We were delighted to host Dementia Active at our January Open Meeting and it was great to see such a good turn out of members and guests.

Andy and Molly shared their family journey with us which was both moving and inspiring in equal measure. It was fantastic to hear how they help those with Dementia re-connect with forgotten neural pathways and in such a fun and musical way.

The history of Dementia Active, it was founded in September 2018, stemming from the Andy's personal experience with a family member’s dementia; it grew from a small weekly group to a multi-location, five-days-a-week operation.

Dementia Active aims to enable people with dementia to remain at home, delaying or preventing full-time care. 

Here is an Overview of Dementia Support Services that Andy's charity offers

Some of the services they provide include:

• Wraparound care, including transport via minibuses and cars.
• Members are brought to centers for activities and social engagement.
• Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), a non-pharmacological treatment endorsed by NICE to slow dementia progression.

Funding: The charity receives no government or council funding and relies on donations from members, local businesses, and grants. No one is turned away due to inability to pay.

Current Operations:

• Support 35 people daily in Banbury and 35 in Chipping Norton.
• A new center in Launton will serve 20 people a day from Buckingham, Brackley, Bicester, and nearby villages.
• Also support 13 people in Carterton—totaling nearly 200 individuals and their families.
• Meals are prepared by a chef, with much of the prep done in Banbury, using surplus food from other charities where possible.

Daily Activities for Members

The structured routine provided for guests has a settling influence and includes lot of fun activities.

• Morning Session: 
  • Begins with tea, coffee, and conversation for emotional regulation.
  • Activities start with a song (“Roll Out the Barrel”), followed by games like card or animal bingo.
  • Groups are split by ability (early-stage vs. mid-to-late-stage dementia).
  • Cognitive Stimulation: The main CST portion features weekly themes (e.g., Burns Night) to engage members and evoke memories.
• Lunch and Afternoon:
  • A three-course social lunch where staff facilitate conversation.
  • Followed by seated exercises and a sing-along session.
• The day ends with a specific song (“Show Me the Way to Go Home”) to signal departure time.

Support and Expansion Needs

• Request for Support: Seeking volunteers and financial donations.

Financial Needs:

• Regular monthly donations (e.g., £20/month) create a reliable income stream.
• Larger, one-time corporate donations fund major costs like a new minibus.
• A “Dementia Doors” initiative is in development for businesses to pledge support; in return, the charity will offer talks and taster sessions.
• Logistics:
• Transportation is core, with staff and volunteer drivers collecting members daily.