Silverdale Community Singing Group
Our singing group enables individuals with dementia to come together with others from the Silverdale community to sing and have fun. While many activities are closed to people with dementia, singing has the power to reach them and put them on an equal footing with others again, even if only for that brief time.
The songs that the groups sing are chosen so that they resonate to the emotions of group members thereby improving their emotional well-being. Generally, they are upbeat from the 50s and 60s and popular shows.
If you are interested in setting up your own Dementia Embracing Singing Group in a different location, we have produced a guide to help. DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
Dementia Friendly Walking Group
Friendly and welcoming regular easy guided walks for people living with dementia who are accompanied by a supporter.
Walks rotate around Arnside, Milnthorpe, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Sizergh, Kendal and Morecambe on alternative Wednesday mornings starting at 10.30am.
Generally, walks start and finish at a café or pub where we go for refreshments after the walk.
Woodland Fun Sessions
There’s a wealth of research to show that spending time outdoors and close to nature can have a hugely positive effect on our wellbeing. Therefore, we run enjoyable, friendly outdoor sessions on alternate Monday mornings at Silverhelme Scout Camp near Silverdale during term-times. As the camp is used by scouts during school holidays we will need to move to a different location at these times. We will of course, tell everyone where this will be.
Example Activities:
- Woodland art using items from the woodland floor
- Crafts related to nature
- Woodland poems and literature
- A simple lunch cooked over a fire
- Nature quizzes
- Singing outdoors
- Making seasonal decorations
Participants need to dress for the weather and bring a flask. When we are away from the scout camp, you will also need to bring a chair.
Thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund, who funds these sessions.
Sociable Table Tennis
For people with dementia and a supporter
You may not have played table tennis for a very long time but do come along and join us for some fun at the table and a really good sociable time with others.
Research shows that table tennis can have real cognitive benefits for people with dementia – and their family member of course. It’s also great fun. Therefore, we’re running sociable table tennis sessions at Arnside Educational Institute every other Wednesday morning.
The only equipment needed are comfortable clothes and suitable footwear – everything else is provided.
Community Come Dancing
This project brings older people who enjoy dancing to the sounds of the 1950s, 60s and 70s together with Year 6 children from Arnside Primary School. They dance, chat and generally have a great time together. Sessions are held in the Arnside WI Village Hall on Orchard Road once a month on a Tuesday afternoon between 2 and 3pm.
Monthly Swimming Sessions
Monthly swimming sessions held at Holgates Pool in Far Arnside on Thursday mornings at 11am. They enable people with dementia and a family member to swim in a more dementia friendly environment as the pool is used exclusively by us and is much quieter than normal pools.
Zoom Poetry Chatroom
Our zoom Poetry Chatroom provides an enjoyable hour to listen to and read poems. Whilst everyone is offered the opportunity to read, there is no compulsion and a few of our members prefer just to listen. The poems often provoke laughter and memories people are happy to share.
Members choose a theme, and we search out poems which are emailed to everyone. It’s easiest if the poems are printed off before sessions.
Sessions run on alternate Thursday afternoons.
And finally something completely different …….
Dennis Wesson, one of our previous clients, produced the artwork for this poem, ‘The Star and the Boy’ approximately 40 years ago. One day after walking with Lesley, one of our directors during the Covid lockdown, he showed her the drawings. He can’t remember why he produced them or what the original story was, however, Lesley who enjoys writing poetry, suggested that she create a poem to go with the images. This is the result.
Dennis was a retired graphic designer, who went to art college in Lancaster in the 1970s. Prior to his death in 2023 he and his wife Jill were involved in several of our activity groups. Jill still comes on many of our walks.
