membership will give you access to our state-of-the-art gym, exercise classes, swimming, health and relaxation suite, the athletics areas and squash courts.
Access to the whole group exercise timetable (Off-Peak) is included in your membership, as well as a range of specialist lifestyle workshops and classes – including table tennis, badminton, Pilates and much more.
You can also take time to relax, socialise and meet new friends in our two onsite cafes that serve a range of refreshments, snacks, and tasty hot drinks – regular offers are available too.
If you want to contact Aberdeen Sport Village you can by email.
Address = Aberdeen Sports Village, Linksfield Road, Aberdeen, AB24 5RU
LifeCurve
The LifeCurve™ is a model of ageing discovered through research at the University of Newcastle and made available through a practical tool created by ADL Smartcare Limited. A model of ageing is just a way of thinking about how we experience getting older.
The LifeCurve ™ is based on research which says there is a set order in which we lose the ability to do everyday activities as we age. The LifeCurve™ is not based on your actual age. Because how we age is affected by many things including our overall health, our early years’ experience, our living and social circumstances, and our socio-economic status.
So you could be 90, fit and healthy and not be on the LifeCurve ™ or be near the top. Equally you might be in your late 50s or 60s and be nearer the middle of the LifeCurve ™. The important thing is that wherever you are on the LifeCurve ™ you can change your position and it is never too late to start.
Have you heard of the lifecurve app? It is an app for your phone or tablet/computer which helps you quickly discover how you are ageing. You answer 19 quick questions, and the app will then give you some daily/weekly tasks to help you make improvements.
Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness, but evidence shows it can also improve your mental wellbeing.
Taking part in physical activity will raise your self-esteem and when you set personal goals and challenge yourself to achieve them chemical changes in your brain happen to positively change your mood.
It is very important to stay moving even if you have health challenges. Choose a time in the day when you feel you have the most energy and make this your time to move. This can be as gentle or as vigorous as your body allows. However, there are some simple but effective movements everyone can do to stop you losing strength in your muscles and prevent you having a fall.
There are programmes available in the city to ensure activity for adults is delivered by suitably qualified instructors and offer the right kind of exercise for you.
Walking is a no-cost, accessible way to get active. Walk Aberdeen's health walks are part of Sport Aberdeen's Active Lifestyles Programme. They are designed as low intensity walks for those who want to get a bit more active or are living with, or recovering from, a long-term health condition. There are a range of local health walks across the city every week.
Paths For All. With the help of a large network of fantastic volunteers, Walk Aberdeen runs a range of low-level, friendly walks from buggy walks to Macmillan Friendly walks. Some of our walks have been designed with those living with dementia and their families in mind and many of our walk leaders and walkers are dementia aware. The free walks always welcome new walkers and last around an hour, they always finish with a blether and a cup of tea.
For more information you can call 01224 047928
Keep Learning
Keeping your brain challenged is another thing that helps us to stay well. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the opportunity to engage in work or educational activities particularly helps to lift people out of depression. Read or join a book club, do puzzles, jigsaws, crosswords or sudoku or do something creative like knitting, sewing, crotchet or art – it’s never too late to learn a new skill. There are lots of things you can do to challenge your brain.
Aberdeen City Libraries
Helping you to keep learning!
Our Resources:
Library members can choose from a large collection of books, audiobooks, DVDs and CDs. You can borrow books for free, whilst DVD and CD loans come with a small charge. You can borrow any 15 items from books, audiobooks and CDs, plus 4 DVDs or 2DVD Boxsets. Holders of the Aberdeen City Council Residents or Visitors card are entitled to a 50% reduction on these charges.
You can access our library catalogue online, where you can browse our collection or search for specific items. Reservations can be placed, free of charge, for any library items which are then delivered to the library of your choice ready for you to collect.
Items are loaned for 4 weeks except DVDS which are for 1 week and can be renewed twice through the library catalogue or by telephoning one of our libraries.
Our Online Resources – Borrowbox/Pressreader
Borrowbox is our eBook and eAudiobook service which allows you to browse and download items direct to your eReader, tablet or computer. We have a huge collection of fiction and non-fiction, for all ages and interests which is constantly updated with new and classic titles. Perfect for if you are on the move or unable to visit your local library, or if you just prefer to read on your device.
Pressreader is our online magazine and newspaper service, which supplies access to over 7,000 titles from 120 countries. This can be accessed on a device using the dedicated app or through the browser of your internet enabled device.
If you are unsure about how to use these services, please ask our staff who will be only too happy to help.
Family History
Our Local Studies and Family History service, based in Central Library Information Centre, is the perfect place to start digging into your past. Whether you are looking for information to build your family tree, access to historical newspapers or information relating to the history of Aberdeen and the surrounding area, we are here to help. We can provide you with free, unlimited access to online resources such as Ancestry and Find My Past and can support you in making the best out of these resources. Our Local Heritage Librarian is on hand to help with every aspect of your exploration, so please just get in touch.
Aberdeen Library Service are so much more than a book borrowing service nowadays. They have a whole range of learning opportunities on offer on their website. Or pop into your local library and ask for some information.
You can find a full list of our libraries is available on the Aberdeen City Council website, along with opening hours and services specific to each library.
If you want to contact Aberdeen City Council libraries you can email, call Home Library on 01224 498930 or the main switchboard on 01224 652500.
North East Scotland College (NESCOL)
Learn a musical instrument, or a language. North East Scotland College is the single largest provider of vocational education and training in the North East of Scotland.
We have a course to suit everyone; whether you’re fresh out of school, currently working, returning to education or simply want to try something new – whatever your educational or occupational background, an opportunity awaits at NESCol. Check out classes available at North East Scotland College online, by using the link below.
Silver City Surfers
Silver City Surfers is a small local charity which aims to help older people with modern technology for those aged over 55 within the City of Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland. We provide free tutoring and support on all forms of modern technology (e.g. laptops, iPads & other tablets, smartphones, digital cameras, etc) through mentoring and one-to-one support sessions provided by experienced volunteers.
With more and more businesses and organisations going completely digital, the need for a safe, welcoming space to learn digital skills is needed more than ever and we are here for the people who need us most.
Read or join a book club, do puzzles, jigsaws, crosswords or sudoku or do something creative like knitting, sewing, crotchet or art – it’s never too late to learn a new skill.
Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums
Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums (AAGM) cares for some of the finest art and history collections in the UK on behalf of the people of Aberdeen.
In the prize-winning Aberdeen Art Gallery you can explore outstanding artworks in the permanent collections galleries, each with its own story to tell, from the Balmoral Phenomenon to People and Portraits, and from Feasting to the Art of Empowerment.
The Art Gallery is open 7 days and admission is free. There is also a regularly-changing programme of special exhibitions, many of which are free to visit. The public programme of talks, tours, workshops and performances for visitors of all ages offers opportunities to discover more about the collections.
The AAGM website and YouTube channels host a wide range of digital content which explore many different aspects of the collections. There are talks from curators and guest speakers, music performances, collections insights, visual descriptions, mindful moments, blogs and much more.
Our Aberdeen is a programme of dementia-friendly events where we explore the collections in a relaxed environment, enjoying an informal chat with participants, staff and volunteers.
Aberdeen Art Gallery, Aberdeen Maritime Museum and Provost Skene’s House are all open 7 days a week and admission is free. Please note that due to the historic nature of of Provost Skene’s House, which dates from 1545, there is wheelchair access to the ground floor only (shop, Hall of Heroes and Access Gallery). You can find out more about access to our buildings and visiting information at our website, which is noted at the bottom of this page.
Keep an eye on the What’s On section of the AAGM website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for our latest news and what’s on information. We look forward to welcoming you in person or online soon!
Take Notice
It can be easy to rush through life without stopping and fail to take the time to really look at what’s around you. Try paying more attention to the present moment and to your own thoughts and feelings, and look at the world around you. It really can improve your mental wellbeing.
Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". Mindfulness can help us enjoy life more and understand ourselves better. You can take steps to develop it in your own life.
Get outdoors
Spending time in green space or bringing nature into your everyday life can benefit both your mental and physical wellbeing. For example, doing things like growing food or flowers, exercising outdoors or being around animals can have lots of positive effects.
Take some time to just relax and indulge in simple pleasures like:
- Listening to your favourite music or watching a movie
- Colour in! (adult colouring books can help the mind to focus)
- Download a relaxation, breathing, mindfulness app or listen to a podcast
Give
Playing your part in community life and helping others can make you feel happier and more fulfilled. It can be as simple as saying thank you or smiling! These are things we can all do to make ourselves and those around us feel better and valued.
Volunteering, even for just a few hours a week or month, can help you to discover and learn new skills, gain confidence, and provides a real sense of achievement and for many organisations in Aberdeen, volunteers are the beating heart. You might have a particular skill you could share or have a cause or charity that is close to your heart. We can help you to find the perfect volunteer role which reflects your area of interest and the amount of time you can share.
Silver Volunteers, ACVO, is a programme run by Volunteer Aberdeen to support older people with their volunteering journey and to connect them with organisations who need their help.
Get in touch with the Volunteer Aberdeen Centre, via the links below, and they will be happy to help you with any of your enquiries.
If you want to contact ACVO you can email them, or call 07814 902083.
Are you enthusiastic about improving your community? We need you!
Do you want to positively influence your community? Do you want to work in partnership to deliver change? If the answer is YES, Locality Empowerment Groups (LEGs) could be for you!
LEGs are local people interested in improving the quality of life for people living in Aberdeen. Members use their own knowledge and experiences to influence priorities and help determine solutions. There are groups for Central, North and South of Aberdeen but we also focus on needs that may be citywide e.g. sharing your experience as a person living with a disability.
There are also Priority Neighbourhoods which focus on areas of the city which experience the greatest disadvantage. When you get in touch we can let you know which group would be best for you. We have a range of opportunities available for people to get involved. If you would like more information please visit our web page or contact us by email by clicking on the links below.