Archive for the ‘ROSE LODGE BLOG’ Category

Archie is feeling quite sorry for himself after a visit to the vet. It seems he was bitten on his tail and had developed an absesess. The contraption around his neck is to stop him lick the wound but this also means he can’t defend himself so he is not alllowed outside. So for the moment he is recuperating in our flat but we will return Archie to Rose Lodge in the next couple of weeks.

EAST Devon MP Hugo Swire will join locals raising money for dementia at a knitting-themed coffee morning next Saturday (May 12).

The ‘Darn To Dementia’ event is being organised by local fundraiser Jo Earlam who recently ran the London Marathon for South West Alzheimer’s charity BRACE.

Jo said she wanted people to bring along knitted scarves and jumpers to help raise much needed cash for dementia research.

Her own father was recently diagnosed with dementia and both her grandparents died from the brain disease. In addition a close friend has been diagnosed with PCA, the same type of dementia as the author Terry Pratchett.

Local MP Hugo Swire got in touch with Jo after he read about her fundraising efforts in the local newspaper. So far she has raised £1000 for BRACE.

Mr Swire said: “There can hardly be a family in this County who have not been affected by Alzheimer’s.  I am hugely supportive of any efforts made to research this hideous condition which blights so many people’s lives.”

Jo said the coffee morning, to be held at Tipton St John Community Hall from 10 – 12.30pm, was open to anyone who wanted to support Alzheimer’s research.

She said: “It would be great if we can get as many people along as possible. There’ll be tea, coffee and cakes – and of course a lot of local knitting.

“The knitting theme came about because dementia leaves people frayed at the edges, much like most of my knitting efforts.

“Don’t worry if you can’t knit yourself, you can still come along and enjoy the event.

“It’s wonderful that Hugo Swire is coming along to support us. I know that he’s very interested in dementia so it will be great to hear his views on how we can work together as a community to combat this terrible illness.”

BRACE supports a number of research teams in Bristol and the South West, including scientists at Frenchay Hospital and Bristol University.

Here is the brochure for the event:  coffee morning

Music in all forms (listening, singing and dancing) allows all residents to get involved as this is something that everyone retains.

Our music sessions are always popular from piano with John, dancing with Simon and Singing for the Brain. We are now set to fulfill our ambition to create a Rose Lodge Choir.

Today was our first proper session following successful trial last week.The choir is led by Chanda and is open to residents, relatives and staff. Today our choir was joined by Lynn (Tom’s daughter).

Our choir meets every Thursday at 11am and its first performance will be during our summer party in July.

Our activity programme continues to grow. We now have our own beautician, Terry, spoiling residents with one-to-one beauty pampering popular with gents and ladies alike. These sessions are held twice a week in the morning.

We could not resist capturing today’s session with….. guess who?

Someone said recently: we create the right physical environment for people to feel safe and the right social environment for people to feel loved. It is great to see thriving friendships amongst residents and staff.