Welcome back to our facilitators Zoom notes after what feels like a long, but short summer break!
We shared the equivalent of holiday postcards .
This included tales of hairpin bends on the Lochinver Road with few passing places on a single track road. But what a breathtaking road in more ways than taking life in to your own hands and brake pads, such glorious views in the Assynt of Scotland.
Paul shared his coach trip experience (being the youngest person on the trip) including the all wrapped food catering approach including tangerines- because they are wrapped already.
George has become a grandfather again …. ahhhhhhhh….:) to Amelia or is it Emelia …?
Michelle sat with her beautiful background photo of a Scottish Loch – (Loch Lochy) which then involved a discussion of no right there not left…. She is also staying isolated in her Glasgow home and well clear of her sons with COVID. Sadly the COVID case in Scotland are on the up.
We were joined by Deb and Faye from Age Well in the West Midlands who are setting up at least two groups and a Meeting Centre – seeking words of wisdom from the facilitators including tips about spreading the word, posters, social media.
We were also joined by a new Assistant Psychologist in Kent – who was on her second day in post. Sadly her laptop failed but I think she found the experience of use in thinking about grassroots and all that stuff! Hopefully she will come back again.
George has been making great progress in Shropshire – a person of influence is buying in to the idea of commissioning peer support groups based on the DEEP Values. Post diagnosis support led by people living with dementia is also included in the proposal. As George advised others saying – it may be a slow burner but people will come good in the end. Fingers crossed.
Springboard are meeting again 50! people came together for the first time. There was good protocol in the tea and cake distribution (you can only serve pre-wrapped cakes and biscuits- Paul recommends the Aldi or was it Lidl versions of expensive ones). People were good about sticking to their own tables and not too much mingling. They have lots of things planned in the coming months – even discussing Christmas!! In their first physical meeting there was a very touching moment where they just took a minute to remember the friends they had lost, but didn’t read out any names.
Michelle spoke of the changing nature of her groups and how so many people have been lost through death or going in to care. She is anticipating the floodgates opening and as a sole Dementia Worker is fearful of how much demand there will be on their service and ability to support everybody. We spoke of the value of groups of peers who support each other and how everybody is nervous, anxious and fearful too.
We shan’t refer to the political disagreement we had about certain female Scottish politician. The joy is we can move on ….
No Facilitators Zoom next week as 30 facilitators will be meeting in person at Woodbrooke!
The next online Facilitators Zoom is on Wednesday 22nd September. Please email if you’d like to join in.
