WELCOME TO OUR WEBSITE.

NOTE:  If you are looking at our site on a SMART PHONE, please touch the  3  HORIZONTAL  lines  on the top right hand side of the screen to access our WEBSITE MENU.

       THE VALUE OF  SOCIAL INTERACTION, SINGING & DANCING FOR DEMENTIA

SOCIALIZING AND DEMENTIA

Engaging with our environment helps us form bonds with the people around us. It promotes health and our general sense of wellbeing. And even with the added difficulties, this remains true for Dementia patients. It can take some time to learn how to help encourage social interaction for a person with dementia. But even a small effort can have a big impact on their life.

When regular SOCIAL INTERACTION takes place in an environment with MUSIC, and the opportunity to SING and DANCE, the therapeutic value to people with Dementia increases three-fold......   

SINGING AND DEMENTIA 

The areas of the brain that recall music and nurture singing are among the last to be affected by Dementia.

Many people with Dementia can enjoy choral singing and gain health benefits from it well after other opportunities for creating, learning, and enjoying friends seem out of reach. Care partners also benefit from singing.

This is what  studies have shown: 

• That while singing, memories are produced that contribute to self-discovery, self-understanding and identity.
• That memory and mood in people with dementia significantly improved when they took part in regular singing or listening to music.
• There is an increase in learning and retention of new verbal material in persons with Dementia, and  singing engages brain regions responsible for motor action, emotions and creativity

DANCING AND DEMENTIA

In respect of  someone with Dementia, dancing has been shown to encourage communication, and provide an outlet for self-expression. The therapeutic use of  dancing (movement) can further the emotional, cognitive, physical, and  social integration of the individual.

In regard to individuals living with Dementia, dancing is effective in stimulating social interaction, enhancing mood, reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms, increasing self-awareness and self-expression.

It has been shown that dancing can even maintain - and at times improve - memory and cognitive functioning. The focus of communication is on non-verbal attunement and mindfulness, both of which become increasingly important as many forms of Dementia affects language and cognitive awareness.

VIDEO: The Dementia Music and Social Club. Our very first  Club session 2023.

VIDEO: The Dementia Music and Social Club: Our 2024 Easter celebration Club session.

                                         OUR VOLUNTEERS

Read about all our Volunteers on the OUR VOLUNTEER page.      Read about all our entertainers on ABOUT OUR ENTERTAINERS page

                  A SELECTION OF PHOTOS FROM OUR MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY CLUBS.  

               You can view all our WEEKLEY photos and videos on our FACEBOOK page here :

                     https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedementiamusicandsocialclub

  A couple of  quicky VIDEOS of our Clubs:

 CLICK HERE for the MONDAY CLUB         

  CLICK HERE for the WEDNESDAY CLUB

(You can view all our weekly photos and videos on our FACEBOOK page:)  

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedementiamusicandsocialclub

                                        Our lovely Volunteers

CLUB NEWS:

We would like to say a massive thankyou to The Michael Barnard Charitable Trust, for the very generous donation of £1,000 towards the running of our Clubs. 

Both our Clubs continue to grow!

Enquiries are increasing all the time and new Members coming along to the Clubs every week.

To this extent we have negotiated the use of the larger hall within the venue of our Wednesday Romford Club. where the average attendance is currently 50 - 60+. 

Likewise, the Monday Rainham Club venue continues to flourish, with 65 - 70+ attenders. 

So we are continuing to grow and attract those people affected by Dementia and their Carers to our Clubs, where they can find INFORMATION, SUPPORT and a few hours of PLEASURE, provided by a team of Volunteers totally committed to providing this vital service that welcomes people from within and outside of the L.B.Havering.  

If you are a professional, with a remit, or just an interest, in Dementia services, why not come along and see VALUE of what we do ?   

*** We are currently seeking Volunteers to assist us at our Monday Club in Rainham, and Wednesday Club in Romford. If you are local and have a few hours to spare, call 07721 458581  or Mon-Fri. 8am - 5,30pm)         Also see our VOLUNTEERING FOR DMSC page.

CLUB DETAILS:

OUR MONDAY CLUB

Every MONDAY (except bank holidays)

From: 1pm - 3pm,

At:  St John's Church,  

South End Road,

Rainham.  Essex.  RM13 7XT

OUR WEDNESDAY CLUB

Every WEDNESDAY

From 1.30pm - 3.30pm

At: The United Reformed Church,

Western Road,

Romford. Essex.  RM1 3LP

ENTRY TO OUR 2 WEEKLY CLUBS:

Firstly - You must have a ratified Dementia Diagnosis, and for Health & Safety reasons, you must be accompanied by a Carer (either a friend, family, or professional.) for the whole Club session.

As a Not-For-Profit, self-funding voluntary organization, we finance DMSC by asking for a £4 donation per person - per attendance, at our 2 weekly Clubs,  (Private Carers go FREE), fund-raising activities and donations.  

Please come and join us for a chat, refreshments and  good entertainment. we look forward to seeing  you soon.  

(PLEASE NOTE:  Let us know you are coming along to the Club for the first time, by phoning either LISA or CAROL. 

Feel free to share our Website with your family and friends, or anyone else who you think might benefit from our services. 

CONTACTS: 

 LISA: 07721 458581  or  01708 536646. Mon-Fri. 8am - 5,30pm

 CAROL: 01708 731325 or 07854314149.  ANYTIME.

CLICK on the below to go to our FACEBOOK page. We have over 600 Members and new Members joining every week!  

The Dementia Music and Social Club 

              EASYFUNDRAISING  SUPPORT:

Did you know that whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be raising free donations for The Dementia Music and Social Club with easyfundraising?

There are over 7,000 brands on board ready to make a donation – including eBay, Argos, John Lewis, ASOS, Booking.com and M&S – and it won’t cost you a penny extra to help us raise funds.

All you need to do is:

1. Go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/dmsc-rainham/?utm_campaign=raise-more and join for free.

2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find the site you want and start shopping.

3. After you’ve checked out, the brand will make a donation to The Dementia Music and Social Club - Rainham at no extra cost to you whatsoever!

There are no catches or hidden charges and The Dementia Music and Social Club will be really grateful for your donations.

As an EASY FUNDRAISER, you can help us to win £1,000! All you need to do is sign up to easyfundraising – the online fundraising site that turns your everyday spending into free donations for The Dementia Music and Social Club - Rainham  -  Then shop online at TESCO by the end of October – every shop equals an entry into the prize draw.

CLICK HERE  to become an Easy Funder    

        ________________________________________________________________________ 

                                                    OUR ONGOING  APPEAL: 

As a self-funding, not for profit group, DMSC survives primarily upon the small donation from people attending our two weekly Clubs, and donations from individuals who recognize the value of what we do, and want to support the Dementia music and social service we provide.

If YOU, or someone you know,  would like to contribute towards our service, you can do so by either making a single donation of ANY AMOUNT, or by making a small regular monthly donation. 

To donate, please contact either LISA or CAROL, to discuss how you would like to make either a single or regular donations. 

Or via our e-mail: -    DMSCenquiries@hotmail.com

We thank you in anticipation of your support. 

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