South West-based care organisation, Adorno Companions, has launched a new weekly activity

Bristol activity club launches to support those diagnosed with dementia

 

 

South West-based care organisation, Adorno Companions, has launched a new weekly activity club at Windmill City Farm in Bristol designed to provide independence and companionship for older people in the city facing loneliness and living with a diagnosis of dementia.

The weekly lunch and activity club is the brainchild of Adorno Companions’ founder and mum of two Emma Doney who started a career in social care after graduating. The motivation to start the business came after she experienced the loss of her grandmother to Alzheimer’s and saw first-hand how little support there was in the community for people like her grandmother.

People living on their own with dementia are often also impacted by loneliness putting them at greater risk of poorer mental and physical health. Social isolation is associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia.

 

• In the UK there are more than 850,000 people living with dementia, with 81,000 based in the South West.
• According to the NHS, this number is predicted to double in the next 30 years.
• National research estimates that 7.1% of people over the age of 65 have dementia, which broadly equates to about 4,280 people (65+) living with dementia in Bristol*.

 

The new session at Windmill City Farm takes place every Tuesday between 10.00am and 2.00pm and has been launched following the success and popularity of the first lunch club in Winterbourne, South Gloucestershire.

As well as a hot cooked meal everyone attending also has the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities, including gardening, board games, air hockey, pottery, crafts and visits from therapy pets and guest speakers. The programme of activities is specifically designed to support people who are living independently following a Dementia diagnosis to encourage mental and physical stimulation. The sessions provide fun and compassionate experiences to support the longevity of their health. Bristol residents attending the activity club can access free public transport by joining Bristol Community Transport with their bus passes.

 

 

In addition to the weekly activity clubs, regular day trips are also organised for club attendees. Recent experiences have included canal boat trips to Saul Junction, where members had the opportunity to drive the boat, as well as physical, sports and motoring experiences designed to revive positive memories.

Commenting on the launch of the new sessions at Windmill City Farm, Emma Doney, said: “We are committed to supporting those in need of social care and providing them with the opportunity to live their best lives. A dementia diagnosis does not have to stop people having fun – it’s vitally important to stay active, be social and continue to try new experiences.

 

“We also encourage carers of those diagnosed with Dementia who are seeking additional support and respite to get in touch to discuss how we can help.”

 

To find out more and book a space at the Activity Clubs visit here or ring 0117 379 0048 or email: bookings@adornocommunitydaycentre.co.uk

 

See more articles published this week – Bristol News