Quality of Life for People with Dementia & Support for their Family & Carers

For almost four years, The Wednesday Group has been helping people with dementia in the Retford area to overcome the isolation that dementia often brings with it and to socialise in a friendly and supportive environment.

Because of their memory problems, people with dementia find it increasingly difficult to maintain their social lives. There can be a number of reasons for this. While the faces of friends and family are still familiar, it may be difficult to recall their names. Holding a conversation becomes harder if you are not able to remember what has just been said or you are having problems finding the right word. It’s easier to stay at home than face such embarrassments.

The Wednesday Group encourages members (and carers who sometimes stay with them) to interact, communicate, make friends and enjoy life through the programme of games and activities we offer. We have a range of games, including card games and dominoes.

The group is run entirely by volunteers who design quizzes, shop, peel vegetable, cook, wash up, prepare the hall before anyone comes, clean up after they have gone and lead activities. It is because of their generosity with their time and effort that we can keep costs to a minimum and people can enjoy our services.

In case you have any doubts about the value the Wednesday Group has for people, I asked one of our members if she enjoyed coming to the group and she replied, “I do. It’s changed my life coming here.” Another told me that her husband had emerged from his depression since joining the group. “He’s come alive again, “she said. “He’s accepted his memory loss and started to enjoy life again.”

Which brings me to Andy himself – what a fantastically generous offer to climb Ben Nevis in order to raise funds for the Wednesday Group! We were absolutely amazed by it. Please do your best to support him. It’s quite an undertaking and we’ll be cheering him on all the way!

Thank you, from Jan Williams, Retford Memory Group

My Mum has attended the weekly group for a couple of years, and I'm just bowled over by the atmosphere every time we take her and collect her. Nobody wants to go home, and when they do, volunteers and members all seem to have a twinkle in their eye. I'm so glad there are such wonderful people in my community who really really care about my Mum and others like her. Trekking up Ben Nevis will be a small achievement compared to the results the volunteers give at this group. The least I can do is let the world know about them and at least get them this Boccia Kit! Thank you for caring and giving, Andy Jones.