Wycliffe Rotary members from Leicestershire have been actively involved with a local ‘Share and Care Group’ that offers support for people struggling with dementia.
The care group was set up by Jaqueline Parkes, who involved Wycliffe Rotary and hosted by the Academy for Dementia Research and Education Ltd (ADRE).
Jacqueline holds a background in mental health and nursing. Throughout her work, she has realised how beneficial cognitive exercises are for those in the preliminary stages of dementia which motivated her to set up the care group.
With the need for some support, she reached out to her local Rotary club; Wycliffe Rotary, who quickly responded by asking how they could help.
Men renovating shed – Rotarian Rob Blackman (standing) and Rotarian Nigel Bones.
ADRE is involved with real-world research into community-based interventions for people in the early stages of cognitive depreciation.
The group has grown to fifty members since it was set up in 2015. The members engage in a weekly programme of cognitive activities that are set up under a broad heading of ‘The Brain Gym.’
The programme aims to re-stimulate neural brain connections. Which, in turn, helps dementia patients gain back some of their ability to manage daily life.
Activities that are often impacted by dementia are normally basic daily tasks such as social skills, communication, and memory.
Man in apron – Rotarian Mike Wood (one of our members) who is in the early stages of dementia.
The Leicestershire Rotary Club has supported the setup of the group as well as helping with designing a logo, producing leaflets, flyers and creating a website to publicise the programmes available.
Most ‘Share and Care’ meetings take place in the Lutterworth Methodist Church Hall, but small group and one-to-one work take place in a new property: ‘Our House.’
Some of the Wycliffe Rotary members have been involved with bringing ‘Our House’ to life. This included re-roofing the storage shed, making a ramp for wheelchair users, and doing some other hands-on work.
Our House
Wycliffe Rotarian Mike Wood, and his wife Lynn have mentioned how much the support they have received from the group has affected them.
Mike is coping with the early stages of dementia and Lynn is his carer, hence they have both received support from the centre.
Mike and Lynn said: “We are extremely fortunate to be members of this organisation which provides so much pleasure at what otherwise would have been bleak times in our lives.”
To find out more about the Academy for Dementia Research and Education follow this link.
