This was a very busy session with about 50 members.

Lisa introduced a smell sensory game. Members were asked to listen carefully to 3 recordings and were asked to try and identify what was happening in each.

The first recording was someone in the kitchen making a fruit cake in the 1940s. The type of kitchen equipment used identified the era. Lisa then opened a tin which had the scent of a fruit cake. Members were very good listening and describing the actions. The second recording was a man polishing his shoes and the last recording was a baby having a bath and getting dressed. The smell of baby powder passed around made members feel comforted.

Members of Dementia Club UK conentrating on their song sheets
Members of Dementia Club UK conentrating on their song sheets

The session then followed with some singing and then Lisa did some chair exercises with everyone. For the last part of the session Lisa introduced a quiz asking members to identify various famous faces by showing some photographs.

Tasoulla leading the singing and clapping
Tasoulla leading the singing and clapping

 

Despite a very cold day we had 42 members at this session. Gilda welcomed everyone and then Lisa did a quiz with everyone about ‘Tea’

The session then followed with music entertainment by Clare which was really enjoyable and a few members got up to dance. The session then followed with various games.

Clare leading the musical  entertainment
Clare leading the musical entertainment

Thank you to Stephen and Gilda our session leaders and our volunteers- Justine, Caroline, Judy, Dot and Keith for all their help.

Session Leader, Gilda added:

"We welcomed 42 guests and carers to the Cafe where we enjoyed our usual refreshments . Music was provided this week by Claire who sang a selection of songs from times past with us all joining in on occasion. Games and general conversation were enjoyed by all and we look forward to seeing everybody next month. Keep warm. Gilda x"

Lisa introduced a new game today called 'Chair Activity Bingo'

Each table was provided with a card which has 5 exercises on it. When someone picks an exercise, everyone has to perform that exercise and the table which has that particular exercise on their card, marks it with a counter. The table which marks all the exercises on their card wins.

As this took a while, members performed quite a few exercises but they felt good and they enjoyed playing this new game. We then had a birthday to celebrate - Fred's 97th birthday which was celebrated in the usual fashion.

Eleanor then followed providing members with song sheets to do some singing. Thank you to our volunteers Eleanor, Melvyn and Dr Angela for attending and helping out during the session.

PICTURES TO FOLLOW

For this first session we had 22 members which included 6 new members. Members were settled very quickly in this new large venue which is held at St. John's Church (United Reformed), New Barnet.

Dementia Club UK at St. John's Church (United Reformed), New Barnet
Dementia Club UK at St. John's Church (United Reformed), New Barnet

The President of Rotary Club of Barnet Brian Coleman attended and other Rotarians - John, Malcolm, Victor, Ian and Owen. The President Elect who will be President of Rotary Club of Barnet on the 1st July also attended - Jim McCarthy.

Lisa and the Rotary Club of Barnet and other volunteers
Lisa and the Rotary Club of Barnet and other volunteers

We had some other visitors - Simon Smith and Jane Porter - from Jesus Hospital Charity based in Ravenscroft Lodge, Union St, Barnet EN5 4HY.

Our regular volunteers Eleanor and Dr Angela attended and we also had new volunteers locally - Brenda, Sue and Marjorie.

The session started as usual with a welcome to all and then we had some group photos. The session then followed with Richard providing members with chair yoga which everyone always enjoys and this was then followed with musical entertainment from Clare. Members enjoyed the music and a few members also enjoyed dancing. Members left very happy and look forward to attending the next session.

Yoga instructor Richard with volunteers from the church
Yoga instructor Richard with volunteers from the church

My thanks to all the Rotarians and volunteers for their help during the session.

Today’s session was led by Eleanor, who brought along some new activities.

We started with a Sing Along to songs from the early 1900s through to the 1970s and this was followed by some games of Card Bingo. It was lovely to watch everyone playing their own Card and friends helping each other (and, in some cases, their carers!).

We finished with a general knowledge quiz designed especially for people with memory loss. This was a great success and brought out everyone’s competitive instincts. Carers observed the first part of the Quiz and it was then opened up to everyone.

Thank you to everyone who came along and especially to Joan and Lynn, Sue, Helen and Kevin and our volunteers, Melvyn and Dr Angela. It would not have been possible to have run the session without your help and support.