How your support is helping: Memory Lane Café, Ipswich and Memory Café Calderdale

We were pleased to hear from two of the organisations that received grants from the foundation as part of our Dementia Action Week programme, which awarded 20 grants of £500 each to local dementia support groups.

Sandy from Ipswich told us they used the funds to pay for a trip to the seaside: “Days out can be very difficult for individuals and their carers; a group outing removes so much of the stress and worry, not to mention the physical issues as our volunteers are on hand to help. Such outings provide physical and mental stimulation, a feeling of inclusion and fun in a safe setting. The weather was fantastic, and the day was a complete success, so much so that at the next weekly meeting many of our folks were asking for another outing!”

Chris from Calderdale told us: “We used the funds towards two separate day trips on the Keighley & Worth Valley steam railway for our members. We provide support for people affected by dementia, other memory problems, and social isolation. These kinds of group trips give our members a safe, sociable and enjoyable day out which would be impossible for many of them to participate in..”

These small grants can make a real difference to older people, particularly those living with dementia who may find it harder to connect with others in the community. Thanks to your support hundreds of older people benefitted from our Dementia Week funding.

An Update from Equal Arts, Gateshead 

Earlier this year we were pleased to award grant funding to Equal Arts, for an intergenerational project with older people in sheltered housing in Gateshead and local primary school children. Hannah Wood from Equal Arts recently got in touch with an update on how everything is progressing and told us:

Harlow Green Primary School have been introduced to residents from Angel Court extra care scheme. The children have been visiting Angel Court to do some garden-based introductory activities and have instantly hit it off! Harlow Green pupils have said it makes them feel like they have done “a good dead” and “ have made a difference” when they spend time with the residents. After one session Angel court resident Eileen commented “I’ve had a really bad week and didn’t feel very good this morning, I feel much happier now”.

Residents from Wood Green have visited The Drive Primary School and worked with a professional artist to do a series of “getting to know you” ceramics workshops. Nicole, Year 1 teacher said “The kids have loved when Wood Green come to visit. Working with older people is giving the kids not only a creative outlet but encouraging them to care and be aware of the needs of others.”

Both groups are going to be starting to look at a Christmas-themed story in the next few weeks which they’ll then do creative arts activities together based on the text/pictures.

As always, this work is made possible through everyone across the McCarthy Stone family who supports our work. Thank you to all of you.