What is so lovely about the facilitators Zooms is never quite knowing where the chat will take you.
So, we had chats as far ranging as where to get free biscuits to how we could spend £3,000. From reflecting on the TV programme ‘Dementia and Us’ to considering the barriers to attracting people to swimming sessions. All in an hour – though we did overrun by ten minutes…
Maq presented us with virtual sticks of Blackpool rock as he shared the Beth Johnson Foundation’s peer support group trip to Blackpool for fish and chips and no illuminations. We also had another classic Maq golden nugget (for those of you who know Maq – he has quite a few nuggets up his sleeve). He said ‘ People that are like me, like me’.
Maq was also keen to have a trip to Derby where ‘Lifting the cloud’ has now changed its name to Derby DEEP group. I nostalgically reflected on the change of name quite sadly as I remembered how much I loved the name ‘Lifting the cloud’ when I first heard it. But it’s not about me!! Maq particularly wants to go to Derby to be part of their Dementia Enquirers project where they are auditing local attractions to develop a Dementia Friendly Derby tourist guide. It sounds like they are having great fun in doing it! Wendy also said that Toshiba (a local business) have donated the use of a mini bus and a driver for all their excursions. Well done Toshiba and well done Making Space who host the Derby DEEP group. In 2025 Derby may be one of the candidates for a city of culture, in which case this guide would be a really useful resource.
All of the Derby groups are meeting in person again and they have waiting lists. Wendy and Tracy said it is a joy to see how much people are enjoying themselves being back together again and quickly overcoming any hurdles or anxiety about coming together again. We were all intrigued by their red fruit and veg zones on their allotment – apparently all red fruit and veg is good for the brain.
Paul and all the Springboard volunteers were treated to a meal out as a vote of thanks for all they have done over the last year and a half. Paul said they were particularly touched as the man who paid for the night out had no links with dementia. We talked a bit about how being shown you are valued, with a gesture like this or even a bag of chips on the beach, is so important. There were also frustrations shared about the possible end of a much loved singing group, but that they hope to find a way of forming an alternative. Springboard have also created a songbook and an accompanying CD.
Steve and Cynth have access to a swimming pool and a very skilled person at the pool to support people with dementia to have a swim. The session takes place at the Lenton Centre, Willougby Street, Lenton, NG7 1RQ every Monday between 11 and 12. Contact the centre for more details on 0115 941 2422 or Steve or Cynth at
Steve said they did a couple of audits at the pool and were a bit puzzled by the fact that not more people were attending (about 7 attend now). We talked about transport and confidence to use transport on an unfamiliar route as being possible factors. Currently Cynth is working hard to support people to get there by picking people up and/or travelling on the buses to help build their confidence.
And then there is the question of biscuits …where they used to be able to go in to the local Co-op and almost help themselves it is quite bit harder now due to committees etc for donations. Lots of top tips from folk about biscuits from Lidl and other places… but Cynth is writing to shop managers to try and get some freebies and protect their small budget for the much valued trips out the group like to have. The Christmas meal situation was also raised again (groan from RN it is only October).
We also welcomed Allison from Dementia NI who said they had had an interesting discussion about Dementia and Us in their Empowerment group meeting this morning. People had had mixed feelings about it, but felt that it was an omission not to stress the value of peer support. We didn’t want to talk too much about it today as some had deliberately chosen not to watch it. Some felt it should have been on prime TV and was one of the best things they had seen.
Lara is on a new placement as a psychologist at Forget me Nots in Kent. They are meeting again in person and hope to also increase numbers next time. She said that the biggest revelation to her was not realising before how important peer support was.
I had recently received an email from a group facilitator who had an under spend of £3,000 which they needed to spend by the end of November. She will be asking her group, but wanted to gather together some ideas from other groups too. So we concluded the days proceedings with a hypothetical cheque for £3,000 what would you spend it on?
We had:
- a trip for everybody to see the Blackpool illuminations!
- Start a garden/allotment (By the time we had this voted a few times there was also a coffee shop added to it – think that might be a bit more than £3,000 though).
- transport – pre-paying for transport/taxis.
- A Christmas event.
So how would you spend £3,000?
If you would like to join a facilitator Zoom on Wednesdays between 12.30 and 1.30 please email Anna@myid.org.uk
Forthcoming dates for the diary:
Every Wednesday 12.30 – 1.30 Facilitator sessions and:
Friday 22nd October 10 – 11: Brain Health Fitness session Zoom with Jo Brizland-Cullen. Book with Anna@myid.org.uk
Wednesday 27th October Facilitators Zoom – Focus on events as part of a DEEP 10 years festival. Book with Anna@myid.org.uk
Thursday 28th October 12 -1 – Scotland Facilitators Zoom. Book with Niblock@myid.org.uk
Wednesday 3rd November – Facilitators Zoom Poetry and Shared Reading with Liz Jennings. Book with Anna@myid.org.uk
Tuesday 2nd November 5 – 6pm For people NOT with a diagnosis of dementia who facilitate groups session Book with Anna@myid.org.uk
Wednesday 17th November – Facilitators Zoom with thred – focus on transport issues. Book with Anna@myid.org.uk
