Quiztastic Success!
The Red Shed Project acheived brilliant success at a recent quiz night run by Hampson Park Community Centre in Stevenage. When we heard that they planned to donated some of the funds they raised to us – and that there was a fish and chip supper on the night – we couldn’t resist putting up our own quiz team to join the fun.
Our team of 8 included folk living with dementia, family, volunteers and staff and was a really good mix of age and experiences. We were excellent at the ‘chocolate’ round, did pretty good at geography, television, sport and random Monopoly questions as well. Our final score brought us in a very happy 2nd out of 10 teams. Much back patting and self congratulations all round!
But…..not only was this a successful and fun quiz night, it was also a great oppotunity to see the ethos of The Red Shed Project at work. Bringing people with dementia, their carers and families into the community, enjoying something together.
Pride Awards 2019
We were surprised and proud of new of our nomination for a Pride of Stevenage Award this month. We were nominated by St Vincents School who we have been such an enormous support to us since we started up last year.
Then and Now
Having a clear out of the photo file today and I came across one of the first pictures taken in the garden. I remember the day really well – it was July 2018 and I was measuring up to see how big the piece of land was. It’s great to see a more recent picture taken in just about the same spot. Not only has the garden changed but The Red Shed Project has also grown and blossomed. Taking lots of pictures to post on social media, use in our blog and fill a few good old fashioned photo albums has been a lovely way to record the story of the project for everyone involved.
Older Peoples Day
We had an information stall at Stevenage Borough Councils Older Peoples Day event. There were lots of stalls there for local organisations, showcasing the services that are available in the area. We met lots of new people, gave out leaflets and pencilled in a couple of visits to our garden from other organisations. It felt really positive to be a part of the Older Peoples community and to be offering a service that is a bit different. Can’t wait to get gardening with lots of new people.
Age UK Young Onset Dementia group come for another visit
We were really pleased to welcome the Age Uk YOD group back to our garden. They noticed a difference – when they last visited there were no paths and the patio was still a stack of paving slabs!
After a stroll around the garden we got busy making some Autumn Leaf lanterns. I
t’s one of our favourite workshops and the results were stunning.
Launching our first workshops for Carers
We are really proud to announce that we are launching our first set of workshops for Carers this August.
The workshops are funded by Stevenage Community Trust. The Trust was created in 1990 and is supported by local businesses and generous individuals to provide grants to local charities, community groups and families in crisis.
We will be using our grant to pilot a project of creative garden craft workshops for people who are caring for someone with Dementia at home. The idea behind these workshops has come from the carers we have worked with at The Red Shed Project, when you hear someone say that they feel like their ‘identity is disappearing’ you can’t help but want to do something.
These workshops will be running through the summer and we have connected with Carers in Herts, Open Art Box and some local craft enthusiasts to put together an interesting program of arts and crafts.
I feel sure I will be posting some amazing photographs of crafty creations very soon.
Open Day – A Sunny Success
Today The Red Shed Project hosted a Cupcake Day event to raise funds for The Alzheimer’s Society. We invited our neighbours at St Josephs Church to come along as well as the families of our Garden Club members. The cake table was loaded and looked amazing, we raised £122.73 which is brilliant.
The costs of putting on this event were covered by our funding from Herts Community Foundation. It is part of our commitment to use our garden to show people in the community and the families of those effected by dementia, some of the positive achievements that can be made.
We also had the added bonus of seeing our Garden Club families exploring and enjoying our dementia garden. Cake and Daisies – now that’s what it’s all about!!
An Anniversary………
A year ago today, two old friends met over a glass of wine. One was starting up a project providing garden therapy for people affected by dementia. The other was looking for ways to develop a piece of land at the school where she is the Business Manager
Ta Dah!
The Red Shed Project had a home and a brilliant space to build a garden. Thank you, St Vincent de Paul Primary School and all our funders and supporters. This year has been bloomin’ marvelous
Dementia Friends
This is Dementia Awareness week and to do our part The Red Shed Project hosted a Dementia Friends talk along with our good friends and neighbours – St Vincents Primary School. The talk was really interesting, with lots of insights into how it may feel to have Dementia. A better understanding of the effects of the disease helps us to help the people who have to live with it every day. Have a google of https://bit.ly/2VNaUtQ to find out more about Dementia Friends. After this evening we made 15 new Dementia Friends – a brilliant result from an enjoyable night.
Easter Eggs and Bunnies and Tulips!
Today we hosted a workshop for the local Young Onset Dementia Group. This group is run by Age UK and covers the whole of Hertfordshire. We had a lot of fun with an Easter Theme. Of course there was a bunny and of course we ate some chocolate eggs but best of all we made some amazing spring flower arrangements. The Tulips, Daffodils and Hyacinths were vibrant colours and gorgeous scents.
We started with a quiz to identify a selection of herbs, seeds and and spices. This was great fun – the Nutmeg kept people guessing until they had the clue ‘Rice Pudding’!
We also had a sing a long – it’s amazing how many of the words you remember of even the old songs like Tulips from Amsterdam!
At The Red Shed Project garden we now have the facilities to host other groups and plan to invite more people to enjoy our wonderful space over the next few months.
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