We were delighted to attend the Town Mayor, Cllr. Eric Silver’s Civic festival which was in aid of his chosen charity Dementia Club UK. Borehamwood Brass Band conducted by musical director Derek Holland provided a musical treat at All Saints Church tonight with a full selection of well-known musical numbers. The music played was a mix of movie themes and other favourites.
We also had a performance from Barnet’s Christchurch Community Choir which was led by Jill Wood.
The longest day and the hottest day since 1976 Members were nicely surprised that Lisa had brought ice creams again.
We celebrated Mariana’s 83rd birthday in the usual way and then we had a speaker – Mr David Steene, a solicitor who specialises in dementia law and his firm is based in Borehamwood. Members were interested to hear some new information about a pension guarantee that entitles you to get 100% free council tax.
The session then followed with Tai Chi with Egon and as the weather was so hot all the members went outside. I finished the session reading some jokes which everyone enjoyed.
Today was a hot summer day and Lisa surprised everyone with some ice creams that were really appreciated by everyone.
We then did some singing and one of the carers James decided to show us how to dance ‘The Lambeth Walk’ A few joined in and was great fun. Session followed with Yoga chair exercises with Richard and then followed with social activities.
On Tuesday we welcomed some new members to DCUK at Elstree and Borhamwood Rotary Club session.
Everyone enjoyed the gentle exercises and calm music Sarah provided. Lisa led the quiz and the singing. The singing led to dancing and a great time was had by all. The dementia sufferers and their families were happy and relaxed. We were entertained to “Big Spender” by Marjorie Morris one of our members.
Thank you to all our helpers and hope to see you all on Tuesday 27th June at 2pm at Fairway Hall, WD6 5BT. regards Pat.
Today at Stephens House and Gardens we had entertainment from Moshe which all members look forward to. We had a quiz and also some singing to a few favourites. The session then followed with our usual social activities, putting golf, darts, table tennis and ball catching.
It was nice to see Rosetta and Tita today and also to see James as his wife recently had been admitted to a care home. James read a poem out today to all members (see below) which he wrote himself. His poem is being entered in a competition sent to the Alzheimer’s Society. His poem was very moving and everyone related to what James said.
We also had a visitor Lawrence from the Rotary Club of Hendon who enjoyed the session. Our thanks to Sara from Barnet Carers and Dr Angela providing advice for members during the session. Our thanks to our partners the Rotarians from Golders Green for helping during the session; Valerie, Jeff, Adrian the Incoming President, Stephen, Dick and Kuljit. Also thanks to Risson for looking after us.
I WISH I COULD SNATCH THAT MONSTER AWAY
by JAMES HALE 8/6/2017 03.50 – 04.50 AM
I WISH I COULD SNATCH THAT MONSTER AWAY
IT SEEMS TO SPOIL ALMOST EVERY DAY
THAT MONSTER ALZHEIMER’S IS TO BLAME
IT LURKS WITHIN MY DEAR WIFE’S BRAIN
OH HOW I YEARN FOR THOSE YEARS GONE BY
WHEN I COULD LAUGH AND NEVER CRY
I FEEL GUILTY NOW OF WHAT I HAVE DONE
TO THE GIRL I MARRIED WHO GAVE ME FUN
DEMENTIA MADE ME THROW IN THE TOWEL
SHE IS SAFE WITHIN A CARE HOME NOW
I LOVE HER DEARLY BUT SHE DOESN’T KNOW
MY HEART SINKS WHEN I LEAVE HER AND GO
MOBILITY REGRESSION NOW COMES INTO PLAY
IT S A CRUSHING REALITY I SEE EVERY DAY
OUR HAPPY LIFE IS A THING OF THE PAST
MOLLIES MENTAL REGRESSION IS OH SO FAST
TOO LATE FOR MY DEAR WIFE NOW, BUT PRAY
A CURE FOR DEMENTIA WILL BE FOUND ONE DAY.
OH, HOW I WISH I COULD SNATCH THAT MONSTER AWAY!!
BY Mr James Hale.
Gilda surprised everyone today informing us that she celebrated her 70th birthday yesterday. She brought in a huge cake and this was celebrated in the usual Dementia Club UK way.
The session then followed with James our entertainer who as always brings a smile on everyone’s faces. The session ended with a quiz.
Today we had 34 members – it was a lovely warm summer day. I started members with some singing which they all enjoyed and then I announced Laurie’s 94th birthday which we celebrated in the usual Dementia Club UK way.
Laurie was very touched by the attention he received and wanted to say a few words to everyone about his life. He spoke about his time during the war and how he met his wife and then when he lost her through dementia. Everyone was very touched by his life story. Laurie continued to say how Dementia Club UK has changed his life and how many good friends he has made.
The session then followed with Kevin’s quiz which was brilliant as always and then this followed with exercises and singing in the garden as it was such a lovely day.
Tonight was Barnet Council Mayor Making which saw the departure of Cllr David Longstaff handing over to the new Mayor of Barnet Cllr. Brian Salinger.
Cllr. David Longstaff has been a great supporter of Dementia Club UK, it was one of his chosen charities for his mayoral year. David has accepted to become our honorary patron.
Dementia Club UK is working towards a new partnership with Rotary Club of Elstree and Borehamwood. Today was the first session which saw 10 new members.
We also had some visitors, Cllr Eric Silver Deputy Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council, Nick Male President of Rotary Club of Elstree and Borehamwood, Jane Andrews and John Day from Home Instead in Welwyn Garden City, Sarah Donnelly exercise instructor, Pam Cousins from Hertsmere Borough Council, Hollie Rauber and Alice Billin from Hertswise (Independent living service) & Kira Booth from Quantum Care.
This session was organised by Cllr Pat Strack, Cllr Sandra Parnell, Sasha Capocci & Huw Jones, Town Clerk. The session started with Tea/Coffee and fresh home made cakes made by Sasha. Pat welcomed and introduced everybody, Lisa talked about Dementia Club UK – DCUK. Sarah then did some chair exercises which everyone enjoyed.
This was followed by a short quiz based upon Radio Times covers, after this we did singing without music led by Nick who had a very good voice. This got a few members up to dance and one member did her own rendition of “Big Spender”.
This was a successful first session.
We held a Dementia Awareness Day for the third year at Brent Cross Shopping Centre during national Dementia Awareness Week. We were pleased to share our tables with Polly Frayne and Alison Hibbard from Alzheimer’s Society and Mark Robinson from Age UK. We thank them for their support.
Some of our volunteers and carers attended to help with the day including our new partners, the Rotary Club of Golders Green. The Mayor of Barnet and charity patron Theresa Villiers also attended.
We were nicely surprised to receive a “bag of goodies” from Uday Mistry the Deputy Manager & Ahmed Pre-registration Pharmacist of Boots who support Dementia as part of their charities. They asked us to distribute the ‘goodies’ to members and carers at one of our sessions.
Charity founder Cllr. Lisa Rutter said: “A lot of people approached us for advice and information and some people mentioned how they have been struggling looking after someone with dementia and were relieved to know that help is available.”
“Dementia is now the biggest killer and whilst there is no cure, Dementia Club UK will continue to provide respite for dementia sufferers and their carers and to give them hope.”
Musicians aiding the cause included the Ionian Clarinet Quartet, part of the Ionian Clarinet Choir, they performed throughout the afternoon. We also had the the Zemel Choir, a mixed voice Jewish choir who sang twice a number of stirring songs.
The charity runs dementia cafes at five different venues across the borough and aims to expand to help more people.
The Times Series of newspapers has written an article about the day, click on the link below:
http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/15290896.Dementia_awareness_campaign_comes_to_Brent_Cross/