Silverton Memory Cafe - May 2024 Update
This year Dementia Action Week is from 13th to 19th May 2014. It is an annual campaign to bring people together to be aware of dementia.
Almost anyone of us could get dementia, which can show up in a variety of ways and is different from normal aging. As people get older, they are likely to notice some changes in their mental ability, though these changes can be frustrating and often called “senior moments”, they are a natural part of aging. Dementia can be caused by many different diseases which cause damage to the brain. The symptoms may start off small and will progress over time and may include memory loss, confusion and needing help with daily tasks, problems with language and understanding or changes in mood or behaviour.
In my experience in supporting people and their families, everyone who has dementia is different and there is no exact pattern to follow. The important thing is that if you are worried about yourself or a loved one, is to visit your GP to discuss it. The GP will do a memory test and if the results show a level of cognitive impairment, you will be referred to the hospital for more tests to show the type of dementia and what treatments are available. Many treatments are more successful if started early, not all abilities are affected and life can still be enjoyed after a diagnosis.
Alzheimers society has information and support:- www. alzheimers.org.uk Telephone:- 0333 150 3456. Dementia UK also has support and information:- www.dementiauk.org Telephone:- 0800 888 6678
If you would like to discuss any concerns in confidence with me, I would be happy to help you or you could drop in to the Memory Cafe any Thursday
afternoon in the Millennium Hall, where you would be most welcome.
Trish Jones-Chairman Email:- [email protected]
Telephone:-0748 437 7298
Almost anyone of us could get dementia, which can show up in a variety of ways and is different from normal aging. As people get older, they are likely to notice some changes in their mental ability, though these changes can be frustrating and often called “senior moments”, they are a natural part of aging. Dementia can be caused by many different diseases which cause damage to the brain. The symptoms may start off small and will progress over time and may include memory loss, confusion and needing help with daily tasks, problems with language and understanding or changes in mood or behaviour.
In my experience in supporting people and their families, everyone who has dementia is different and there is no exact pattern to follow. The important thing is that if you are worried about yourself or a loved one, is to visit your GP to discuss it. The GP will do a memory test and if the results show a level of cognitive impairment, you will be referred to the hospital for more tests to show the type of dementia and what treatments are available. Many treatments are more successful if started early, not all abilities are affected and life can still be enjoyed after a diagnosis.
Alzheimers society has information and support:- www. alzheimers.org.uk Telephone:- 0333 150 3456. Dementia UK also has support and information:- www.dementiauk.org Telephone:- 0800 888 6678
If you would like to discuss any concerns in confidence with me, I would be happy to help you or you could drop in to the Memory Cafe any Thursday
afternoon in the Millennium Hall, where you would be most welcome.
Trish Jones-Chairman Email:- [email protected]
Telephone:-0748 437 7298
Silverton Memory Cafe - April 2024 Update
As usual we have had a busy month with lots of varied activities and singing as well as Caroline Rigby, our guest musician from Singing for the Brain. Caroline taught us various techniques to improve our vocals and she managed to achieve some enjoyable and pleasant sounds from all our those of us who wanted to take part.
This Thursday Annie Higman came to us with lovely daffodils, grown by David Vittles, and with sprigs of greenery, helped our visitors to create some beautiful arrangements for an early Easter treat. The people who were not artistically minded enjoyed a rousing and enthusiastic game of skittles. After a delicious tea of cheese buns and cake, we were entertained by Paul and Avril who are great favourites with us.
Last week Annette, Wendy and I hosted a meeting of representatives from the Mid Devon Memory Café Consortium. it was most interesting to hear what was going on in other Memory Cafés and how they often struggle to find the money for their venue hire. We are so fortunate, in Silverton, as the Friends of Wyndham House Surgery generously pay for the hiring of the hall for us, which is so valuable and means that we don’t have to actively fund raise. We do however accept donations to help pay for entertainers and the many games and puzzles and other activity items. Silverton is by far the biggest Memory Cafe in Mid Devon and has the advantage of meeting weekly instead of monthly or fortnightly as many others do. I am so grateful to the Friends, the committee and all of our volunteers who make it all possible.
This Thursday Annie Higman came to us with lovely daffodils, grown by David Vittles, and with sprigs of greenery, helped our visitors to create some beautiful arrangements for an early Easter treat. The people who were not artistically minded enjoyed a rousing and enthusiastic game of skittles. After a delicious tea of cheese buns and cake, we were entertained by Paul and Avril who are great favourites with us.
Last week Annette, Wendy and I hosted a meeting of representatives from the Mid Devon Memory Café Consortium. it was most interesting to hear what was going on in other Memory Cafés and how they often struggle to find the money for their venue hire. We are so fortunate, in Silverton, as the Friends of Wyndham House Surgery generously pay for the hiring of the hall for us, which is so valuable and means that we don’t have to actively fund raise. We do however accept donations to help pay for entertainers and the many games and puzzles and other activity items. Silverton is by far the biggest Memory Cafe in Mid Devon and has the advantage of meeting weekly instead of monthly or fortnightly as many others do. I am so grateful to the Friends, the committee and all of our volunteers who make it all possible.
Silverton Memory Cafe - March 2024 Update
There are currently about 900,000 people diagnosed with dementia in the UK and many more yet undiagnosed. The numbers are increasing every year. Although some forms of the disease are unavoidable, there are ways to reduce the risk or slow down the progression:- A healthy Mediterranean diet, not smoking, limiting alcohol, taking regular exercise and performing activities which stimulate brain function like puzzles, reading or socialising. People who experience memory loss are often reluctant to go out and often lose confidence as they are embarrassed about their forgetfulness.
We, at the Memory Cafe understand these anxieties and provide a safe environment for our visitors to enjoy company and activities designed to stimulate memory with games, puzzles, singing, fun and laughter. Our visitors choose what they want to do and if they prefer not to participate, they can sit and chat to one of our experienced volunteers. There is no shame in having a poor memory, life can still be enjoyed.
If you are worried about your memory, have been diagnosed with dementia or are on your own without much social interaction, do come and join us any Thursday afternoon between 2&4pm in the Millennium Hall Silverton. It is free and you will be made very welcome and can also be treated to a delicious tea with homemade cake.
We, at the Memory Cafe understand these anxieties and provide a safe environment for our visitors to enjoy company and activities designed to stimulate memory with games, puzzles, singing, fun and laughter. Our visitors choose what they want to do and if they prefer not to participate, they can sit and chat to one of our experienced volunteers. There is no shame in having a poor memory, life can still be enjoyed.
If you are worried about your memory, have been diagnosed with dementia or are on your own without much social interaction, do come and join us any Thursday afternoon between 2&4pm in the Millennium Hall Silverton. It is free and you will be made very welcome and can also be treated to a delicious tea with homemade cake.
Silverton Memory Cafe - February 2024 Update
Christmas was a busy and enjoyable time for us at the Memory Café. The weeks before were taken up with decorating the hall with Wendy’s festive bunting and also our twisted willow tree for the Christmas Tree Festival.
We held our Christmas party on the 14th of December, beginning with a quiz, followed by a special tea and a variety of cakes including a delicious Christmas cake kindly donated by Monica. Father Christmas followed the tea bearing a sack full of presents. We finished the party with Cliff and Wendy accompanying us with some of our favourite Christmas Carols.
The following Thursday Annie Higman helped us to make some beautiful Christmas table arrangements consisting of an assortment of foliage, twisted willow and a variety of coloured baubles. We were all able to take these beautiful creations home to cheer up our festive tables.
After Christmas, despite the dreadful weather and floods, we were surprised how many of our visitors came to the cafe. We enjoyed Music and Movement to work off some of the seasonal treats. This was followed by a lady from Home Instead Care Company who came to talk to us about ‘Scams’, and how to protect ourselves and our bank accounts from these clever criminals who can be very convincing. The main messages were never, never, never give out your bank details or PIN numbers, or buy anything from anyone who rings you up, also don’t open emails from unknown senders. On the subject of keeping one’s money safe, the Alzheimers Society have partnered with Sibstar which is a pre-loadable debit card and App which helps families living with dementia to safely manage their loved ones everyday spending. This enables a person with dementia to use their money safely while retaining a level of independence.
Last week we listened to Paul and Alison, a folk duo from Stoke Canon, Who sang from a list of interesting traditional songs, some of which were quite amusing with catchy tunes.
We held our Christmas party on the 14th of December, beginning with a quiz, followed by a special tea and a variety of cakes including a delicious Christmas cake kindly donated by Monica. Father Christmas followed the tea bearing a sack full of presents. We finished the party with Cliff and Wendy accompanying us with some of our favourite Christmas Carols.
The following Thursday Annie Higman helped us to make some beautiful Christmas table arrangements consisting of an assortment of foliage, twisted willow and a variety of coloured baubles. We were all able to take these beautiful creations home to cheer up our festive tables.
After Christmas, despite the dreadful weather and floods, we were surprised how many of our visitors came to the cafe. We enjoyed Music and Movement to work off some of the seasonal treats. This was followed by a lady from Home Instead Care Company who came to talk to us about ‘Scams’, and how to protect ourselves and our bank accounts from these clever criminals who can be very convincing. The main messages were never, never, never give out your bank details or PIN numbers, or buy anything from anyone who rings you up, also don’t open emails from unknown senders. On the subject of keeping one’s money safe, the Alzheimers Society have partnered with Sibstar which is a pre-loadable debit card and App which helps families living with dementia to safely manage their loved ones everyday spending. This enables a person with dementia to use their money safely while retaining a level of independence.
Last week we listened to Paul and Alison, a folk duo from Stoke Canon, Who sang from a list of interesting traditional songs, some of which were quite amusing with catchy tunes.
Silverton Memory Cafe - December 2023 Update
The highlight of November was the celebration of the hundredth birthday of one of our regular visitors. The afternoon began with Caroline Rigby leading us in her “Singing for the Brain”, which produced some lovely songs and harmonies. This was followed by a toast, singing happy birthday and then a special tea with a beautifully decorated cake made by Sue Tucker. Several friends and members of Barbara’s family joined us for the party. We
all admired the lovely array of cards, including one from Buckingham Palace with a beautiful photograph of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
We have enjoyed many other activities and entertainments during the month: Catherine Roughton helped us to make some Dolly Peg decorations for our tree for the Christmas Tree Festival. We had lots of fun with our new set of skittles, demonstrating some hidden talent amid lots of enthusiastic cheering and clapping. The Silverton Poetry Group joined us one afternoon, reading a variety of popular poems which evoked many happy memories and was much enjoyed.
Christmas is fast approaching with many entertainments and activities planned, including the Christmas Tree Festival. We will hold a Christmas party on December 14th, this will include a Christmas quiz followed by a special tea, we hope that Father Christmas will arrive with a sack full of presents, then some Christmas Carols.
all admired the lovely array of cards, including one from Buckingham Palace with a beautiful photograph of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
We have enjoyed many other activities and entertainments during the month: Catherine Roughton helped us to make some Dolly Peg decorations for our tree for the Christmas Tree Festival. We had lots of fun with our new set of skittles, demonstrating some hidden talent amid lots of enthusiastic cheering and clapping. The Silverton Poetry Group joined us one afternoon, reading a variety of popular poems which evoked many happy memories and was much enjoyed.
Christmas is fast approaching with many entertainments and activities planned, including the Christmas Tree Festival. We will hold a Christmas party on December 14th, this will include a Christmas quiz followed by a special tea, we hope that Father Christmas will arrive with a sack full of presents, then some Christmas Carols.
Silverton Memory Cafe - November 2023 Update
October was another busy month for us at the Memory Café with many of our usual activities and a new game of Hoopla. Margaret Clough had lent us her coloured hoops and the aim was to throw them over spaced out targets. It was great fun and caused much cheering and hilarity.
The highlight of the month, was a visit from a class of children from Silverton Primary School who joined us for an afternoon and sang a delightful Harvest Festival song about farmers growing crops for people to eat. We had prepared a quiz on “Animals and their Young”, which we did in groups. The children excelled at this and one of their groups won first prize. We shared refreshments, squash and cake for the children and tea and cake for our visitors and the teachers. Several of the children had grandparents or neighbours amongst us and it was lovely to see the interactions between the older and younger Silvertonians.
I would like to say a big Thank You to all our wonderful volunteers for their help with welcoming, entertaining, leading activities, making and serving teas, baking cakes and setting up and dismantling the tables and chairs. The smooth running of the Memory Cafe is really down to their hard work and team spirit.
Research studies repeatedly show that social interaction is a vital part of retaining and improving ones memory, so if you are having problems with yours, or would just like some company, do come along, you would be most welcome. We are open every Thursday afternoon in the Millennium Hall between 2 and 4 pm.
Trish Jones- Chairman. Telephone:- 07484377298 or email:- [email protected]
The highlight of the month, was a visit from a class of children from Silverton Primary School who joined us for an afternoon and sang a delightful Harvest Festival song about farmers growing crops for people to eat. We had prepared a quiz on “Animals and their Young”, which we did in groups. The children excelled at this and one of their groups won first prize. We shared refreshments, squash and cake for the children and tea and cake for our visitors and the teachers. Several of the children had grandparents or neighbours amongst us and it was lovely to see the interactions between the older and younger Silvertonians.
I would like to say a big Thank You to all our wonderful volunteers for their help with welcoming, entertaining, leading activities, making and serving teas, baking cakes and setting up and dismantling the tables and chairs. The smooth running of the Memory Cafe is really down to their hard work and team spirit.
Research studies repeatedly show that social interaction is a vital part of retaining and improving ones memory, so if you are having problems with yours, or would just like some company, do come along, you would be most welcome. We are open every Thursday afternoon in the Millennium Hall between 2 and 4 pm.
Trish Jones- Chairman. Telephone:- 07484377298 or email:- [email protected]
Silverton Memory Cafe - September 2023 Update
The summer months have been busy at the Memory Café with an assortment of activities including dog, cat and normal bingo, quizzes, guess what is in the bag, carpet bowls, arts and crafts, music and movement with Judith and of course the ever popular variety of jigsaw puzzles. After cake and tea we
often have musical entertainments or singing. Last week we enjoyed John Brooks accompanied by Cliff on guitar. John sang a variety of old songs in
English, Italian and French, including some by Jaques Brel and Frank Sinatra which we knew and joined in. We also had a fascinating session with Caroline Rigby who does Singing for the Brain which was very stimulating. We started with all sorts of voice exercises, followed by rounds, percussion, group singing and ended with some lovely harmonies which were most enjoyable and impressive and just goes to show that with a good choir leader, anyone can sing well.
Annette, Judith and I hosted a meeting of representatives of all the Mid Devon Memory Cafés. The other Cafés are Cullompton, Crediton, Tiverton, Bradninch and Uffculme. It was very useful to get together and share ideas and arrange some training opportunities for our volunteers.
often have musical entertainments or singing. Last week we enjoyed John Brooks accompanied by Cliff on guitar. John sang a variety of old songs in
English, Italian and French, including some by Jaques Brel and Frank Sinatra which we knew and joined in. We also had a fascinating session with Caroline Rigby who does Singing for the Brain which was very stimulating. We started with all sorts of voice exercises, followed by rounds, percussion, group singing and ended with some lovely harmonies which were most enjoyable and impressive and just goes to show that with a good choir leader, anyone can sing well.
Annette, Judith and I hosted a meeting of representatives of all the Mid Devon Memory Cafés. The other Cafés are Cullompton, Crediton, Tiverton, Bradninch and Uffculme. It was very useful to get together and share ideas and arrange some training opportunities for our volunteers.
Silverton Memory Cafe - August 2023 Update
We have enjoyed another busy month at the Memory Cafe, with a variety of our usual activities as well as some new additions.
Caroline Rigby, who is a very experienced musician, spent one afternoon with us which involved voice exercises followed by lots of singing and percussion. Caroline has led many “Singing for the Brain” groups. Her session certainly challenged us and with her guidance, to our surprise, we
produced some enjoyable and harmonious results.
Another new activity was “Cat Bingo.” We had already played “Dog Bingo”,but we felt that as there are dog people and cat people, we should be inclusive! Being a Dog person myself, I had no idea how many different breeds of cat there were, so it was a learning experience for me and great fun
for us all.
Last Thursday, as well as Carpet Bowls for the active visitors, we painted some cut out sunflowers provided by Wendy. These will decorate the entrance ways to the Silverton Street Market on the 5th of August for which we all pray, will be a fine day.
We have a full and varied programme planned for August so do come and join us. We are open every Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4 pm in the Millennium Hall. All newcomers are made most welcome and a delicious tea will be served.
Caroline Rigby, who is a very experienced musician, spent one afternoon with us which involved voice exercises followed by lots of singing and percussion. Caroline has led many “Singing for the Brain” groups. Her session certainly challenged us and with her guidance, to our surprise, we
produced some enjoyable and harmonious results.
Another new activity was “Cat Bingo.” We had already played “Dog Bingo”,but we felt that as there are dog people and cat people, we should be inclusive! Being a Dog person myself, I had no idea how many different breeds of cat there were, so it was a learning experience for me and great fun
for us all.
Last Thursday, as well as Carpet Bowls for the active visitors, we painted some cut out sunflowers provided by Wendy. These will decorate the entrance ways to the Silverton Street Market on the 5th of August for which we all pray, will be a fine day.
We have a full and varied programme planned for August so do come and join us. We are open every Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4 pm in the Millennium Hall. All newcomers are made most welcome and a delicious tea will be served.
Silverton Memory Cafe - May 2023 Update
The last week in April was a real highlight for us when the Silverton Primary School children came to visit. They began with two lovely poems, which they all recited beautifully. The first was about the sea and the cadence of their voices created the sound of the waves rising and falling. After the poems they helped our visitors to make crowns for the Coronation celebrations or just joined in with whatever we were doing. We were all so impressed with their ability to chat to our visitors with enthusiasm and perfect manners and behaviour. We really enjoyed the visit and all agreed that the children were a great credit to their school and their families. It was delightful to see the interaction between our elderly visitors, several of whom had been teachers,
and the children.
The following week we had to cancel our cafe as the hall was required for elections. This rather prevented us from an early celebration of the Coronation.
Along with many of our usual activities, we had a visit from David Rolls who brought along photographic and other memorabilia from his late parents collections. Many of you will remember Alec and Patricia Rolls who had lived in Tiverton Road for over fifty years. Our Silverton visitors enjoyed reminiscing with David, who with his brother Chris had grown up in Silverton.
June will be our seventh anniversary which we plan to celebrate along with several birthdays and anniversaries and many other activities.
If you would like to join us in the fun, delicious teas and cake usually followed by a good sing along, do contact me for more details or just turn up and you would be most welcome. We are open every Thursday afternoon in the Millennium Hall between 2 and 4 pm.
Trish Jones - Chairman Phone:- 07484377298 or email:- [email protected]
and the children.
The following week we had to cancel our cafe as the hall was required for elections. This rather prevented us from an early celebration of the Coronation.
Along with many of our usual activities, we had a visit from David Rolls who brought along photographic and other memorabilia from his late parents collections. Many of you will remember Alec and Patricia Rolls who had lived in Tiverton Road for over fifty years. Our Silverton visitors enjoyed reminiscing with David, who with his brother Chris had grown up in Silverton.
June will be our seventh anniversary which we plan to celebrate along with several birthdays and anniversaries and many other activities.
If you would like to join us in the fun, delicious teas and cake usually followed by a good sing along, do contact me for more details or just turn up and you would be most welcome. We are open every Thursday afternoon in the Millennium Hall between 2 and 4 pm.
Trish Jones - Chairman Phone:- 07484377298 or email:- [email protected]
Silverton Memory Cafe - April 2023 Update
We have enjoyed a variety of activities and singing during our weekly meetings, these include ‘guess what’s is in the bag,’ music and movement and carpet bowls. Last week our entertainment was provided by Liam Edwards from Tiverton, who brought his ‘Box of Crocks’, which was a selection of small antique items, which we had to guess their function or use. These intriguing objects provided us with much challenge and amusement
until the answers were eventually revealed.
A recent population based study from Exeter University has shown that people who followed a Mediterranean diet had a 23% reduction in developing all forms of dementia than those who did not.
A Mediterranean diet is one which consists of nuts, seafood, whole grains, healthy oils, fruit and lots of vegetables. The data suggests that eating a diet rich in plant based foods has a ‘protective effect’ against developing dementia regardless of a persons genetic risk. The researchers based their data from more than 60,000 people and took account of each individuals genetic risk. Half the participants followed a strict Mediterranean diet while the others carried on as normal for a ten year period. Those who followed the Mediterranean diet reduced their dementia risk by almost a quarter. The research demonstrates how the typical Western diet, rich in sugar, saturated fat and processed food, which we already know results in heart disease, is also not healthy for our brains.
The Memory Cafe’s is open every Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4 pm in the Silverton Millennium Hall. All our activities are aimed at providing an enjoyable social atmosphere and stimulating memory and cognitive function. New visitors and their partners or carers are most welcome.
For more information please contact me.
Trish Jones Chairman-telephone:-07484 377298 email:[email protected]
until the answers were eventually revealed.
A recent population based study from Exeter University has shown that people who followed a Mediterranean diet had a 23% reduction in developing all forms of dementia than those who did not.
A Mediterranean diet is one which consists of nuts, seafood, whole grains, healthy oils, fruit and lots of vegetables. The data suggests that eating a diet rich in plant based foods has a ‘protective effect’ against developing dementia regardless of a persons genetic risk. The researchers based their data from more than 60,000 people and took account of each individuals genetic risk. Half the participants followed a strict Mediterranean diet while the others carried on as normal for a ten year period. Those who followed the Mediterranean diet reduced their dementia risk by almost a quarter. The research demonstrates how the typical Western diet, rich in sugar, saturated fat and processed food, which we already know results in heart disease, is also not healthy for our brains.
The Memory Cafe’s is open every Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4 pm in the Silverton Millennium Hall. All our activities are aimed at providing an enjoyable social atmosphere and stimulating memory and cognitive function. New visitors and their partners or carers are most welcome.
For more information please contact me.
Trish Jones Chairman-telephone:-07484 377298 email:[email protected]
Silverton Memory Cafe - March 2023 Update
February was a busy month at the Memory Café. Along with our usual activities, we enjoyed entertainment from the duo of Sharon and Cliff. Sharon played a variety of recorders including a medieval gemshorn (made from a cow’s horn) and was accompanied by Cliff playing acoustic guitar. They played a selection of ancient, traditional and modern tunes spanning some 800 years, which were all very beautiful.
Another special entertainment was provided by The Three Fivers, a very accomplished piano and singing trio who played many of the old songs which we all remember and could sing along with.
I have often written about the benefits out visitors get from making jigsaw puzzles and how they work in small groups helping each other. I have noticed over time, how many of our visitors with memory loss, actually improve in their ability by progressing from very easy puzzles to more difficult ones. This creates a great sense of satisfaction, team working, enjoyment and achievement.
Recently we have been purchasing some high quality, 100 piece wooden puzzles made by a company called Wentworth Wooden Puzzles. These puzzles have unusual shaped pieces with encourage shape, colour and picture recognition. The company, realising that we were a charitable organisation, recently donated us two new puzzles for our visitors to enjoy, for which we are very grateful.
If you are having difficulties with your memory or would just like some company with interesting activities and a delicious tea, you would be very welcome to join us. We are open every Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4 pm in the Silverton Millennium Hall and there is no charge.
For more information please get in touch
Trish Jones - Chairman email:- [email protected] Telephone:- 07484 377298
Another special entertainment was provided by The Three Fivers, a very accomplished piano and singing trio who played many of the old songs which we all remember and could sing along with.
I have often written about the benefits out visitors get from making jigsaw puzzles and how they work in small groups helping each other. I have noticed over time, how many of our visitors with memory loss, actually improve in their ability by progressing from very easy puzzles to more difficult ones. This creates a great sense of satisfaction, team working, enjoyment and achievement.
Recently we have been purchasing some high quality, 100 piece wooden puzzles made by a company called Wentworth Wooden Puzzles. These puzzles have unusual shaped pieces with encourage shape, colour and picture recognition. The company, realising that we were a charitable organisation, recently donated us two new puzzles for our visitors to enjoy, for which we are very grateful.
If you are having difficulties with your memory or would just like some company with interesting activities and a delicious tea, you would be very welcome to join us. We are open every Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4 pm in the Silverton Millennium Hall and there is no charge.
For more information please get in touch
Trish Jones - Chairman email:- [email protected] Telephone:- 07484 377298
Silverton Memory Cafe - May 2022 Update
April has been a busy month at the Memory Cafe with many of our usual activities and fun. We held our AGM on the 7th, which was our first for two years.
We enjoyed another session on “Reminiscence”; this time it was on “School”. We watched a short DVD created by the Devon History Society, about the schools in the 1920’s, some of the photos being of pupils at Broadclyst primary school. Afterwards, in groups, we discussed our own memories. The experiences were extremely varied; some hated school while others loved it, some learned by rote, some wore uniforms, played competitive games and learned music and others didn’t. Hop Scotch, kiss chase, football and skipping were the games of the playgrounds with conkers very popular in the autumn. It was so interesting to share memories with each other, many of our visitors brought in school photographs, asking their groups to try and guess which person was them? Not always easy after so many years.
The Thursday before Easter was spent making Easter flower baskets which had been prepared by Annie Higman, our flower arranging expert. Our visitors had great fun putting the greenery and flowers into the oasis; the results were all very creative and looked lovely. After a special Easter tea of cake and Hot Cross Buns, we welcomed Brian Lawless to entertain us with his singing, many of the songs we knew and could join in.
We enjoyed another session on “Reminiscence”; this time it was on “School”. We watched a short DVD created by the Devon History Society, about the schools in the 1920’s, some of the photos being of pupils at Broadclyst primary school. Afterwards, in groups, we discussed our own memories. The experiences were extremely varied; some hated school while others loved it, some learned by rote, some wore uniforms, played competitive games and learned music and others didn’t. Hop Scotch, kiss chase, football and skipping were the games of the playgrounds with conkers very popular in the autumn. It was so interesting to share memories with each other, many of our visitors brought in school photographs, asking their groups to try and guess which person was them? Not always easy after so many years.
The Thursday before Easter was spent making Easter flower baskets which had been prepared by Annie Higman, our flower arranging expert. Our visitors had great fun putting the greenery and flowers into the oasis; the results were all very creative and looked lovely. After a special Easter tea of cake and Hot Cross Buns, we welcomed Brian Lawless to entertain us with his singing, many of the songs we knew and could join in.
Silverton Memory Cafe -April 2022 Update
It is so lovely to be back at the Memory Cafe with our visitors, carers and volunteers after the interruption of the long isolation during the pandemic. We have enjoyed afternoons of fun with lots of activities, music and movement, crafts, puzzles, a quiz and lots of singing. We welcomed back Brian Lawless after two long years. He entertained us with some lively songs and even persuaded two Hula Hula dancers to accompany him. We do have some very special hidden talents amongst our volunteers!!
The Devon History Society presented us with a DVD with six different topics of reminiscence set n the 1920’s. We watched the first session which was about home life. Although none of us were around at that time, it evoked memories of how our parents and grandparents lived. We then recalled our own childhood memories of life at home. This included outside lavatories, bathing in a tin tub in front of the fire and labour intensive ways of washing the clothes and doing the cooking. All so different from the way things are done today. We have five more topics to talk about in the future and next month we will be looking at school life.
Annette read out a very interesting account about living in Exeter after the war. She described how the children used to play for hours on bomb sites with no parental supervision. Those bomb sites were then developed into shopping and residential areas. She mentioned the Rag and Bone Man who drove round with his horse and cart collecting what ever he could from the houses. Annette remembered the grocers shop and how each item was weighed out and wrapped in paper for the customer. She remembered the first supermarket called Watts, opening in St Sidwell Street. She mentioned a department store called Waltons which was where Marks and Spencer is today and how payments were made into canisters which were posted via a network of overhead wires to the shops office and then change and receipts were returned. All so different from the “contactless” payments of today.
With all the dreadful times many families are experiencing in the world, we are lucky to be able to enjoy our Thursday afternoons and are very grateful to all our volunteers for all the generous support we receive.
The Devon History Society presented us with a DVD with six different topics of reminiscence set n the 1920’s. We watched the first session which was about home life. Although none of us were around at that time, it evoked memories of how our parents and grandparents lived. We then recalled our own childhood memories of life at home. This included outside lavatories, bathing in a tin tub in front of the fire and labour intensive ways of washing the clothes and doing the cooking. All so different from the way things are done today. We have five more topics to talk about in the future and next month we will be looking at school life.
Annette read out a very interesting account about living in Exeter after the war. She described how the children used to play for hours on bomb sites with no parental supervision. Those bomb sites were then developed into shopping and residential areas. She mentioned the Rag and Bone Man who drove round with his horse and cart collecting what ever he could from the houses. Annette remembered the grocers shop and how each item was weighed out and wrapped in paper for the customer. She remembered the first supermarket called Watts, opening in St Sidwell Street. She mentioned a department store called Waltons which was where Marks and Spencer is today and how payments were made into canisters which were posted via a network of overhead wires to the shops office and then change and receipts were returned. All so different from the “contactless” payments of today.
With all the dreadful times many families are experiencing in the world, we are lucky to be able to enjoy our Thursday afternoons and are very grateful to all our volunteers for all the generous support we receive.
Silverton Memory Cafe - March 2022 Update
We reopened the Memory Cafe on Thursday 3rd February when it moved to the larger Millenium Hall, part of Silverton Community Hall, after years at St Mary's Church Hall which had become too small. It was lovely to welcome back our old and some new visitors and our loyal volunteers. We have since enjoyed three weeks of activities and singing including a Valentine themed afternoon with a Love and Romance quiz.
Chris Pryke has taken several short videos of a few of our activities and shown them on Silverton Facebook.
This week apart from Music and Movement, Paul’s funny jokes and Avril’s singalong, we had a talk from Lucy Austins. Lucy is the Lost Persons Manager for the Devon and Cornwall Police; she talked about ways of finding people who have become lost for various reasons, including dementia. She discussed the Herbert Protocol which involves registering vulnerable people and providing their details so that they can be traced more easily. Lucy also discussed several types of satellite tracking devices including Apps which can be used on mobile phones. The problem is that many people who become lost may not have thought to put warm clothes on or would have remembered to take a mobile phone or tracker with them. For more information you can contact Lucy on 07715 453506.
Chris Pryke has taken several short videos of a few of our activities and shown them on Silverton Facebook.
This week apart from Music and Movement, Paul’s funny jokes and Avril’s singalong, we had a talk from Lucy Austins. Lucy is the Lost Persons Manager for the Devon and Cornwall Police; she talked about ways of finding people who have become lost for various reasons, including dementia. She discussed the Herbert Protocol which involves registering vulnerable people and providing their details so that they can be traced more easily. Lucy also discussed several types of satellite tracking devices including Apps which can be used on mobile phones. The problem is that many people who become lost may not have thought to put warm clothes on or would have remembered to take a mobile phone or tracker with them. For more information you can contact Lucy on 07715 453506.
Silverton Memory Cafe - February 2022 Update
It was with great sadness that we temporarily closed the Memory Cafe just before Christmas as the cases of Covid-19 were rising sharply. Fortunately we did manage to have our Christmas tea party which included a delicious array of food, mulled wine and a visit from a well bearded and bespectacled Father Christmas with his sack full of presents. We also had music and singing from the Three Fivers which we joined in with great gusto. A group of volunteers had made some lovely bunting and with some balloons and lovely table decorations created by Annie Higman, the atmosphere was very festive and the party was enjoyed by us all. We had also decorated our lovely Eco tree, in the hall lobby, with the artistic support from the talented Catherine Roughton.
It is very difficult to decide when to reopen, it has to be a balance between peoples mental health and wellbeing and the physical risks of Covid-19, also the fact that even triple vaccinated people can become quite unwell with the virus. We are hoping that the 3rd of February might be possible but will review it next week. When we do open it will be with all the precautions of volunteers testing and using masks and regularly hand sanitising.
While we have been closed, Annette has opened the Jigsaw Lending Library which is between 2 and 2.30pm in the Millennium Hall on Thursdays and open to anyone who would like to borrow from a large variety of jigsaws.
I hope we will have better news next month and we can begin to socialise more and the signs of spring will cheer us all.
It is very difficult to decide when to reopen, it has to be a balance between peoples mental health and wellbeing and the physical risks of Covid-19, also the fact that even triple vaccinated people can become quite unwell with the virus. We are hoping that the 3rd of February might be possible but will review it next week. When we do open it will be with all the precautions of volunteers testing and using masks and regularly hand sanitising.
While we have been closed, Annette has opened the Jigsaw Lending Library which is between 2 and 2.30pm in the Millennium Hall on Thursdays and open to anyone who would like to borrow from a large variety of jigsaws.
I hope we will have better news next month and we can begin to socialise more and the signs of spring will cheer us all.
Silverton Memory Cafe - September 2019 Update
We have had another busy month at the Memory Cafe, filled with companionship, singing, quizzes, Music and Movement and all our usual activities. A very important part of what we provide, is the opportunity for socialisation, resulting in many friendships developing amongst our visitors and volunteers.
Scientists have discovered that friendships and social activity can delay the onset of many cases of dementia. The Whitehall II Study, led by Dr Andrew Summerland of University College London, followed more than 10,000 civil servants from the age of 35 as they progressed into old age. The study found that people who had more friendships in middle age were sharper and less likely to develop dementia. It was thought that being socially active exercises different aspects of brain function, like language and memory and builds better resilience and coping strategies, against the damage that accumulates as the result of ageing and dementia. Dr Summerland said that the work added to evidence that loneliness in middle and old age should be taken seriously. With an ageing population in the UK and many people facing later life alone, initiatives to encourage people to stay connected to their families, friends and communities would bring very important health and wellbeing benefits.
Anyone who would like to join our weekly group would be made very welcome by our visitors and team of volunteers. We are open every Thursday between 2 and 4pm in St Mary’s Church Hall Silverton.
Trish Jones - Chairman
Scientists have discovered that friendships and social activity can delay the onset of many cases of dementia. The Whitehall II Study, led by Dr Andrew Summerland of University College London, followed more than 10,000 civil servants from the age of 35 as they progressed into old age. The study found that people who had more friendships in middle age were sharper and less likely to develop dementia. It was thought that being socially active exercises different aspects of brain function, like language and memory and builds better resilience and coping strategies, against the damage that accumulates as the result of ageing and dementia. Dr Summerland said that the work added to evidence that loneliness in middle and old age should be taken seriously. With an ageing population in the UK and many people facing later life alone, initiatives to encourage people to stay connected to their families, friends and communities would bring very important health and wellbeing benefits.
Anyone who would like to join our weekly group would be made very welcome by our visitors and team of volunteers. We are open every Thursday between 2 and 4pm in St Mary’s Church Hall Silverton.
Trish Jones - Chairman
Silverton Memory Cafe - August 2019 Update
On 13th June we celebrated our 3rd anniversary, a very happy occasion for us all with our many regular visitors and the newer ones settling in and making friends. We enjoyed a special tea with cup cakes, as it was also The Alzheimer’s Society Cup Cake Day. Brian and Jan, a musical duo, entertained us with some lively singing, most of which we could join in with. David, one of our visitors accompanied the music with his Cajon which is a sort of percussion box. I think our enthusiastic celebrations filled the Church Yard.
I recently watched a two part documentary on Television called “The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes”. It followed the progress of a group of people who had different stages of dementia and were supported to work in and run a small restaurant in Bristol. The participants, some of whom were quite young, had had to give up their careers after being diagnosed and they were all rather depressed and unfulfilled. The project was supervised by a medical research team and an experienced chef who assisted with the management, training and supervision of food preparation. The outcome was very successful and the customers, more than happy with their experience. The research demonstrated a great improvement in the participants memory tests, quality of life, and feelings of self worth measurements. It also supported the fact that people with dementia can still make a significant contribution to society and should never be underestimated. The project was so successful that it initiated a scheme for other restaurants to employ people with dementia.
Although The Silverton Memory Cafe does not engage in this sort of research, we can observe similar improvements amongst our visitors with the activities we offer. The carers and our wonderful team of volunteers also benefit greatly.
We are open every Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4 pm in St Mary’s Church Hall where a warm welcome awaits anyone who would like to drop in.
I recently watched a two part documentary on Television called “The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes”. It followed the progress of a group of people who had different stages of dementia and were supported to work in and run a small restaurant in Bristol. The participants, some of whom were quite young, had had to give up their careers after being diagnosed and they were all rather depressed and unfulfilled. The project was supervised by a medical research team and an experienced chef who assisted with the management, training and supervision of food preparation. The outcome was very successful and the customers, more than happy with their experience. The research demonstrated a great improvement in the participants memory tests, quality of life, and feelings of self worth measurements. It also supported the fact that people with dementia can still make a significant contribution to society and should never be underestimated. The project was so successful that it initiated a scheme for other restaurants to employ people with dementia.
Although The Silverton Memory Cafe does not engage in this sort of research, we can observe similar improvements amongst our visitors with the activities we offer. The carers and our wonderful team of volunteers also benefit greatly.
We are open every Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4 pm in St Mary’s Church Hall where a warm welcome awaits anyone who would like to drop in.
Silverton Memory Cafe - June 2019 Update
I wonder if any of you watched the BBC two part programme “Our Dementia Choir,” with the charismatic Vicky McClure who acts as the lady detective in “Line of Duty?” Vicky was appointed as an Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador following her own involvement with dementia, when her beloved grandmother developed the disease. She noticed how her grandmother loved and responded to music and singing, so she joined forces with the University of Nottingham and University College London, to develop a choir of people who have dementia and research the effects that music and singing had on the brains. The results were amazing! Not only was the research very positive and showed how their brain function improved but also the enjoyment, camaraderie and gained confidence amongst the participants and their families was wonderful to see.
We notice the joy on the faces of all, even the most dour, of our visitors who have dementia, when we have singing sessions; they light up, join in and look really happy.
We are planning our 3rd Anniversary on June 13th and I shall look forward to writing all about it next month.
We are open every Thursday afternoon in St Mary’s Church Hall between 2 and 4pm where a warm welcome, different activities, singing and a delicious tea awaits everyone who comes.
We notice the joy on the faces of all, even the most dour, of our visitors who have dementia, when we have singing sessions; they light up, join in and look really happy.
We are planning our 3rd Anniversary on June 13th and I shall look forward to writing all about it next month.
We are open every Thursday afternoon in St Mary’s Church Hall between 2 and 4pm where a warm welcome, different activities, singing and a delicious tea awaits everyone who comes.
Silverton Memory Cafe - May 2019 Update
A busy and happy month has flashed past, with activities such as painting, puzzles, Music and Movement and singing. We played “Pass the Parcel”, which was great fun and celebrated several birthdays including my own which was a big surprise, as I had kept it very quiet.
Liam Edwards entertained us with a box of old fashioned articles for which their functions had to be guessed. Some of the items caused great hilarity over trying to think what they could possibly be used for and imaginations ran riot!
On Maundy Thursday Easter bonnets were decorated; it was impossible to choose a winner as they were all so artistic and colourful. Lynne, a much valued volunteer, made and raffled a beautiful Simnel Cake which raised £92.00. Lynne kindly donated the money to us for which we are most grateful.
We are open every Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4 pm in St Mary’s Church Hall, Silverton. All newcomers are most welcome.
Liam Edwards entertained us with a box of old fashioned articles for which their functions had to be guessed. Some of the items caused great hilarity over trying to think what they could possibly be used for and imaginations ran riot!
On Maundy Thursday Easter bonnets were decorated; it was impossible to choose a winner as they were all so artistic and colourful. Lynne, a much valued volunteer, made and raffled a beautiful Simnel Cake which raised £92.00. Lynne kindly donated the money to us for which we are most grateful.
We are open every Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4 pm in St Mary’s Church Hall, Silverton. All newcomers are most welcome.
Silverton Memory Cafe - April 2019 Update
With signs of spring in the air and lots of lovely flowers, cakes and activities to enjoy, February and March at the Cafe brought us some new visitors and lots of laughter and fun. As well as our regular activities, the highlight was a visit from Brian and Jan who entertained us with great enthusiasm, singing many of the old favourites, which we all knew and so joined in with hearty voices.
We also had a visit from the Alzheimer’s nurse and a representative from Devon Carers who were able to give advice and support to any visitors who wanted help.
My thanks to all our volunteers and contributors for their time and generosity.
We are open every Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4 pm in St Mary’s Church Hall and a warm welcome awaits anyone who would like to join us.
We also had a visit from the Alzheimer’s nurse and a representative from Devon Carers who were able to give advice and support to any visitors who wanted help.
My thanks to all our volunteers and contributors for their time and generosity.
We are open every Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4 pm in St Mary’s Church Hall and a warm welcome awaits anyone who would like to join us.
Silverton Memory Cafe - March 2019 Update
In the last few weeks we have had various interesting visits to the Cafe, including one from the Reminiscence part of Tiverton Museum on the subject of Farming. They gave a talk and brought a selection of the equipment used on an old fashioned dairy farm which many of our visitors, who had farming backgrounds could well remember. There followed lively discussions about milking cows by hand and making clotted cream and butter and selling the milk ladled from churns carried by a pony and trap. Housewives would come out of their houses with jugs and baskets to collect their very fresh unpasteurised milk, butter, cream and often eggs and vegetables too.
Another afternoon Catherine Roughton helped us to make some very attractive cards which could be used for different occasions including St Valentines Day.
We received a very generous donation from St Mary’s Church Silverton, for which we are most grateful and has enabled us to buy more jigsaw puzzles and other resources for activities. We were sent some delightfully illustrated thank you letters, from the children who visited us in January, from Silverton Primary School and are looking forward to them visiting us again.
We also enjoyed all our usual activities, quizzes, puzzles, music and singing. Do come and join us any Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4 pm for companionship, activities and of course tea and cake.
Trish Jones- Chairman
Another afternoon Catherine Roughton helped us to make some very attractive cards which could be used for different occasions including St Valentines Day.
We received a very generous donation from St Mary’s Church Silverton, for which we are most grateful and has enabled us to buy more jigsaw puzzles and other resources for activities. We were sent some delightfully illustrated thank you letters, from the children who visited us in January, from Silverton Primary School and are looking forward to them visiting us again.
We also enjoyed all our usual activities, quizzes, puzzles, music and singing. Do come and join us any Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4 pm for companionship, activities and of course tea and cake.
Trish Jones- Chairman
Silverton Memory Cafe - January 2019 Update
Another happy and enjoyable month with lots of activities, reminiscence, music, painting, chatter and of course delicious cakes made by our wonderful team of volunteers.
Judith Wright and I were very fortunate to attend a two day Montessori Workshop, sponsored by the Devon Memory Cafe Consortium and held in the lovely Flybe Conference Centre at Exeter Airport.
Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was the first female physician in Italy. She worked with underprivileged children who had been labeled as “Mental Defectives”. Her goal was to improve their quality of life, to help them to be as independent as possible, have a meaningful place in the community and improve their self esteem. Her methods are still used, with great success, in childhood education today. Recently the same philosophy has been adapted to benefit the lives of people with memory loss and dementia.
It was an excellent course and one important message was that people with memory loss can still learn new skills. I have observed this myself, with many of the activities we offer our visitors at the Memory Cafe. One example is that many of them enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles and over the two years we have been open, most of them have progressed from very simple puzzles, to much larger and more complicated ones. Our visitors tend to do the puzzles together in groups and there is always lots of conversation, so that they are successfully using many parts of their brains and also enjoying themselves. Another important message was the importance of socialisation, within a safe and comfortable environment, such as is provided at the Memory Cafe; this improves mood, memory and self esteem.
I plan to offer a shortened workshop to our volunteers, using some of the key Montessori principals, including her methods for providing the correct environment, communication with and understanding of, people with memory loss.
We are open every Thursday afternoon in St Mary’s Church Hall between 2 and 4 pm and a warm welcome awaits any newcomers.
Judith Wright and I were very fortunate to attend a two day Montessori Workshop, sponsored by the Devon Memory Cafe Consortium and held in the lovely Flybe Conference Centre at Exeter Airport.
Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was the first female physician in Italy. She worked with underprivileged children who had been labeled as “Mental Defectives”. Her goal was to improve their quality of life, to help them to be as independent as possible, have a meaningful place in the community and improve their self esteem. Her methods are still used, with great success, in childhood education today. Recently the same philosophy has been adapted to benefit the lives of people with memory loss and dementia.
It was an excellent course and one important message was that people with memory loss can still learn new skills. I have observed this myself, with many of the activities we offer our visitors at the Memory Cafe. One example is that many of them enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles and over the two years we have been open, most of them have progressed from very simple puzzles, to much larger and more complicated ones. Our visitors tend to do the puzzles together in groups and there is always lots of conversation, so that they are successfully using many parts of their brains and also enjoying themselves. Another important message was the importance of socialisation, within a safe and comfortable environment, such as is provided at the Memory Cafe; this improves mood, memory and self esteem.
I plan to offer a shortened workshop to our volunteers, using some of the key Montessori principals, including her methods for providing the correct environment, communication with and understanding of, people with memory loss.
We are open every Thursday afternoon in St Mary’s Church Hall between 2 and 4 pm and a warm welcome awaits any newcomers.
Silverton Memory Cafe - December 2018 Update
Another month with lots of activities; one of which celebrated a special birthday for one of our regular visitors who wanted to have her party with all her friends at the Cafe. Her daughter arranged a splendid and delicious tea supplied by Sue Banks (Vintage Devon Cream Teas) and included a beautiful birthday cake which was enjoyed by us all. Tea was followed by singing and jokes from Brian Lawless who is very popular with us. It was a very special occasion and the lady has requested a repeat performance next year.
Christmas is approaching and we are busy making decorations for our Christmas tree for the Christmas Tree Festival and rehearsing our choir for the Sunday afternoon service.
Our Christmas Party will be on the 6th December. It will begin with a glass of something nice, followed by a hot turkey lunch with all the trimmings and puddings, all generously supplied by Jason and Mo Wise (Ark Events). After the meal we will have Father Christmas with a sack full of presents and then by popular request, Brian Lawless to entertain us all.
We have many other activities arranged including Catherine Roughton helping us to make Christmas cards and Annie Higman making Christmas table decorations.
I would like to thank all our volunteers for all they do to make the Silverton Memory Cafe such an enjoyable and supportive environment for our visitors and for each other. On behalf of the committee, I wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year.
We shall be open as usual all through the holiday and welcome any newcomers.
Christmas is approaching and we are busy making decorations for our Christmas tree for the Christmas Tree Festival and rehearsing our choir for the Sunday afternoon service.
Our Christmas Party will be on the 6th December. It will begin with a glass of something nice, followed by a hot turkey lunch with all the trimmings and puddings, all generously supplied by Jason and Mo Wise (Ark Events). After the meal we will have Father Christmas with a sack full of presents and then by popular request, Brian Lawless to entertain us all.
We have many other activities arranged including Catherine Roughton helping us to make Christmas cards and Annie Higman making Christmas table decorations.
I would like to thank all our volunteers for all they do to make the Silverton Memory Cafe such an enjoyable and supportive environment for our visitors and for each other. On behalf of the committee, I wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year.
We shall be open as usual all through the holiday and welcome any newcomers.
Silverton Memory Cafe - November 2018 Update
Another active month has gone by with lots of puzzles, games, quizzes, painting, singing and music, not to mention the delicious teas.
We are planning Christmas with a party and our decorated tree for the Silverton Christmas Tree Festival and some Christmas songs for the Sunday afternoon service in St Mary’s Church.
On the 1st November at 4.15pm, Judith and I will be giving a short presentation to any of our volunteers who would like to come to St Mary’s Church Hall. The aim is to introduce some of the important Montessori messages, towards better communication and understanding of people who have memory loss and dementia.
On Thursday 22nd November at 4.30 pm and Monday 26th November at 7.30 pm, Annette and I will deliver two separate sessions on becoming a Dementia Friend, at St Mary’s Church Hall, Silverton, for any one who would like to come along. Each session will last for about an hour, they will be interactive, with the aim of giving people a better understanding of dementia and how to help and support people and families who are affected.
The sessions are free and there is no need to book. They follow a programme arranged by the Alzheimer’s Society so please do come, as it will give you more confidence when you encounter people with memory loss and they will feel more comfortable with you.
We are planning Christmas with a party and our decorated tree for the Silverton Christmas Tree Festival and some Christmas songs for the Sunday afternoon service in St Mary’s Church.
On the 1st November at 4.15pm, Judith and I will be giving a short presentation to any of our volunteers who would like to come to St Mary’s Church Hall. The aim is to introduce some of the important Montessori messages, towards better communication and understanding of people who have memory loss and dementia.
On Thursday 22nd November at 4.30 pm and Monday 26th November at 7.30 pm, Annette and I will deliver two separate sessions on becoming a Dementia Friend, at St Mary’s Church Hall, Silverton, for any one who would like to come along. Each session will last for about an hour, they will be interactive, with the aim of giving people a better understanding of dementia and how to help and support people and families who are affected.
The sessions are free and there is no need to book. They follow a programme arranged by the Alzheimer’s Society so please do come, as it will give you more confidence when you encounter people with memory loss and they will feel more comfortable with you.
Silverton Memory Cafe - September 2018 Update
On 3rd September, Annette and I attended an afternoon update for Dementia Champions which has encouraged us to arrange a couple of Dementia Friends training sessions in Silverton. The sessions aim to improve participants knowledge and understanding of how to communicate and support people who have memory loss. They follow a programme developed by the Alzheimer’s Society and we plan to deliver them in November. They each last for about about an hour and we will deliver one in an afternoon and another in an evening and be open to anyone who is interested.
There was also an interesting presentation about a Study named IDEAL (Improving the Experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life) running at Exeter University. This is a five-year study of 1500 people who have difficulties with memory, and also the family members or friends who provide support. Little is known about how people with dementia or memory loss and their carers make sense of and adapt to the condition.The study will identify what changes could be made by individuals, families and communities to enable people to live well with dementia. At the end of the study recommendations and an Action Plan will be produced to health care providers and communities. We very much look forward to the results when they are published.
On 13th September we held our AGM which highlighted our activities over the last year and the entertainment plans for the next few months. The officers were all happy to remain and were duly reelected. I thanked all the volunteers for their continued support and most generous contributions.
We are open every Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4 PM in St Mary’s Church Hall. Do pop in; It is free and a warm welcome and delicious tea awaits you.
Trish Jones-Chairman
There was also an interesting presentation about a Study named IDEAL (Improving the Experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life) running at Exeter University. This is a five-year study of 1500 people who have difficulties with memory, and also the family members or friends who provide support. Little is known about how people with dementia or memory loss and their carers make sense of and adapt to the condition.The study will identify what changes could be made by individuals, families and communities to enable people to live well with dementia. At the end of the study recommendations and an Action Plan will be produced to health care providers and communities. We very much look forward to the results when they are published.
On 13th September we held our AGM which highlighted our activities over the last year and the entertainment plans for the next few months. The officers were all happy to remain and were duly reelected. I thanked all the volunteers for their continued support and most generous contributions.
We are open every Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4 PM in St Mary’s Church Hall. Do pop in; It is free and a warm welcome and delicious tea awaits you.
Trish Jones-Chairman
Silverton Memory Cafe - August 2018 Update
Another happy and enjoyable month with lots of activities, reminiscence, music, painting, chatter and of course delicious cakes made by our wonderful team of volunteers.
Judith Wright and I were very fortunate to attend a two day Montessori Workshop, sponsored by the Devon Memory Cafe Consortium and held in the lovely Flybe Conference Centre at Exeter Airport.
Maria Montessori was the first female physician in Italy. She worked with underprivileged children who had been labeled as “Mental Defectives”. Her goal was to improve their quality of life, to help them to be as independent as possible, have a meaningful place in the community and improve their self esteem. Her methods are still used, with great success, in childhood education today. Recently the same philosophy has been adapted to benefit the lives of people with memory loss and dementia.
It was an excellent course and one important message was that people with memory loss can still learn new skills. I have observed this myself, with many of the activities we offer our visitors at the Memory Cafe. One example is that many of them enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles and over the two years we have been open, most of them have progressed from very simple puzzles, to much larger and more complicated ones.
Our visitors tend to do the puzzles together in groups and there is always lots of conversation, so that they are successfully using many parts of their brains and also enjoying themselves. Another important message was the importance of socialisation, within a safe and comfortable environment, such as is provided at the Silverton Memory Café; this improves mood, memory and self esteem.
I plan to offer a shortened workshop to our volunteers, using some of the key Montessori principals, including her methods for providing the correct environment, communication with and understanding of, people with memory loss.
We are open every Thursday afternoon in St Mary’s Church Hall between 2 and 4 pm and a warm welcome awaits any newcomers.
Trish Jones - Chairperson
Judith Wright and I were very fortunate to attend a two day Montessori Workshop, sponsored by the Devon Memory Cafe Consortium and held in the lovely Flybe Conference Centre at Exeter Airport.
Maria Montessori was the first female physician in Italy. She worked with underprivileged children who had been labeled as “Mental Defectives”. Her goal was to improve their quality of life, to help them to be as independent as possible, have a meaningful place in the community and improve their self esteem. Her methods are still used, with great success, in childhood education today. Recently the same philosophy has been adapted to benefit the lives of people with memory loss and dementia.
It was an excellent course and one important message was that people with memory loss can still learn new skills. I have observed this myself, with many of the activities we offer our visitors at the Memory Cafe. One example is that many of them enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles and over the two years we have been open, most of them have progressed from very simple puzzles, to much larger and more complicated ones.
Our visitors tend to do the puzzles together in groups and there is always lots of conversation, so that they are successfully using many parts of their brains and also enjoying themselves. Another important message was the importance of socialisation, within a safe and comfortable environment, such as is provided at the Silverton Memory Café; this improves mood, memory and self esteem.
I plan to offer a shortened workshop to our volunteers, using some of the key Montessori principals, including her methods for providing the correct environment, communication with and understanding of, people with memory loss.
We are open every Thursday afternoon in St Mary’s Church Hall between 2 and 4 pm and a warm welcome awaits any newcomers.
Trish Jones - Chairperson
Silverton Memory Cafe - July 2018 Update
After our last article had gone to print, we had the lovely surprise of an unexpected concert in the Millennium Hall given by the very talented Crediton Singers, who raised £275.00 in donations for Silverton Memory Café. We really are most grateful to them for the entertainment, wonderful refreshments and their generous donation.
It is hard to believe that we have now been open for two years. On June 14th we celebrated with an extra special tea party. As it was also The Alzheimers Society Cupcake Day, we had cupcakes including delicious extra ‘take home packs’ for all our visitors, kindly donated by Sue Banks. Mo Wise made our beautiful celebration cake, decorated with Forget-Me-Nots and filled with strawberries and cream. This feast was followed by some interactive singing supplied by Brian and Jan who will definitely be invited back to entertain us again.
Among the other new musicians who visited Silverton Memory Café were The Silverton Community Choir on 28th June. We enjoyed some lovely harmonies and were able to join in with a few of their songs. We also had Alan Bellamy from Crediton Singers performing songs from the shows which everyone knew and sang along with. A big thank you to them all and to our regular entertainers and singers, who we hope will all come again.
Some of our visitors are finding this hot weather very difficult to cope with but St Mary’s Church Hall is always pleasant with the doors and windows open wide and a very warm welcome to all our regulars and any newcomers.
Trish Jones - Chairperson
It is hard to believe that we have now been open for two years. On June 14th we celebrated with an extra special tea party. As it was also The Alzheimers Society Cupcake Day, we had cupcakes including delicious extra ‘take home packs’ for all our visitors, kindly donated by Sue Banks. Mo Wise made our beautiful celebration cake, decorated with Forget-Me-Nots and filled with strawberries and cream. This feast was followed by some interactive singing supplied by Brian and Jan who will definitely be invited back to entertain us again.
Among the other new musicians who visited Silverton Memory Café were The Silverton Community Choir on 28th June. We enjoyed some lovely harmonies and were able to join in with a few of their songs. We also had Alan Bellamy from Crediton Singers performing songs from the shows which everyone knew and sang along with. A big thank you to them all and to our regular entertainers and singers, who we hope will all come again.
Some of our visitors are finding this hot weather very difficult to cope with but St Mary’s Church Hall is always pleasant with the doors and windows open wide and a very warm welcome to all our regulars and any newcomers.
Trish Jones - Chairperson
Silverton Memory Cafe - June 2018 Update
We’ve enjoyed another busy month with our usual variety of activities; most of our visitors thoroughly enjoy doing one of our quite extensive range of jigsaw puzzles.
Thanks to a generous donation from Silverton Short Mat Bowls Club we have purchased some jigsaw storage cases so that those puzzles which are incomplete are stored for finishing the following week. These are a huge asset and we are most grateful; it was always so disappointing to break up a puzzle that was almost done.
Catherine Roughton dedicates her time on a regular basis to those visitors who prefer doing painting as a change from puzzles.
A number of the volunteers will regularly read a poem and/or tell an occasional joke.
Karen Goldby and Judith Wright did another of our very popular Music and Movement sessions where we all joined in with varied levels of skill and enthusiasm but even those of us less skilled nonetheless felt the full benefit and considered we had earned our cakes.
By the time you read this, on 24th May we will have enjoyed a talk from a member of the Tiverton Museum staff entitled “Museum Reminiscences” which focussed on Childhood Memories.
June 14th we will be celebrating our 2nd anniversary; this date coincides with The Alzheimer Society’s National Cupcake day so no doubt we’ll be enjoying a selection of those. We will also be joined by Brian and Jan Lawless who will entertain us with singing with acoustic guitar accompaniment.
We are proud to have been open every Thursday throughout the 2 years with the exception of one cancellation due to the snow forecast in March. We continue throughout the summer without a break.
None of this would be possible without our dedicated team of volunteers, many of whom attend most weeks apart from their own holidays. The visitors love seeing familiar friendly faces and also we all look forward to the lashings of tea, coffee and cake (the highlight for some of us!) which are made by several of the team on a rota basis.
New visitors are always welcome; you will receive a very warm welcome so just pop in to St Mary’s Church Hall, Silverton any Thursday between 2 and 4pm
Peter Kitts - Treasurer
June, 2018
Thanks to a generous donation from Silverton Short Mat Bowls Club we have purchased some jigsaw storage cases so that those puzzles which are incomplete are stored for finishing the following week. These are a huge asset and we are most grateful; it was always so disappointing to break up a puzzle that was almost done.
Catherine Roughton dedicates her time on a regular basis to those visitors who prefer doing painting as a change from puzzles.
A number of the volunteers will regularly read a poem and/or tell an occasional joke.
Karen Goldby and Judith Wright did another of our very popular Music and Movement sessions where we all joined in with varied levels of skill and enthusiasm but even those of us less skilled nonetheless felt the full benefit and considered we had earned our cakes.
By the time you read this, on 24th May we will have enjoyed a talk from a member of the Tiverton Museum staff entitled “Museum Reminiscences” which focussed on Childhood Memories.
June 14th we will be celebrating our 2nd anniversary; this date coincides with The Alzheimer Society’s National Cupcake day so no doubt we’ll be enjoying a selection of those. We will also be joined by Brian and Jan Lawless who will entertain us with singing with acoustic guitar accompaniment.
We are proud to have been open every Thursday throughout the 2 years with the exception of one cancellation due to the snow forecast in March. We continue throughout the summer without a break.
None of this would be possible without our dedicated team of volunteers, many of whom attend most weeks apart from their own holidays. The visitors love seeing familiar friendly faces and also we all look forward to the lashings of tea, coffee and cake (the highlight for some of us!) which are made by several of the team on a rota basis.
New visitors are always welcome; you will receive a very warm welcome so just pop in to St Mary’s Church Hall, Silverton any Thursday between 2 and 4pm
Peter Kitts - Treasurer
June, 2018
Silverton Memory Cafe - April 2018 Update
We were given a very generous donation from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire which was to be spent on something special for our visitors. We decided to have a Vintage Cream Tea which was prepared by Sue Banks, who served it up on beautiful vintage chinaware. There was an amazing array of delicious cakes and scones, with tea from pretty china cups. Also Sue had made a splendid cake to celebrate the Golden Wedding Anniversary of two of our regular visitors. It really was a tea party to remember.
Several volunteers were invited to the Devon Memory Cafe Consortium Conference. The speakers included Dr. David Somerfield, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Devon Partnership NHS Trust, who praised the work of Memory Cafes, explaining how important socialisation is for people with memory loss. There was also an excellent interactive session on Singing for the Brain. Singing stimulates all parts of the brain and is of great benefit to us all. The day was very useful, enjoyable and informative.
The following meetings involved singing, poems, puzzles, painting, music and movement and quizzes all with delicious teas. Last week we had a challenging session from Liam Edward who brought in a container full of old fashioned items which we had to identify. We had great fun and laughter in trying to imagine the purpose of each object, while Liam regaled us with hilarious jokes. He was most entertaining and we all hope that he will come again.
We were also in receipt of a generous donation from Silverton Short Mat Bowls Club. This will enable us to purchase some Jigsaw storage cases so that we can safely store partially completed puzzles. We are most grateful for this unexpected gift.
A big thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who make the Cafe such a special place.
We are open every Thursday afternoon in St Mary’s Church Hall between 2 and 4 pm. Any newcomers would be most welcome
Trish Jones, Chairperson
April 2018
Several volunteers were invited to the Devon Memory Cafe Consortium Conference. The speakers included Dr. David Somerfield, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Devon Partnership NHS Trust, who praised the work of Memory Cafes, explaining how important socialisation is for people with memory loss. There was also an excellent interactive session on Singing for the Brain. Singing stimulates all parts of the brain and is of great benefit to us all. The day was very useful, enjoyable and informative.
The following meetings involved singing, poems, puzzles, painting, music and movement and quizzes all with delicious teas. Last week we had a challenging session from Liam Edward who brought in a container full of old fashioned items which we had to identify. We had great fun and laughter in trying to imagine the purpose of each object, while Liam regaled us with hilarious jokes. He was most entertaining and we all hope that he will come again.
We were also in receipt of a generous donation from Silverton Short Mat Bowls Club. This will enable us to purchase some Jigsaw storage cases so that we can safely store partially completed puzzles. We are most grateful for this unexpected gift.
A big thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who make the Cafe such a special place.
We are open every Thursday afternoon in St Mary’s Church Hall between 2 and 4 pm. Any newcomers would be most welcome
Trish Jones, Chairperson
April 2018
Silverton Memory Cafe - January 2018 Update
The Christmas period was most enjoyable for us, with lots of fun and activities.
We started by decorating our tree for the Christmas Tree Festival in St Mary the Virgin. The theme this year was “Pantomime” and some beautiful characters were hand made by Wendy Evans, who with help from other visitors produced a splendid entry. We entered the festival with great enthusiasm.
The Memory Cafe Choir sang at the Sunday afternoon service and were both trained and led by Avril whilst accompanied by Cliff and, despite colds and coughs, were able to sing with gusto.
Christmas lunch was a delicious meal of turkey and all the trimmings, kindly supplied by Jason, Mo and Jim from the Ark Chicken Company and Karen Goldby also generously donated some wine. Later, Father Christmas arrived with gifts and assisted us by raffling off two hampers.
In preparation for Christmas, Annie Higman from The Silverton Flower Club supplied, demonstrated and assisted our visitors in creating attractive flower and foliage table decorations to take home with them.
We are so grateful to all who have volunteered, entertained, produced delicious cakes, given donations, and have helped and supported us throughout the year. Happy New Year to all our visitors and supporters. Many entertainments are planned for 2018 and we would warmly welcome any newcomers to join us.
Trish Jones - Chairperson
January 2018
We started by decorating our tree for the Christmas Tree Festival in St Mary the Virgin. The theme this year was “Pantomime” and some beautiful characters were hand made by Wendy Evans, who with help from other visitors produced a splendid entry. We entered the festival with great enthusiasm.
The Memory Cafe Choir sang at the Sunday afternoon service and were both trained and led by Avril whilst accompanied by Cliff and, despite colds and coughs, were able to sing with gusto.
Christmas lunch was a delicious meal of turkey and all the trimmings, kindly supplied by Jason, Mo and Jim from the Ark Chicken Company and Karen Goldby also generously donated some wine. Later, Father Christmas arrived with gifts and assisted us by raffling off two hampers.
In preparation for Christmas, Annie Higman from The Silverton Flower Club supplied, demonstrated and assisted our visitors in creating attractive flower and foliage table decorations to take home with them.
We are so grateful to all who have volunteered, entertained, produced delicious cakes, given donations, and have helped and supported us throughout the year. Happy New Year to all our visitors and supporters. Many entertainments are planned for 2018 and we would warmly welcome any newcomers to join us.
Trish Jones - Chairperson
January 2018
Silverton Memory Cafe - December Update
By the end of 2017 the Silverton Memory Café will have been open more than 80 weeks without a break.
We are pleased to be a permanent feature in the lives of our many friends who are now part of the Silverton Memory Cafe family.
In November, former Land Army member Trudy Findlay gave an interesting talk about the heroism and importance of the role of women during the Second World War. Trudy has written down many of her memories for her family and others to enjoy. Her talk is a great example of an activity that we encourage at our Cafe.
Silverton Memory Cafe continues to offer the variety of events which stimulate the group - from Karen Goldby’s exhilarating 'Music and Movement' to Catherine Roughton’s interesting Art Class,
We are planning an eventful 2018 and we wish our many visitors, helpers and volunteers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
If you would like to visit us, we continue to meet every Thursday between 2pm and 4pm at St Mary’s Church Hall and we are open as usual throughout the Christmas period.
Trish Jones, Chairperson
December 2017
We are pleased to be a permanent feature in the lives of our many friends who are now part of the Silverton Memory Cafe family.
In November, former Land Army member Trudy Findlay gave an interesting talk about the heroism and importance of the role of women during the Second World War. Trudy has written down many of her memories for her family and others to enjoy. Her talk is a great example of an activity that we encourage at our Cafe.
Silverton Memory Cafe continues to offer the variety of events which stimulate the group - from Karen Goldby’s exhilarating 'Music and Movement' to Catherine Roughton’s interesting Art Class,
We are planning an eventful 2018 and we wish our many visitors, helpers and volunteers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
If you would like to visit us, we continue to meet every Thursday between 2pm and 4pm at St Mary’s Church Hall and we are open as usual throughout the Christmas period.
Trish Jones, Chairperson
December 2017
Silverton Memory Cafe - November Update
It was a privilege to be invited by the Rector to speak at the Harvest Evensong at St Mary’s Church at the beginning of October. I was able to outline Silverton Memory Cafe's activities and thank its many volunteers and sponsors for their invaluable support.
We now support an average of 30 visitors every week and are busy preparing decorations for the Christmas Tree Festival and the 'Celebration on the Sunday' where members of Silverton Memory Cafe have been invited to perform a festive song or two.
Over recent months we have facilitated a forum at Silverton Memory Cafe which gives carers the opportunity to discuss issues which affect them with professional advisers on a regular basis. We have found that this service is much appreciated and allows carers to discuss their natural anxieties in confidence.
Our permanent site is St Mary’s Church Hall in Silverton where a warm welcome awaits our guests between 2PM and 4PM every Thursday, including holidays.
Trish Jones, Chairperson
November 2017
We now support an average of 30 visitors every week and are busy preparing decorations for the Christmas Tree Festival and the 'Celebration on the Sunday' where members of Silverton Memory Cafe have been invited to perform a festive song or two.
Over recent months we have facilitated a forum at Silverton Memory Cafe which gives carers the opportunity to discuss issues which affect them with professional advisers on a regular basis. We have found that this service is much appreciated and allows carers to discuss their natural anxieties in confidence.
Our permanent site is St Mary’s Church Hall in Silverton where a warm welcome awaits our guests between 2PM and 4PM every Thursday, including holidays.
Trish Jones, Chairperson
November 2017
First Annual General Meeting of Silverton Memory Cafe
At our first Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the 14th September I was delighted to announce that our venue at St Mary’s Church Hall in Silverton has been confirmed for the next two years with an option to continue thereafter. This will be our permanent site where a warm welcome awaits our guests between 2pm and 4pm every Thursday including holidays.
Annette Emmerson, our Secretary gave a detailed resume of the Memory Cafe from its inception in April 2016 thus far. It was evident that our progress and outreach in the Community has been outstanding with the invaluable contribution of our many volunteers and benefactors.
The Treasurer, Paul Webster, submitted examined accounts for the year ended 31st March 2017. showing receipts of £1499 and total expenditure of £1135 excluding payment for the Church Hall covered by The Friends of Wyndham House Surgery and said that the Silverton Memory Cafe is on target for another successful year.
Over the last year we have enjoyed quizzes, humour, our own brand of singing and conviviality as well indoor events and outdoor activities, including boules, skittles and croquet. All rounded off with a nice cup of tea and scrumptious cakes. We are, as always, most indebted to our willing volunteers.
Trish Jones, Chairperson
October 2017
Annette Emmerson, our Secretary gave a detailed resume of the Memory Cafe from its inception in April 2016 thus far. It was evident that our progress and outreach in the Community has been outstanding with the invaluable contribution of our many volunteers and benefactors.
The Treasurer, Paul Webster, submitted examined accounts for the year ended 31st March 2017. showing receipts of £1499 and total expenditure of £1135 excluding payment for the Church Hall covered by The Friends of Wyndham House Surgery and said that the Silverton Memory Cafe is on target for another successful year.
Over the last year we have enjoyed quizzes, humour, our own brand of singing and conviviality as well indoor events and outdoor activities, including boules, skittles and croquet. All rounded off with a nice cup of tea and scrumptious cakes. We are, as always, most indebted to our willing volunteers.
Trish Jones, Chairperson
October 2017