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Members enjoyed an afternoon out today at West Lodge Hotel for an afternoon ‘Ritz style’ tea which included various sandwiches, and cakes.

Members first received their complimentary drink of Prosecco or orange juice and were then shown into ‘The John Evelyn Suite’ which was a beautiful room with a conservatory looking out onto the gardens. It was a pity with the weather however as it was continually raining which unfortunately meant that members were unable to go out to the gardens.

The live Jazz performed by David price and Maralyn was pleasurable to listen to and some members were up dancing. It didn’t matter what the weather was like outside as members were enjoying the afternoon. It was especially interesting to hear that David’s banjo was made with Rosewood and the rim around the banjo was 24 carat gold.

Lisa stepped in today to run the session with Sasha the Rotary Club President of Elstree and Borehamwood as Pat and Sandra were away. It was also a pleasure to see the Elstree and Borehamwood Town Mayor Eric Silver attend the session.

Lisa gave members a quiz to start called ‘Odd One Out’ which was all about picking the odd words in a sentence and working out some jumbled letters to make a word.

This was then followed with chair exercises with Sarah. Everyone always enjoys the exercises with Sarah and especially her choice of music. The Mayor also enjoyed taking part. Members always feel they have had a good workout.

The session then followed with a new musical entertainer called Clare who really impressed us all with her fantastic performance. She sang some favourites which members really enjoyed and members also wanted to dance.

For the last part of the session, Lisa introduced some games like Putting golf, skittles, a dart board with Velcro wrapped balls that stick to the dart board when thrown, table tennis and some fluffy funny face balls which were passed around. The session was really enjoyable and very successful.

Thanks to Patrick O’Donnell, Xandy and Sasha’s son Michael who were in charge registering members and writing labels. Thanks to Marijke who was in the kitchen helping to make tea/coffee and washing up. Also thanks to Tesco Borehamwood for sending Clare and Porshe who also helped with teas and coffees and washing up.

It was a pleasure to see Rotarian Nick Male who also volunteered in the session and Ann Goddard committee member. Thanks also to Eleanor a volunteer who attends the dementia clubs in Barnet who attended to help out in the session.

Our next session is on the 22nd August and we have the Elstree and Borehamwood Fire Brigade attending with their fire engine.

As mentioned in the previous article, Anne Duggan, Family Liaison Manager from The Fremantle Trust invited me to attend one of The Fremantle Trust care homes – Apthorp care home at Nurserymans Road Brunswick Park Road N11 1EQ on Thursday 3rd August 2017.

Dementia Club UK are delighted to have recently received a proposal from The Fremantle Trust to sponsor one of the Dementia club venues, the Britannia centre for 12 months. This had been confirmed and look forward to our partnership. Anne also showed me around the care home and it was lovely to meet some of the care staff.

The Fremantle Trust are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. Dementia Club UK would like to wish them continued success.

We were privileged that Steve Leader Borough Commander of Barnet London Fire Brigade came to give us a presentation about fire safety, the do’s and don’ts and he also talked a little about the Grenfell Tower fire. Steve emphasised the importance of fire alarms in the homes and how they should be tested every 2 weeks. He also informed members that a Fire safety inspection can be done in their home for free and fire alarms fitted. Members were very grateful and found it very informative.

We also had some visitors today. We had NCS students again some of whom were the same students who visited recently. They heard that Dementia Club was coming to the Britannia centre venue and they all wanted to come and see us.

We had Anne Duggan from The Fremantle Trust. Lisa announced to members that The Fremantle Trust have proposed to sponsor Dementia Club UK to pay for the Britannia venue sessions for 12 months. Members we’re delighted to hear the good news.

We also had John Michaelides from the Rotary Club of Barnet visit for the second time and informing us that the Rotary of Barnet are now nearly ready to proceed with the new venue in New Barnet. Another visitor was David Rose from Rotary club of Radlett. I was recently invited to speak at the Rotary club of Radlett and they are very interested also to set up a Dementia club in Radlett.

As today was the centenary of the battle of Passchendale, James, one of the carers had two poems to read to members one of which was called; Flanders Fields by John McCrae

The session then followed with James the Tai Chi instructor. NCS students were also joining in and James asked one of the students to help him demonstrate one of the movements. Members and NCS were exhausted after all the movements. For the last part of the session we did some singing and dancing and a short music quiz and then some social games activities.

We did not have any volunteers today but two of the carers, Marina and James helped during the session, my thanks to them.

MORE PICTURES TO FOLLOW

The students of National Citizens Service (NCS) were already waiting for me at the Town Hall entrance when I arrived. We took some group photos outside before going in. They helped me take all my bags in and I showed them the council chamber which really interested them and were taking photos as they each took turns sitting in the Mayor’s chair.

I then showed them to the Heritage room where we host Dementia Club sessions, they were so overwhelmed by the huge size of the room. So excited that they put on some music and started to do a line dance which looked very impressive.

When members arrived and settled with their teas, I announced that it was my birthday. I made a home made Victoria sandwich and I brought a special Happy Birthday candle which lights up and opens up its petals and sings happy birthday for 2 minutes. The 2 minutes however ended up being one hour!!!

Everyone enjoyed watching this and also enjoyed the cake. The session then followed with some singing and then a poem which all members took part reading and enjoyed.

It was then time for the students to show the members the line dance. Some of the members enjoyed taking part. The session ended with social activities – putting golf and table tennis which everyone enjoyed. Before the students were ready to go, everyone including the members gathered together for a group photo.

Members thanked the students. I would also like to give special thanks to all the students who were absolutely amazing and want to wish them all the very best for their future. We are looking forward to receiving the film. These 2 days will be very memorable.

My thanks to Eleanor for helping out at the session.

Today was a very busy session at Finchley Memorial Hospital, we also had 15 students from National Citizen Service ‘NCS’ visit.

They came with film cameras and video equipment to show members and also to build a rapport so that they could create a short documentary/ promotional video to be used on the Dementia Club UK website showing what Dementia Club UK is all about.

We had the following leaders from NCS – Matt (Practitioner who facilitates all the workshops), Hayley – Senior Mentor Jade – Programme Leader. All the students were absolutely fantastic with the members – chatting to them and taking videos. We did some poetry reading which members enjoyed. A favourite poem is called ‘A Smile’

The session then followed with singing and then exercises with Lisa as a warm up before Richard arrived to do the yoga. Members were worn out by this time but had happy smiles and were looking forward to seeing the students again tomorrow at the Town Hall.

The students were already waiting for me at the Town Hall entrance when I arrived.

Thank you to Eleanor and Dr Angela for their help during the session.

Tuesday saw another exciting afternoon at DCUK Fairway Hall. We gained a few more members 19 members and 9 volunteers.

We welcomed the Woodmen Brian and Nick Male (past Rotary club President of Elstree & Borehamwood) entertaining us with 60s music.

Sarah led the exercises. Our Town mayor Eric Silver popped in to see how we were getting on. The session then followed with a quiz for members identifying now defunct pubs. Some members struggled and others showed signs of their misspent youth and had a perfect score.

Thank you to Lisa for reminding us of old adages.

We look forward to seeing everyone on next meeting Tuesday 8th August and Tuesday 22nd August. (written by Pat Strack, session leader)

I was invited by The Rotary Club of Radlett as a guest speaker to talk about Dementia Club UK at The Aldenham Social Club, Church Lane, Aldenham, Hertfordshire, WD25 8AY.

I was greeted by members and introduced to The President of the Rotary club Mr Clive Daley. It was a pleasure to meet everyone and had a chance before the meeting started to have a few chats with members.

My thanks to Rotarian Mr David Rose who initiated this meeting and for me to have the opportunity to talk about my charity. I was nicely surprised at the end of my speech to receive a cheque donation from the The President. My thanks to the Rotary Club of Radlett for their generous donation.