Exercise your mind

Ben Jackson

Do you want regular non life threatening excitement, edge of your seat adrenalin surges without physical pain, or just good company, stimulating conversation and the opportunity to talk to people who want to listen, then read on!

There is a lot of attention and focus in the media today about maintaining a healthy body. Don’t eat too much of this, take this amount of exercise, this food is good for you, this food is harmful. This is all very well, and often it is sound advice, but what about keeping the mind fit and active?

As Hercule Poirot might say “Hastings, the little grey cells, they need regular exercise you know”

Crosswords, jigsaws, word games, Suduko are all options, but they are solitary and not always that stimulating and you get very little back, other than perhaps a sense of satisfaction? Would it not be better to exercise your little grey cells, in the company of others, whilst expanding your knowledge base and helping others to expand theirs?

If you want an opportunity to take your grey cells for a walk, or even a run, then there are two clubs in Oxford, plus one each in Abingdon, Bicester and Thame where twice a month, or more, you can do just this.

These clubs have a regular membership across the full age range, from different nationalities and different backgrounds, business, ecumenical, education etc. They come together in a friendly, supportive environment for structured, entertaining and fun meetings.

They provide an audience eager to hear what others have to say and that will listen intently to factual or humorous presentations and anecdotal stories. In my four years as a member I have heard about Guy Fawkes, Firewalls in Computers, The Planets, Gardening, Folk Lore, and heard personal stories that enthral and inspire.

The pure purpose of the meetings being to build their members’ confidence and help them overcome any fear of speaking out at meetings and in public and to help with developing and refining listening and leadership skills. They can also help to develop better storytelling skills and for those with more confidence already help them to more clearly make their case or presentations.

So if you want to exercise your grey cells and find new friends, continue learning, gain confidence and skills to help in dealing with health professionals or even family, these clubs may be for you.

Volunteers run them, they do have membership fees, but usually only about £1.25 per week, but this varies from club to club, and individuals and groups are always welcome to go along and see first hand what it is they do without charge.

Go on exercise your little grey cells today, go along to one of the clubs listed below and see for yourself, oh and take a friend or two as well.

The personal experience of one members is that regular attendance and participation has helped with building his self confidence, understanding a severely autistic child with no verbal communication, helped in talking to doctors and professionals about his child’s and wife’s disabilities and needs, benefited his business and his roles as a school governor, it is too quote the one thing he does that he would not give up.

For more information follow the link www.d71.org where you can find full details about local meetings and clubs. Basic club details are set out below.

Abingdon

Name : Ridgeway,

Meetings on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday each month

Venue: The Bear Room, Guild Hall, Abbey Close, Abingdon.

Bicester

Name: Bicester Achievers Speakers Club,

Meetings on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays each month

Venue: The Council Chambers, The Garth, Launton Road, Bicester, Oxon.

Oxford.

Name: Bardwell Speakers,

Meetings on the 2nd and 4th Mondays each month

Venue: St Clare’s College, 3 Bardwell Road, Oxford OX2 6SU