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We started the session today with a quiz naming the A List Celebrities. I gave them the first names and they had to guess the surname.

I also introduced our visitor Andrea Hutter informing them that later this month Andrea will be Ladies Captain at South Herts Golf Club and has nominated Dementia Club UK as her charity for the year. Members were delighted to hear this news.

One of the Carers then James read 2 poems about Remembrance Sunday. The session then followed with chair yoga exercise with Richard. Andrea was also pleased to join in. The session then followed with some singing and as usual the social activities.

One of the members came across this safety device – a locking cooker valve which might be useful to others, see video below:

What is a locking cooker valve? from Cadent on Vimeo.

“As usual, we enjoyed the entertainment from James le Bec and he was ably supported by one of our guests who gave a wonderful spontaneous rendition of a Frank Sinatra song.

We also danced and sang our way through all the old favourites. We were joined by a group of potential volunteers hoping to start their own group and who also joined in the activities We played games, had a quiz and look forward to seeing our friends on December 4th.”

Report from session leader Gilda

We also had visitors today from Rotary Club of Edgware and Stanmore – Danielle Benson President of Rotary Club of Edgware and Stanmore and other Rotarians – Dr Nandini Varma, Mrs Sonia Hirsh and Peter Bradley. They attended to observe how a session is run with the view of setting up a similar dementia club in association with Dementia Club UK. They enjoyed watching the session.

One of members today Chrystalla celebrated her 89th birthday and this was celebrated in the usual DCUK fashion.

We also had 2 visitors. I introduced our first visitor Serena Dhaliwal who is a Development Assistant Producer of Boundless. From the makers of Channel 4’s Grand Designs and BBC ‘s The Apprentice, Boundless are putting together a unique exciting expedition of a lifetime for anyone over the age of 65. Members were certainly very excited to hear this. Serena stayed for most of the session and also interacted with members.

I then introduced our second visitor – Linda Gilling Director of the British Reflexology Association came to talk today to members about the benefits of reflexology. She brought her special chair to show us which looks like a luxury sun bed which elevates your legs. Linda explained how every part of a foot plays an important part to your Wellbeing as there are many pressure points. It is still unfortunately not recognised by GPs to refer patients but Linda gave us a few real life stories of how she has made a difference to many people’s lives.

Linda then asked if anyone wanted to experience a short treatment and Marina one of the carers wanted to take this opportunity. Linda performed this infront of all members who watched attentively as Marina was being treated. A full treatment would normally take one hour but Marina’s treatment was only 10 minutes. Marina did however feel very relaxed after even after a short time.

The session then followed with a Halloween quiz. Lisa surprised members when she put on a witches hat during the quiz. Everyone was very amused. The winner of the quiz who most answers correct in fact was also given a witches hat.

Before moving on to the next part of the session, Lisa read out a few jokes which everyone always enjoy. Members were now ready for the exercise part of the session which Lisa took and was then followed by games and some singing.

Lisa had no volunteers today but this was not a problem as carers offered to assist. We had 2 new members today who enjoyed the session.

NCS students returned today at Hendon Town Hall for the second day. Members were very pleased to see them again. We also had some new members.

The students started with some singing from Lisa’s song sheets and Stefan the mentor brought in his guitar to play along as everyone sang. The session then followed with a game of charades by the students. The members were very good at getting the answers. Tina one of the Carers also had a go.

Members enjoyed playing charades and laughed so much. Lisa then took the exercise part of the session and then followed with games as usual. The students really enjoyed interacting with the members and playing table tennis. Lisa then suggested to give the students a little guided tour of the Town Hall showing them the Mayors pictures and the Chamber.

They were very grateful. Before saying goodbye to our students we all grouped together on the stairs for a photo. As usual NCS students were amazing and the members really enjoyed having them for 2 days.

Thank you to our volunteers Melvyn who attended today and also the Mayor’s secretary Mary who had time to volunteer today.

We had a very busy session today with a visit from 12 students from National Citizen Service ‘NCS’ The students were led by their senior mentor Stefan Filby and Nora Perone.

We also had some birthdays to celebrate. It was Pantelis birthday celebrating 81 years. His wife brought a huge fresh cream cake and other special biscuits which everyone really enjoyed.

We also celebrated another belated birthday for Ruth who is 66 years old. All members sang Happy Birthday to both Pantelis and Ruth and of course celebrated with a firework candle.

The students were great as usual with the members interacting and helping during the session. The leaders introduced themselves informing members that they would be putting together a drama for tomorrow’s session at Hendon Town Hall and this would be based on what they have heard and learnt from members during today’s session.

The session then followed with Richard taking the chair yoga exercise with everyone and even the students joined in. The last part of the session we took out the games and the students were happy to play with members. Lisa then read a couple of jokes before everyone left and also gave members some new badges today.

Our thanks to our volunteers Eleanor, Melvyn, Dr Angela and we also had a new volunteer today Maureen.

Lisa took the session today with Eleanor. The session started with 2 challenges. The first challenge was all members to copy a picture of a house and a stick man in the middle. The challenge was to keep the pencil on the paper without lifting it when drawing the stick man. This was not easy for members but when Lisa showed them how it could be done they were very surprised and amused. The second challenge was to guess how many sweets in a big jar. The person who guessed the nearest figure was given a prize.

Today was also celebrating World Polio Day and Sasha made some purple cupcakes to commemorate Rotary who have nearly helped to eradicate polio worldwide. When children are immunized against poliomyelitis the little finger is dipped in purple ink. This colour has now been carried World-wide as a symbol of the battle to finally eradicate polio. Members got together for a group photo holding up a purple cupcake.

The Town Mayor, Eric also joined us in the photo. The session then followed with chair exercise with Sarah and then some singing and a music quiz led by Eleanor.

Our GP was unable to attend today as she had an emergency but we had a visit from an Admiral Nurse Hayley Cooper who introduced herself and informed members that she would be happy to speak to anyone who needed any help or advice.

Our thanks to our volunteers Sandra, Yvonne and Marijke for helping with the teas and washing up. Also thanks to Eleanor for taking the latter part of the session. 

Lisa was invited to speak at the Rotary London UK District 1130 conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stratford-Upon-Avon on Saturday 21st October 2017.

Lisa spoke about dementia and Dementia Club UK to 400 Rotarians who attended from different London clubs. There were other speakers during the weekend including the District Governor Mike Hodge who spoke before me so that he could introduce me as the next speaker.

In his speech he announced that his charity during his year was Dementia and wanted to encourage all Rotary clubs to consider setting up a dementia café especially as 2 Rotary clubs have already set up dementia cafes in partnership with Dementia Club UK.

Lisa was very pleased at the end of my speech she had a number of people who approached the DCUK Stand and wanted to know how to go about setting up a dementia café in partnership with Dementia Club UK.

We want to thank Ionian Clarinet Choir who are giving a concert in aid of Dementia Club UK. The concert will be at St Andrews Church, Chase Side, Southgate, N14 5PP.

There will be refreshments provided by the church in the interval.