Have you got a big family? Have you thought about writing your will but just can’t face it? Are you unsure how to divide things fairly or worried it might cause conflict? Would you like some help?

We’re making an ambitious and ground-breaking programme about inheritance, which will celebrate family life and explore the issues around legacies, and we're looking to speak to anyone who has a story about their own family. Participants in the programme will receive legal advice from a probate specialist, and help with making their will

If you think this applies to you or your family then we’d love to hear from you, please contact us on 0207 861 8068 or email legacy@talkbackthames.tv

A sharper mind and a brighter future could be no more than a mouse-click away with the launch of a revolutionary new Brain Gym by Funkyfogey.com, the lifestyle web portal.

The Brain Gym’s purpose is to help people aged 45 plus enjoy a longer, happier, and healthier life by spending a little time each day on ‘Neurobics’ – mental exercises that do for the brain what aerobics does for the body.

“Many believe that as they age their brain becomes less capable of coping with metal challenges,” explains University of Sussex based Neuropsychologist Dr David Lewis, who with colleague Darren Bridger, created the Brain Gym.

“Due to this mistaken belief they fail to exercise their mind sufficiently, so creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure. In recent years a vast body of research has shown that, by following the right training and adopting a new and positive attitude to the possibilities of enhancing one’s mental abilities, truly remarkable intellectual achievements can be enjoyed.”

As an example of what is possible Dr Lewis points to the success of pensioner Alex Torrance, who as a schoolboy he was written off by a sadistic master as a dunce. Although he went on to enjoy a distinguished wartime career as a pilot with the Fleet Air Arm and later as a quantity surveyor, his teacher’s damning verdict haunted him for years and led him to conceal, until well into his sixties, the fact that he suffered from dyslexia. His self-confidence was only transformed after he passed a Mensa IQ test, aged 65, and was so inspired by this success that he decided to embark on an academic career at a time when many would be thinking of vegetating in comfortable retirement!

“In his late sixties he completed a BSc in pure Science with the Open University,” says Dr Lewis,
“following this academic accomplishment by taking a further science degree, this time in palaeontology, at the age of 78!”

The Brain Gym Programme provides the brain a good workout with four Modules, each of which will exercise the mental faculties in a different way, helping to build strength, stamina, and agility along the way. Although each Module focuses on one aspect of thinking better, the benefits they confer will have the effect of increasing all aspects of mental functioning. The order in which they can be worked on depends on the results of the initial Free Assessment.

The Free Brain Age Test calculates the age of the brain against the chronological age of the participant. This test is designed to uncover the true age of the brain, and to act as a reference point for the participant’s future brain improvement. Upon completion of the test the participant will receive a full and confidential report by email.

By regularly using the facilities at the Funkyfogey Brain Gym, individuals are not only improving their memory and general brain functioning, but they are also are contributing valuable information and data for current scientific research into how the brain works.

As part of these studies David Lewis and his team at Mind Lab International a brain research organisation based in the Innovations Centre at the University of Sussex, will analyse the Brain Gym data in order to further their understanding of the role such cognitive enhancement programmes play in developing the mental faculties of older adults.

“Exercising the mind is about far more than tackling a series of puzzles and tests, entertaining as many people find such things,” explains David Lewis. “It is about developing a whole, new, personal philosophy about what it means to get older and how we can all safeguard our mental and physical fitness throughout life.”

With these aims in mind the Brain Gym includes a blog written by Dr David Lewis, free articles on many aspects of mental enhancement and a regularly updated video training lecture – The Two Minute Mind Masterclass – written and presented by Dr Lewis.


Dr David Lewis BSc(Hons) DPhil, FISMA. FINSDT C.Psychol. is a neuropsychologist author and lecturer specialising in brain research. A member of MENSA he is the author of more than a dozen best selling books on mental enhancement at all ages, including: Mind Skills, Your Can Teach Your Child Intelligence; Know Your Own Mind, Thinking Better, and Life Unlimited: Peak Performance Past Forty.
Link to the Brain Gym - http://www.funkyfogeybraingym.com
Contact at Funkyfogey – Andrew Wilson Tel. 01323 411464, email andrewwilson@funkyfogey.com
Change your thinking, change your life, join the Brain gym now – it’s FREE!

16th February 2009



The recent snow and icy conditions have proved treacherous for many older people, leading to an upsurge in calls for assistance from Age Concern’s emergency alarm system, Aid Call.

Hazardous, snow-covered paths and pavements have caused people to have more accidents. As a result, the number of calls Aid Call has received from customers needing help has risen during the recent cold spell. Aid Call has also seen an increase in sales figures this winter, with a 13% increase in December 2008 and January 2009 compared to the same period for the previous year.

Age Concern’s Aid Call provides older people with around-the-clock reassurance, so that they can live safely and independently in their own home, while offering peace of mind for both families and the older individual.

Chris Last, Chief Operating Officer at Aid Call, said: “We have seen a dramatic rise in the number of calls from older people who have slipped or fallen in the vicinity of their homes whilst undertaking every day tasks.”

“For example, people have had an accident whilst getting the milk in, or putting the bins out, as they have slipped and fallen in the icy conditions. Fortunately they have been wearing their Aid Call pendant and have been able to get help immediately. Being able to contact a friend, neighbour or relative quickly can save a life especially in freezing weather conditions.”
Aid Call currently provides reassurance to over 40,000 people in the UK. Its emergency response centre is operational 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year and answers an average of 1600+ calls over a 24 hour shift, which equates to half a million calls a year .

The emergency alarm system operates a two-way speech link to enable the person who has raised the alarm to talk to an operator. The trained operator is then able to take appropriate steps to ensure that a chosen key holder (a friend, neighbour or relative) is on hand to allow access. If this is not possible the emergency services will be contacted.

The alarm is lightweight and can be worn around the neck as a pendant, on a wrist strap or clipped to clothing. It is water resistant so can be worn at all times whether in the bathroom, kitchen or garden.

You can now purchase a self-install Aid Call alarm online at http://www.aidcall.co.uk/personalcare/shop/index.php.

To find out more about Aid Call or to arrange a free no-obligation demonstration, please visit www.aidcall.co.uk/personalcare or call 0800 121 4920.
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For further information, please contact: Louise Perfect or Julie Dean at Trimedia on 02380 382 970 or email louise.perfect@trimediauk.com