Outdoor dementia support success

Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin has successfully trialled its first outdoor dementia support group since March, at the Trinity Centre in Shrewsbury.

Supported by our team of staff and volunteers, three couples who normally attend our dementia support groups in Shrewsbury were invited to try an outdoor, socially distanced session.

On arrival, each person sanitised and was seated at separate tables but arranged so they could all still see and talk to each other. The group enjoyed some tea and cake while taking part in a conversation based activity, playing a game all about Shrewsbury and reminiscing about the town they all share.

Feedback from the members was positive with comments such as ‘great to be out of the house’, ‘felt safe’ and ‘very good, enjoyed everything’.

Normally we run ten dementia support groups across Telford and Shropshire, but due to the pandemic, the groups are suspended and not currently taking on new members. During the past five months, staff and volunteers made 50 calls a week to group members and their carers and regularly posted them activity packs to provide some support.

Heather Osborne, Chief Executive of Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, said: ‘Lockdown has been especially difficult for people living with dementia and their carers, with a lot of support moving to telephone or online. We are very happy the trial was a success and look forward to bringing people back together again for in person support and socialising in a safe way.’

Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin are planning to hold some more small, socially distanced, outdoor sessions for people living with dementia and their carers over the next few weeks in Shrewsbury.

If you need some help or support from Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin call us on 01743 233 123, leave a message with your name and telephone number and we’ll return your call as soon as we are able.