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Memory Club

Memory Club is a weekly two-hour-long programme for people living with mild to moderate dementia or cognitive issues.

Group members take part in meaningful and stimulating activities, proven to help maintain memory and mental functioning. The groups provide a fun, supportive environment where people can build new friendships.

Activities include:

  • discussions
  • word games
  • quizzes
  • physical activities
  • creative and musical activities.

Why is Memory Club so important?

After someone is diagnosed with dementia, they may be offered Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST). This is a short-term programme for people with mild to moderate dementia and usually runs weekly for 14 weeks.

However, once this programme finishes, there’s limited provision of services for people with mild to moderate dementia. Memory Club is a longer-term programme based in community settings which helps to fill this gap.

Cognitive Stimulation is the only non-drug treatment recommended to improve cognition, independence and well-being by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). 

What’s its impact so far?

The 2017/18 pilot found that Memory Club sessions contributed to the maintenance of group members’ wellbeing, related to their feelings, memory and everyday life. These would usually be expected to decrease over time for people with dementia who don’t attend sessions.

Group members, carers and staff all stated the following benefits:

  • Enjoyment, having fun and increasing levels of happiness.
  • A sense of belonging and making new friendships.
  • Increased confidence in ability and to try other new things.
  • Improvements in communication, including reading and writing.
  • Improvements in memory and mental ability.
  • Having more energy.
  • Increased levels of physical activity.

Where are the courses running

We currently have sessions running at the following times:

  • Mondays 10am-12pm at Longfleet Baptist Church
  • Tuesdays 9:45am-11:45am at Canford Cliffs Village Hall
  • Tuesdays 10am-12pm at Twynham Church
  • Tuesdays 1:30pm-3:30pm at St Catherine's Church
  • Wednesdays 10am-12pm at The Centre
  • Fridays 10am-12pm at Trinity United Reform Church

Cost

The cost of the sessions are £7 paid monthly in advanced.

Eligibility Criteria

  • No personal care issues
  • Ability to mobilise
  • Ability to engage in group activity

For further details please contact enquiries@ageukbped.org.uk or phone 01202 530530.