Category: Blog

There were many members today and we also had 2 new members.

Lisa welcomed the members and then Mark gave members a fun quiz to do which was challenging as usual. Lisa then gave members a word ‘Television’ and asked them to try and make as many words as they could. Two of the members were successful in making the most words.

The session then followed with the arrival of Annalisa who gave members a variety of fun exercises which also included Lisa getting members to exercise with their favourite song ‘Coming Round The Mountain’.

Members were then ready for more fun when the music entertainer arrived. Members were up dancing and singing and one of the carers Jacqueline got up and led ‘The Macarena’ dance routine to a few other members. This dance was the rage in the 90’s. This was a very enjoyable session and everyone left happy.

Thank you to our volunteers today Melvyn, Carlos, Mark my husband and Trustee. Thank you also to our Rotarians Mollie, Ritu, and Dr Nandini. Also thanks to Beryl who was the premises manager but continues to attend to set up for us. We are very grateful.

Our new venue is slowly building up numbers. The session started with a quiz from Mark and then followed with Richard showing members some chair yoga exercises and some New challenging stand up exercises.

The session then followed with Ronnie and his music entertainment which always gets members up to dance.

Thank you today to Sasha and Maricca for attending as volunteers to help during the session and of course my husband and Trustee Mark who did the quiz with the members before Richard attended.

I was delighted to be invited on Wednesday 12th September to speak about dementia and Dementia Club UK by Maria Paschali one of the ladies from the Greek Women’s Philanthropic Association ‘GWPA’. The GWPA which is a registered charity holds it’s meetings at St Katherine’s Orthodox Church at Friern Barnet Lane N20 0NL.

It was a pleasure to meet the ladies at their coffee morning. I also brought with me 2 of my dementia club members Marina and Andreas who were delighted to meet everyone. The GWPA meet for coffee every 3 months and fundraise for a different charity of their choice each time.

I was delighted that they decided to fundraise for Dementia Club UK and would like to thank Maria and all the ladies for their generous contribution which will go towards helping more people suffering with dementia and also providing help and advice to carers and families.

We had a very busy session as usual. Lisa talked about various updates and upcoming outings to members whilst they were enjoying their teas and cakes and then she introduced a poem by Ronald Dhal.

Lisa told members that as Thursday 13th September is a celebration day for Ronald Dhal (the world’s number one story teller for children) she had a poem called The Three Little Pigs to be read. As this had 19 verses Lisa asked different members to read each verse. It was very amusing and members enjoyed it.

Lisa then played Bingo which everyone always enjoys and there is lots of concentration. The session then followed with singing from Lisa’s song sheets and also some dancing when they hear their favourites.

The session finishes off with some True/False quiz questions which always gets members chatting amongst themselves.

It was a very enjoyable session. Thank you to Dr Angela who was busy taking blood pressures and talking to members with any medical concerns. Melissa who is always a great hit with members with her bubbly character. Thank you to Melvyn and Eleanor for helping setting up and throughout the session and also to our new volunteer Carlos who has also been attending and has been very helpful.

Today was the Jewish New Year so a few of the members were missing.

Lisa did a 1950’s quiz which brought back many memories and encouraged chatting amongst members.

Annalisa the exercise instructor then came and everyone was ready for exercises. Members have really taken to Annalisa as she makes exercising really fun.

The session then followed with Helen Tierney who as usual always gets members to sing along to famous favourites. Members are always amazed at how Helen jumps from playing the keyboard, the accordion and the harp. She creates such an exciting atmosphere and this motivates members to get up dancing.

Everyone had a very happy afternoon.

This report is written by Session leader Justine:

“At the start of the session, the members were served tea, coffee and lovely biscuits and were happy chatting to each other.

After a short while, a lovely lady called Annalisa did some fun exercises with our members which everyone thoroughly enjoyed!

This was followed by a lively session of entertainment provided by the very talented James LeBec. James sang a variety of popular songs to which many of the guests and volunteers danced & he even did a music quiz where our members had to guess the name of the song! It was great fun!

One of our members was celebrating his birthday, Alfonso, and he was presented with a cake and we all sang Happy Birthday to him! After James left, the guests continued to chat and there was also table tennis, mini golf & darts! We were even treated to a lovely rendition of ‘Strangers in the Night’ sang by one of our lovely members, Terry!

26 guests and carers attended the session with the assistance of seven volunteers from the synagogue who were:- Justine, Stephen, Gilda, Dottie, Judy, Keith & Caroline.”

MORE PICTURES TO FOLLOW

This was a very busy session as it was also celebrating a special 80th birthday for Andreas. Andreas’s family members attended including a very special little guest – (Andreas’s 9 month old grandson also called Andreas). Marina brought a huge home-made birthday cake and lots of other savouries and refreshments.

This was such a special treat for all the members. Thank you Marina.

We also had a special guest today – Eugenia Dike (President Rotary Club Hendon). It was a pleasure to see Eugenia and all members made her feel very welcome.

 It was also a really lovely surprise to see Annette and Theresa (one of our regular volunteers who used to attend when Dementia Club UK started). We also had a new volunteer today called Carlos who was introduced through Volunteering Barnet.

There was so much excitement especially with the baby walking around in its baby walker greeting all the members with a smile.

After members had their cups of tea, it was time for some exercise as Jane had arrived. Jane introduced some Falls Prevention exercises today. Jane had no music today but this didn’t stop members from making their own music. Terry started to sing a music favourite and then Lisa started members singing “When the Saints go marching” followed by “Coming Round the Mountain”.

Members were then ready for the next part of the session with Moshe. Everyone always enjoys the music entertainment by Moshe.

We first sang Happy Birthday to Andreas in the usual Dementia Club UK fashion with the sparkler on the cake and then the cake was cut and distributed.

The singing and dancing then began which was electrifying as all the members were in a happy party mood.

Everyone had a really enjoyable session and thank you again to my volunteers attending today.

The day started with torrential rain but luckily by the time we were ready to set off at mid-day the rain had stopped and the sun was shining. What a great relief!

We had 40 members attending this trip. As the BCT buses can only take 28 members the rest of the members made their own way.

When we all arrived, there was no hesitation – members went straight to the trains and the train volunteers were ready to greet members and take them on board for their ride. In fact by the time the Fish and Chips were delivered, members had already had 3 train rides.

Everyone was then ready for their lunch as they really worked up an appetite. The Fish and Chips were really great. Lisa was very busy in the kitchen preparing and making sure members had everything they needed. Lisa is very grateful for the help she received in the kitchen from Valerie (one of our Rotarians from Golders Green and also a Trustee), Melvyn (one of our regular volunteers), Geraldine (one of our carers) and Mark (my husband and one of the Trustees).

When everyone finished their Fish and Chips, Lisa then served a variety of cakes and teas and coffees which went down a treat.

Members were then ready for another round with the trains.

It was a very successful and enjoyable afternoon and thanks must go to Dr Ian Johnston and his colleagues and volunteers who opened up especially for Dementia Club UK.

Ian said in an email to Lisa; “I felt that the men felt that their labours building the track and tunnel were rewarded by a very appreciative group of people. Thanks to you it all worked exceptionally well”

We had two new members today attending the session.

The session started as usual with members chatting and enjoying their teas, coffees and biscuits.

Lisa then welcomed the members and announced that the official launch of the Dementia Club at St John’s Church will be at the next session on the 25th of September 2018. A flyer will be prepared by Lisa and this will be distributed to various individuals and organisations which will also include an invitation to the Governor of the Rotary London District.

Simon our Rotary quiz master then introduced a picture quiz to members. They were asked to identify the names of 12 images. Members did really well.

It was then time for members to do some Chair Yoga exercises with Richard. The colourful beanbags were used again as part of the exercises and it was very enjoyable by all the members.

The yoga session was then followed with James Le Bec our musical entertainment. James sang some old time favourites which members enjoyed listening to and also joined in singing some other favourites followed with some dancing. James is well known for his music quiz and large dice which becomes challenging amongst members and very enjoyable. James also had the help of his assistant Joy today who was nominated by members to keep the scores. James asked members to identify various songs, some of which were also quite difficult as it required James to give a clue. Members enjoy that challenge and especially throwing the large dice to get a Six at every throw and try and beat the other clubs.

Everyone left with a smile.