Today was a small group of members but still very enjoyable session. Lisa started with a quiz and then Richard arrived to do chair yoga which members and volunteers all joined in.

Members concentrating on the quiz with a cake and tea.
Members concentrating on the quiz with a cake and tea.

We then had James Le Bec to entertain us with his music and as usual James always manages to get people up dancing.

Richard instructing chair yoga
Richard instructing chair yoga

It was great to see Dr Rebecca who was busy taking blood pressures for some of the members. Also a pleasure to see Julian the Church Minister.

James Le Bec entertaining us with his music
James Le Bec entertaining us with his music

Thank you to our Rotary volunteers John, Malcolm and Victor. Thank you also to Andrew the Church Warden and the volunteer ladies who helped with the teas- Dorothy and Marjorie.

We had a good number of people at this session today.

Lisa started with a quiz about confectionery. This brought many memories of the different types of chocolates and sweets.

Members of Dementia Club UK concentrating on the Chocolate Quiz
Members of Dementia Club UK concentrating on the Chocolate Quiz

Members then sang to wish Pamela and John Happy Anniversary. Pamela brought in some lovely chocolates to share.

The session then continued with Tai Chi with Egon which everyone always enjoys and finds relaxing. Lisa then finished the session with some singing and dancing to the favourite songs.

Tai Chi with Egon
Tai Chi with Egon

Thank you to Mark one of the Trustees who was with me today to help with the session.

Dementia Club UK has donated to the Finchley Memorial Hospital a very special piece of equipment called ‘Tovertafel’ and this was celebrated in a launch event at the hospital on Saturday 24th March.

Dementia Club UK has donated a Tovertafel to Finchley Memorial Hospital
Dementia Club UK has donated a Tovertafel to Finchley Memorial Hospital

The Finchley Memorial Hospital is the first hospital in London to have this equipment. Tovertafel is a Dutch product and in English means ‘Magic Table’. It is a type of projector which is installed in the ceiling and games are projected onto a table which people can interact with their hands. The games are light simulations of familiar activities such as gardening, fishing and popping balloons to trigger a sense of reminiscence among players, encouraging both individual and group play. The equipment not only helps those people who have medium to more progressed dementia but is also helpful to adults and children with learning difficulties and also autism. It was great to see how people with dementia were stimulated and motivated to play. It brought many smiles and laughter and also some competitiveness.

The carers were also overjoyed to see their loved ones so happy and involved. The Tovertafel is great family interaction.

Cllr Lisa Rutter founder and chaiman of Dementia Club UK was also standing in for the Mayor of Barnet cutting the ribbon
Cllr Lisa Rutter founder and chaiman of Dementia Club UK was also standing in for the Mayor of Barnet cutting the ribbon

The launch was very successful with many people attending. We had members from Dementia Club UK, children from Brunswick Park School with their Headteacher Andy Griffiths and some of our special guests were Rotarians from various Rotary Clubs including David Palmer Rotary District London Governor 2014/2015, Dr Jonathan Lubin Barnet CCG GP Representative, Richard Healy Chief Executive from Barnet Community Transport and David Morris from Alzheimer’s society.

Mehdi Bedioui – sole distributor of Torvetafel UK gave a talk about the product and a demonstration. Everyone was so excited to try out the various games. Adults suffering with Dementia with their families were gathered around the table eager to play. There was great interaction and lots of excitement.

All ages enjoying the games on the Tovertafel
All ages enjoying the games on the Tovertafel

One of the carer’s – Mrs Marina Timotheou said;

“It was so nice to see my husband join in the games and competing with the other players and children. I am so grateful to Lisa who always gives us something to look forward to. It makes my life so much easier to have somewhere to go.

Cllr. Lisa Rutter, the Councillor for Brunswick Park Ward and Founder and Chairman of Dementia Club UK said:

I am delighted on behalf of all the Trustees of Dementia Club UK to be able to donate this fantastic piece of equipment to the hospital as I feel that this will benefit the most people in the local community. My mother has progressed Alzheimer’s disease and I know the difficulties and challenges carers and families are faced with daily. The feedback received from members attending Dementia Club UK is that I have given them a lifeline. We now have 7 dementia clubs in the Borough of Barnet for people to attend. Providing this extra piece of equipment to the hospital would be an added bonus to giving more pleasure. Whilst there is no cure for dementia, Dementia Club UK will continue to help as many people as possible living with dementia and their carers and families to have a better quality of life and above all to give them hope.”

 

Dementia Club UK is very excited to be launching tomorrow 24th March this piece of special equipment they have donated to Finchley Memorial Hospital.

https://tovertafel.co.uk/

This piece of equipment will serve many people in the local community suffering with medium to more progressed dementia and children and adults with learning difficulties and autism. The Tovertafel stimulates physical, cognitive and emotional social interactions.

This is the first London Hospital to have this equipment.

Mehdi Bedioui CEO & Founder of Shift 8 Ltd putting up a temporary fixture to show us a quick Tovertafel demonstration
Mehdi Bedioui CEO & Founder of Shift 8 Ltd putting up a temporary fixture to show us a quick Tovertafel demonstration. This will be embedded in the ceiling once properly installed.

Lisa was invited to the Pecking Order restaurant at the Hive home of Barnet FC fundraising event for Dementia Club UK. This was organised by Kevin who is one of our carers attending DCUK with his mother in law. Kevin is part of Barnet FC Walking Football Team.

Barnet FC over 50's Walking Football Team
Barnet FC over 50's Walking Football Team
Shaun Sherrick and Lisa at a fundraiser in aid of Dementia Club UK
Shaun Sherrick and Lisa at a fundraiser in aid of Dementia Club UK

It was a lovely surprise to see Tony Kleanthous Chairman of Barnet FC in the restaurant who came to say hello. Tony Kleanthous kindly donated a special dinner that will be auctioned at a later time.

Kevin, Shaun, Tony Kleanthous Chaiman of Barnet FC and Lisa at the Hive
Kevin, Shaun, Tony Kleanthous Chairman of Barnet FC and Lisa at the Hive Fundraising event