Dementia Action Week Brought To Life At Whittington House
Dementia Action Week was all about raising awareness – and funds – at Whittington House, with the local community invited to join residents and their families at a series of events.
The Whittington House team particularly wanted to support the Alzheimer’s Society and Music for Memories – a charity which donates headsets to help bring back memories through listening to music.
Launch of Dementia Peer Group
The week’s activities at Whittington House raised the profile of dementia in different ways, beginning with the launch of the Dementia Peer Group. The group has been set up to provide a welcoming and informal environment for anyone in the Gloucester area who would like to share experiences, gain information and connect with others on a similar journey. Attendees appreciated the relaxed nature of the get-together and were pleased to hear that the drop-in group will be hosted regularly, open to people new to seeking support as well as those who have been navigating dementia for a while.
The home also held a Dementia Information Session, run by Jackie Chelin from Cheltenham Dementia Action Alliance – another opportunity to offer signposting on dementia for the local community in a safe and friendly setting. A combination of staff, residents, and visitors attended and the feedback was extremely positive.
Sharing Knowledge and Offering Advice
Throughout the week, staff displayed and explained the various aids and activities used at the home to help those living with dementia, including aqua painting and robotic cats and dogs. Wittington House Customer Relationship Manager, Sarah Jacka, was delighted to host a stand in Cheltenham’s Regent Arcade Shopping Centre – an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of dementia by chatting to people who stopped by, and to demonstrate some of the aids.
The robotic cat and dog were especially popular and brought smiles from many who stopped to take a look. Hannah Valentine was just one of those who visited the stand to ask for advice on dementia and was pleased to have had the chance to chat, saying afterwards, “Thank you so much for your time and providing me with further information which I will pass onto my mother”. Whittington House Home Manager, Kirsty Hopton, was delighted to talk to Di Grimes, another visitor who admired the Twiddle Muffs on display – knitted tubes decorated with items like buttons, ribbons, zips, and beads on both the inside and outside. Di told Kirsty that she’s an avid knitter and she also knits Twiddle Muffs.
Forget-Me-Not Themed Cakes and Knitted Badges
Throughout Dementia Action Week, Whittington House hosted a pop up café in their bistro area. Refreshments on offer included a fabulous cake and cupcakes, beautifully decorated with forget-me-not flowers - the recognised symbol for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Alongside money raised from donations for their cakes, members of the local community kindly supported some of the residents in crocheting and knitting forget-me-not flower badges which were sold as part of the fundraising effort. Resident Anne Standish had a great afternoon at the pop- up café, proudly wearing a handmade apron decorated with forget-me-nots. Her beautiful smile revealed how much she enjoyed taking part, as did receptionist Rebecca who helped sell the flower badges and tickets for a raffle to win a Marks & Spencer hamper.
Altogether, Whittington House raised an incredible £190 during the week for the Alzheimer’s Society and Music for Memories. The team also helped raise awareness of dementia through their engaging and inclusive events and activities – testament to their commitment to sharing their knowledge and understanding of dementia with families, friends and the wider local community.
A Warm Welcome Awaits
When searching for the right care home for your loved one, you’re looking for more than professional support, you’re seeking reassurance, warmth and peace of mind. At Whittington House Care Home in Cheltenham, we provide personalised Residential, Nursing, Dementia, Palliative and Respite Care within a safe, welcoming environment that feels like home from the moment you arrive.
Life here is about comfort, connection and choice. Residents can share stories over homemade cake in the bistro, enjoy a favourite film in our cosy cinema room, or unwind with a visit to the hair salon. Whether your loved one needs gentle day-to-day assistance or more specialised nursing or dementia care, our compassionate team is here to support them, and you, every step of the way.
