We love to shout out about the brilliant work being done by Dementia Friendly Communities across England and Wales. Today it’s Gillingham in North Dorset who are committed to finding ways to improve the lives of those living with dementia in their community, and beyond.
Gillingham has been a Dementia Friendly Community since 2018 and works with a small committee which includes three Dementia Friends Champions who hold Sessions and provide ongoing support and activities for those living with dementia and their carers.
Echoing the heart-breaking experiences of many around the world, when Coronavirus struck, usual activities and much needed support including ‘Singing for the Brain’ and ‘Music & Movement’ had to stop. Although the committee acted quickly to ensure many activities were still available; either virtually by zoom, or through the continuation of Companion Calls, it was still recognised that there was a big need for something to help those with dementia, and other related illnesses, who were isolated in their own homes.
The committee decided to use some of their funding to make an important purchase, more important than they could have ever known! They invested in some interactive pets which are known to be extremely stimulating for people with dementia. Knowing the positive effect that animals can have on people with dementia, an appeal was made through the local media for people to nominate a person who they thought would benefit from owning one of the brilliant ‘pets’.
We’re told that the pets have had a huge impact on their new owners, bringing smiles to faces and even prompting exited conversation from those who don’t usually communicate verbally.
Tom with his new pet.
Annie Kings, Dementia Friends Champion and committee member says “If it hadn’t been for Covid this would never have happened. This has to be one of the most amazing things we have done in Gillingham, and in a funny sort of way we have created more dementia awareness than we could ever have imagined; but more importantly we have got to people we were never aware of before, but need our help.
People have come forward from miles around who wanted to donate a ‘companion pet’ so rehoming has been done to outlying villages, nursing homes and day centres. Local Organisations and Clubs have now donated more ‘cats & puppies’ so another appeal is about to be launched to cover a wider area around Gillingham.”
Companion pet.
Thank you to Annie, and dementia-friendly Gillingham for sharing this touching and inspiring story with us.
