Dementia Club UK is very excited to be launching tomorrow 24th March this piece of special equipment they have donated to Finchley Memorial Hospital.
This piece of equipment will serve many people in the local community suffering with medium to more progressed dementia and children and adults with learning difficulties and autism. The Tovertafel stimulates physical, cognitive and emotional social interactions.
This is the first London Hospital to have this equipment.
Lisa was invited to the Pecking Order restaurant at the Hive home of Barnet FC fundraising event for Dementia Club UK. This was organised by Kevin who is one of our carers attending DCUK with his mother in law. Kevin is part of Barnet FC Walking Football Team.
It was a lovely surprise to see Tony Kleanthous Chairman of Barnet FC in the restaurant who came to say hello. Tony Kleanthous kindly donated a special dinner that will be auctioned at a later time.
Today’s session was led by Eleanor while Lisa was opening our new venue in Edgware.
Pat and Terry brought in the card they had received from the Queen on the occasion of their Diamond Wedding Anniversary the previous week. They told us that their family had organised a surprise party for them for 90 guests and also shared an album of lovely photos of the event.
We started with a Sweets Quiz and shared our memories of visits to sweet shops in our childhood. Angela and Eleanor then read two poems from ‘When We Were Very Young’ by A A Milne.
Today was our first session at the new venue. Lisa decorated the tables with table cloths and flowers to mark the first session and lovely cakes and biscuits. My thanks to Beryl Watson the Premises Manager who helped to set up the tables and chairs.
We only a few members for this first session and the following visitors;
The session started with tea, cakes and chats and Lisa made her welcome speech.
Richard then started his chair yoga exercises which everyone really enjoyed. We then had the musical entertainer Ron Goldsmith who was absolutely amazing. His choice of music got everyone up dancing. It was a very enjoyable session and look forward to our next session on the 18th April.
Today we celebrated Terry and Pat’s Diamond Wedding Anniversary and Terry’s birthday with their daughter, granddaughter and two great grandchildren.
To mark these special occasions, Lisa brought in two cakes which they shared with everyone and we all sang Happy Birthday.
As Lisa had to attend another Meeting, the rest of the session was led by Eleanor. We sang some popular songs from over the years and played a miming game, which brought lots of laughter. We also did a short general knowledge quiz and played a game of card bingo.
A very big thank you to Sylvia, Pamela, Marina, Joan and Lynn who, in the absence of our volunteers, stepped in to clear the tables and do all the washing up.
It was a rainy day but we still had a good number of members. Lisa started off with a quiz which today required a bit of conferring amongst each other. For example one of the questions was – How many Oscars the Titanic movie got? The answer was 11 but this produced a few different answers. It became easier however when Lisa provided some clues for each one.
The session then followed with Lisa getting members to sing some of their favourite songs which motivates them to get up and dance. Members were then ready for chair yoga with Richard which they all enjoy.
The session then followed with singing. Lisa distributed to members the lyrics book and members chose the song they wanted to sing. Everyone really enjoyed that and they all left with a smile.
My thanks to Rotarians – Valerie one of my Trustees, Michael and Dick. Also thanks to Jeff and Rissson and Dr Angela.
Lisa was invited by Reverend Simon to talk to members of his congregation after the Service in the church hall.
Lisa talked to a number of people in the large hall which was set up with lovely teas and pastries. It was in fact one of the ladies birthday too and everyone sang Happy Birthday to her.
Lisa talked about the launch of the new 7th dementia club at The Baden-Powell Centre starting on Wednesday 21st March. She talked about dementia and what a dementia club is. A few people were interested after Lisa’s talk to ask some questions and take leaflets.
There were 2 doctors also from the Royal Free Hospital who were interested and offered to come to the sessions and also to bring student medics.
This was a very busy session and it felt like a Spring day especially after ‘the beast from the East ‘ weather we recently had. Lisa decorated the tables with daffodils which all members thought was really lovely.
We had a presentation today from Mr Daniel Bamford Chief Officer from Citizens Advice Barnet. Daniel talked about the various help that is provided which members were pleased to hear. One of the carers mentioned that he had an occasion to use the Citizens Advice and the advice given really helped.
Lisa then gave members a quiz to work out the title of the film from famous lines. The session then followed with social activities. Lisa brought out various games which were enjoyed by everyone. The session ended with Lisa reading a joke.
Report from Session Leader Justine:
The monthly Dementia Club UK meeting was held on the 5th March at Sha’arei Tsedek Synagogue in Whetstone.
At the start of the session, the guests were served tea, coffee and lovely biscuits and were happy chatting to each other.
Jeff Borsack then did some gentle seated chair exercises with our guests and they really enjoyed it. This was followed by a lively session of entertainment provided by the very talented Moshe Tamir.
Moshe sang a variety of popular songs to which many of the guests and helpers danced. It was great fun! Approximately 28 guests and carers attended the session with the assistance of six helpers from the synagogue.
