Bristol Rugby Community Foundation’s impressive Golden Memories programme (in partnership with Sporting Memories Foundation) has expanded its highly celebrated community provision in the BS3 area to develop a six week pilot programme with Able Care homes, a provider of residential and dementia care homes across Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
Since developing the initial pilot, delivery and support staff from the Golden Memories team have worked alongside staff in all six Able Care homes to work with over 75 residents, many of which are living with the challenges of dementia and other cognitive illness.
Combining reminiscence sessions with light physical activity, the pilot moved very quickly into a rolling 6 week cycle of provision and is now seeking to secure additional support to develop a long term sustainable future. Programme Manager Kris Tavender commented “It is so encouraging to be working within the real heart of dementia care in Bristol, working alongside Lansdown Club members Able Care to develop community provision. We have been able to blend our delivery expertise here at the Bristol Rugby Community Foundation with the invaluable knowledge and experience of providing for those living with dementia that Able Care are able to offer.
Using the model developed in partnership with Sporting Memories, Bristol Rugby Community Foundation have combined sporting themes, memorabilia and visual imagery to initiate conversation and reminiscence, utilising additional sensory materials to stimulate further memory recall.
Tavender continued “Not only are we able to develop impacting provision with a wonderful group of older people across Bristol, but the opportunities we are beginning to explore to bring families, friends and the wider community into Able Care homes and into these special groups of individuals is immeasurable, and the real heart of what this partnership is.”
For more information on the Golden Memories partnership and provision please contact ktavender@bristolrugby.co.uk
