January Update

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It's been a wet and windy start to January but we have enjoyed welcoming everyone back to our services following the festive break. We started the year with a team wide strategy meeting, facilitated by Laura Shipp. Laura Shipp is a Naturopath (ND), Kinesiologist, and Therapist who will be leading us through a course of ‘Disney Creative Strategy’ workshops. This method was created by neurolinguistic expert Robert Dilts, who, inspired by Walt Disney’s creative process, created a four part framework. This involves four roles which are used to view ideas through different perspectives: the dreamer, the realist, the critic and the wise observer, which in combination help turn ideas into actionable plans. The first session was on the 5th January, and we were ‘dreamers’. We were asked to share our wildest dreams for the charity without self doubt or our critical selves interrupting. Many dreams were shared including ‘World Domination!’.

Reminiscence Learning team in Hamlands.

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Reminiscence Learning received a generous grant for a Omi Mobii Interactive Magic Table For Dementia and it arrived in December. This is for our clients to enjoy in RAS sessions. It is a projector system, which can be used on tables and floors and includes interactive games, reminiscence activities as well as calming videos and scenes for relaxation.

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We have been busy prepping and packing up our ‘project in a box’ for lots of schools around the country. Claire has made a fantastic start taking on Archie, as our new lead, promoting the project to schools and care homes and creating new connections. The intergenerational project has been developed to contain everything in one box, and teachers can chose any point in the academic year to begin delivering the project. These improvements have made Archie more flexible for schools to implement, and much more streamlined and efficient for us to deliver. The team is feeling very optimistic about Archie for 2026.

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On the 6th January, Rachel Gilmour, the member of parliament for Tiverton and Minehead paid us a visit here at Hamlands. She had been in touch as she is very interested in what we do as a local charity. Rachel was very enthusiastic upon visiting and is going to hopefully help us make new connections and further our reach.

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Our 12-Hour Dance-a-thon is back! From line dancing to Bollywood, there is a great variety of led dance sessions, delicious food from the Pancake Pod and Little Van Rouge for sale throughout the day. Dress your team up and get the chance to win the Team- With-a-Theme competition! Come and dance for 12 hours straight or just come and watch, come in a group or come alone! Anything goes and everyone is welcome! CLICK HERE TO BOOK

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Claire, our Community Engagement Coordinator recently met with Michelle Long - Corporate Associate Fundraiser, Clare Marks and Amanda Wilkins - Associate Directors of Clinical Services for St Margaret's Somerset Hospice to view their services and hear how they support members of the community. Claire also discussed signposting and possible training opportunities to support your dementia journey at every stage.

It was a warm welcoming environment, filled with love, compassion and kindness and we look forward to further community connections!

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We'd like your opinions!

We are looking into an affiliation with a company called Precious Thoughts. Precious Thoughts offers a refreshingly simple, secure and uniquely personal way to record your own heartfelt eulogy in your own voice to be shared at your funeral.

Your spoken eulogy can be accompanied by a video of you speaking, along with up to 10 photographs of your choice, creating a lasting and meaningful tribute. We welcome you to email us at office@reminiscencelearning.co.uk with your thoughts and opinions on whether you would use this service, whether you would have a positive experience hearing a loved one on video at their own funeral or whether it wouldn't be for you.