Blog

Zoe Garbett from Barnet Council and Sadie from Visbuzz came to show us a new communication device called Visbuzz. This is a one touch technology on a tablet. Visbuzz aims to connect people who don’t have social contact by providing them with a simple tablet which only allows video calls to family, friends, practice nurses etc. For more information visit:

http://visbuzz.com

Barnet Council are commissioning 100 of the devices for a pilot to residents who fit the criteria. See Barnet’s web site: 

http://barnet.gov.uk/citizen-home/search.html?keywords=visbuzz

Sgt John Hourihan, from Brunswick Park and Totteridge Neighbourhood Policing gave a talk about Community Safety providing tips for avoiding ‘scams’. He spoke about ‘smart water’ to mark and trace your goods if they are ever stolen. He had various safety products for doors and windows. Everybody was very interested and a lot of questions were asked on various policing matters.

We are delighted to announce that we celebrated today not only the fact that this is our 4th Dementia Club in the Borough of Barnet but also this is the first dementia café opening in a Synagogue open to all faiths. This is a new partnership with Sha’arei Tsedek and a new Interfaith venture. As we live in a society which is so multicultural, we believe it is important that we work together to combat the challenges in life. Dementia hits us all.

We had a special guest – Lady Poppy Cooksey who is the Master of the Guild of Freemen of the City of London. She selected the Dementia Club UK as one of her beneficiaries from her year as Master. Lady Cooksey presented a cheque to the Dementia Club UK. Lady Cooksey spoke about her year as Master and the fact that she is the 7th lady to be Master. This is a great achievement and everyone congratulated her. This followed with some questions and answers as people wanted to know what the Guild of the City of London was about and also about the various Liveries and great City Halls. Everyone was also fascinated by her impressive chain and badge representing the Guild of Freemen of the City of London. Other guests included;

Rabbi Judith Levitt

Rabbi James Baaden

Father Gregory Platten – All Saints Church in Whetstone next to the Synagogue

Richard Woolf – Chair of Sha’arei Tsedek

Rabbi James Baaden wanted to say a few words to express how delighted he was with our new partnership and to commend our new Interfaith venture. We then had exercise and dance to music which everyone enjoyed.