As the coordinator of the DEEP Network I get lots of emails and quite a few requests. I pass these on to the network for the network to respond and/or decide if they want to be involved. We have a section at the bottom of all the Taking Part opportunities saying that we have not moderated the opportunity in any way. Sometimes I cannot help but not quite understand what somebody wants, but most importantly why. For example I was contacted once by a memory clinic asking me to connect them with people living with dementia who they could consult with about the service they provide. I must confess to taking a few moments to process this – given that surely as a memory clinic they had a strong likelihood of being in touch with a whole load of people living with dementia!
Sometimes we forget to look at our own place or look to ourselves?
I received this email from an Activity Organiser in a Care Home:
“I have been asked to contact DEEP as we are working on a Dementia Garden in our home and would like to hold an official opening in May this year and ideally during Dementia Action Week 20th to 26th May. Would there be anyone who would be able to officially open our garden?”
Well I don’t think I have ever had a request like that before!
I bit the bullet so to speak and replied:
“I hope you don’t mind me suggesting that it may be more meaningful to the residents if one of them open the gardens – it may reinforce ownership for them. I don’t know if any of the residents were involved/consulted/took part in the design or will be involved in activities within the garden? I would suggest that if you have residents involved you could put names in a hat and draw out a name of a resident who will open the gardens. Perhaps that resident could then be treated as a celebrity for the day! I can envisage you could make a real meaningful occasion for the home including paparazzi etc …. Personally I feel this would have far more meaning for the residents than a stranger coming in.”
How would you reply? Did I get it right? Or did I get it wrong …..?
As far as I am concerned I am accountable to you so please do hold me to account!
RN February 2020
