Search for ideas
Find a selection of ideas, things to think about and things to do.
OLD, BLACK, WRONG COLOUR, LGBTQ+, DIFFERENT… US AND THEM
This blog brings a lot of issues together because they’re not really separate. Neither are we – you being colourless, ageless space right now for these words to appear in, and me being the same empty space for where they’re coming from. I may look like a gay old green Martian from the outside, but…
Instant Mindfulness
For frightening and isolated times… here’s a simple way to the calm behind the storm. I can’t say for you, but at times like these I want something that works now – even for the likes of me. Nothing difficult. Here’s my favourite – having spent over 70 years learning what works. There’s nothing wrong…
Judi Dench, Harriet Walter and more share Shakespeare speech about kindness
Judi Dench has returned to a Shakespearean role she played 50 years ago in a new video. The actor recited excerpts from Portia’s “the quality of mercy” speech from The Merchant of Venice, in the clip posted on Twitter by Jade Anouka. She appears alongside Harriet Walter, Paapa Essiedu, Paterson Joseph, Meera Syal, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith and Simone…
Chair Dance exercise to Mambo
Here is Hannah’s latest Chair exercise. This time with a Mambo theme. We hope you enjoy!
Sadler’s Wells launches free daily online dance classes and performances
If dance is your thing, then here’s a great offer. Some fantastic performances for you to sit back and enjoy. And, if you are feeling energetic, some classes for you to join in with! The renowned dance venue has launched a new online platform called Digital Stage, where it will present performances alongside classes created…
A Budget Christmas by MYsocial Member Peter B.
Warning, just now all seniors will be getting their winter fuel payments. As there is an extra £300.00 being paid this year be aware of scammers and any email, text or call requesting your bank details. Another warning tomorrow is America’s Black Friday, another unnecessary thing we have imported, not all deals will be as…
ZEN MEDITATION made incredibly simple and useful
Hui Neng, the Sixth Patriarch of Zen (637-712), said to See what at this very moment your own face looks like, the face you had before you were born. Zen Master Daito Kokushi (1281-1337) said that all the 1700 koans of Zen are simply pointers to our Original and Featureless Face. I tell you about…
Age Strong
“Older people are our underdeveloped renewable natural resource.”- Professor Peter J Whitehouse “We’re all on this amazing ride together, younger people are just older people in training, and ageing is an elite sport. Let’s get good at it.” – Paul Springer Age UK Lambeth has a bit of a plan. The idea is that we…
2020 – One From The Heart
When it began, I thought of 2020 as a year of seeing clearly (20-20 vision). Well it was every bit of that. We saw more clearly how challenging and dangerous life can be, and how selfishness on all levels from behaviour to government doesn’t work, and how loving our neighbours as ourselves makes all the…
Have a look around the British Museum…
British Museum, London London is a cultural hub just waiting to be explored, and what better way to dive into history than by using the resources on offer at the British Museum? Older than the United States itself, this museum contains one of the most important collections in the world, illustrating the evolution of man…
Dancing Queen routine for Life
OK… we know you have some Pom Poms somewhere lying around! Go on, this is your big moment, go find them! Seriously though… no Pom Poms required. But here’s another fab routine from Hannah with another great tune.
ZEN, NEVER AGEING, STAR WARS and BEING a ONE TRICK PONY
Recycle my last blog? Seriously? Yes, well you need to read it to appreciate this one, and it is a wonderfully short and easy read. It’s about the ancient Zen of the Original Face and how easy, obvious and practical it is as “a meditation that works with bingo, football, making love, shopping, dying, partying……
Arm Exercise Chair Dance
Some of you will remember Hannah from our Dance sessions. Here’s a nice gentle Arm exercise routine, you can easily do sat in your chair. And a nice tune too!
Amy MacDonald concert in full
Amy Elizabeth Macdonald (born 25 August 1987) is a Scottish singer-songwriter, guitarist, and musician. She has sold over 12 million records worldwide.[1] Macdonald released her debut album This Is the Life in 2007. The singles “Mr Rock & Roll” and “This Is the Life” from it were chart hits. The latter charted at number one…
Take a virtual tour of the National Gallery
Take a virtual tour of the National Gallery How amazing is this… wherever you are in the world, you can take a tour of the National Gallery from this page Google virtual tour Enjoy panoramic views of the Gallery in collaboration with Google Street View. Take the tour Immerse yourself in Renaissance masterpieces from Northern…
Learn a new language
Why don’t you take advantage of the lockdown period and challenge yourself to learn a new language? This is a great time to practice your Italian or your Spanish, ready for a trip to the Mediterranean after this is all over. They say that children learn languages the best. But that doesn’t mean that adults…
The Ageism Virus
Ageism is the one remaining acceptable form of prejudice – even our governments promote it. Covid-19 is an old people problem, right? Wrong. The Gerontological Society of America crunched the numbers and found that 40% of Covid infections are 19-44 year olds, and 34% are age 45-65! With 4% being children, that’s 78 PERCENT of…
A fare well and thank you
Graham Gardiner is moving on – from CEO of Age UK Lambeth to leading a hospice in Scotland. If you have found MYsocial / AUK Lambeth to be of special value in these times you have Graham, and the people he’s encouraged like Dee and her team, to thank. For me it has been a…