THANKS to the support of North Worcestershire Rotary Club, Age UK BRWF’s Bromsgrove Men In Sheds have made a set of Activity Boards for members of the Droitwich Spa Dementia Meeting Centre.
Prior to the pandemic, the Bromsgrove Shedders started working with the North Worcestershire Rotary Club on a project to use their woodwork and design skills to develop and make ‘Twiddle Boards’ to support local people living with dementia.
Anne Montgomery, Droitwich Spa Meeting Centre Coordinator said: “Most of the male members, and several of the ladies, have told us how they previously enjoyed DIY and being involved in ‘practical’ tasks.
“These Boards will help stimulate memories and, being involved in solving the puzzle, will give our members a great sense of achievement.
“I would like to say a huge thank you, to everyone involved who has made it possible for the Centre to have the Twiddle Boards.”
Although the project was impacted by the pandemic, during lockdown the Shedders worked as a ‘Virtual Shed’ producing a variety of different ‘protype’ Twiddle Board designs, from items that they had around their homes.
Once restrictions were lifted, and the Shed was able to re-open in May, representatives from the Droitwich Spa Meeting Centre came along to review the prototypes to see which designs might most benefit their members.
Age UK BRWF’s Jo Hughes added: “We are really grateful to the North Worcestershire Rotary for supporting Bromsgrove Men In Sheds with this community project.
“Based on national figures, 1 in every 14 of the population over 65 years has dementia and it is estimated that 1 in 3 people in the UK will care for someone with dementia in their lifetime, so dementia is something that will touch many of our lives.
“We know the difference that the Shed makes to those that are able to attend – through this, and other similar projects, we hope to share this difference with members of the wider local community.”
Visit www.ageuk.org.uk/brwf/activities-and-events/men-in-sheds/ for more information.
