DEMENTIA SUPPORT & SOCIAL GROUPS
There is a wide range of support groups run by Jewish Care that can help you or your loved ones living with dementia.
Memory Way Cafe
Memory Way Cafes
Memory Way Cafes are regular social gatherings over tea and cake for people who are living with dementia together with their family carers. Our Memory Way Cafes offer a welcoming, sociable, hospitable and accepting space.
Memory Way Cafes offer the opportunity for everyone to share similar experiences, stories and to seek support and advice.
Jewish Care has been operating Memory Way Cafes for over 6 years.
Betty and Asher Loftus Centre
When: Once a month on Thursdays from 2.00- 4.00pm.
Where: Betty and Asher Loftus Centre, Asher Loftus Way, London, N11 3ND
There is a nominal charge of £3.50 per person.
Contact: Theresa on 020 8203 0521
Otto Schiff
When: Every fortnight Thursday from 2.30-4.30pm
Where: Otto Schiff, Lime Avenue, Golders Green NW11 9TJ
There is a nominal charge of £3.50 per person.
Contact: Susan on 020 8922 2294
The Leonard Sainer Centre
When: Monthly on a Wednesday from 3.15pm-5.00pm
Where: The Leonard Sainer Centre, Jack Block House, Rectory Lane, Edgware, London, HA8 7LF
There is a nominal charge of £3.50 per person.
Contact: Ildiko on 020 8951 3739
The Dennis Centre
When: The last Friday of every month from 10.00am - 12.00pm
Where: The Dennis Centre, Ilford, IG2 6JH
There is a nominal charge of £6.50 per couple.
Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue
When: Monthly on a Wednesday from 2:30- 4:30pm.
Where: Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue, Stonegrove, Edgware, HA8 8AB
Contact: Val Joseph on 020 8238 1013 or email welfare@ehrs.uk.
For more information about Memory Way Cafe sessions or other services for those living with dementia, please contact Susan Dawson, Community Dementia Projects Lead on 020 8922 2294 or email sdawson@jcare.org.
Singing for Memory
Singing for Memory
Supporting people living with conditions affecting memory.
Singing for Memory is a singing session providing a friendly and stimulating social environment, bringing together people who are living with conditions that affect memory and their carers.
Singing for Memory is not only an enjoyable activity; it provides a way for people to express themselves and socialise with others in a fun and supportive group.
These engaging activities build on the preserved memory for song and music in the brain.
SINGING FOR MEMORY IS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY THE MANDY FISHER FOUNDATION.
Sessions
Finchley Reform Synagogue
When: 1.30pm on Tuesdays
Where: Finchley Reform Synagogue, 101 Fallow Court Avenue, London N12 0BE.
Contact: Finchley Reform Synagogue on 020 8446 3244.
A suggested donation of £4.00 per person is welcome.
Otto Schiff
When: 2pm on Wednesdays
Where: Otto Schiff, Limes Avenue, Golders Green, London NW11 9TJ
Contact: Jewish Care Direct Helpline 020 8922 2222 or helpline@jcare.org
A suggested donation of £4.00 per person is welcome.
Woodford Forest United Synagogue (COMING SOON)
When: 10.30am on Fridays
Where: Woodford Forest United Synagogue, 20 Churchfields, London E18 2QZ
Contact: Woodford Forest United Synagogue on 020 8504 1990 or office@wfus.org.uk.
A suggested donation of £5.00 per person is welcome.
Information for family carers and carers
Arriving and settling in
- Each participant should attend every session with another person (companion, carer, relative). This person will be responsible for the support and care of their relative during the session i.e. moving wheelchairs, supporting the personal
- It is important that everyone endeavors to arrive in good time so that everyone can have the chance to settle in with a cup of tea and biscuit before singing starts. This is also a good time to meet up and chat with others.
- If you wish to seek advice or support for any issue that mightbe of concern regarding your caring role for your relative, please feel free to speak to one of the available volunteers in confidence. A quiet place is always available for a confidential chat.
- The singing session starts promptly and lasts one hour. Once the session starts no new participants should join the group and we ask that everyone stays until the session ends. Unfortunately, as many participants are easily distracted we have found that this 'rule' has to be in place.Thank you for your understanding.
The session
- We understand that every person living with dementia will respond differently to all sorts of situations. This can be for many reasons – the time of day, the person’s general health, their mood, the type of dementia they are living with, the stage that their condition may be at etc. This means that we cannot expect that everyone who attends Singing for Memory will necessarily respond in the same and expected way during sessions.
- Sometimes people may just sit, listen and watch what is going on and not appear to be actively taking part while others may join in very enthusiastically. It does not matter how people choose to engage with the session, as we fully understand that everyone gets something out of being involved in the Singing for Memory group.
- We always welcome ideas for new songs that are meaningful and we can add these to our selection.
- Please remember that it is very important not to share outside of the sessions things that you may have heard about other participants.
- Photographs or videos of participants enjoying the session will not be taken without prior consent of those involved.
- We ask that you kindly switch off your mobile phone during the singing session.
For more information about Singing For Memory sessions or other services for those living with dementia, please contact Susan Dawson, Community Dementia Projects Lead on 020 8922 2294 or email sdawson@jcare.org.
Singing Together (Online)
Singing Together
Join us, from the comfort of your own armchair, for live virtual singing sessions! Singing Together is a live, professionally led, friendly and above all fun singing session which run over Zoom. Sessions will stimulate mind and body, while building on the memory we all have for music and song. Sessions which are particularly engaging for those living with dementia but all are welcome!
Contact Susan Dawson for more information 0208 922 2294
Click on the links below to enjoy our pre-recorded mini Singing Together sessions:
Session 1
Active Minds
Active Minds
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and iCognitive Stimulation Therapy at Jewish Care.
Active Minds is a mentally stimulating activity group which encourages people living with dementia to engage and socialise in a group setting.
Within Active Minds sessions, people living with dementia and their carers are able to take part in themed activities which have been developed to cater for the interests of the group. Each session is focused on a different theme such as childhood, food, current affairs, physical games, word games, sound and much more.
Research has found that the programme improves cognition and can lead to significant improvements in quality of life. Renata, Jewish Care’s Senior Support Worker said, “Participants really enjoy the sessions where they share their experiences and have wonderful discussions. One week we did food tasting which was really interesting. The members also chose a name and song to help them to identify with the group.”
Active Minds and other Cognitive Simulation Therapies is an evidence-based treatment endorsed by the UK Government NICE guidance of dementia.
ACTIVE MINDS IS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY THE MANDY FISHER FOUNDATION.
Group Sessions
Group Sessions
The Sam Beckman Centre
When: Tuesday mornings
Where: The Sam Beckman Centre at the Betty and Asher Loftus Centre, Asher Loftus Way, London, N11 3ND
The Leonard Sainder Centre
When: Tuesday mornings for Centre members.
A new session for non-members will be coming soon.
Where: The Leonard Sainer Centre, Jack Block House, Rectory Lane, Edgware, London, HA8 7LF
N’Shei Orthodox Women’s Group at the Michael Sobell JCC - Currently on hiatus
When: Tuesday Morning 11am - 12.30pm (currently on hiatus)
Where: The Michael Sobell Jewish Community Centre, Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Campus, 221 Golders Green Road, London, NW11 9DQ
One-to-One Sessions
One-to-One Sessions
We also offer 1:2:1 Active Minds sessions in people’s houses and in the day centres for people who struggle to participate in groups. Availability is limited. Please contact Gill Yentis at gyentis@jcare.org or on 020 8922 2694.
Key Principles of Active Minds
Key Principles of Active Minds
- Mental stimulation
- Developing new ideas, thoughts and associations
- Using orientation in a sensitive manner
- Focusing on opinions rather than facts
- Using reminiscence as an aid to the here and now
- Providing triggers to support memory
- Stimulate language and communication
- Stimulate every day planning ability
- Using a ‘person-centred’ approach
- Offering a choice of activities
- Enjoying and fun
- Maximising potential
- Strengthening relationships by spending quality time together
Other Support Groups
A group supporting carers of people living with dementia
These groups are facilitated by a member of Jewish Care’s Family Carers Support Team and provide an opportunity for carers of people living with dementia to spend time with others who really understand, and to share tips and suggestions in a confidential and supportive environment.
THE LEONARD SAINER CENTRE
When: The last Wednesday of every other month, from 1.30pm-3.00pm
Where: Leonard Sainer Centre, Edgware, HA8 7LF
THE SAM BECKMAN CENTRE
When: One Wednesday of every month, from 1.30pm - 3.00pm
Where: Betty and Asher Loftus Centre, N11 3ND
Contact: For more information on any of these sessions, please contact the Helpline on 020 8922 2222 or email helpline@jcare.org.
Dementia Day Club (Formally Chai Group)
Therapeutic programme for those living with dementia.
When: Tuesday and Thursday, 10am -3.30pm
Where: Southend and Westcliff Jewish Community Centre, SS0 8EG
Cost: £29 (per person) including transport, lunch and support programme of activities.
Contact: helpline@jcare.org
L'Chaim Group
Offers therapeutic programme for people living with dementia to enhance independence and wellbeing.
When: Monday and Thursdays, 10.00am - 3.30pm
Where: Brenner Jewish Community Centre at Raine House
Contact: helpline@jcare.org
Memory Matters
Local activities to stimulate your memory.
When: Thursdays fom 1pm - 2:30pm
Where: Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue
Contact:
Angela Peters, Care Co-ordinator PLS on 01923 855 611 or email angela@npls.org.uk OR Rachel Allen on 020 8951 3739 or email rallen@jcare.org
