life – Reflections

Mark Sedgwick – 25th November 2025

December 31, 2025 by Peter, posted in Friends Group

Another great afternoon with Mark warming up the room.

Christmas came early, with lots of our favourite seasonal tunes.

We were pleased to welcome Jen, the Older People’s engagement lead from Oxleas, and welcome back Gill from the University of Greenwich who has visited us a few times.

Bingo is becoming more popular every week. Regular bingo caller Dave was not able to attend today so elf Tony was happy to step in and get involved.

The Creative Companion Collaborations massage team returned to provide hand, back and even one head massage. This time we had three lovely ladies who came along. Members said how much they enjoyed having a massage.

Once Mark got going the dance floor was packed and the singing loud.

As is tradition with the penultimate session of the year, it was elf week. Our team of wonderful elves did a great job keeping everything running smoothly and bringing enthusiasm and energy to the afternoon. The elves also check if group members have been good this year. Of course, they all have.

Team member highlight

Introducing Pearl. Pearl is our Health & Safety lead. She likes to ensure things run smoothly and she does this very well. She ensures group members register with her at each session and issues them with their name badges. She also ensures the chairs are set out to accommodate everyone including dedicated spaces for our wheelchair users.

The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 9th December 2025 at 1pm when Vikki will entertain us with a Christmas Party performance.

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

Mark Sedgwick – 10th June 2025

June 18, 2025 by Peter, posted in Friends Group

Two sessions in a row from our ever popular crooner.

Mark saves the day! He stepped-in at the last moment, when our booked entertainer was unwell.

Group members continue to show how creative they are under the guidance of Dave.

Everyone enjoyed the singing and dancing in the second hour.

We thank all our wonderful volunteers this Volunteers week: Dot, Lynne, Pearl, Dave, Janet, Helen, Tony, Lucia, Gyda and Ann. Mary, Marilyn and Peter missed this session, but we thank them too. (Mark photobombed the photo).

Team member highlight

Introducing Pearl, our health and safety lead. Pearl is responsible for checking in people into our register, so we have a record of people at the sessions. This is essential in case of a fire and for our statistics.

The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 24th June 2025 at 1pm. Julian will entertain us.

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

Mark Sedgwick – 27th May 2025

June 9, 2025June 11, 2025 by Peter, posted in Friends Group

Mark warmed up the group on a rainy day.

We all sang along to some great tunes.

Searching out the missing letters to make a name badge is always a challenging though fun activity. The badges help us to know who we all are.

Today, we were delighted to welcome back Professor Andrew with his colleague Gill from the University of Greenwich. As part of the Institute for Lifecourse Development’s overseas work, they brought along Purity who is setting up a dementia group in Kenya and is interested in comparing how people in the UK with dementia are treated compared to Kenya. It was a chance for us to showcase to Purity the work we do and share ideas. She enjoyed her visit and told us at the end what a joyous atmosphere could be felt at the group.

After their visit we were so pleased to receive an email from Andrew with the following comment “Thank you so much for inviting us to Reflections this week and making us feel so welcome. It was lovely to visit again, catch up with people, and see the fantastic activities, friendships and support you and the volunteers continue to facilitate. Reflections is such a vital way of ensuring people impacted by dementia – including care partners and family members – can remain connected and engaged.”

We do what we do to make a difference to the lives of people living in Greenwich with dementia and their family. To receive such a comment like this from a professional is a wonderful bonus. Thank you Andrew.