Singing for the Brain
The Alzheimer's Society's Singing for the Brain groups use singing and other activities to bring together people with dementia or memory loss.
- Calcot — Tuesdays 10:30–12:00 at Kennet Valley Free Church, Carters Rise, Fords Farm, RG31 7YT.
- Emmer Green — Fridays 10:30–12:00 at St. Barnabas Church Hall, 20 St. Barnabas Road, RG4 8RA.
- Wokingham — Tuesdays 10:30–12:00 at The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, RG40 1UE.
- Charvil — Thursdays 10:30–12:00 at Charvil Village Hall, Park Lane, RG10 9TR.
- Burghfield Common — every other Wednesday 13:30–15:00 at Burghfield Common Methodist Church Hall, Reading Road, RG7 3QA.
There are also groups in Bracknell, Newbury and Maidenhead. To find out more, contact the Alzheimer's Society's Reading office on 0118 959 6482.
Greyfriars Activities Group
Themed activities on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 10:30–12:30, at Greyfriars Church, Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1EH. Contact the Reading office on 0118 959 6482.
Empowerment Group
Come and have your say — encouraging people with dementia to speak out about issues affecting their lives. 3rd Monday of the month from 14:00–16:00, at the Alzheimer's Society office, Reading. Contact the Reading office on 0118 959 6482.
Gardening / craft
Nature-related craft activities, Tuesdays once a month 10:30–12:00, at Ufton Nervet. For venues, contact the Reading office on 01628 626 331.
Dance back in time — Maidenhead
Music, dancing and afternoon tea, the last Tuesday of every month 14:00–15:30, at Highview, North Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1PL. Contact Annabel on 01628 626 331.
Poetry group — Midgham
Bring along your favourite poem to share over lunch, at the Berkshire Arms, Midgham, RG7 5UX. Contact the Reading office on 0118 959 6482.
Yoga — Thatcham
Relaxing seated exercise, suitable for all abilities, Fridays 14:00–15:30, at Thatcham Rugby Club, Henwick Lane, RG18 3BN. Contact the Reading office on 0118 959 6482.
Dementia / memory café
An opportunity to meet regularly and talk about living with dementia in an informal social environment, with information about dementia, local services and practical tips about living well. 2nd Friday of each month 10:30–12:00, at Coopers Hill Community Centre, Bagshot Road, Bracknell, RG12 7QS. Contact the Reading office on 0118 959 6482.
Bluebells Day Centre
The Bluebells Day Centre provides activities and care for people living with dementia and related disabilities. Dementia can be a very isolating condition, and the day centre provides a chance for attendees to engage socially. It also provides respite care to allow those who care for people with dementia to have a little much-needed time to themselves.
The Bluebells Day Centre was run by Age UK for 20 years, but in 2018 it was one of six clubs earmarked for closure following cuts by Oxfordshire County Council. Staff, families and attendees were devastated by the loss of the service. There was a real need in Henley for the provision of services for people living with dementia, so it was re-established as an independent charity and opened its doors again on 25 April 2019. The project was led by Henley Mayor, Councillor Glen Lambert, and supported by many others. The co-ordinator for the Bluebells service is Gardiner's care worker, Suri Poulos.
Bluebells is open every Thursday from 10:30 to 15:30 at the Christ Church Centre, 46 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1AG. A cooked lunch is provided by the Christ Church Centre. Bluebells works closely with the Henley Handybus and may be able to provide transportation to the day centre if required. To find out more, please call Suri on 07931 980 597 or email info@bluebellsdaycentre.org.uk.
"Dementia is among the cruellest of conditions, slowly robbing a person of everything that makes them who they are. Day centres like Bluebells are of enormous benefit to people suffering with dementia and to the carers who look after them. That we are now able to provide this service in Henley once again is something we can all be proud of." — Glen Lambert, Mayor of Henley-on-Thames
