WENDOVER DEMENTIA ALLIANCE

There has been much talk of the groups which have been adversely affected by lockdown and people living with dementia definitely fall into that category. The Rotary of Wendover and District (RoW&D), https://www.facebook.com/ RotaryinWendoverandDistrict/, was aware that grants specifically for people affected directly or indirectly by Coronavirus were available from Rotary District 1260. These grants effectively double the donation from an individual Rotary Club.

RoW&D heard that Wendover Dementia Support (WDS) https://www. wendoverds.org.uk/ were keen to keep in touch with all the people who usually attended the Monday Club Café (see also page 18) and others approached in different ways. The Playlist for Life project is part of a National Dementia Initiative set up by Sally Magnusson after witnessing the effect of music on her late mother’s dementia. Playlist for Life, can help transform the lives of people living with dementia by evoking memories, prompting conversation and strengthening relationships. To be as effective as possible a playlist for life needs to contain music that is personal and full of meaning, stimulating fond memories and emotions.

The grant will enable the WDS to provide 10 sets of equipment which will come preloaded with favourite Café music tracks. Help will be given to augment these with personal choices. The Alzheimer’s Society retails a music player with simple controls specifically for those with dementia. The players are manufactured in Wales by a UK company. WDS is currently supporting 34 families and have 19 volunteers helping to deliver the services.