Rendezvous at
Elizabeth House
In response to the growing need to provide community support for the increasing number of people with dementia and their carers in Cookham, Holy Trinity Church sponsored and financed the set up last year of “Rendezvous at Elizabeth House” – a once a week drop in facility that aims to provide tea, share some activities and meet with people who would listen to their problems and maybe signpost them towards answers.
To find out more about dementia Click Here.
Rendezvous was formally opened by Wendy Craig last September and is staffed by Rose Coop from Holy Trinity Church, Susan Forward, a trained manager, and numerous volunteers from the congregation of the Church.
Ventures such as these characteristically start slowly as awareness gradually builds. However, after 7 months operation, Rendezvous is exceeding expectations both in terms of numbers attending and the help it is providing to those with dementia and their carers
A regular carer says “It’s a such a pleasure to be here, everyone is so kind and helpful and my husband is so much better since we started coming. He is much more alert and responsive. I think it stimulates him.
Another (professional) carer says “It’s so lovely being here, I don’t have to worry. I know she is enjoying it and she is so much happier and easier to cope with when we go home.”
17 carers and 9 people with dementia have already been welcomed. On average 3-4 carers and 2-3 people with dementia attend each week. Rose says “But at the end of the day numbers are not what Rendezvous is about. If only one person leaves a session feeling better after receiving brief respite from an intolerable situation, then it is all been worthwhile.”
Rendezvous is non-denominational and welcomes all local people with dementia and their carers every Thursday afternoon between 3 and 5 p.m.
For more information about “Rendezvous” please contact Susan Forwood
on 07709 524 384.