Julie Christie - Town Break, Stirling

Thu, Aug 4th 2011 at 12:00 am - 2:00 am


Thursday's meeting in the Westlands Hotel was attended by 29 members.

President Rod Jones and members gave a warm welcome to Christophe Maertens and Francis Vandenberghe, visiting Rotarians from Belgium who are on holiday locally. Rod even went so far as welcoming the visitors in their native language.

 

President Rod with Francis Vandenberghe from the Rotary Club of Mouscron and Christophe Maertens from the Rotary Club of Deinze.

Also welcomed were Julie Christie and Robin Lang who were our guest speakers from the Town Break Stirling Group.

Julie, who is the Development Coordinator for Town Break, was the opening speaker, and started by asking the audience what they would reply if they were asked what "Dementia" meant to them. As none of the responses came close to the clinical definition, she then told us how widespread dementia was in the community, and how many sufferers were not diagnosed at an early stage.

She explained how Town Break operated both as a Day Club "drop-in centre" and as a respite option for carers, as well as providing a "befriending service" both at the day Club in the Baptist Church hall in Stirling, and provides support and companionship for people with dementia in their own homes. The volunteer befrienders are trained by the Group and matched to a dementia sufferer as a friend. They visit weekly to provide companionship and mental stimulation.

Robin, who has been a volunteer befriender for over 13 years, told us how, through personal experience with several members of his own family, he became involved. He highlighted how even people who had severe dementia responded very positively to singing of songs with which they were familiar, and also how many of them could still play dominoes!

Jim Gardner gave the vote of thanks.

'What We Do' Main Pages:

Am Am Golf Day 27 June 2024 @ Dunblane Golf Club

The 38th Am Am will be held in conjunction with Dunblane New Golf Club on Thursday June 27 2024. Proceeds to Strathcarron Hospice. The golf will be a four ball stableford competition for teams, men and women with a yellow ball and two's competitions.

more  

Our charitable activities are administered by a trust fund, registered as a Scottish charity, number SC050998. Annual reports and accounts for recent years can be downloaded below.

more  

Here you will find Links to the Current Club Activity and Volunteering Sheets

more  
Young Photographer Competition

Young Photographer Competition

more  
Rotary

How the Club Committees Work

more  
Club Diary

Club Diary, Programme & Duties

more