Today saw another very fall session with about 50 people.
Kevin did his song quiz to start with followed by the Family Fortunes quiz which everyone really enjoys. Lisa also helped with the quiz.
The session then followed with exercises by a new exercise instructor – Wendy Nutman Everyone really enjoyed the exercises with Wendy.
Exercises by new exercise instructor – Wendy Nutman
Thank you to my volunteers Mark one of the Trustees, Dr Angela and Eleanor for their help and a big thank you to some of the carers that always step in to help with the teas.
We had a lovely session today at Stephen’s House & Gardens and it was a sunny afternoon.
Members all have Lanyards now with their name on and their choice of colour ribbon. Lisa has provided this for members instead of the usual stick on labels.
Everyone was enjoying the lovely variety of cakes and tea/coffee and chatting to start with. Lisa then introduced a quiz about Chefs. The questions were not easy but members did very well working in teams.
The session then followed with Richard taking the chair yoga exercise which everyone always enjoys. The last part of the session was social activities playing Putting Golf and darts and catching the ball.
Richard taking the chair yoga exercises
Our thanks to Risson for helping to set up the room and serve the teas and cakes. Our thanks also to our Rotary volunteers- Dick, Ian and Adrian the President for helping during the session and also a thank you to Jeff and Theresa.
Last week Lisa informed members about the Greek traditional New Year cake at the beginning of January. The tradition is to bake a sponge cake and put a coin in the cake.
The top right cake was made by Marina. The right front cake was made by Dawn. The left front cake was made by Rosetta and the left back cake was made by Roopa
The saying is that anyone that finds the cake is going to have a lucky year. We had 4 cakes brought in by members – Marina, Dawn, Rosetta and Roopa. Lisa would like to give special thanks to the ladies for making these lovely cakes that were enjoyed by all members. They found it great fun finding the coins in the cakes.
Lisa then introduced a game to members like bingo but involved throwing dice and a Lotto scratch card. The winner takes the scratch card. We also celebrated 2 birthdays today for Dawn and Peter.
Dawn and Peter celebrating their birthdays
The session followed with singing, some chair exercises and then Lisa distributed all members with various games which were really enjoyed. The session ended with a short quiz.
A big thank you to all our volunteers Melvyn, Eleanor and it was a pleasure to see Annette who also helped and some of our carers who stepped in to help in this very busy session.
The monthly Dementia Club UK meeting was held on the 8th January at Sha’arei Tsedek Synagogue in Whetstone.
Approximately 35 guests and carers attended the session with the assistance of seven helpers from the synagogue. It was a lively session with entertainment provided by the versatile James Le Bec who sang a variety of popular songs to which some of the guests danced. There was also a birthday for one of the members. It was Sylvia’s birthday on the 2nd January. James Le Bec got everyone singing happy birthday.
When the musical entertainment finished everyone participated in a short general knowledge quiz with some very creditable scores. The session finished with some guest participating in various games whilst others were happy to sit and chat to other guests and carers.
It was a lively session with entertainment provided by the versatile James Le Bec
Today 3rd January 2018 was our first DCUK session at the Finchley Memorial Hospital.
I was thankful to Eleanor and Melvyn our volunteers who were able to set up the session until I arrived from the meeting with the Rotary.
It was lovely to see so many members at today’s session. I started the session with asking all members around the room to talk about their Christmas holidays. It was lovely to hear the many stories shared.
Laurie standing, recounting his Christmas to the members of Dementia Club UKJames celebrating his wife Mollie’s Birthday in the DCUK way
We then followed the session with some singing and then for the last part of the session I introduced various new games which everyone really enjoyed. The plan for all Finchley Memorial Hospital sessions are to introduce more social activities for more social interaction.
Eyes down for some singing, everyone is studying the song sheets
Lisa was invited as guest speaker to the Rotary Club of Edgware & Stanmore meeting which was held at the Stanmore Golf Club on 3rd January 2018.
The purpose of the meeting was for Lisa to talk briefly about DCUK and to also give Rotary members the opportunity to ask questions. This was also the opportunity for the Rotary members to give their final decision for the Rotary club to work in association with DCUK.
Lisa attended the meeting with Mark a DCUK Trustee. We were unable to stay longer than 30 minutes as Lisa had to get back to start the first DCUK session at the Finchley Memorial Hospital.
The meeting went well and the Rotary President and all members were happy to confirm for their Rotary club to proceed and join with DCUK. The first Rotary Club of Edgware & Stanmore session is on 21st March 2018.
A photo was taken with the Rotary Club President Danielle, Rotarian Dr Nandini, and Rotarian Selwyn
Dr Nandini Varma Community Chair, Danielle Benson Club President, Cllr Lisa Rutter and Selwyn Foreman Club Secretary
Lisa is delighted to announce that the presentation she delivered to the City of London Corporation Pensioners Association Conference on the 5th October 2016 has now been recently published as a booklet by the Association. This has already received some positive feedback from their pensioners which they have found helpful.
A copy of the transcript of the presentation can be found under Publications in the main menu above or Click Here.
We had about 50 members at our last session for this year. It was a very busy session. Thankfully I had Mark to help me during the session and as usual many of the Carers including Jenny also helped with the teas.
Mr Jack Dowler from The Borough of Barnet Trading Standards came to talk to members today about keeping safe at home and also introduced a Call Blocker device that would help in getting rid some of those unwanted calls. Mr Dowler also informed members that they had a number of these devices that could be fitted free if members wanted one. Members were very interested and thanked Mr Dowler.
Jack Dowler from The Borough of Barnet Trading StandardsJames had prepared a quiz on London Underground stations which was challenging but fun
We also had a Birthday to celebrate as it was Melia’s birthday yesterday. Melia brought a large cake and the birthday was celebrated in the usual way and all members sang Happy Birthday.
Melia’s Birthday at last session of Dementia Club UK 2017
The session then followed with Tai Chi exercise with James which everyone really finds hard work but really enjoy it as it works their whole body. This was unfortunately James last session. He will be missed.
Lisa then continued the session with some singing and dancing and one of the members also wanted to sing solo. Everyone had a really wonderful time.
My thanks to all my volunteers for all their help during the year and also the Carers for helping out. Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year. We start on the 3rd January 2018 at the Finchley Memorial Hospital at 2pm.
The Stephens House and Gardens session was cancelled on the 11th December because of snow. Thank goodness the snow melted in time for our session today at the Finchley Memorial Hospital.
Many members arrived for the Christmas party. We had Moshe who entertained members with his variety of music in different languages. Everyone enjoyed singing and dancing the Congo line with Helen one of the Carers leading.
Thank you to all our volunteers Dr Angela, Melvyn and it was a pleasure to welcome Annette who also helped in the session. Thank you also to Mark one of our Trustees who helped setting up the tables and decorations and also helped during the session.
