As the population continues to age and continued in-depth research into dementia raises awareness of the disease, the number of people living with some form of dementia & feelings of social isolation will continue to rise.
With over 30 years’ experience working in the community & through our personal experiences with dementia, “Happy Timers” founders Sandra & Marlene identified a need. This need was for suitable, stimulating activities & a need for not only support, but the opportunity for anyone living with dementia to still be able to have fun & enjoy themselves alongside friends, family & others in similar situations. Feeling we could offer all the experience, passion & empathy needed to be able to provide this much needed service we set up “Happy Timers”
Long-term goal of “Happy Timers” is to continue delivering high quality dementia sessions which are widely accessible for all members of the community. We want to continue to increase numbers who are able to attend the sessions, starting with numbers of approx. 15 we now have 50+ regularly attending. We also want to be able to develop our sessions further visiting care homes & sheltered accommodation to deliver events for those people who can’t get to a community venue.
Our local town won ‘Dementia Friendly Town of the Year’ a prestigious accolade nationally recognised, we were immensely proud to have our work recognised & to have played a part in securing such a significant achievement.
We appeared in a TV documentary after which we received emails, letters & phone calls from people all over the country praising the work we do & asking for advice on how to run their own dementia sessions.
We strive to ensure all our sessions are in a relaxed welcoming environment in order to make sure all attendees feel comfortable & through the activities, meal & entertainment the community has genuinely been brought together people have made new friends which was ultimately the purpose the group had at conception.