Today at the Finchley Memorial Hospital we had a big crowd even though it was a rainy dull day.

We had a few visitors; David Rose from Rotary Club of Radlett visited for the 2nd time and also brought with him Kathy. Valerie Chodosh from Rotary Club of Golders Green came with her granddaughter Saskia and further new visitors; Sue Jessel from Rotary Club of Enfield Chase, Tahsin from Rotary Club of Southgate.

I introduced the new visitors to all the members informing them that they may be prospective partners with Dementia Club UK and also announced the good news that The Fremantle Trust have agreed to sponsor the Dementia Club UK Britannia venue and pay for the hall for 12 months. Members were delighted to hear the news.

In the session today members did arts and crafts. We had some play dough to make things and also some face masks to colour. We also read some poems. Saskia also was happy to read. We then did some singing followed by Tai Chi with Egon.

We had some time for social activities and also one of the carers wanted to talk about a television program the night before showing how the elderly interacted with young primary school children. The program was a study over a number of weeks which showed that children had a good effect on the elderly making them more active and happier.

I ended the session as usual with reading some jokes which members enjoy.

My thanks to Eleanor and Melvyn for volunteering today

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Published: 02 August 2017

We were privileged that Steve Leader Borough Commander of Barnet London Fire Brigade came to give us a presentation about fire safety, the do's and don'ts and he also talked a little about the Grenfell Tower fire. Steve emphasised the importance of fire alarms in the homes and how they should be tested every 2 weeks. He also informed members that a Fire safety inspection can be done in their home for free and fire alarms fitted. Members were very grateful and found it very informative.

We also had some visitors today. We had NCS students again some of whom were the same students who visited recently. They heard that Dementia Club was coming to the Britannia centre venue and they all wanted to come and see us.

We had Anne Duggan from The Fremantle Trust. Lisa announced to members that The Fremantle Trust have proposed to sponsor Dementia Club UK to pay for the Britannia venue sessions for 12 months. Members we're delighted to hear the good news.

We also had John Michaelides from the Rotary Club of Barnet visit for the second time and informing us that the Rotary of Barnet are now nearly ready to proceed with the new venue in New Barnet. Another visitor was David Rose from Rotary club of Radlett. I was recently invited to speak at the Rotary club of Radlett and they are very interested also to set up a Dementia club in Radlett.

As today was the centenary of the battle of Passchendale, James, one of the carers had two poems to read to members one of which was called; Flanders Fields by John McCrae

The session then followed with James the Tai Chi instructor. NCS students were also joining in and James asked one of the students to help him demonstrate one of the movements. Members and NCS were exhausted after all the movements. For the last part of the session we did some singing and dancing and a short music quiz and then some social games activities.

We did not have any volunteers today but two of the carers, Marina and James helped during the session, my thanks to them.

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Published: 31 July 2017

The students of National Citizens Service (NCS) were already waiting for me at the Town Hall entrance when I arrived. We took some group photos outside before going in. They helped me take all my bags in and I showed them the council chamber which really interested them and were taking photos as they each took turns sitting in the Mayor’s chair.

I then showed them to the Heritage room where we host Dementia Club sessions, they were so overwhelmed by the huge size of the room. So excited that they put on some music and started to do a line dance which looked very impressive.

When members arrived and settled with their teas, I announced that it was my birthday. I made a home made Victoria sandwich and I brought a special Happy Birthday candle which lights up and opens up its petals and sings happy birthday for 2 minutes. The 2 minutes however ended up being one hour!!!

Everyone enjoyed watching this and also enjoyed the cake. The session then followed with some singing and then a poem which all members took part reading and enjoyed.

It was then time for the students to show the members the line dance. Some of the members enjoyed taking part. The session ended with social activities – putting golf and table tennis which everyone enjoyed. Before the students were ready to go, everyone including the members gathered together for a group photo.

Members thanked the students. I would also like to give special thanks to all the students who were absolutely amazing and want to wish them all the very best for their future. We are looking forward to receiving the film. These 2 days will be very memorable.

My thanks to Eleanor for helping out at the session.

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Published: 28 July 2017

Today was a very busy session at Finchley Memorial Hospital, we also had 15 students from National Citizen Service ‘NCS’ visit.

They came with film cameras and video equipment to show members and also to build a rapport so that they could create a short documentary/ promotional video to be used on the Dementia Club UK website showing what Dementia Club UK is all about.

We had the following leaders from NCS - Matt (Practitioner who facilitates all the workshops), Hayley – Senior Mentor Jade – Programme Leader. All the students were absolutely fantastic with the members – chatting to them and taking videos. We did some poetry reading which members enjoyed. A favourite poem is called ‘A Smile’

The session then followed with singing and then exercises with Lisa as a warm up before Richard arrived to do the yoga. Members were worn out by this time but had happy smiles and were looking forward to seeing the students again tomorrow at the Town Hall.

The students were already waiting for me at the Town Hall entrance when I arrived.

Thank you to Eleanor and Dr Angela for their help during the session.

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Published: 26 July 2017

Tuesday saw another exciting afternoon at DCUK Fairway Hall. We gained a few more members 19 members and 9 volunteers.

We welcomed the Woodmen Brian and Nick Male (past Rotary club President of Elstree & Borehamwood) entertaining us with 60s music.

Sarah led the exercises. Our Town mayor Eric Silver popped in to see how we were getting on. The session then followed with a quiz for members identifying now defunct pubs. Some members struggled and others showed signs of their misspent youth and had a perfect score.

Thank you to Lisa for reminding us of old adages.

We look forward to seeing everyone on next meeting Tuesday 8th August and Tuesday 22nd August. (written by Pat Strack, session leader)

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Published: 25 July 2017