Jo Brizland-Cullen writes a summary of just some of what Fabulous Forgetful Friends have been up to! Personally I can’t wait for the play ‘Beyond Dementialand’. Well done to Jo and all at Together Dementia Support. You are a massive inspiration.
1. Higher uptake of our Fabulous Forgetful Friends – FFF members now accessing zoom – due to our increase in ability to provide tablets, the group are now in the throes of planning ‘Beyond Dementialand’ – a take on ‘Alice in Wonderland’ – using animation sourced and adapted by one of our FFF members, other members will do doorstep readings and others will do videos the aim to bring it all together to show how we can still be in touch even though it may be in different ways- it is bringing the group back together and we have an amazing volunteer directing with the group !- watch this space.
2. providing trips out for people – using our minibus- see case study https://www.dementiavoices.org.uk/together-dementia-support-on-the-road-again-with-2-of-our-walk-talk-members/ which shows briefly what we did and how it worked (positives & negatives) – we are now running up to 4/5 trips out per week.
3. Funding for extra staff to support the BAME community – we have taken on additional staff who are more able to connect with our diverse communities which is a huge success and getting more people involved in doing activities, using tech equipment and even getting out on trips .
4. Themed activity packs – ensuring we are providing sensory things too , for example in the sport pack we provided balls,& strawberries & cream for tennis. In the wedding pack wedding cake, so even those members who are limited in ability can still join in with a sensory experience.
5. We have developed a comprehensive training programme & resource pack for our together at home pilot and so far trained up 16 volunteers to match on a 1-1 basis to do walks, or activities in the garden ( until restrictions change and we can do things indoors). The pilot will run for the next year to see if tailored support impacts on people living with dementia and their carers.
6. We are providing telephone calls and video calls to our members as have given out Alexas to many isolated members those who can’t use technology we have the ability to drop in – (subject to agreement and permissions) which is helping those to see a friendly face .
7. We have been doing sing alongs, zoom fun sessions, and Zumba in the park for carers. Next week we have a trial of Ageless Grace in the park .
8. The blanket challenge – we have 6 members of a virtual knitting group, we are in the process of arranging a meeting with 1 member , a vol & myself to look at how we can sew it all together to make a big quilt cover ! I think they wanted to keep most of it for our group – but I will make sure we send over pictures and lots of squares for the DEEP blanket challenge too!
9. The sunflowers seem to have died a death – as we’ve not had any feedback from anyone about the growth but will check !
10. We started doing letters to each other – but its hard for motivation and to do things that aren’t too personal – I was looking at ways to do some connection through poetry –if you have any tips or ways to engage the group to do a collective poem remotely?
For further information about fabulous Forgetful Friends visit their page.
