Moshe Tamir entertaining Dementia Club UK
Moshe Tamir entertaining Dementia Club UK

Moshe Tamir entertained everyone today with a mix of different songs in many different languages. Everybody joined in singing along. It was an electrifying session full of fun. Moshe brought the microphone around to some of the members who fancied singing a few words. Anthony joined in for a duo and a Russian dance.

Moshe and Anthony doing a Russian dance
Moshe and Anthony doing a Russian dance

Dementia Club UK members, family and friends attended the House Commons, Jubilee Room at Westminster on 15th June 2016. The Mayor of Barnet, Cllr David Longstaff attended and was delighted to announce his support to Dementia Club UK as one of his chosen charities during his year as Mayor.

Geoffrey Horton, baritone singing an aria
Geoffrey Horton, baritone singing an aria

Mike Freer MP for Finchley and Golders Green hosted this event. We had some singing from baritone Geoffrey Horton accompanied by his pianist Phillip Enscot whilst enjoying some refreshments and buffet.

Mayor of Barnet Cllr David Longstaff, Cllr Lisa Rutter and Mike Freer MP in the Jubilee Room
Mayor of Barnet Cllr David Longstaff, Cllr Lisa Rutter and Mike Freer MP in the Jubilee Room

Mike Freer took the group on a tour of the Palace of Westminster finishing in the debating chamber itself. Mike had asked a question that morning in PMQ’s. We were not allowed to take photos or sit down in the debating chamber but everyone had a lovely time and we are very grateful to Mike Freer for an interesting and informative tour.

Mike Freer MP giving us a history lesson in The Great Hall
Mike Freer MP giving us a history lesson in The Great Hall
Saint Stephens Hall
Saint Stephens Hall

Today Diny one of our carers brought a lot of jewellery she has been making over a number of years. She sold a number of pieces to the members and donated the proceeds to our charity – Dementia Club UK. I am very grateful to Diny and thank her very much. Diny said it takes her about 2 evenings to make a piece, she enjoys making them and she believes that the secret of living longer is to keep your mind active by having a hobby you enjoy. Diny will be 90 years young on the 30th of this month. Her mother lived to 102. We had 4 volunteers from Barnet Council Staff who were rushed off their feet as we were very busy today. My thanks to them as I don’t think I could have managed today without their help. Tija our new dance exercise instructor gave us some Spanish dance movements. She explained the 2 ways to clap, the graceful wrist and finger movements and tapping feet.

Diny displaying her beautiful jewellery at Dementia Club UK
Diny displaying her beautiful jewellery at Dementia Club UK
Tija showing us Spanish Dance Movements
Tija showing us Spanish Dance Movements
Diny presenting the proceeds of the Jewellery Sale to Lisa chairman of Dementia Club UK
Diny presenting the proceeds of the Jewellery Sale to Lisa chairman of Dementia Club UK

Lorna Parkinson Community Support Officer “Action on Hearing Loss” came to talk to us about our hearing. She said don’t ignore hearing problems, go and speak to your GP first, they will refer you to a specialist.

She also offered everyone a free hearing test in a private area which most of the members took advantage of. She had batteries and spare tubes and lots of good advice.

This was a very busy session today and fortunately I had a new volunteer I met at the recent Dementia Awareness day at Brent Cross who came and helped and I was very grateful.

Lorna Parkinson Community Support Officer “Action on Hearing Loss”
Lorna Parkinson Community Support Officer “Action on Hearing Loss”

I am very pleased to report that the Dementia Awareness Day on the 19th May at Brent Cross was a real success. All of our volunteers attended to help with the day. A lot of people approached us to ask questions, to talk about problems they were experiencing and wanted advice and information. People are now seeing more items in the media about dementia such as the recent Horizon documentary about dementia and Angela Rippon on BBC.

Matthew Offord MP officially launched Dementia Club UK ‘DC UK’ by cutting the ribbon and was happy to talk to the volunteers and meet some of the dementia sufferers. We also had Nigel Wray Chairman of Saracens. We are very proud to be associated with such a successful rugby club who cares and does so much for the community.

Cllr David Longstaff who by the time you read this will be the new Mayor of Barnet, he has very generously chosen Dementia Club UK as one of his charities he will be supporting during his Mayoral year. We will be helping him to achieve this and help him raise money

Following the ribbon cutting, a flash mob congregated who were actually the Zemel Choir. A lot of people gathered to hear the Choir which was conducted by the musical Director Dr Benjamin Wolf. The choir sang beautifully and the acoustics were amazing in the centre point at Brent Cross.

Dementia Club UK is a transition from Saracens Dementia Club which is still sponsored by Saracens. Dementia Club UK is a charity formed in January 2016 and is currently running 4 dementia cafes and will soon be launching the 5th dementia café at Hendon Town Hall on Thursday 28th July.

The pictures shows some of our volunteers, our Dementia Club UK doctor – Dr Angela Parker and also Harley the ‘DC UK’ therapy dog. Harley has been great at the dementia cafés. Dementia sufferers find him very soothing. He is loved by all the members and is happy to receive lots of attention.

Although Dementia is unfortunately growing and there is still no cure, Dementia Club UK will continue to help as many dementia sufferers and their carers and families to continue and enjoy life as much as possible.

Matthew Offord MP cutting ribbon to officially launch Dementia Club UK
Matthew Offord MP cutting ribbon to officially launch Dementia Club UK

 

Anthony and Harley the therapy dog at Dementia Awareness Day at Brent Cross
Anthony and Harley the therapy dog at Dementia Awareness Day at Brent Cross

 

The Dementia Club UK volunteers at Brent Cross during Dementia Awareness Week.
The Dementia Club UK volunteers at Brent Cross during Dementia Awareness Week.

 

Nigel Wray Saracens Chairman, Cllr Lisa Rutter & Matthew Offord MP at the launch of Dementia Club UK
Nigel Wray Saracens Chairman, Cllr Lisa Rutter & Matthew Offord MP at the launch of Dementia Club UK

 

Dementia Club UK volunteers & kneeling Dr Angela Parker our Dementia Club UK doctor
Dementia Club UK volunteers & kneeling Dr Angela Parker our Dementia Club UK doctor

 

Gordon Banks and Matthew Offord MP meeting members of Dementia Club UK
Gordon Banks and Matthew Offord MP meeting members of Dementia Club UK

 

Matthew Offord MP, Cllr Lisa Rutter chairman of Dementia Club UK and Cllr David Longstaff Mayor of Barnet
Matthew Offord MP, Cllr Lisa Rutter chairman of Dementia Club UK and Cllr David Longstaff Mayor of Barnet

 

Matthew Offord MP, Cllr Lisa Rutter chairman of Dementia Club UK, Cllr David Longstaff Mayor of Barnet & Peter Cragg Dementia Club UK Trustee
Matthew Offord MP, Cllr Lisa Rutter chairman of Dementia Club UK, Cllr David Longstaff Mayor of Barnet & Peter Cragg Dementia Club UK Trustee