Bristol dementia patient visited by classic vehicle

Bristol dementia patient visited by classic vehicle she used to stitch by hand

 

 

Bristol care organisation Adorno Companions has arranged a heartwarming experience for local Rita Lynam who suffers from dementia. Rita was visited by the Adorno Companions team in a Sunbeam Alpine vehicle – the same as the ones she worked on stitching the upholstery by hand during her professional career. The vehicle model is renowned for being driven in the 1960s James Bond film Dr.No.

 

Rita is a member of Adorno Companion’s Bristol activity clubs. These weekly activity clubs aim to bring comfort to those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s, helping them cope with the symptoms that are often associated with the disease, such as loneliness.

 

 

Rita holds a strong connection to classic cars, most specifically the Sunbeam Alpine that goes beyond her professional expertise. During her career, she worked in upholstery stitching, crafting the interiors for this car model. She even met the royal family his Majesty King Charles and Princess Diana when they visited a car she was working on.

 

Since retiring, Rita was diagnosed with dementia, which led her family to seek a social support group that would assist her in maintaining independence and provide an extra bit of brightness to her weekly routine.

 

After learning about Rita’s impressive career within the automotive industry, the Adorno Companion team organised a beautifully restored Sunbeam Alpine to visit her. This was an emotional and touching experience for Rita as she witnessed a piece of her legacy arrive at her doorstep.

 

Commenting on this experience Rita Lynam said “I am so delighted to be given the chance to relive these precious memories. The Sunbeam Alpine is one of the standout vehicles from my career and encapsulates so much nostalgia and experiences from my past. I am so appreciative of the Adorno Companions team for arranging this.”

 

 

Adorno Companions, Founder Emma Doney said “It is our pleasure to have been able to arrange this momentous experience for Rita. When we heard her unique stories during our activity club sessions the team was keen to offer her this a visit from a piece of her history

 

“Our team is 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 from 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.”

 

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*. To support Dementia patients throughout the city, Adorno Companions have several activity clubs, providing both stimulation for older people and those living with dementia.

 

The latest activity club has opened in Windmill City Farm, Bedminster and takes place every Tuesday between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm in Winterbourne, South Gloucestershire, and aims to organise special activities to help vulnerable people suffering from dementia relive some of their happiest times.

 

 

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