Category: Friends Group

For the first time we had all 11 of our regular Friendship Group volunteers at a session at the same time – a big help with a busy afternoon.

We had several visitors to the session today. Tricia came to ask people about their experiences with dentists as part of research for her PhD. She was so engrossed in chatting to group members that she plans to come to our next session to talk to the ones she missed. Pauline came with two of her colleagues from Home Instead Greenwich and Bexley. They are looking to set  up a “Dementia Hub for Home Instead” soon. Watch this space. And finally, Alf came to speak to me about a Dementia Friends session I am running for his group on the 21st March. It should be fun and educational as usual. More information about Dementia Friends here.

While this was going on we also enjoyed some word-puzzles and jigsaws.

The energetic types played balloon tennis.

Our new singer, Nikki, was slightly delayed – but launched into her set soon after she arrived.

The group joined-in with dancing and singing.

With the new year comes a new main funder for Reflections. We thank Metro Gavs and Greenwich Council for funding us for the last two years and are very pleased to say the Lottery Community Fund is supporting us for 2019-20 and 2020-21. We also need to say thank you to our volunteers, who give all their time for free. Lovely people!

 

See you next month.

 

 

 

A busy day – a fun day

Tony returned for the second time this year and sang-up a storm.

There was lots to do, including a bit of colouring…

and word-searches and we introduced Lego (you have to look closely, they were using rather small pieces).

Our resident artist presented the group with a group painting. Fabulous!

There was rather a lot of dancing and some singing.

The very wonderful Caroline came from Asda to give us a cheque for our Christmas party (it’s only nine months away, are you ready?).

See you very soon,

 

We welcomed another new singer today – and we shall be welcoming him back in the future – Neill was a definite success with the group.

Before today’s entertainment, we introduced everyone to the new layout for Reflections in Shrewsbury House:

From 1-2pm group members are invited to use Room 1 – the Silver room

and Room 2 – the Green room.

We have the usual games, quizzes, jigsaw puzzles, painting, dominoes etc in both rooms.

From 2-3pm members have the choice of the Library for the entertainment, or  Room 1 – the Silver room for peace, quiet and games/quizzes etc.

It all worked remarkably well for a first effort, thanks to our wonderful volunteers (including Mo, our newest recruit), helpful group members, and Darren (managing the chairs).

The Library, minus tables, offered more space for dancing and generally moving around. A much safer solution, given our increasing numbers.

Neill sang a variety of well known tunes and got everyone involved.

See you next time,

 

 

February and time for a signer new to us. Viki went down a storm. Group members appreciated her lovely voice and her interaction with everyone (even me).

As Valentine’s Day is coming our new craft lady, Gyda, helped with designing and making some lovely cards.

When the dancing picked up even the jigsaws were left behind.

Next time we will have more rooms, more activities, another new singer and more space for dancing!

 

We enjoyed our first meeting of the new year. Of the 45 attendees, there were some new faces and some older faces (including mine!)

A few of our regulars were absent due to sickness etc etc. Even three of our stalwart volunteers were unable to come. We hope everyone will bounce back for our next meeting on 22nd January.

The quizzes went well, as did the mindfulness colouring.

By the time Tony (the birthday boy) arrived, we were reading for a sing song.

And some dancing.

 

Next time we have the return of Jamie with some Rock ‘n’ Roll and a Dementia Friends session, hosted by me.

See you then.

 

What a full-on fun afternoon!

The Reflections elves (Maggie, Pearl and Lynne) had been at work with the wonderful Caroline to prepare the sandwiches this morning. Many thanks to Caroline (the Asda Charlton Community Life Champion) and Asda for providing all the food (except the sausage rolls, cooked to perfection by Lynne).

Another set of elves (Janet and Sarah) had sorted all the excellent gifts for our raffle in advance of the party. A huge thank you to everyone who donated gifts. Everyone went home with a gift and the proceeds raised will help our on-going work. Thank you to Dot for organising the selling of the raffle tickets.

The whole team (see the team photo below) arrived early to set up the two rooms…

56 Reflections Friends arrived (another record turn-out), settled-in, had something to eat, bought a raffle ticket, had a chat…

then Tony arrived for his first ever Electric Sing-a-long.

It was loud and proud. There was singing and dancing.

And the annual Twelve Days of Christmas sing-a-long with actions this year (thank you to Richard for finding these) led by Janet, Julie and Pearl.

All too soon it was over for another year.

Merry Christmas from Marc, Peter, Mary, Pearl, Lynne, Janet, Jen, Dot, Julie, Sarah and Maggie.

See you on the 8th January 2019.

 

An excellent turn-out in the bleak weather.

We had started Christmas early, thanks to Adrian’s efforts to bring some cheer with paper chains. The arty-types took-up the theme of making something for the festive season.

It all went a bit bonkers at 2pm, when Jamie started his holiday fiesta.

There was singing, dancing and a little shock.

But we managed to get back to normality (almost).

More than a few people joined the dancing.

See you next time.

 

We had a very busy afternoon – with 55 group members, 6 visitors and 8 volunteers.

Our star turns were the Pearly King and Queen of Woolwich and the Pearly Queen of Royal Greenwich. They came early and mingled with the group. Everyone had the opportunity of a photo with royalty:

One king, two queens, plus Janet and me –

Just to be clear who’s who –

The Pearly Queen of Royal Greenwich has been very generous in the past with a contribution to Reflections funds. The delightful Tina, from The Kent Spiritual Teaching Group (KSTG), today presented us with a cheque, as we are one of their charities of the year.

Our other visitors were: Sophie, a recent addition to the Oxleas Memory Service team – and Alex, a design student, who is looking to work with people with dementia as part of his design studies.

We ended with a cockney sing-a-long and a bit of a knees-up.