Podcast Episode 33: Therapeutic benefits of ponds

We have great pleasure welcoming 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 20, Anna provides truly fascinating insights and easy to understand examples of the effects of music on our bodies. She describes how music (including pitch and tone of the human voice) stimulates parts of our brains which in turn influences our behaviour and expressions. Music is a universal language - both ancient and modern - which all people are familiar with. Music has a huge power to evoke memories and emotions which are experienced both internally (affecting our hormones and cells) as well as externally (emotions of happiness, sadness..). When we make or listen to music we forget about our concerns, worries and fears .. music has an extraordinary power that unites and uplifts us. Stay tuned for Episode 21 which will continue to explore how our brains react to music. Until then, stay safe & well .. and enjoy whatever you music excites, soothes and heals you! 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.

We asked our trustees and industry partners to highlight the relationship between the Leg Club and Industry Partners.

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 welcome a new speaker Mr Mike Hoskins who is Chair of the Leg Club Foundation and has a long association with the charity as he was instrumental in its inception in 2004. Mike is discussing the benefits of cycling. This interesting podcast not only covers the physical aspects of cycling but the little know benefits to your mental health.

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.