Dementia Activities
At Age UK North Tyneside we are committed to helping people living with dementia, their families and carers to continue to live fulfilling and rewarding lives.
Our Dementia Coordinators provide group and activity services for people with a low to moderate level of need. From singing groups to museum trips we aim to stimulate memories and social interactions.
Download our Dementia Connections overview leaflet
To find out more on specific services, click on any of the links below:
Craft Group
Our Dementia Connections Craft groups are currently postponed due to Covid 19 but we are working hard to develop alternatives.
This group is for people living with dementia who can be accompanied by family members or carers. Our Dementia Services team will host the sessions and provide all the materials you need for activities such as:
- Card Making
- Ceramic Painting
- Jewellery Making
- Decoupage
- Mosaic
- And more...
Dates and Locations:
Where: North Shields Customer First Centre (library), Northumberland Square, North Shields, NE30 1QU
When: Alternate Wednesdays 10.30 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.
(See leaflet for dates)
Download a leaflet
Cost: £2.60 per session.
For more information or to book, contact us
Life Story Work
Life Story work is an activity in which the person with dementia is supported by family members or staff close to them to gather and review their past life events and build a personal biography. It is used to help the person understand their past experiences and how they have coped with events in their life, which can help to improve quality of life when they can no longer tell us this information.
For further information contact us on 0191 2808484 option 1
Memory Cafes
Our Dementia Connections Memory Cafe groups are currently postponed due to Covid 19 but we are working hard to develop alternatives.
Our Memory Cafés are social groups for people living with dementia and their carers
Come along and enjoy a friendly atmosphere and FREE refreshments
Locations and dates:
Where: Olives at the Station, Whitley Bay, NE26 2QT
When: Alternate Wednesdays 10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. (See leaflet for dates)
Cost: £2.60 per person
Download a leaflet
Cost: £2.60 per person
Where: Café My Place, White Swan Centre, Killingworth, NE12 6SS
When: Alternate Mondays, 10.30 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. (See leaflet for dates).
Download a leaflet
Cost: £2.60 per person
For more information contact us
Singing Groups
With our Dementia Connections groups currently postponed due to Covid 19, we would like to invite our customers to Sing-along Memories - Tune in weekly on the internet, each Thursday 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for old favourites, local comedy, monthly themes and requests. www.memorylaneradio.co.uk (also available on Alexa).
Our Singalong Memories Groups are a stimulating and enjoyable activity for people living with dementia and their families. Singing a variety of songs together can stimulate memories in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
Come along and enjoy a friendly atmosphere and FREE refreshments
Locations and dates:
Where: Forest Hall Library, Whitfield Road, Forest Hall, NE12 7LJ
When: EveryThursday 2.00 - 3.30pm
Cost: Free of Charge. Refreshments provided
Where: St Columba’s Church Hall, 30 Northumberland Square, North Shields, NE30 1PW
When: Every Monday 1.00 p.m. to 2.30 p.m.
Cost: Free of Charge. Refreshments provided
For more information contact us
Virtual Peer Support Groups
Our Dementia Connections Team now provides two ‘virtual’ peer support groups weekly led by Admiral Nurses, Charlotte and Kirsty. The first group is every Monday between 2pm and 3pm. The second group is Tuesday between 12.30 and 1.30pm.
We also have a bereavement support group on Mondays from 12:30 to 1:30pm. Charlotte says: “During these difficult times why not join our virtual carers’ support group to share your experiences and build up friendships with others. We meet via Zoom each week. This is an App that is easy to use either on a smart phone, lap top or ipad. Let me know if you would like to join us and I will ring you to confirm dates and times”.
Tel 0191 2877014 or email customer.services@ageuknorthtyneside.org.uk for further details or to express an interest in taking part.
Transitions to Care group
Join us for a virtual support group to share experiences of those you care for, when they first go into residential care.
Charlotte says: "This is a very difficult time for someone who has been in a caring role. Often people feel guilty and think they should have done more to prevent it, or even feel bad because it can feel a relief! It is difficult to come to terms with the situation and it sometimes helps to talk to others who have experienced the same thing."
'We meet once a week for an hour, virtually at the moment, with the possibility of meeting face to face in the future. If you are interested in joining please ring the Dementia Connections service (0191 2877014) and I will call you back."
Time Travellers @ The Museum
Our Dementia Connections groups are currently postponed due to C19 but we are working hard to develop alternatives.
Working alongside the Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums Team, we explore monthly themes with exclusive access to museum collections to make local history come to life. An opportunity to celebrate your memories of times gone by, and the chance to visit related exhibitions and venues in the North East.
Where: Segedunum Museum, Buddle Street, Wallsend, NE28 6HR
When: Monthly Wednesdays 1- 2.30pm (See leaflet for dates)
Cost: £2.60 per person Refreshments provided
Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST)
Our Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) programme is delivered over 10 weeks via weekly one to two-hour sessions on Zoom.
The cost per session is £4.50.
The sessions are anticipated to start in January 2021. For further details please contact Dementia Connections on Tel: 0191 2877014.
More details in our News section
Related Links
Our Dementia Services
Other Services
- Coronavirus - information for families looking after someone with dementia (Dementia UK website)
- DemTalk online resource
- Dementia UK
- North Tyneside Carers' Centre
- Free dementia training for carers, from Future Learn
- Significant Care - a free tool to help carers spot deterioration
- M4D Radio - Music for Dementia
- Free online Dementia skills training for Carers
- FREE Talking Sense audiobook from Dementia Support UK
- The Countrymen Club at Meadow Well Connected
- Dementia Talking Point online forum (Alzheimer's Society)
- Carer support from the Masonic Charitable Foundation
- Alzheimer's Society - Find support near you
More about Dementia
- First drug that can slow Alzheimer's dementia - BBC News
- Lifestyle changes could prevent dementia
- A short video clip from ITV News showing an Admiral Nurse and the impact of her work.
- Alzheimer's Society's 'Fix Dementia Care' petition
- Help with research into Caring during Covid 19 isolation
- Covid 19- How to explain coronavirus to someone with dementia
- NHS - Looking after someone with dementia
- Alzheimer's Society - Brain training and dementia
- Glossary of common dementia terms
- Experiences of Dementia and Memory Support Services in North Tyneside
- Supporting people with sight loss and dementia (RNIB)
- Five signs that someone may have sight loss and dementia (Henshaws)
Helpful downloads related to Dementia
You can view, download and or print for sharing from the links below:
Social and Activity Groups: