Blog

Although it was pounding with rain today it was amazing to see so many members arrive. I announced a few coming events and distributed the new program.

The session followed with Kevin who took the quiz. Everyone always enjoy quizzes with Kevin as he makes them laugh. Richard then arrived and the session followed with chair Yoga.

I finished with reading a few jokes which everyone enjoys and then a little sing-along and dancing. Everyone left with a smile.

My thanks to my volunteers Eleanor, Melvyn, Dr Angela and we also had a new volunteer today Chris who came from St Michael’s Greek Orthodox Church in Golders Green. He heard me speak on Sunday to the congregation and wanted to attend the session.

Lisa was invited by Father Vasileios the priest in charge of the church to come and give a talk about dementia and her charity Dementia Club UK. Some of our members attended who gave out leaflets before Lisa started presenting. There was a lot of interest and questions asked afterwards whilst having a cup of tea later in the Church Hall.

We would like to thank Father Vasileios for inviting Lisa to speak and for hosting tea and sandwiches and cakes in the Church Hall after.

Lisa will be attending the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of The Holy Cross & St Michael on Sunday, 10th September 2017 at The Riding, Golders Green Road, NW11 8HL.

Lisa will talk at the end of the Service about dementia and how Dementia Club UK can help those suffering with dementia and their carers to receive the information and advice they need and also have a better quality of life.

We welcomed a full capacity of guests today who enjoyed refreshments along with a quiz & music from the excellent James le Bec. Afterwards we played games, including table tennis, which was enjoyed by all age groups.

Two birthdays were celebrated . We enjoyed listening to a CD recorded by one of our guests from a while ago and hope to welcome everybody next month.

Written by session leader, Gilda

Members today had the pleasure of meeting a new entertainer singer called Clare who was first introduced to the Elstree & Borehamwood venue.

However before she started singing, James one of the careers wanted to say a few words to the members. He had a magazine article he wanted to read to everyone called the Power of Music. It was saying how music is therapeutic and helps us in many ways.

Another member Brian wanted to talk about his experience when he went to see another of the members in hospital. He described what he saw and how he was to see the other member and then he said how the 2 nurses were fantastic. It was lovely to hear him speak and express himself. DCUK likes to give members the opportunity to speak.

The session then continued with Clare who was absolutely amazing and got everyone singing and a few members dancing. There was very little time for anything else but everyone really had a great time. This is what DCUK is about. A time for everyone to forget about their day to day issues and just immerse themselves in the 2 hours at the session.

There was time at the end for some jokes. I read 3 jokes and had everyone leaving with a smile.

Thanks to my volunteers Melvyn, Eleanor and Dr Angela

Today was a very busy session and we also had some new members. Lisa led the session again with Sasha as Pat and Sandra were away.

Lisa organised the Elstree & Borehamwood Fire Brigade to attend today and members were excited to meet them. The officer in charge, Commander Gary Shinn attended with 2 of his crew from White Watch. A short talk was given to members about fire safety and members were also given the opportunity to ask questions after. The Crew Commander also informed members that if they had no fire alarms in their house they would be happy to fit them for free.

Commander Gary Shinn and his crew from White Watch with Sasha, Lisa and Town Mayor Cllr Eric Silver Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood

We had the local newspaper reporter Morgan from Elstree & Borehamwood Borough Times who stayed for the whole session as she wanted to report about Dementia Club UK. My thanks for Morgan for attending today.

Members were delighted that the fire engine was also parked outside and therefore wanted to take the opportunity to have a group photo with the Crew. Everyone including the Town Mayor Cllr Eric Silver with members, volunteers and committee members joined in the group photo.

Commander Gary Shinn and his crew from White Watch with members of Dementia Club UK, our partners from Rotary Club of Elstree and Borehamwood with Mayor Eric Silver in the Fire Engine cab

The session then followed with chair exercises with Sarah which everyone always really enjoys and then followed with a quiz, some singing and some members even got up and danced. As there were a few games out, members also enjoyed trying them out.

We had a surprise visit from our new GP Dr Rebecca Hatjiosif who will be attending most sessions at Elstree and Borehamwood Dementia Club. Members were delighted to meet her. DCUK is pleased to now have 2 doctors to help members.

Dementia Club UK would like to thank Commander Gary Shinn and his crew for their talk and their time with the members

Commander Gary Shinn and his crew explaining fire safety to the members of Dementia Club UK

My thanks to Sasha for providing her lovely cakes, Sasha’s son Michael and Xandy and Patrick in charge of signing in the members, Marijke for helping in the kitchen with teas and coffees. Eleanor a volunteer from Barnet who also attended again to help. Thank you to Marion from Tesco Borehamwood for also helping during the session. We must not forget our Town Mayor Cllr Eric Silver who members always enjoy to see.

It was a special day today for one of the members. Andreas was celebrating his 79th birthday today with his family.

Marina brought in a huge home baked carrot cake, crisps and soft drinks. Our thanks to Marina and her family.

We did the usual Happy Birthday with the firework candle and then the session followed with a quiz about 1960’s advertising slogans. Members found that slightly difficult but interesting.

The session then followed with chair exercises with Sarah who normally takes the exercises at the Elstree and Borehamwood venue, she was a great hit with the members who really enjoyed her exercises and would love to see her again.

The session followed with some Greek dancing. Andreas had a lovely time and Sarah also tried the Zorba dance.

We had a lovely surprise as Annette visited today and helped out, many thanks to Annette.

We had a huge turnout of members today.

Members enjoyed some poetry reading by Ros Nagler. She writes her own poetry based on observational real live stories. One of the poems for example was about how you turn the taps on when you go to public toilets. Another poem Ros was reading pretending to be HM The Queen. Everyone enjoyed the rendition.

The session followed with Tai Chi with Richard which all members enjoyed as usual.

It was a lovely surprise to see Annette today as she had a day off work. It was also lovely to see our nurse Karen and Diny. Thanks to my volunteers today Melvyn, Eleanor and Annette who also helped out. Thank you also to our Doctor Angela.

Members enjoyed musical entertainment today with Moshe. As usual Moshe interacted with members and got them singing and dancing.

As it was a warm sunny afternoon all members took advantage of this and we all decided to walk to the Spike Milligan bench outside and had a group photo. It was an enjoyable session.

We also had a couple of new members today who needed some advice and information and Lisa was able to talk to them in the other room privately.

My thanks to our Rotary volunteers Dick and his wife Valerie, Kuljit, Michael. Valerie Chodosh and her granddaughter Saskia and Jeff and a surprise visit from Danielle Benson president of Rotary Club of Edgware who visited with her aunt.

Thanks to Sara from Barnet Carers and also Risson who looks after us all with teas and cakes.