Living with Dementia

The Virtual Dementia Bus Came to Haydon Wick Parish Offices
The Virtual Dementia Bus Came to Haydon Wick Parish Offices 1600 1026 Liz Matthews
Experience the Virtual Dementia Bus at Our Parish
On Thursday 3rd April, Haydon Wick Parish Council hosted the Virtual Dementia Bus – a truly eye-opening experience that simulates what it’s like for a person to live with dementia. This unique program allows participants to step into the shoes of those affected by this condition, providing invaluable insight that words alone cannot convey.
By temporarily altering sensory perception and cognitive function, the Virtual Dementia Bus helps companions, and professionals working alongside people living with Dementia develop a greater empathy and understanding.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this important learning opportunity. These experiences help us build a more compassionate and supportive community for those living with dementia and their loved ones.
For more information, reach out to our Memory Café & Community Co-Ordinator Jo:
📧 memorycafe@haydonwick.gov.uk
☎01793 722446
Visit our website to find out more: https://haydonwick.gov.uk/memory-cafe/
@training2careuk @Dementia UK

Memory Café Sensory Garden Summer Preparation
Memory Café Sensory Garden Summer Preparation 2048 1536 Liz Matthews
Our award winning Memory Café Sensory Garden is blossoming into a serene oasis, thanks to the tireless efforts of our Memory Café Co-ordinator Jo, staff, and dedicated volunteers who recently spent the day preparing the garden for the summer season. Nestled within the idyllic Goodearl Leisure Garden site, this haven promises a tranquil escape for our Memory Café attendees, allowing them to bask in nature’s beauty.
If you share our passion for gardening and desire to create a nurturing environment, we invite you to join our enthusiastic team of volunteers. Lend your green fingers and watch as this sensory sanctuary flourishes under our collective care.
To find out more about the Sensory Garden, reach out to our Memory Café Co-ordinator, Jo, at memorycafe@haydonwick.gov.uk
To learn more about other volunteering opportunities or to express your interest in a leisure garden plot, reach out to our Administrator, Jackie, at admin@haydonwick.gov.uk or give us a call at 01793 722446.
Together, we can cultivate spaces where memories blossom and nature’s embrace soothes the soul. 🌸

Memory Café – An Unforgettable Reptile Rendezvous
Memory Café – An Unforgettable Reptile Rendezvous 1494 1600 Liz Matthews
🐍 An Unforgettable Reptile Rendezvous at Memory Café! 🦎
Yesterday, we had the pleasure of welcoming some scaly guests from the Animal Club!🐲 From a colour-changing ‘karma’ the chameleon to a friendly boa constrictor, the exotic reptiles captivated us all.
As Rebecca from the Animal Club shared her wealth of knowledge (including the surprising fact that she sleeps with the boa in her bedroom!), our brave residents stepped out of their comfort zones to touch and interact with these incredible creatures. 🕷️
It was a truly sensory experience that sparked curiosity in everyone. After the reptile encounter, we concluded with Lin’s seated exercise session, ensuring that our bodies and minds remained active and engaged. These exercises are incredibly beneficial for all, helping to activate different parts of the brain that can sometimes go dormant during the progression of dementia and Alzheimer’s. 💪
At Memory Café, we believe in creating unforgettable moments that stimulate the senses and bring smiles to everyone’s faces. Here’s to more adventures and making lasting memories together! 🌟
Can’t wait for the next one on Wednesday 12th June!

A Brilliant Time Was Had By All At Our Latest Fish & Chip Friday!
A Brilliant Time Was Had By All At Our Latest Fish & Chip Friday! 1600 1488 Liz Matthews

The fish and chips from Thames Avenue were a huge hit as always and a big thanks to Asda for generously providing delicious desserts too.

We had a blast with the entertainment from ‘Kiddley Divey’ with her interactive singing session keeping us occupied and energised all afternoon.

An amazing community event thanks to everyone who came out! Keep an eye out for details on the next Fish & Chip Friday coming in a couple months. You won’t want to miss it!

STEAM Team Visit Memory Café

The Memory Café welcomes a visit from the team at STEAM
The Memory Café welcomes a visit from the team at STEAM 1328 1317 Liz Matthews

On Wednesday 13th March, the Memory Café welcomed a visit from the team at STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway, who shared stories and memorabilia about Swindon’s railway history. It was delightful listening to the residents reminisce about growing up in Swindon years ago, as they shared tales and showed pictures of seaside trips and Coate Water back when it had a diving board and people swam there. It was wonderful seeing the residents open up about their lives, including how they managed during wartime with food rations and limited washing facilities, even repurposing old clothes into small rugs.

The café session wrapped up with a trivia quiz specially designed for those living with dementia.

Thank you to our lovely volunteers for always being so supportive of our residents and provision of the Memory Café.

  • Laura Cutter

Memory Cafe Christmas Nativity Scene 2023
Memory Cafe Christmas Nativity Scene 2023 291 302 Laura Cutter

Christmas 2023 came early for guests of the Parish Council’s Memory Café as they were welcomed to this special Christmas Café this morning with a live Nativity scene provided by Chloe’s Mobile Farm. The farm animals included Hattie the Cow, Ronnie & Reggie the Sheep, Tom Thumb the Shetland Pony and Norris the Donkey. The guests enjoyed brushing and stroking the animals and asking the farmers questions about their upkeep.

Guests were then warmed up with Christmas style café, a room decorated with a tree and festive fireplace scene, a table full of Christmas goodies and warm refreshments. Councillors and volunteers were on hand to host the guests and ensure they were comfortable for the morning’s merriment.

The Café included a very special Christmas raffle with homemade prizes including a fabulous wreath donated by one of the Council’s volunteers, cute little crochet snowmen containing a surprise chocolate orange and lots more goodies donated by the Council’s Councillors, Staff and Volunteers.

The merriment continued with Father Christmas playing some cheerful Christmas carols and then handing out the Christmas presents to the guests.

Councillor Rebecca Ross, Chair of the Community Development Committee said:

“This event was a very rewarding way to end the year. It was heartwarming to see the guests having such a good time and to see the connections that have formed through regularly visiting the Memory Café. My thanks to the team for their dedication and innovation which make our Memory Cafés accessible, fun and friendly for all to enjoy. My thoughts remain with the four families of the Café who sadly lost their loved ones this year and face their first Christmas without them.”

The Parish Council’s Memory Café was started in 2021 and since then it has gone on to win three community awards and become an established community café in the parish.  The café is only possible with a team of loyal and hard-working volunteers, expertly overseen by the Council’s Memory Café Co-Ordinator.

The Café runs on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at Haydon Wick Bowls Club. Booking in advance are preferred to helping with catering and planning activities. For more information, contact the Memory Café Co-Ordinator on memorycafe@haydonwick.gov.uk or call 01793 722446.

  • Caroline Hunt

Award Winning Sensory Garden
Award Winning Sensory Garden 765 717 Caroline Hunt

“The Parish Council is very proud of its Memory Café and in scoring a hat trick of awards in the last couple of year, those being the Community First “Most Innovative New Project” award, the Haydon Wick Heroes “Best Community Group” award and now this latest award “Growing Together Award for Community Gardening””.

Haydon Wick Parish Council is delighted to announce that its Memory Café has won another award. This time, the award focuses on the outdoor Sensory Garden, created within the Council’s Leisure Garden Site.  This very special certificate was awarded from the BBC One Show and Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) in the category of the “Growing Together Award for Community Gardening“. The award is an attribute to the fantastic creativity and attention to detail from the Council’s very talented Memory Café Co Ordinator and innovative Parks & Open Spaces Team, who collectively worked together and their hard work has certainly paid off.

The idea behind the Sensory Garden is to offer a safe, calm and relaxing space to the residents of the Memory Café and their companions, to enable them to sit and relax outdoors, listen to the birds, amongst the carefully chosen scented plants, flowers and climbers which include honeysuckle, roses and clematis. The Sensory Garden will enable the residents of the Memory Café living with dementia and their companions to come sit and enjoy a safe environment to chat with others, potter, hand weed and plant. The specially designed raised beds make it easier to access the plants and save any unnecessary bending and lifting.

The success of the Sensory Garden has been complimented by several plot holders of the Leisure Garden site donating upcycled components including old sleepers, a timber shed, a compost bin and fruit trees. There has also been a lot of generosity from several local businesses with donations of wooden pallets, paving slabs, bulbs and decorative stones.

A small group of Memory Café residents who love gardening but are now unable to work on their own gardens, have got together in maintaining this special place. The garden has continued to encourage friendships to form, and those more isolated residents have had the opportunity to meet with others in a safe space. The Sensory Garden encourage conversations, triggers memories of the past and makes memories in the present. The benefits of having access to a safe outdoor space will have a positive impact on all those who visit.

The Parish Council is very proud of its Memory Café and in scoring a hat trick of awards in the last couple of year, those being the Community First “Most Innovative New Project” award, the Haydon Wick Heroes “Best Community Group” award and now this latest award “Growing Together Award for Community Gardening”.

 

 

  • Georgina Morgan-Denn

Christmas comes to Haydon Wick Memory Café
Christmas comes to Haydon Wick Memory Café 800 800 Georgina Morgan-Denn

‘It’s lovely to see so many of our regulars with smiles on their faces, especially at this time of year”

 

Christmas came early to Haydon Wick Parish Council’s Memory Café on 14th December 2022. Café attendees were greeted by staff and volunteers dressed in festive outfits, and cheerful Christmas music playing in the background. The room was warm and welcoming, courtesy of a sparkling Christmas tree and a backdrop image of a coal fire, surrounded with toys and wrapped presents.

 

To kick off the festivities, the café welcomed a choir from Haydonleigh Primary School, who entertained those present with their carol singing. Toddlers from the neighbouring Meadow Pre-School then popped in, bearing Christmas cards and chocolates.

 

The next activity was Christmas wreath making with seasonal foliage. The Parish Council’s talented Administrator demonstrated her creative skills by leading the session, and helped those present to create a festive garland, which they were then able to take home with them.

 

This was followed by our regular fitness instructor, who quickly warmed each one of the attendees up with some gentle exercises to Christmas music. Lin’s enthusiasm and festive play list brought smiles to all present.

 

Finally, we were delighted to have Father Christmas join the café – our thanks to Councillor Richard Hailstone for helping us again this year.  The very talented Father Christmas provided musical accompaniment on his keyboard, while everyone sang traditional Christmas carols. Afterwards he handed out gifts and a raffle was drawn. This year’s raffle prizes were once again kindly donated by Parish Councillors and Council staff.

 

Rebecca Ross, Chair of the Community Development committee said: ‘’ Haydon Wick is rightly proud of its award-winning Memory Café, and it’s lovely to see so many of our regulars with smiles on their faces, especially at this time of year. The Parish Council is always grateful for the support of its volunteers, who turn up at each café to support this valuable project.”

  • Georgina Morgan-Denn

Haydon Wick Parish Council’s Interactive Mobii Table available for hire
Haydon Wick Parish Council’s Interactive Mobii Table available for hire 1240 1754 Georgina Morgan-Denn

Haydon Wick Parish Council’s interactive Mobii Table is now available to hire.

This piece of equipment is proven to be beneficial to people living with dementia, as well as children and adults with additional learning needs.

 

Magic Tables for Dementia Care

In those who have used interactive tables, professionals have witnessed positive changes in:

  • Emotional stability
  • Mood/outlook
  • Sense of self-worth/belonging
  • Physical effort/energy
  • Social involvement
  • Ability to share and enjoy

An interactive activity table for children and adults in care

Those with additional learning needs, age-related diseases, mental health issues or other physical health concerns, need opportunities to actively:

  • Take part rather than passively watch
  • Socialise and enjoy meaningful activities together
  • Stretch, compete, think and be challenged
  • Unwind with a physical, calming activity

Every person should have the opportunity to influence and interact with their environment through movement, exploration and collaboration.

 

For more information about availability and pricing, contact Jo at:

memorycafe@haydonwick.gov.uk / 01793 722446

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Georgina Morgan-Denn

Haydon Wick’s Award-Winning Memory Café celebrates its 1st Birthday
Haydon Wick’s Award-Winning Memory Café celebrates its 1st Birthday 800 800 Georgina Morgan-Denn

Haydon Wick Parish Council’s Memory Café in Haydon Wick, North Swindon had good reason to throw a party on the 12th October 2022.

After receiving the news that a recent National Lottery Community Funding grant for £10,000.00 was successful, attendees celebrated the Café’s first birthday with a special cake and visit from some Shetland Therapy Ponies. Those present enjoyed grooming and stroking the ponies, and some children from the adjacent nursery school were able to admire the ponies through the fence. The visit sparked some happy memories for those present.

But the celebrations did not end there. The Parish Council was proud to announce that the Memory Café, just one year in its development, had won a Local Council Community award for the ‘Most Innovative New Project’ from Community First – a charity working with service providers for communities across Wiltshire & Swindon.

The award was received at the charity’s Annual Meeting & Award Ceremony on the 12th October 2022 and collected by the Council’s Chief Officer Georgina Morgan-Denn, Jo Newman Memory Café Co Ordinator, accompanied by two of the café’s regular volunteers – Patsy Brinkley and Keren Price.

Pictured left to right (Patsy Brinkley, Keren Price, Jo Newman and Georgina Morgan-Denn)

Fortunately, the future of the café has been secured by the National Lottery funding which will help to pay for staff costs, refreshments and entertainment. Feedback from all those who attend the café confirms the importance of the service which provides vital support for those living with dementia and their care givers – helping to reduce any feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Councillor Rebecca Ross, Chair of the Community Development Committee said: “Thanks to the National Lottery, this grant means that we can continue with this particularly important project. This will make an enormous impact on people’s lives. The award was the icing on the cake as we are so proud of our café and how it helps the community. It is a well-deserved recognition for all involved in making each session so special – we are incredibly fortunate to amazing volunteers, councillors and staff who such pride in the design and delivery of the service”.

Café attendees had this to say:

“Was lovely today Jo at the Memory Café, you made so much effort to make it special, I’m so glad we found it”.

 

“Mum was a different person today from being inside to going out and spending time with the ponies.”

 

“The Memory Café makes such a difference to our lives more than you’ll ever know.”

 

“The Café is so energetic and interactive, I didn’t know what to expect, but it went well above and beyond what I could have imagined.”

 

 

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About Us

We are the Parish Council that wants to lead and develop our local community. We are self-aware and are committed to focussing on the urban issues that are important to the entire community.

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Haydon Wick Parish Council
Thames Avenue
Haydon Wick
Swindon
SN25 1QQ
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Our thanks to Mark Weaving, Phil Jefferies, Rimpy and Shohini Dutta Kanungo for many of the photographs used across the website

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