dancing – Reflections

What an afternoon!! There was so much going on today.

Julian was in top form, playing plenty of powerful well known tunes on his guitar, harmonica and cornet.

Dave has now attracted quite a bingo crew. In our games, everyone gets a small prize whether they win or not. Dave is learning the bingo phrases, though everyone shouts out the phrases as the numbers come up even if he doesn’t know them.

We welcomed two therapists from Creative Companion Collaborations who were giving free hand massages to group members. There was even time towards the end for some team members to have one too. Members reported the ladies were very good and the massages were relaxing. Thank you for coming along ladies.

Karlee, our local ASDA Community Life Champion came along to present us with a cheque for £1,000 from the ASDA Foundation. This money will be used to fund our Christmas party on 9th December. Thank you Karlee so much for nominating our group for this award and for the donation of some biscuits and squash that you brought along today.

We also welcomed Andrew, Service Manager Bexley from the Alzheimer’s Society. He came along to see what happens at the Friendship Group and kindly topped up our supplies of Alzheimer’s Society publications which Helen, our Librarian, gives out to new members. He plans to come back in the New Year to deliver an updated Dementia Friends session for the team and anyone who would like to join us.

As always, great music stimulates the group members to take to the dance floor. I’m sure they will all sleep well tonight.

Team member highlight

Introducing Helen. Helen is our resident Librarian. Since taking on this role her warmth, keenness and willingness means she has also acquired two other roles. She is our Playlist for Life lead and has volunteered to run a reminiscence table with the Call to Mind Game if there is demand. Helen loves all of these roles as she enjoys chatting to group members and finding our more about them.

The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 25th November 2025 at 1pm. Mark will entertain us and the elves will be in town.

Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.

We enjoyed a great team led event during the 2nd hour today, as sadly our booked entertainer Vikki was poorly. We wish her well.

The team came to the rescue with 15 minutes of cognitive action songs – Big Fish, Little Fish, Cardboard Box; The court of King Caractacus and the Music Man. We followed this with a playlist of popular songs from the 1960’s and 1970’s which got everyone singing along and joining in the dancing.

As we are agents for Playlist for Life and it was Playlist for Life day during this week, we invited members to each nominate a song that evoked a memory, and write it on a piece of bunting which we displayed in the room. Here is a small selection of tunes that bring back memories for group members. The memories evoked were as varied as the songs.

When Julian played The Locomotion there were no shortage of participants, including Kath, the manager of Shrewsbury House, seen with a striking necklace, who wanted to join in.

You can find out more about Playlist for life and how to create your own songs with memories playlist here.

Team member highlight

Introducing Tony. Tony is one of our 2 Activity Leads. He loves being active and is always happy to thrown himself into the activities of the day and have a chat during the first hour. He is very talented and made a Cornhole Game for the group which is popular. When the music starts you will find him on the dance floor.

The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 30th September 2025 at 1pm when Scott Elvis will be in the building.