20 Jun Dementia Friendly Tea Party a huge success
The Life on The Edge(LotE) Dementia Friendly Parishes Tea Party was held in early June. Attended by around 50 people, it was kindly hosted by The Flete Estate in the Stables at Mothecombe Garden and was the culmination of a short project with the Dementia Friendly Parishes around the Yealm project.
Life on the Edge is a multi-partner project, working with farmers, landowners and local communities to restore and connect species rich coastal grasslands for some of the UKs rarest invertebrates and plants living along the South Devon coast between Berry Head and Wembury. As well as working with residents, schools and local organisations, the project targets activities at people who might not get the chance to benefit from being outdoors on the amazing South Devon National Landscape coastline.
Dementia Friendly Parishes around the Yealm runs many activities and Life on the Edge worked with the reading group, the walking group and the craft group. Group activities included walking around Wembury Point in high winds and sunshine, relaxing to coastal and insect themed prose and poems and crafting swarms of pine cone bees and wet felted landscapes. Local artist, Katherine Bailey, made LotE craft kits for people to use in the session and take home to carry on creating.
Research has shown that engaging in outdoor activities that have a purpose and those that involve being with other people provide the greatest motivation for people for people living with dementia.
The event included a tour of the walled bee garden, a display of art work, reading of a poem created for the project by Martin a 97 year old member of the group, bug hunting and a wildflower walk in the meadow and a cream tea. The clotted cream was kindly sponsored by Jenny Koo’s Kitchen of Dartmouth.
“Nicky Bailey National Landscape Communities Officer said “Participants in this project have told us that they really enjoyed taking part and we look forward to continuing this partnership during the next phase of LotE.”
Maxine Kennedy Project Officer for Dementia Friendly Parishes around the Yealm said “ We had perfect weather at a stunning location for the tea party to celebrate all that had been achieved on the walks, craft sessions and with the reading group. “
South Devon National Landscape is submitting its full Life on the Edge Round 2 bid worth £2.4m to the Heritage Lottery Fund in August and if successful will be continuing this work with Dementia Friendly Parishes around the Yealm from next year.
