We had our first Dementia Friendly Church certificate in April 2023 and the Bishop of Lichfield signed our second Dementia Friendly Church certificate in April 2024 and that is displayed in church We can use the “Becoming Dementia Friendly Church” logo. Tracey Williams is our Dementia Coordinator and will happily answer any questions about this.
This is the prayer which Tracey submitted to the 2024 Diocese “Share a Prayer” Project for Dementia Awareness Week.
Dear Lord
Shine your ever guiding light on all those that need support caring for or living with the struggles of dementia.
Shine your ever guiding light and embrace them in their darkest days, give them hope and strength and courage.
Shine your ever guiding light to show them where there is support and allow them to live the best life they can.
Shine your ever guiding light to enable them to continue with their faith in all its glory, knowing that they are loved and cherished.
Shine your ever guiding light so that they know you are always by their side, walking with them along this strange and sometimes frustrating path.
Surround them with kindness and compassion, that the light will forever glow and bring comfort on their journey.
Amen
Tracey Williams wrote a “View from the Pews” in ChadNet 161 which she discusses her passion to enable St Chad`s Church to be designated a Dementia Friendly Church.
We held a dementia themed service on Sunday 5th November 2023. Read about it here.
We held a Dementia Friendly Church Training Session on Saturday 12th October 2024 in the Village Hall. Welcome and a cuppa from 1:30pm for a prompt start at 2pm, finishing by 4:30pm. More information here.
On Saturday 15th March 2025 we held an informal “tea and cake”. It included a presentation taking a look at Pattingham Past and Present, which included how the church has changed through the ages and other historical facts of interest. It allowed parishioners to reminisce or to find out how the village has changed. At least 125 people attended and lots of memories were shared. Tracey said that she was completely overwhelmed by the response; it was truly inspiring and to see everyone coming together was so heartwarming.
Memory Café
Home Instead are commencing Memory Café at Pattingham Village Hall.
Meeting every 3rd Friday of the month from 10.00am to 12.00 noon starting 16th May 2025
These are free informal sessions designed for individuals living with dementia and their carers to meet in a relaxed environment. Enjoy simple, engaging activities, while connecting with others who understand the challenges of dementia.
No need to book. Just pop along
The following future dates are planned:
- Fri 20th June 25
- Fri 18th July 25
- Fri 15th Aug 25
- Fri 19th Sept 25
- Fri 17th Oct 25
- Fri 21st Nov 25
- Fri 19th Dec 25
Items of interest and useful contact numbers.
Dementia UK (Admiral Nurses) helpline 0800 888 6678 – https://www.dementiauk.org
Alzheimer`s Society (Dementia Connect Support Line) 0333 150 3456 – https://www.alzheimers.org.uk
Herbert Protocol Form Staffordshire Police – https://www.staffordshire.police.uk
For Monthly Memory Café The Grand Theatre Wolverhampton – https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk
Please feel free to utilise resources within church.
Warmest Wishes
Tracey
Dementia Friendly Church Co-ordinator.
Forget-me-not Teas (Shifnal)
Forget-me-not teas are held at St Andrew’s Church in Shifnal on the third Thursday of each month, from 2pm until around 3.30pm. (In December 2023 it is held on the first Thursday instead.)
There’s no charge made for joining in with the Forget-me-not Teas: just go along for a cuppa and cake.
Forget-me-not is for people living with dementia and their carers to enjoy together. The Church wants to stay in step with people affected by dementia and these regular get-togethers give an opportunity to share a lovely afternoon together. There’s a warm welcome for everyone, irrespective of beliefs.
For more information, please ask Tracey Williams or visit their website.
Notices
