Dementia Club UK recently joined in partnership with Friends in Need ‘FIN’ and delighted that we were able to have our reunion party at the Friends in Need ‘FIN’ community hall next to East Barnet Baptist Church. I am very grateful to John Wilks the Director and Cathy Lloyd the Activity co-ordinator who both helped the day before to set up the tables.
The room looked perfect on the day and Lisa had a lovely buffet selection of sandwiches and soft drinks.
Lisa welcomed everyone in her speech and mentioned that she had brought some Age UK Life Books and Hidden Disabilities Lanyards for anyone who wanted. She also mentioned that she had the new Dementia Club UK programmes and FIN had some flyers too with events. Lisa also mentioned that one of the dementia club venues was here at the FIN community hall which will be starting on 27th September.
It was a great honour to also have the Mayor of Barnet Cllr. Alison Cornelius. Our Trustees Dr Angela Parker, Valerie Chodosh and Mark Rutter were also at the party helping. Lisa also welcomed Richard Kravetz, Eon and Jane Walters the exercise instructors who were happy to be at the party to see members after such a long time. Lisa also welcomed members from Rotary Clubs Golders Green, Mill Hill and Hendon and lastly thanked John Wilks and Cathy Lloyd.
After 18 months this party was very welcomed. We had about 70 people. Luckily the hall was big enough and everyone was comfortably spaced out.
Lisa decided to also read out all the names of those who had passed away during the past 18 months and this also included members from FIN. There was a one minute silence after Lisa read the names.
Lisa then asked the Mayor to say a few words and this was followed with a few presentations. Lisa gave the Mayor 3 framed Certificates to give out to Arzu Bingolo for her support in fundraising for the charity and 2 other Certificates to Kevin Ziantes and Keren Mail for their support in running the carers group sessions when Lisa has other work meetings which clash.
Lisa then gave the Mayor a couple of other gifts to hand out to two other people to say thank you. Lisa gave Chrystalla a pot of flowers for being a fantastic Bingo assistant during the Zoom sessions and also a gift to Andrew Wrensch for running the seminars during the carers group meetings.
This was then followed by the Mayor cutting the cake and then Lisa introduced the music entertainment – Ian James and Katie Paine who sang magnificently and got everyone up and dancing in no time.
Rachel then arrived and she was ready to get members up and dancing to the Saturday Night Fever. This dance was practiced a number of times during the zoom sessions and therefore a number of the members were familiar with the dance movements.
It was then time for the raffle and the Mayor picked the numbers. One of the raffle prizes was Percy Pig which was kindly donated by Marks & Spencers in Whetstone. Thank you very much to Neil the Manager at Marks & Spencers.
Everyone was very happy with their gifts and then the music carried on again for another 10 minutes before finishing about 5pm.
Everyone was slightly nervous before coming to the party but when everyone met at the party it was like ice melting. It was very over whelming. This was a successful reunion party.
