Blog

Dr Rhonda Cohen and Professor Trish Hafford-Lecthfiled from Middlesex University have received funding from the Saracens Sports Foundation to evaluate the impact of exercise and other psychosocial activities on the well -being of people with dementia and their carers in a community based setting.

A fundamental aspect of the research will be to evaluate the support provided by Dementia Clubs as a service in the community. The latest Dementia Club is being launched today 28th July 2016 at Hendon Town Hall by the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor David Longstaff. Dementia Club UK is one of his chosen charities during his Mayoral year.

Dr Cohen said: “We’re very pleased that we’ve been awarded this funding by the Saracens Sports Foundation.  While research has shown that regular exercise can increase fitness and physical functioning in people with dementia, our study will provide a better understanding of the specific impact of Dementia Club activities on people with dementia and their carers.

“The results of our study will help develop new services locally and nationally in the future. This is particularly important as we understand that a national charity called Dementia Club UK is being developed.”

Dementia is a condition characterised by decreases in cognitive functioning. The number of people with the disease will substantially increase as more people live longer. The number of people in the UK with dementia is expected to rise from 850,000 in 2015 to just over two million by 2051*. This will have an impact on the quality of life for those with dementia and on their families and carers.

All Together Better Burnt Oak a local community group that aims to reduce isolation and loneliness formed a partnership with Wood Court Care Home and put on a 3 day holiday event for seniors from Wednesday 3rd August to Friday 5th August.

Dementia Club UK was invited to setup a stall to provide information about dementia on Friday 5th August. Lisa also joined in with some of the activities with the residents.

Alan Mordue from Barnet Council’s Adults and Health Transformation Programme Commissioning Group came to give a talk about a recent questionnaire which is part of a public consultation to Barnet residents on the way the council delivers and organises adult social care in Barnet.

A further talk was followed by Susan Blackburn from Barnet Council’s Sheltered Housing department who spoke to us about social housing and also about a new development in Mill Hill which will soon house people with mental health problems including dementia. More details will be provided in the near future which will include eligibility criteria.

We are delighted to have another new venue at the prestigious Hendon Town Hall. The launch was opened by the Mayor of Barnet Cllr. David Longstaff accompanied by the Mayoress Gillian Griffiths.

Also attending, Theresa Villiers MP for Chipping Barnet, Dr Rhonda Cohen sport and exercise psychologist who is head of London Sports Institute & Professor Trish Hafford-Lechfield both from Middlesex University. Dawn Wakeling Director of Adult Social Services, Nicole Babic from Barnet Carers Centre, members from Dementia Club UK, volunteers and Harley our Dementia friendly therapy dog. The chairman and Trustees thanked everybody for attending the launch.

We were very lucky to have the Ionian Clarinet Quartet who are part of a larger group – The Ionian Clarinet Choir who perform over North London and Hertfordshire fundraising for charities. We were delighted they were able to support and play at our event today. The quartet consisted of Rita, Ian, Ken and Adele.

Big thanks to Saracens for their continued support and thanks to the Mayor for choosing Dementia Club UK as one of his charities during his Mayoral year.

The Hendon Town Hall venue will be available every last Thursday of the month.

Following the previous visit by NCS on 6th July another 12 students from the drama group visited the Britannia Centre venue led by Rebecca Reed. The students interacted with the members listening and noting some of their favourite stories from their lives. The students had 10 minutes to prepare a drama whilst we did some other activities.

The drama group decided to re-enact a summer holiday at the beach. It was an apt subject as it was a hot lovely afternoon and choc ices were distributed to all.

Rebecca wrote later that: “The young people said some lovely comments about the club members and were very moved by the stories they heard”

Members enjoyed singing and dancing to their favorite songs from Roy Blass

Today 12 students from National Citizen Service (NCS) visited us. Ansell Cizic who is a teacher and the student’s team leader told us about NCS. It was a lovely summer’s day so we decided to sit outside for this group photo.

NCS is a programme in the summer for 15-17 year olds and is about those young people volunteering in the community and learning about their wider community, gaining skills in interacting with different community groups. Teams of young people learn a skill with a professional in that field and then they go out to a community group to work with the group passing on that skill or creating activities.

Moshe Tamir entertained everyone today with a mix of different songs in many different languages. Everybody joined in singing along. It was an electrifying session full of fun. Moshe brought the microphone around to some of the members who fancied singing a few words. Anthony joined in for a duo and a Russian dance.

Dementia Club UK members, family and friends attended the House Commons, Jubilee Room at Westminster on 15th June 2016. The Mayor of Barnet, Cllr David Longstaff attended and was delighted to announce his support to Dementia Club UK as one of his chosen charities during his year as Mayor.

Mike Freer MP for Finchley and Golders Green hosted this event. We had some singing from baritone Geoffrey Horton accompanied by his pianist Phillip Enscot whilst enjoying some refreshments and buffet.

Mike Freer took the group on a tour of the Palace of Westminster finishing in the debating chamber itself. Mike had asked a question that morning in PMQ’s. We were not allowed to take photos or sit down in the debating chamber but everyone had a lovely time and we are very grateful to Mike Freer for an interesting and informative tour.