Stepping Out Community Tea Dances

We are thrilled to be able to announce in DAW 2021 that our eagerly awaited ‘Stepping Out Community Tea Dances’ are soon to return. Following the lifting of Covid Restrictions early summer, we are hoping to restart our Tea Dances in September.

The 3rd Friday of each month from 2-4pm.

Further announcements will be made nearer the time, and the events created here on our facebook page – so keep dropping by.

Thank you to Douch Family Funeral Directors for their continued support by way of sponsorship, marketing & volunteers each month.

Thank you to The Leonardo Trust for continuing to subsidise the unpaid carers by way of FREE entry to the tea dance each month.

Thank you to Growing Compassionate Communities for their charity support including insurance and volunteers.

Thank you to ‘Shall We Dance’ trio who get you on your feet each month, provide the music, and wonderful tea and cake.

And finally to all of you that have come along in the past, and hopefully will join us again from this September – Thank you

Growing Compassionate Communities

#curethecaresystem
Alzheimer’s Society

Important notice

Broadstone Stepping Stones

Following the Government’s latest advice in relation to COVID 19, please note that all monthly activities of the Broadstone Dementia project will not take place until further notice.

Should you require any help or support during this time please call our helpline.

Helpline number 07856 579 750

Message from Annette Brooke

A message from Annette Brooke, Chairman of the Stepping Stones’ Steering Group

It is with regret that I must announce that all our activities are currently suspended. They will be relaunched as soon as it is safe so to do. If you need any information about dementia and would like to make contact with me or Peter Jones, our contact details are available at Broadstone Library. Alternatively, an e mail sent via this website will reach me.

During this crisis, I am hoping to set up a telephone network to support Carers and older people who normally attend Stepping Stones’ events.

Normally, the reading and listening group is weekly, 11 to 12 noon, Broadstone Library, the ‘drop in’ for tea and activities is every 2nd Friday in the month, 2.15pm to 4pm, Broadstone Methodist Church, the Community Tea Dance is every 3rd Friday in the month, 2 to 4pm, Broadstone War Memorial Hall.

Tea Dance – January 2020

The first Community Tea Dance In 2020 was extremely popular and a very enjoyable occasion, even I attempted the waltz!

The first Community Tea Dance In 2020 was extremely popular and a very enjoyable occasion, even I attempted the waltz! Regular attendees include people with different levels of dancing skills and some people who just enjoy the social occasion and of course the tea and cakes! Everybody is welcome, at Broadstone War Memorial Hall, 2pm to 4pm, Friday, 28th February, 20th March, 17th April…..

Tuesday, April 14th, 2pm at Broadstone United Reformed Church, Easter Forget Me Not Service – this service lasts just 30 minutes and is particularly suitable for older people, people with memory loss and their Carers.

(click on the photos below for a larger image)

Tea Dance

Around 40 people attended the recent 4th tea dance. The first picture below is of an earlier tea dance, the other is of the delicious home made cakes which are served with tea and are all included in the price of £5.00 per person. ( Carers are free) We have music, expert dancers and a variety of dances to suit all tastes and skills – waltz, rumba, quick step, foxtrot, sequence, line, twist, YMCA…..

‘Stepping Out’ Community Tea Dance

Another entertaining afternoon was spent at the monthly ‘Stepping Out’ Community Tea dance held on the third Friday of the month at Broadstone Memorial Hall. All are welcome to attend to join in with a mixture of singing, dancing and hand jiving. Tea and home-made cakes are served in the interval.

John and Dorothy tripping the light fantastic

Although there was a mixture of dances, Ballroom, Latin and Sequence, the most popular one seemed to be the Twist when almost everyone in the room took part! John Phelan especially enjoyed dancing with Dorothy and is looking forward to the next event on Friday 16th August from 2pm – 4pm. Tickets are £5 with Carers being sponsored by the Leonardo Trust. For more information and to book your place ring: 01202658833

John and Dorothy are shown here Tripping the Light Fantastic.

Broadstone Tea Dances

Broadstone Stepping Stones is pleased to be able to announce that the first tea dance will take place this month. All are welcome, including those living with memory loss and their carers. It will be free but places are limited and must be booked in advance through Lesley Shand on 01202 658833. Free tea/coffee and cake will be provided and the dancing will be led by ‘Shall we Dance’ – Dorothy, Hazel and Gerry.

Tickets for future tea dances will cost £5.00 per head but the Leonardo Trust (a charity supporting carers and based in Broadstone) will be offering support for carers. Stepping Stones are grateful for sponsorship from Lesley Shand which has made it possible to add this new venture to the range of activities which it offers – www.broadstonesteppingstones.uk

Stepping Out

Community Tea Dance
Broadstone War Memorial Hall
Friday 21st June, 2 to 4pm
Contact 01202 658833 – tickets must be booked in advance

1825_Community_Tea_Dance_A5_Flyers_Vis4

Dementa Training

During October, Stepping Stones organised two sessions of dementia training. The aim of such training is to help businesses, clubs, churches and other community groups to be able to give better support, in small ways, to people with dementia. The course lasts for just an hour and is very straight forward. If you would like to attend such an event in the future please do contact:

AnnetteBrooke 01202696523

Take action and help improve the lives of people with dementia

‘This year, Dementia Awareness Week is changing to Dementia Action Week (21 to 27 May). Raising awareness and offering support will always be important, but it’s time we all act to make change happen for people affected by dementia.

In the UK, one person develops dementia every three minutes, yet too many people feel excluded and face the disease alone.’ Alzheimer’s Society

That’s why, this Dementia Action Week, the national campaign is asking people to unite and take actions big and small to make a difference to the everyday lives of people with dementia. It could be as simple as being more patient in queues or helping make your business dementia-friendly.

So what can we do in Broadstone? The monthly ‘drop in’ at Broadstone Methodist Church, the weekly Reading Group in Broadstone Library, the monthly Advice Surgery and our ‘Forget Me Not’ Church Services continue to flourish. The Home Safely scheme involving the wearing of safety bracelets is slowly growing but there is an enormous need to raise awareness for potential users and Broadstone Traders and residents.

My personal pledge is to visit every shop in Broadstone with a poster explaining the ‘home safely’ scheme. Can you ask shops whether their staff have undertaken dementia friendly training and ask them to get in contact with me to arrange a short training session? Stepping Stones has attractive stickers for our traders to display that Broadstone is Dementia Friendly – so far only the Post Office, the Library, the Methodist Church, the Harvey Practice, and Coles Miller Solicitors have participated in our scheme.

Are you part of a club or organisation that is able to support existing members within your group? Broadstone Bowls has achieved Dementia Friendly status under our local scheme. Again please contact me if you would like to have a short information session.

For more information on any of the above: please contact Annette Brooke 01202 696523

Stepping Stones – a Broadstone Project to support those with memory loss and their Carers

With support, people with memory loss can continue to enjoy and participate in activities which interest them and retain their quality of life for longer.

On Tuesday, April 3rd, an Easter Forget Me Not Service will be held at Broadstone United Reformed Church at 2pm. The service, lasting 30 minutes, will re-tell the Easter story through readings and hymns and will be followed by tea. It is particularly suitable for older people, Carers and those with memory loss, but all are welcome. This event is hosted by Broadstone Churches Together and the Broadstone Tuesday Club.

Our regular activities continue:

Drop in for tea and activities, every second Friday in the month, 9th March, 13th April, 11th May …., Broadstone Methodist Church Coffee Lounge, 2.15pm to 4pm.
Advice Surgery, every third Thursday in the month, 19th April, 17th May…, Broadstone Library, 10am to 12noon.
Reading and Listening Group, every Monday morning, Broadstone Library, 11am to 12noon

The Home Safely Scheme is available for Broadstone residents and makes it possible for Carers to be contacted quickly should anybody become lost in a public space. This scheme is operated in partnership with Poole Lifeline and involves wearing a simple bracelet. For a person just beginning to experience memory loss, the wearing of the bracelet gives confidence to continue to go out and about and reassurance to a Carer/relative. Currently, there is no charge for the bracelet or the service.

For further details please visit www.broadstonesteppingstones.uk or contact Annette Brooke on 01202 696523.