Have you heard the one about........

Boris, Donald, Nicola and a 14 year old schoolboy are travelling back to London from a save the planet conference.

Mid flight both of the aircraft’s engines fail and panic sets in!

They discover that there are only three parachutes on board at which point Boris shouts “I am essential to save the Empire” grabs a parachute and jumps. Immediately Donald roars “ I am the President of the greatest power on Earth” grabs a Shute and jumps.

The schoolboy shouts “ miss, miss take a shute take a shute and jump!
No! No! She replies there is only one left, you must!
“No Miss! There are 2 left Mr Trump grabbed my school bag as he jumped”

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Taken on my morning walk for the news paper.
​Mags

Having a chat with the Duthies

The pictures of Daffodils at Mosspark end of Mosspark  Boulevard near to small gate at part of park  where Mosspark Parish members gathered on Easter Sunday morning 's for a service of hymns and readings before returning to church hall; for breakfast of bacon rolls and hot cross buns ; an occasion that was always looked forward to. ! 

​Brian

Last week I noticed a what I thought was a washing line in Maxwell park.  Its now getting bigger.
​Mags

Neil and I met these two characters, enjoying a mid morning snack, while we cycled in Pollok Park this morning.

Today I decided I'm sick of wearing black - I look like Morticia on a bad day.  So, I decided I would start wearing my most colourful clothes - with earrings, with lips, the whole nine yards even although I'm going nowhere.  It's fairly cheered me up!!  Never again will I keep something for 'good'.....now is good, every day is good if you can try to make it so, not just of your self but others.

You might recognise some people you know...
​Mags

This morning I found myself humming and singing the hymn “How great thou art” and decided to ask “Alexa” to play it for us.imagine my surprise when we got Elvis Presley’s version at a pace that the one verse he sang probably took the same time as John Gormley playing the whole Hymn on a Sunday morning!

​How we miss the real world of Sherbrooke Mosspark. 
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By a piece of good fortune Mairi has been at home - she was up visiting us just as the shut down in London was being predicted. Anyway she has stayed up in Glasgow and is currently working from our dining-room. She did however recommend a film on Amazon, "Hidden Figures". It was superb. Based on a real story it is a marvellous piece - thoroughly enjoyable.
​Tom

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I was out for a run and Margaret and George were out for a walk.  The helicopter was above us making sure we were social distancing! 

 Brian now has the Zoom app on his iPad!

Hi Everyone,
Last week as I was walking to the chemist I bumped into Joan  sitting out side La Tee Doh having a coffee. We had a chat about world issues!   It was from there I noticed the queue into Rowlands chemist shop.  It took about 20 mins for me to reach the counter and ask the assistant if my prescription was ready.  I was told to come back on Tuesday.  As we all know yesterday was the first day of lockdown.  As I walked this time to the chemist I noticed what I thought was a washing line in Maxwell Park.  I took a closer look and really liked what someone had done.
​Mags

I am still working away in the back ground getting us into all the emails and literature so we are still a presence in the community. I have spoken to lots of our clients and they are doing OK and trying to stay safe as best they can. Most of the carer services are organised now and back to providing in house care etc. Some of our clients are just going about their lives out and about and are not taking the advice of the government. No matter how much you the them they are not listening, unfortunately. 
I have been on the phone to CPNs and other groups in the community. Irene I have not forgotten about you, I am planning to give you a call at some point but I know your workers are all working from home now. 
I am not sure what the government implications are for charities in all this if we are classed as key workers or front line or even non essential, but what I want to do is establish the need from our service users and the wider community as their is no point in having loads of charities duplicating work when we should be limiting contact. Will let you know how this develops.
So due to the current situation we are presently running a telephone support programme, which I can tell you has been invaluable. I was on the phone to a few people for over an hour each last night giving them reassurance and support, having a sing song down the phone with Linda one of our clients who is in a wheelchair, had both of us in stiches and was light relief for both of us. I received a few calls from the job centre asking if we could provide food parcels for people which we did. Stevie went down and  made them up and left them outside the front door of Preshal for them to collect., this was for their safety as we don't know if we are contagious at the present moment, hence the reason why I have implemented the extra 7 day isolation period.
I have just email all the partnerships telling them that my plan is to be up and running again next Monday and the aim will be to provide a telephone support programme and also a food programme to the over 70s and vulnerable in the area. As I said to them what this will look like I am not entirely sure and I am not committing us to a specific strategy as I feel right now this situation is completely fluid and we need to adapt day to day if not hour to hour to provide as much support to those in need in a safe and loving manner. Their are probably loads of things I have not mentioned here but rest assured I have not stopped working on behalf of our clients I am in constant dialogue with other agencies and can get support out to those who need it.
Although this situation is bleak and the waters are rough at present we will continue to shine in our community
Praying for each and everyone of you at this time and also for all our staff and clients. 
Stay safe and stay sensible
#ihavealightanditalwaysshines
Alan Nicholson
CEO
The Preshal Trust