Podcast Episode 20: Art, Music and Wellbeing

We have great pleasure welcoming back Anna Saez Espinosa - originally born in Girona (Spain), she is a 5th Year Medical Student at University of Barcelona, Spain .. and a Soul & Blues singer! In Episode 21, Anna delves further into the effects of music on the brain and our bodies. She explores the role of music to help treat people with autism and dementia as part of "music therapy" to improve physical, psychological and social aspects of our lives by serving as a "communication bridge". As Anna says, "music is the soundtrack to our lives" - why don't you explore it's positive healing effects for yourself? Join the Leg Club community around the UK (and beyond) and, together, let's help all generations adapt to a society that benefits all.

As we approach shorter, darker days and more time is spent indoors it can impact on one’s health and wellbeing negatively. For example, some people who live alone may experience a deep sense of loneliness during the cold winter months leading to uncertainty, anxiety and lack of self-worth and motivation. Especially as there is the additional challenge of restrictions put in place by government this winter to stop the spread of coronavirus, which could mean families and friends are kept apart and people living alone will have less human contact. Hence, it’s important to look after yourself and wrap up warmly, as the cold winter weather can be more harmful than you think, especially for the elderly or vulnerable.

In this episode, our twelfth, we welcome back Cate Bain -- a Practice Nurse, "The Wound Guy" Media Coordinator and member of our very own Social Media & Communications (SM&C) committee that represents the The Lindsay Leg Club Foundation. Cate discusses the role dressings play in supporting the healing of wounds explaining that wound dressings are ultimately a tool and the type of dressings may change as a wound treatment progresses. The process of repairing a wound should be considered as a "holistic activity" involving the whole body. Nowadays, there are many wound dressings available which are becoming increasingly sophisticated. As we continue to improve our understanding of wound treatments, technology will help provide more options and pathways for successful treatment. In all cases, remember to consult a Healthcare professional. Your local Leg Club will be able to put you in touch with professionals who can help you make good wound dressing choices. Join the Leg Club community around the UK (and beyond) and, together, let's help all generations adapt to a society that benefits all. Checkout our website www.legclub.org for more information.

Leg Clubs have paved the way in developing a psychosocial model of holistic wound care based on empathy, education, social and peer support, empowering the whole person through social interaction as part of the therapeutic journey. Leg Clubs see people with wounds and people with healthy legs requesting assessment. Once someone has been registered at a Leg Club, they are members for life, in either the Treatment Regime (receiving treatment) or the Well Leg Regime (receiving advice and preventative maintenance and a broad scale of education and health promotion). The ‘Well Leg’ programme at the Leg Club is an integral part of the social model and is aimed at the members’ (patients) mental and physical well-being, health education, advice, maintenance and prevention of further leg-related problem once an ulcer has healed. Members that have healed and wish to remain healed at- tend on a regular three / six monthly basis for a full reassessment, sup- port and advice. Members of the Leg Clubs can rely on a safe venue where their physical, psychological and so- cial needs will be met within a social model of care.

We are delighted to welcome our latest speaker, Will Rudkin. Will is the founder and managing director of a bespoke Suffolk Pond design and construction ecosystem business with the aim of bringing the sights and sounds of water, and nature into people’s gardens. Relax and listen to Will discussing the significance of ecosystem ponds and its synergy with Mother Nature to provide food, shelter, and safety to wildlife plus the benefit of water and its impact on an individual’s relaxation, mental health, and overall wellbeing.

One of the key messages of Vein Week is the importance of exercise and movement in preventing lower limb conditions. To help promote this message Mr Motivator, real name Derrick Evans MBE, has created an exercise video for the Leg Club event featuring a series of exercises, both seated and standing, for all ages and abilities. The fitness routine brings Mr Motivator’s unique sense of fun, energy and motivation to Vein Week and emphasises the importance of keeping the calf muscle pump working through movement.