We had a particularly enjoyable day and the weather was on our side. We started our walk around the gardens at the 'glass house', which was hot inside and had various plants used to hot temperatures such as cacti. We also passed a lake with ducks swimming.

We then decided to go for lunch at an outside cafe, where ducks wandered around us. I must have dropped crumbs from my sandwich as I felt a duck peck me on my foot! After lunch we decided to explore the gardens a bit more and made our way around the garden, past various trees plants and shrubbery. Due to the weather I decided to have a sit down with Alison (member of staff), near a statue of a palm tree with coconuts.

It was a very enjoyable trip, with excellent wheel chair and disabled access. Well to conclude, let's say I won't forget that rather brave duck pecking my foot!

Written by Lucy (centre member)

Today here at the Headway Centre we had a visit from a young lady called Adele who came from Surrey University, to talk to us about eating healthier as some people eat the wrong food (like me) and they do not get the right food which means they do not get the right energy.

Adele told us that we need the following groups of food in our diet to be as healthy as possible;

1) Carbohydrates; This should be about 1/3 of our diet and is our main energy source. It is in bread, cereal, pasta and rice. We should eat wholegrain and wholemeal varieties - brown bread and pasta - as these keep you fuller for longer. Some people who want to diet and loose weight sometimes cut out carbohydrates - THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR US.

2) Fruit & Veg; Can be Fresh, Frozen, Tinned. Our diet should contain 5 portions a day of fruit & vegetables to help our bodies grow, and to help them stay fitter and feel better in the long run. This includes Orange juice & some other Juice, please check to see that they are good to drink first. Try and eat Salad with meals as this will help your DIET.

3) Meat & Fish or Alternatives= Beans & Pulse's if you don't eat meat. You should have 2 portions of fish a week (one should be an oily fish like Mackerel to give you omega 3) and a portion Size= Palm Size. If you eat meat try to make it healthy; get lean meat and remove the skin. Swap red meat to white meat more often as it will help with your cholesterol.

4) Dairy Foods; This gives you calcium which is good for your bones. You get it from Milk, Cheese and Yoghurt. try to get low fat options. A portion of cheese is the same size as a matchbox - This surprised us all as we all like cheese and some people will have to cut their portion size down!

Census Talk

Here at Headway Surrey one of the volunteers at the day centre, David Sindell gave members a talk about the Census and offered help for those who need it. A Census is like a survey that the whole nation participates in. It asks questions about where you live, how many people live with you (including children), your job status and your health.

It is important so that the government and local authorities can plan the services and resources that people need. Such as transport, health care and education. The amount of money your council has to spend on these important services is based on population statistics from the census. Which is why it is so important that everyone takes part. A census takes place every ten years and if it is not completed by a certain date, you will face a fine of £1,000.

MY HOLIDAY IN VENICE; by David Askew (centre member)

In April 2011 my Dad and I went on holiday to Venice. Due to the Italians having a strike in Venice we had a more adventurous start than anticipated. Our pre-arranged flight was cancelled so Dad arranged an alternative which flew to Belongia, which was a few hundred kilometres from Venice. We took a train to Venice which took a couple of hours. It was interesting to see the Italian country side which was surprisingly flat with the odd vineyard here and there, contrary to my envisaged stereotype of Olive groves and Vines.

We arrived in Venice and unfortunately made the decision to walk to the hotel which was my first encounter with the hoards of tourists. As it was hot and we were tired, we should have taken a Vaparetto (water taxi). We eventually found the Hotel more by luck than judgement due to dads map reading!!!! Our room was up 3 flights of stairs I just about made it! There were no instructions for the TV, Air Conditioning or Phone. On the second day I requested that we be moved to a lower floor which was carried out, although this new room was "VERY SMALL" - dad said had we been given the room on the first day we would have moved to another hotel. There was a TV with several channels in English!

We visited;

The Basilica: on St Marks Square: This was being cleaned by contractors; I was amazed just how varied the colours were all for the different marbles from all over the world. As was the Architecture; Byzantium, Romanesque, Gothic Hellenic Grecian - a sort of Heinz 57 of Architecture over the past several 100 years!

Bell Tower: I expected to find at least one staircase to walk up but was pleasantly surprised to find there was a lift, and that this was what the queue was for. We reached the top in 3 mins.

Doge's Palace: This was FANTASTIC. The Doge was a ruler of Venice and had his own court and was able to sentence people. It was an extremely opulent place and the art was fantastic.

Parliamentary Visit

We know a little more about Parliament, thanks to a visitor at Headway on the 9th September 2010, Naomi Kent. She is a Parliamentary Outreach Officer, visiting groups to share information. Firstly a quiz helped us to realize such things as Parliament is made up of three parts, the House of Commons, House of Lords and the Queen.

Not many of us knew that the speaker was John Bercow, although several of us knew the three largest parties. Then we had scenarios to decide whether our Member of Parliament or the Local Councillor would help. A road crossing was improved locally, as were street lights and bus routes. The pay of nurses, and level of benefits were set nationally. Knife carrying concerns were both local and national, with the Police also involved.

By knowing more about who is responsible it could help improvements to be made if we wanted to contact our MP. Also with Naomi was a student member of the Youth Parliament, and he knew most of the answers. One of the groups were outspoken with his concerns about Parliament, and whether it was worth voting. Naomi answered with tact and encouragement. It was a lively time.

A) I am still deciding what to buy my daughter but I have bought for the neighbours.

Q) what are you doing for Christmas?

A) I am staying at home and having a quiet time.

Q) What was your past job and did you study at University?

A) I studied at Brunel University an MSc in Environmental Pollution Sciences. I was in the dirty water industry, managing operations and projects.

Q) How did you hear about the position here at Headway?

A) I helped with some Community Punishments Projects, painting and gardening at the old building.

Q) What past experience have you had?

A) I have had over 30 years on dirty water treatment plants and projects associated with them.

Q) Do you have any hobbies, if so what are they?

A) I enjoy dancing Argentine Tango and Ceroc (Jive).

Q) What Skills do you have to help here?

A) I am computer literate, am empathetic, have good people skills and am a Scrabble expert.

Q) Do you live locally? How do you get here?

A) I live nearby, in North Guildford. I come here by bus.

Q) Have you been a volunteer before?

A) Yes I did some work with Project Peru also based in Guildford.

Q) What is your favourite part of being a volunteer?

A) I like helping Clients with activities, especially scrabble.

Q) Are you going on holiday this year or next?

A) I am going on a cruise next year to New York on the Queen Mary 2.

Q) Are there any favourite TV shows or books you have seen or read?

A) I've read Moby Dick and liked that and The Blues Brothers was a great film.

Q) What are you wearing for the Christmas Party? What about a Santa outfit? Ho! Ho! Ho!

A) Maybe! He He He

   By David Sindell Volunteer Monica Larkin Member