Activities
Our activities challenge the notion that people with dementia can't learn and enjoy new things and encourage engagement and creativity. Our members continue to learn and have fun, helped by a distraction-free environment, easy-to-follow instruction and 1:1 support from our team of volunteers.
All our classes are run by expert, professional tutors who are skilled in delivering training to our members. Our activities are based on our original consultation with founder members who wanted to achieve something constructive as well as having fun and meeting socially.
We have a wide range of different activities that are carefully selected to reflect our members' hobbies and interests. Take a look below.
We compliment our activities timetable with monthly trips and events.
Singing
We run regular singing and percussion sessions throughout the month, covering an eclectic mix of music from traditional folk to pop and show songs.
These are led by Ian Brown who is a professional musician with years of experience in providing music and singing to community groups and schools. Ian brings his guitar and gives us some tips, always interspersed with a story or two and lots of fun and laughter!
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts are run by Carolyn Melville, who was a Schools Special Assistant for Speech & Language and Autism before retiring.
Our sessions are often themed, following the seasons and traditional celebrations such as Easter, Halloween and Christmas. They're aimed at all abilities including all those who say ‘I am no good at art!’ Sessions are full of conversation, laughter, fun and of course arts and crafts.
Some of our past art projects include
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Christmas wreaths
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fridge magnets
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painting and decorating trinket boxes and mirrors
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stencilling and decoupage
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abstract art, printing and collage
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Pottery
Our sessions co-ordinator Melanie Hopwood is an accomplished potter and runs her own pottery and ceramics business. Mel leads our pottery sessions.
She has worked with our members for many years now and is skilled at delivering fun, creative sessions for all abilities which are very popular with our members.
Under Mel’s guidance members make a variety of objects e.g. tiles, small animals and decorations from raw clay. Mel then takes these away for firing and they are then painted at the next session.
Members are thrilled with the finished articles which they can take away and enjoy in their own homes.
Indoor golf
Everyone enjoys the indoor golf. We play with big colourful targets, velcro tennis balls and putting mats. The satisfaction and enjoyment of hitting the target is shared by members and volunteers. It is also good exercise which is proven to help lift people’s mood.
The tutor always ensures the sessions are tailored to abilities and most of all, everyone has fun.
We sometimes visit Matfen Hall Golf Range or the ‘Par Three course’, where we receive instruction from the club professional. Lunch follows where we join family members who have been enjoying a coffee and chat. A great day out is enjoyed by all!
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Botcha and sport
Botcha originated from Greece and is now a Paralympic sport. It is a form of bowls with softer balls with the aim to get the team's ball nearest the white jack.
We work in teams and the members’ competitive spirit comes to the fore with much laughter and cheering. We also play curling during this session which is as much fun. Again, this is exercise and competition which motivates people.
Sport sessions also include basketball, cricket and even squash!
SMILE Through Sport run the sessions. They provide opportunities for disabled individuals to participate in sport.
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Gardening
One of our most popular activities is indoor gardening. It is well known that getting close to nature is good for well-being and this is the case here. Our members enjoy reminiscing about their gardens which leads to lots of conversation.