Finding Joy co-production from Vamos Theatre is coming to Coventry this Autumn

Tags

Alzheimers, art, Belgrade, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Dementia, dementia friendly, finding joy, mask theatre, Memory, panto, pantomime, performance, show, Vamos, Vamos Theatre

 

Joy is 83 today: she’s funny, loves to dance, and is losing her memory. Her grandson Danny is rebellious, bright and always getting into trouble. When Danny decides to look after Joy, they discover a shared playfulness and a mutual affection. But is that enough to take on the challenges ahead?

Vamos Theatre’s wordless production tells the true story of a teenager’s decision to care for his grandmother with dementia, with humour, poignancy, and warmth. Praised by everyone from The Guardian to Dementia Positive, Vamos’s critically acclaimed and award winning production, Finding Joy witnessed phenomenal success at last year’s Edinburgh Festival and has enjoyed two international sell-out tours.

This life-affirming story of lost memories and discovered love is a must-see and has secured Vamos as the UK’s leading full mask theatre company.

You’ll Laugh, You’ll Cry, You’ll Find Joy!

Finding Joy is suitable for audiences age 12 years + and is accessible for hearing and deaf audiences alike.

This Autumn, ‘Finding Joy’ will be coming to the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, and the show dates are as follows:

Thursday 16 November 2017 | 8.00pm

Friday 17 November 2017 | 8.00pm

Saturday 18 November 2017 | 1.00pm – DEMENTIA FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE

Saturday 18 November 2017 | 8.00pm

Discounted tickets for people with dementia and their carers may be available so book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

For ticket prices and further information about the Coventry shows, please visit the Belgrade Theatre website at http://www.belgrade.co.uk/event/finding-joy.

“Vamos Theatre’s craftily constructed and crowd-pleasing piece… The show brilliantly conveys a sense of how frightening the world seems through Joy’s eyes … the company of four are always fleet and the storytelling is excellent”

Lyn Gardner | The Guardian 

“An immensely affirmative joie de vivre… Catch it while you can”

The Stage ***** 

“Finding Joy… can be summed up in two words: simply beautiful”

What’s On Stage *****

“If you’ve never seen full mask theatre, there could be no better introduction than Vamos – their ability to explore profound themes with the lightest of touches is magical … the irresistible mix of humour and heartbreak makes them a must-see”

Hereford Times *****

“Life-affirming, funny, deeply touching and highly, highly recommended!”

Plays to See

“Quite simply, a triumph”

Inquire *****

“Outstanding”

Time Out

“A genuinely original, beautiful piece of work which deserves to be seen by a wide audience”

BRIGHTON FRINGE 2014 ARGUS ANGEL WINNER for artistic excellence

Duncan Hall | The Argus 

Vamos Theatre who are doing some ‘Finding Joy’ shows at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry in November.

Dementia Friends challenge for Warwickshire

Tags

challenge, Dementia, Dementia Action Alliance, Dementia Friendly Communities, Dementia Friends, dementia friends challenge, Warwickshire, warwickshire county council

Warwickshire County Council and partners are encouraging Warwickshire residents to become a Dementia Friend to pledge their support to people with dementia, and taking the number of Dementia Friends across the county to 30,000.

In Warwickshire, according to latest estimates, there are 7,500 people living with dementia and this is likely to rise to over 11,000 people in the next ten years. The fact is that most people in Warwickshire will be affected in some way by dementia during their lifetimes.

Dementia Friends is a national initiative led by the Alzheimer’s Society based on the principle that people with dementia can live well with a little help from other people. Becoming a Dementia Friend is about understanding a bit more about dementia and the small things that can help people with the condition. You don’t need to already know someone with dementia to become a Dementia Friend.

Become a Dementia Friend in the following ways:

• Watch a short video to become a dementia friend dementiafriends.org.uk
• Are you part of a community group? Contact us to arrange a Dementia Friends Information Session Keeley.Waldron@alzheimers.org.uk
• Go along to a Dementia Friends session in your local area – you can find the nearest sessions on the Dementia Friends website: dementiafriends.org.uk

Employers are also encouraged to share this message with their employees as the Alzheimer’s Society can help employers who are looking to have their workforce signed up as Dementia Friends.

Monica Fogarty, Joint Managing Director of Warwickshire County Council, and a Dementia Friend, said: “The creation of almost two million Dementia Friends across the country by the Alzheimer’s Society is a wonderful achievement. Now we look to Warwickshire and our own mission to support the creation of 30,000 Dementia Friends across our county.

“I would urge everyone to attend one of the face-to-face sessions if they can, where they will gain a broader understanding of the issues associated with dementia and discover the small things they can do to make a big difference to people living with the condition. If you can’t attend a face-to-face session, you can still get involved and help us towards our target by visiting the Dementia Friends website and becoming a Dementia Friend.”

Anyone wishing to become a Dementia Friend can visit: dementiafriends.org.uk

For more information and support on living well with dementia and Warwickshire’s Living Well with Dementia Strategy, visit: warwickshire.gov.uk/dementia

If you are an employer in Warwickshire or wish to request a Dementia Friends information Session for your group, please contact keeley.waldron@alzheimers.org.uk for further information.

Local Dementia Café relaunches with new name

Tags

Alzheimers, carers support, Dementia, local support, memory cafe, memory loss, support group, Warwick

Local residents are being invited to the Memory Café Plus launch on

Monday 19th June at 2pm

at All Saints Church Centre, Emscote, Warwick, CV34 5NL

The Memory Café Plus team are inviting people to celebrate the launch of this ground breaking approach to Dementia support at its new venue All Saints Church, Warwick.

The Memory Café was started at The Rock Café on the Woodloes in response to local people’s desire for more support to help them live well for longer with Dementia in their own homes and communities rather than having to move to care settings. When The Rock café closed the Woodloes Tavern offered itself as a venue and as the café developed the team could see a need for more than the visiting speakers and leaflets it was offering.

They responded by creating Memory Café Plus which offers the opportunity for 1:1 support surgeries with professionals every month.

The Café aims to provide a non-official (no uniforms) place of safety and fun whilst aiming to provide information in the following areas:

• Suitable activities for carers and people living with dementia
• Access to suitable materials
• Information and access to help, financial and practical
• Exchange of experiences
• Two hours of time where carers can at least partly relax from their 24/7 roles

All of the volunteers would have attended a half day course on dementia and after running the group for two years have acquired ‘on the job’ experience.

Memory Café Plus takes place on the 1st and 3^rd Monday of the Month and every 3^rd Monday. A professional speaker will talk on an essential topic concerning living with memory loss and will be available for 1:1 consultations. Topics include, Understanding Dementia, Adjusting the Home, Benefits and Allowances.

Every 1^st Monday of the month there will be exercise sessions including chair exercises and Zumba Gold as well as art sessions led by a local artist.  

First session opens on Monday 19th June at 2pm.

If you are interested or would like more information please call  07507646030.

WHO I AM – upcoming expressive art sessions in North Warwickshire

Tags

activity book, Alzheimers, art, art session, Bedworth, bulkington, capturing memories, carers support, cognition, community, community support, Dementia, escapearts, expressive art, forgetfullness, library, lifestorybook, Memory, north warwickshire, Nuneaton, people with dementia, Support, Warwickshire, wcava

 

 

Over the coming months, Escape Arts will be hosting further Who I Am expressive arts sessions for people with dementia living in North Warwickshire borough.

Who I Am is a practical informal 5 week project using an activity book for sharing stories and capturing memories. Come along to the FREE sessions to discover new ways to chat and laugh together.

Book on a course if dementia is something that affects you, a loved one or is simply something you would like to be better able to support. You can choose from the following dates:

 

 

Taster session:

Friday 7th July 2017 at 10am-12pm; held at WCAVA – Newtown Centre, Nuneaton

5 week projects:

1-3pm on Mondays; 6th November – 4th December 2017 – Nuneaton Library;

Fridays at 1-3pm; 10th November  – 8th December 2017 – Bulkington Library;

Fridays 1-3pm / 19th January – 16th February 2018 – Nuneaton Library.

To book a place, contact Corinne on 07792 053757, or Email: corinnedavies@escapearts.org.uk

Below are testimonials from people who participated in previous Who I Am sessions:

“It’s been great to meet other carers and learn new ways to share our life with my husband”

“My mum has laughed and chatted for the first time in years, we have both loved this project”

“My husband picks up his work book all the time, he loves looking through it”

Visit Escape Arts Warwickshire website to find out more about their work to improve personal and community wellbeing.

More info: Why not drop-by your local libraries for dementia picture books and sources of information. The library team are always on hand to talk you through different titles and pass on feedback from other library users.

Warwick Memory Café relaunches with new name

Tags

activity group, Alzheimer's Disease, Alzheimers, befriender, befriending, carer, carers support, Dementia Cafe, dementia support, leamington spa, memory cafe, Peer Support, south warwickshire, volunteer, Warwick, Warwickshire

 Local residents are being invited to the Memory Café Plus launch on

Monday 15th May 2-4pm

at All Saints Church Centre, Emscote, Warwick, CV34 5NL.

Memory Café Plus, formerly known as the Memory Café, is a safe and fun place where people with dementia and their carers can meet twice a month and take part in varied and suitable activities, share experiences, receive advice and drink tea and eat cake! The Memory Café is part of the outreach work of All Saints Church, Emscote and is ran by a team of volunteers.

The Café aims to provide a non-official (no uniforms) place of safety and fun whilst aiming to provide information in the following areas:

• Suitable activities for carers and people living with dementia
• Access to suitable materials
• Information and access to help, financial and practical
• Exchange of experiences
• Two hours of time where carers can at least partly relax from their 24/7 roles

All of the volunteers would have attended a half day course on dementia and after running the group for two years have acquired ‘on the job’ experience.  The Memory Café Plus Team is looking at increase the number of volunteers and if you can think of anyone that has a heart for older adults or Dementia care please let them know about the opportunity.

Volunteer Roles include befriending, making refreshments, playing games with visitors, helping set up and clear away, supporting activities such as art, exercise and guest speakers.

Commitment: 1st and 3rd Monday of the month from approx 1pm-5pm during June – December 2017

Free Training at All Saints Church led by the excellent Rugby Dementia Training group on a date to be communicated shortly.

If you are interested or would like more information please call 07507646030.

Please find more details about the Cafe re-launch in the leaflet below:

Memory Cafe Plus Launch Invite Thursday 15th May

 

A local charity are looking for a holiday planner to support people with dementia enjoy a holiday

Tags

Alzheimer's Disease, Alzheimers, assisted holiday, Carers, charity, cherish, cherishtrust, Coventry, day out, Dementia, dementiaholiday, holiday, northwarwickshire, Nuneaton, short trip, travelling, trip, Warwickshire

A local charity are looking for a holiday planner to support people with dementia from Coventry, Nuneaton and North Warwickshire enjoy an assisted holiday.

Cherish Dementia Holiday Trust provide organised holidays and day trips to people with Dementia and their carers. So far, they have organised two day trips, one in the summer and one just before Christmas. They are also running two holidays each year one in the Spring and one in the Autumn.

Cherish was founded by Janet Wright, a former occupational therapist, who realised how beneficial assisted holidays and day trips can be for people with dementia and their carers, by giving them a hassle free break from their day-to-day routine.

An interesting opportunity has arisen for someone with a background in travel, charity or health and social care, and who would like to do some sessional work in the Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull area.

Cherish Dementia Holiday Trust are looking for an organised and personable individual who is sensitive to the needs of people with dementia and their carers to help organise two five-day holidays and one or two day trips over the next year.

This could be a very enjoyable and satisfying role for an organised person in good health who may have recently retired, or is looking to work extra hours, involving visiting hotels and day venues, negotiating price, planning itineraries, paperwork, budgeting and accompanying the couples on their holiday or trip.

Please email Janet Wright at cherish-dementia-trust@hotmail.com for further information. If you would like an informal chat, please email your number to Janet and she will give you a call.

 

New Buddies group set up for people with dementia living in Leamington Spa

Tags

Alzheimers, buddies, carer, carer support, community, community support, Dementia, leam spa, leamington spa, local community, local support group, memories, Memory, memory issues, memory loss, Social Care, Warwickshire

“Some where to come to

Give a reason to come out of the house

Meeting friends

Having a chat about anything

Telling jokes and having a laugh

I learn something new each time i come

NO pressures

Hearing and telling awesome stories

Talk about anything that comes into your head”

‘Buddies’ was set up by people living with dementia and memory issues and is run by people with dementia and memory issues.

The aim of the group is to meet others in similar circumstances who want to share their experiences of living with memory loss and have their voices heard.

Come along meet chat, share, laugh and stay involved! First hot drink is on the house.

The group meets once a week at a local pub in Leamington Spa from 2pm to 4pm on a Thursday. Next meeting will be held on:

Thursday 13th April 2017

For more information please contact – Hazel 07748383023 or Jill 07747632042

Escape Art, ‘who am I’ taster sessions for carers and professionals

Following on from the successful ‘who I am’ dementia workshops held earlier this year in North Warwickshire, Escape Arts will be hosting further three sessions in North Warwickshire borough.

Escape Arts have three ‘taster’ sessions to give a flavour of the course so that those who work in this field can sample what the course is about. This will then lead on to three further 5 week courses for carers and those they look after to attend if they wish.

Book on a course if dementia is something that affects you, a loved one or is simply something you would like to be better able to support. You can choose from the following 3 dates:

Monday, 15th May 2017

Newtown Centre Newtown Rd Nuneaton CV11 4HG 10 – 12pm

Monday, 19th June 2017

Atherstone Library Long st, CV9 1AX 1 – 3pm

Friday, 7th July 2017

Newtown Centre Nuneaton CV11 4HG 10 – 12pm

To book a place, contact Corinne on 07792 053757, or Email: corinnedavies@escapearts.org.uk

Visit Escape Arts Warwickshire website to find out more about their work to improve personal and community wellbeing.

More info: Why not drop-by your local libraries for dementia picture books and sources of information. The library team are always on hand to talk you through different titles and pass on feedback from other library users.

 

Free training for carers of people with dementia

In April 2017, Guideposts and Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust are offering free training to those who are caring for someone with a recent diagnosis of dementia.

The course will take place at Hatters Space in Nuneaton and will run on the following Wednesdays in April, from 1-3pm:

• 5^th April
• 12^th April
• 19^th April
• 26^th April

Activities will be provided for the person who is being cared for if needed.

For more information, or to book a place, please contact Andrea Randall at Guideposts on 02476 385 888.

North Warwickshire working towards being dementia friendly

Warwickshire County Council’s Localities and Partnerships team in North Warwickshire, and North Warwickshire Borough Council ran their first Dementia Event on Tuesday 31^st January. The event aimed to increase awareness of dementia and support organisations and communities within North Warwickshire in order to become a Dementia Friendly Community.

The event was a huge success and was attended by around 60 people from across both the Voluntary and Public sector. The day included a number of presentations on a range of topics including dementia awareness, case studies from communities and dementia friendly environments which encourage organisations to make small changes to public used buildings in order for people living with dementia to feel more comfortable and supported. The event concluded with all attendee’s making a pledge to help support dementia work in the borough.

19 attendees also became Dementia Friends on the day by attending the Dementia Friend’s session at the end of the event. These events will now be run annually and themed around a specific area of dementia.