A Day in the Life at Redland Day Club
The Redland Club is one of 3 Best Life Dementia day clubs providing an engaging day out for people living with memory loss.
Learn more about how we cultivate a friendly, open environment at the Redland Club, where each client becomes a valued part of this small but mighty community.
We currently offer FREE taster sessions for anyone who would like to see if the club is right for them - this includes a complimentary lunch too!
Welcome & Hello
Every session starts with a friendly welcome and gentle orientation. As each client arrives, they are greeted by our wonderful day club support workers, offered a cup of tea or coffee and invited to sit on one big communal table. Support workers and clients are interspersed, meaning support - if needed - is subtle and dignified. We begin by sharing the day of the week, the date and the season, creating a sense of belonging, as well as chatting through the day’s ‘schedule’ - highlighting that all of the activities are very much an invitation, never an obligation. One of our clients currently enjoys reading this out to the group each week!
What’s New?
That sense of feeling ‘in touch’ with the wider world can be vital, helping us feel part of something. That’s why reading through the newspaper together is a core part of our routine. Searching for positive news stories can often be challenging… but the World Cup has provided a brilliant anchor, as well as prompting reminiscence and story sharing. We invite clients and support workers to share their own personal news too and everyone tends to enjoy this part of the session as we catch up over a cuppa.
Poetry & Singing
The communal aspect of sharing poems and singing songs together strengthens the friendships between clients and is consistently uplifting! Many clients enjoy reading poems to the group, a testament to the supportiveness of the Club. Singing together is always joyous and we continually take requests from clients, learning about their favourite songs and hearing the memories associated with them.
Chair-Based Exercise
Next up, we move to a circle of chairs and begin some gentle movement. Music continues to help us with this as we warm up our joints, slowly stretching and feeling our different muscles. Batting a balloon to each other proves to be magical for our reflexes, before we move on to bouncing a ball to each other and then football. There are always lots of laughs in this section of the day and we all work an appetite for…
Lunch!
Hot lunch, two courses, always with vegetarian options available. A core part of the club, we all eat together around the table which encourages conversation.
Nature Walks
On a dry day, many of the clients enjoy a gentle stroll outside. The Redland Club benefits from the beautiful Redland Green right on its doorstep. We take the time to look properly at the tiny treasures all around us - a colourful flower, a funny shaped branch or a loveable dog trotting past. We also have clients who prefer to simply sit outside, enjoying the fresh air and watching the world go by.
Crafts & Games
The afternoon’s activities change from week to week but generally centre around a craft activity and then a group game. Think clay crafts, watercolours, painting a small sculpture followed by bird bingo, quiz and more!
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST)
Our activity programme is inspired by the principles of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, a well researched approach to supporting people living with a Dementia diagnosis.
Client to Staff Ratio
With 1 support worker to every 3 clients, we pride ourselves on a client to staff ratio that not only ensures the highest standards of safety, but allows our clients to feel supported in a personalised way throughout the day.
Come and Say Hello!
We would absolutely love to welcome you or your loved one to the Redland Club for a FREE taster session, including lunch! We can guide you through the booking process or, if you’re super keen, click here to book your taster session.
Get In Touch
We also offer 1-2-1 companionship support. If you are unsure about whether we can support you or your loved one, don’t hesitate to reach out! We offer a gentle listening ear and support through navigating services and funding options.
If you want to explore life at the Redland Club further, watch our short ‘day in the life’ video on social media.