A dementia charity has created activity boxes filled with items to help those living with dementia during the pandemic.
Dementia Together Wirral have created boxes aimed to stimulate conversations between carers and people living with dementia.
The boxes include ‘reminiscence’ items to evoke shared memories and conversations such as old postcards, local books with old photos, CD’s, DVD’s, old toys, kaleidoscopes, dolly pegs, old advertisements and photographs of old pop stars.
John Redmond from Upton usually takes his wife Laura to attend the Windsor Close Group but have been unable to as a result of Covid-19.
The pair have been members of the Dementia Together group for five months something which John says he and Laura have missed.
John said: “I’ve really missed being able to take Laura to Windsor Close and meet up with the friends we have made at Dementia Together Wirral.
“The pandemic has made up feel a bit isolated and it can be quite a lonely time, so we have really enjoyed getting these activity boxes delivered to us at home every few weeks.”
The boxes also include items which help to entertain during lockdown such as colouring books, crayons, puzzle books, playing cards and other games.
John said: “Its lovely for us to be able to look through things together and share the memories that are prompted from looking at many of the old photos and postcards.
“Our most recent box included a book about London which Laura particularly enjoyed going through as we both used to live in London.
“We’ve enjoyed listening to the music and watching the films too, Laura particularly loved a little white horse which was in the first box and we are looking forward to seeing what will be in the next box.”
Each activity box is collected by volunteers every three to four weeks and exchanged for a new box with different items.
The boxes are quarantined when collected and sanitised before being redistributed.
In support of the activity boxes, Willaston and South Rotary Club has donated £1,600 to Dementia Together Wirral.
Fiona Mosely, President of the club, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Dementia Together Wirral.
“We are pleased that the money will be used to support the Activity Box scheme and will enable the charity to purchase and fill 25 more boxes to help local people living with dementia and their carers to stimulate and revive memories and encourage more interaction and communication.”
If you feel that having an Activity Box would help you, a family member or anybody you know, then Dementia Together would be happy to deliver you a trial box to see do get in touch. You can contact Heather the charity’s administrator on 07935 797445 or fill in an enquiry form on our website at www.dementiatogetherwirral.org.
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