Dementia Friendly Activities
There are many dementia friendly activities in and around Tavistock.
If you would like an up-to-date copy of all activities, please email info@tavistockdementia.org for a copy or download it here
Some of the activities include:
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is a group talking activity recommended to help people living with dementia to keep their brains active.
It is a short evidence-based treatment for people with mild to moderate dementia which is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Each course runs for ten-week terms and is held in a quiet room in Tavistock Library on a Monday.
FIND OUT MORE
If you or a loved one might be interested, do get in touch with us to find out more. Email info@tavistockmemorycafe.co.uk
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Memory Café
The Tavistock Memory café sessions start with our trained volunteers greeting our members old and new and there’s the chance to chat over tea and biscuits.
After the first half an hour, carers can meet in a separate room for a peer support session run by one of the group or an experienced volunteer. The session allows the sharing experiences, exchanging information, or hearing from a guest professional, and always in strict confidence.
Meanwhile those who are living with dementia can get involved in a variety of stimulating and fun activities supported by our volunteers. Quizzes, art and craft, live music and singing, and celebratory events are often in the programme.
During the year they aim to organise some outings that visit local location of interest, or a café or pub - tea and cake will be served of course.
Sessions run on the second and fourth Saturday of each month at 11am and 2pm at The Anchorage Centre, TASS, Chapel St, Tavistock PL19 8AG. Please call us for more information and to book. Call Heather on 07436 008281 or email info@tavistockmemorycafe.co.uk
Care & Share
This monthly session is designed to allow carers and family a short spell of time for themselves, leaving their loved one in the capable hands of our volunteers.
From 1 to 4 hours those living with dementia and attending will be involved in a variety of activities, discuss interests past and present, prepare a cuppa, and enjoy your packed lunch if you wish.
Carers may wish to pop to the shops, meet a friend, or have some quiet time in The Meadows safe in the knowledge that their loved one is in good hands. Care and Share sessions are on the third Thursday of the month from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Tavistock Library, The Quay, Plymouth Road, Tavistock PL19 8AB. Please book by calling Heather on 07436 008281 or email info@tavistockmemorycafe.co.uk
Catch a Cuppa
Weekly Monday Cafe “Catch a Cuppa” is on Mondays (not Bank Hols) 10:30 - 12:30.
At the TASS Cafe at the Pannier Market. Feel free to drop in.
Tavistock Area Support Services (TASS) groups
Music and movement
If you find yourself drumming your fingers, tapping your feet, clapping your hands, then you need Music and Movement. If you want to keep moving, stay active, improve balance and strength, then you definitely need Music and Movement.
Rosie puts people through their paces (and they don’t even realise it)! Following routines to music is fun but underlying these routines are genuine health benefits learned with Physiotherapists, researched and proven. Keeping active and social is good for you but the exercise routines will improve core strength as well as balance. It will also help to keep the joints working. This group is very popular so ensure you get onto the waiting list as soon as possible.
Fun Friday
A rolling programme of weekly activities including bingo, quizzes, craft, games and social get togethers. There is always a couple of rounds and a cup of tea with homemade cake.
Tai Chi
If it’s calm you are looking for then moving meditation groups like these are what you need. The great things about Tai Chi is that you only do as much as you can, it is non-competitive and beginners can be mixed in with those more experienced. If you are unsure, just come along and try it out.
Love to Move
The Love to Move programme is an age and dementia friendly seated exercise programme. It helps improve balance and improve the cognitive function.
Singing for Fun
Would you like to sing with others? All abilities and voices welcome.
Oldies but goodies, traditional / folk, and even a bit of rock and pop. If it gets us going... we sing it!
Transport can be arranged for some activities.
See the TASS website or facebook page for more information.
Walking, Tavistock
A number of local groups encourage people of all ages to walk for their health. Varied degrees of walking are available from any of the following:
Tavistock Walk and Talk: Tavistock wellbeing walk
Tavistock Ramblers: www.tavistockramblers.org
Tamar Valley Walking: www.tamarvalley.org
Sensory Garden
Many people with a dementia and their families want to carry on doing what they have always done for as long as they are able. This included gardening and appreciation of gardens. Our research with the Memory Café revealed the single biggest issue facing those with a dementia and their families is social isolation and loneliness - so the thought of building this community resource to combat this was born.
The Garden is always open - please visit us in Plymouth Road near the Bowls Club. We even have Garden parties!
Cycling Without Age
Volunteer pilots take local elders and care/nursing homes residents out on ‘trishaw’ cycle rides to feel the wind in their hair. Bringing generations closer together using special trishaws (three-wheel cycles with a passenger cab out front). They have electrical power assist, so no need to be super-sporty to be a volunteer cycle pilot. Rides are comfortable, fun and free.
We offer rides across West Devon and East Cornwall.
We come to Tavistock Memory Cafe and take beneficiaries for trips round the Meadowlands.
Do get in touch to find out more cyclingwithoutagewdec@gmail.com
