EXPERIENCE MATTERS
FIRST 2009 NEWSLETTER!
Happy New Year!
I expect for many of you reading the newspaper and listening to the news it doesn't feel as though 2009 has started on a very good footing.
Many of us find ourselves, due to the economic climate, in a different position from the one we had expected even six months ago. Although times are difficult we 'oldies' are the best placed to manage this crisis because we have experience. We just need to believe it. We have been here before and we have survived!
Recessions come and go and rarely last more than two or three years. You may be for a while poorer than you had hoped but being healthy, maintaining good personal relationships and being happy is really what matters. It is all too easy to forget this.
We have grown accustomed to a life of relative plenty, and the idea of this no longer being there fills us with dread. There is more to life than money. If we feel good and confident we can do anything - a discount here and there is always a bonus!
Below are my tips for managing when the going becomes tough
- Don't become a victim. Pessimism can be catching. Being positive and turning challenges into opportunities works.
- Use your knowledge and skills to problem solve. Become a resource for younger people who haven't been here before. Be valued for what you offer - experience.
- Think of ways to save money, for example invite people round for a meal rather than going out to a restaurant. Watch a DVD rather than going to the cinema
- Do things that cost little or nothing such as talk to people, organisations such as U3A have really capitalized on using people's skills to educate others and provide a good social network
- Get some financial advice - it may be scary but once you know what the situation is you can make the necessary decisions.
- Look after your health and wellbeing. If you are physically and mentally well you can overcome pretty well anything.
Plus of course come to one of Experience Matters workshops and seminars. There are a variety of topics.
Especially relevant to the above discussion is Coping with the recession, redundancy and entrepreneurship on March 24th
http://www.experiencematters.org.uk/workshop_business.php
I have been involved recently with a campaign called Kids in the Middle which is being headed by Ed Balls and Beverley Hughes and involves Relate, One parent families, the Fatherhood Institute, Families need Fathers, and the 'agony aunts'. I have been talking specifically about the effect of divorce and separation on older children, parents in their 50s and 60s and of course grandparents. We have in the light of this developed a new seminar Separation, Divorce, Older Children, Re-blended families, Grandparents on May 6th http://www.experiencematters.org.uk/workshop_divorce.php
Our guest speakers at this event are Jon Davies, CEO, from Families need Fathers; as well as a representative from Relate and a grandparenting organization. All will be speaking, giving information and advice as well as answering your questions.
I will be talking more about the KITM project in my next newsletter.
We still have room for more at Health and Wellbeing on March 8th where you will experience a taster session of relaxing yoga; an explanation and demonstration of the craniosacral concept; and an acupuncture session aimed specifically for the 50 plus.
http://www.experiencematters.org.uk/workshop_health.php
Looking good and feeling confident is on March 11th
Brendan Courtney will be joining us to give style and fashion advice; Clarins will be demonstrating body and skin care; and consultants from Bobbi Brown will be demonstrating make up specifically for the 50 plus. There will be 'no selling'! Just good advice, tips and answering your questions.
http://www.experiencematters.org.uk/workshop_looks.php
I look forward to meeting you at the workshops and hearing from you via your comments and questions.
Have a good month
Best wishes
Keren
'Health and
Wellbeing at 50+'
Workshop
Sunday
March 8th
Wellbeing at 50+'
Workshop
Sunday
March 8th
'Looking Good and Feeling Confident'
Workshop
Wednesday March 11th
Workshop
Wednesday March 11th
'Making redundancy work for you' and 'Entrepreneurship'
Tuesday March 24th
'The Sandwich Generation and Managing Parents'
Saturday April 25th
'Separation, Divorce, Older Children, Re-blended Families, Grandparents'
Wednesday May 6th
'Relationships, Love and Sex'
Saturday June 6th
You are receiving this mail because you, or someone using your details, signed up as a free member at our website www.experiencematters.org.uk. If this email has been sent to you in error then please accept our apologies and email us at members@experiencematters.org.uk.
Thank you.