Community

Summer is the perfect season to spend time with family and get stuck into some fun activities with grandchildren. Research by the University of Oxford has shown how grandparents play a vital role in children’s well-being. Doing activities together will bond grandparents and grandchildren and when the grandchildren grow older they are more likely to talk and discuss problems with grandparents. Grandchildren are more likely to open up to grandparents they trust and are emotionally connected to, especially if they find it tough to talk to their parents.

Here are a few summer activity suggestions to enjoy with your grandchildren…

Going for a walk and a picnic

Walking is a brilliant form of exercise and the best way to get out in the fresh air, especially while we are having such nice weather! If you, or your grandchildren, have a dog then this is even more reason to get out for a stroll.

You could even prepare a homemade picnic to take with you – bring books and games to enjoy as well. Those with limited mobility could always enjoy a picnic in the garden to save walking long distances.

Cooking and baking

Should the weather suddenly turn typically British and outdoor activities are off the table, cooking and baking at home is a really nice way to enjoy some family time. Not only will they have fun making something with you, but they can also begin learning how to cook.

Simple recipes which children can follow are readily available online, but family recipes are a nice way to emphasise the significance of the food being made – for it to feel extra special, they could make something for their parents to enjoy.

Grandparents tend to have more time to help and teach their grandchildren to cook, but also they are often much calmer and have some wonderful skills and recipes to pass on to the younger generation.

Make a family tree

This is another great indoor activity to consider as it will be interesting for the grandchildren as they grow up and it is fun to put together.

Grandparents are in a unique position to provide family history and they can help build a family tree whilst telling the grandchildren all about their relatives and great grandparents. Use photographs and stories to recall precious memories of other family members.

Anita from Wiltshire has won our pamper bundle worth £100! Here is her winning summer activity:

'Having precious time with the family regardless of whether it’s raining or sunny, it’s wonderful being together. Life gets so busy with work and school that we cherish family time and summer offers us the opportunity to have some.'

Well done, Anita!

With temperatures set to rise again this weekend, we have come up with some great tips for enjoying the sun safely and getting a good night’s sleep…

During the day

Shut windows in your house and pull down shades as well as closing blinds and curtains – this will prevent the heat from the sun warming the house too much. When it’s cooler (generally in the evening), you can open the windows and let the air in.

Be sure to avoid being outside during the hotter parts of the day – between 11am and 3pm, especially if you’re susceptible to effects of heat and sunshine.

Having cool baths or showers and drinking cold drinks will help keep your body temperature as low as possible.

Time for bed

The optimal bedroom temperature for sleeping is between 16°C and 21°C, and your brain actually needs to be slightly cooler than the rest of your body. One way to help achieve this is opening the windows (when the temperature has lowered in the evening) and placing a fan in front of the window to help disperse the cooler air around.

You can fill a rubber hot water bottle with iced water and place this on the ‘cooling points’ of your body: knees, ankles, wrists, neck and elbows. Or you can fill the hot water bottle with water, freeze it and take it to bed!

Using cotton pyjamas and thin, pure cotton sheets for your bed will help you to keep cool - high quality cotton is the ideal bedding material to sleep in as it’s the most breathable. 

For some added relaxation, try our Lavender and Chamomile Slumber Mist – infused with soothing essential oils, this mist will help you unwind at bedtime. You could even pop it in the fridge for an added cooling effect!

Helen Lederer has written about our Community Project Award in her My Weekly column this week. Thank you Helen!

We are thrilled that our problem-solving Margaret style has been featured by THIIS - a lovely piece about this ultra-comfy style:

We’re thrilled that Choice magazine is publicising our Community Project Award!

Add the finishing touch to your outfit. Our stylish, extra roomy footwear for men and women is perfect for all summer occasions. Plus get free delivery (UK standard) worth £4.99 and free returns when you spend £60 or more (terms and conditions apply - see below*).

*Terms and Conditions
To redeem our free delivery offer (UK standard) on all orders of £60 or more, simply add any item/s worth £60 or more to your basket and enter the code CFJULFP when prompted. Free delivery (UK standard) will be applied to the order. This offer expires at 11.59pm on Sunday 8th July 2018. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Offer available on in-stock items only and/or if all items are in stock. We reserve the right to withdraw this offer at any time. 

If you are not 100% satisfied with a product, for any reason, at any time, you can return it to us for free (within the UK) for an immediate exchange or refund of the cost of the product.

Win a Fortnum & Mason hamper worth £125

The 2018 Wimbledon Tennis Championships begins on Monday 2^nd July. Test your knowledge of the Grand Slam tournament with our quiz and you could win a fabulous Fortnum & Mason English Essentials Hamper worth £125!

To be in with a chance of winning, simply enter our quiz via the online form below by 11.59pm on Tuesday 31^st July 2018. The first person to be randomly selected from the correct entries will win! Terms and conditions apply - please see below*.

The Fortnum & Mason English Essentials Hamper contains:

• Traditional wicker basket with leather buckles (49(W) x 31(D) x 22(H)cm)
• Fortnum’s Piccadilly Piccalilli (200g)
• Breakfast Blend Tea, Loose Leaf Caddy (250g)
• Queen Anne Blend, Loose Leaf Caddy (250g)
• Chocolate Piccadilly Biscuits (675g)
• Strawberry & Champagne Preserve (340g)
• Fortnum’s Hot Horseradish (200g)
• Sir Nigel's Marmalade (340g)
• Rose & Violet Creams (250g)
• Icy Mints Box (125g)
• Fortnum's Traditional Tea Strainer

*Terms and Conditions
To be in with the chance of winning a Fortnum & Mason English Essentials Hamper worth £125, enter our quiz via the online competition form above by 11.59pm on Tuesday 31st July 2018. One prize available. Only one entry per person. A winner will be randomly selected from the correct entries. The winner will be contacted by email. Prize cannot be exchanged for a cash alternative. Prize can only be sent to a UK address. We reserve the right to withdraw this competition at any time.

The 2018 Wimbledon Tennis Championships start this week, so why not sit back, enjoy the coverage and improve your circulation at the same time!

Why is good circulation so important?

Blood circulation is one of the most important functions in the body. It supplies oxygen to the brain and other organs and is what makes our bodies work. It can also promote healthier skin and helps cell growth. Poor blood circulation can be caused by smoking, lack of exercise and sitting in one place for too long.

Having an increase in blood flow and circulation to areas of your body helps promote cell growth and organ function. Your skin also benefits from an increase in blood circulation. Healthy skin is better able to fight off bacteria and infection that it may encounter. When your heart pumps at full force, your heart rate lowers, heart muscles relax, and your blood pressure flows evenly and smoothly.

Cosyfeet has some great circulation-boosting products that can help you from the comfort of your chair:

Get your blood pumping with the REVITIVE Medic

Increase circulation, reduce swelling and relieve aching legs with this remarkable device. Simply plug it into the mains, find a comfy chair and treat yourself to better circulation and overall well-being!

Encourage healthy blood flow with our Restaleg

This exceptionally, comfy footstool is specially designed to reduce pressure on your legs and encourage healthy blood flow. It’s adjustable in height and tilts to a comfortable angle. 

Exercise your arms and legs with our Pedal Exerciser

This lightweight, pedal exerciser is ideal for exercising leg and arm muscles and stimulating your circulation. The resistance can be easily adjusted so you can vary your exercise programme.

Do you help run a club or charity that benefits older people? Do you have a specific project that you’d like to get off the ground?

The Cosyfeet Community Project Award offers a one-off donation of £750 to registered charities or not-for-profit organisations and clubs working on local projects within the UK that support and enrich the lives of older people.

There are 2 awards of £750 available – one for projects operating within Somerset (which is where Cosyfeet is based) and one for projects operating outside of the county.

We are particularly interested in projects that provide practical and emotional help, keep older people active or give them a chance to meet up with others- anything that may help older people feel less isolated and more involved in their community.

If you would like an entry form posted to you, please call us on 01458 447275, or click here to use the online entry form. The deadline for entries is Tuesday 31st July 2018.

Swanage Disabled Club were the proud winners of last year’s national Cosyfeet Community Project Award. This wonderful charity used the money to rent a sea front beach hut for its members, to coincide with the Swanage Carnival and Regatta.

St. Margaret’s Hospice’s Sunflower Centre Day Hospice, in Taunton, were last year’s winner of the Cosyfeet Community Award for Somerset. The award helped fund lunches for Day Hospice patients, which are provided free of charge.

Click here to enter your club