Dementia is overwhelming - not only for the people who have it but also for their carers and families.
There is a lack of awareness and understanding of dementia in general, resulting in stigmatization, barriers to diagnosis and care, and impacting care-givers, families and societies physically, psychologically and economically. Music 4 memory works tirelessly with carers, volunteers and people diagnosed with dementia and memory loss, to help them understand and live well. Sandy's Mayor, Will Jackson, attended the Holocaust Memorial Service at the Harpur suite in Bedford in January and was impressed by M4M's involvement and inclusivity. Hoping to develop a dementia friendly community in Sandy, he invited M4M to take part in his civic service at St Swithun's church on the 19th April. The theme was 'Welcome and Inclusion' - something M4M are renowned for! This event was a huge success and had a positive impact in Sandy, which the Mayor, Will Jackson, reiterated in his thank-you letter. M4M group touches everyone when they perform in concerts and as part of Tibbs Dementia umbrella. They have entered a national bid called “Challengers 4 memory in the Aviva Community Fund”. Challengers 4 memory plan to organise and run series of fun activities for people with dementia or memory loss.
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I would like to nominate the teachers from St Gregory's middle school for their support of the PTA. As a parent there and a member of the PTA I have witnessed teamwork at a higher level. These teachers help to organise a range of events from School Discos, Quiz evenings and the most recent Irish night on the 25th of April. They give generously of their time in aid of raising funds for the PTA and their dedication is remarkable
It was encouraging to see former parents whose children had schooled at St Gregory's 15 and 20 years ago and even retired teachers supporting the recent event. The band members were also former St Gregory's students and they were honoured to play in their former school. We all lead very busy lifestyles but the dedication and enthusiasm the teachers show for the PTA events ensures that we have excellent support for all occasions. We can safely say that St Gregory's has earned the accolades they get and more .http://www.st-gregorys.beds.sch.uk/ Eric Masih is heavily involved in community work by bringing people together, mentor and advisor. A brief background of Eric. In 1986 he opened a Karate Club in Kempston, Bedford to help young and old to maintain their health and keep fit, and very successfully went on to open more schools in other towns.
In 1987 he decided he wanted to be his own boss, an opportunity came to work for an Insurance Industry as a Sales representative on a Self Employed basis, he very quickly worked his way up to a regional managers position. In 1990 Eric decided to go independent under his own company N&E Financial Services, worked with the Asian community and became a recognised Mortgage advisor, brought his first investment property, moved his office in the building while renovating it for rental. In 1996 with the Experience of Mortgage and Property Management behind him, he ventured into the world of Estate Agency, and opened an office in a niche market of Bedford, Gold Crown Estate Agent. In 2000 Eric was appointed as an Elder of his local Church, Seventh Day Adventist Church, Kempston, Bedford, and started to work with other churches in London and West Midlands, he has been involved in working with the elderly in the community. In 2010 having established a profitable business engaged his son to run the day to day business, he decided to give back to the community in a way of working with charitable organisations, he became the President of Overseas Indian Congress UK, East of England Branch. A voluntary organisation helping NRI’s with the issues of Passport, Visas, property and legal matters in U.K and India. In 2011 helped to form Bedfordshire Asian Business Association known as BABA, and became an Executive member of the Committee, having taken an position of General Secretary he is able to help and support other and up and coming Businesses. In 2012 Eric was called to the executive members board of BOPA (British Origin People of Asia) U.K, as an advisor. In 2013 he got elected as Chairperson of Queens Park Community Orchard, an local organisation working in bringing local communities together. End of 2014 was elected as Chairperson of Asian British Christian Concern, his first assignment was to bring the prosecution of Christians in India to the awareness of the wider world, he managed to organise a petition Fight against Ethnic and Religious Cleansing in India and presented it to the High Commissioner of India London, and then to David Cameron PM of U.K This group was formed to support people with a recent diagnosis of dementia, or anyone with significant memory loss, and their family supporters.
Today I shared the News about the formation of Bedfordshire Community Awards with the Music 4 memory group and thanked them for inspiring me to set it up - for this is where the concept came from and materialised. Music 4 memory is part of Tibbs Dementia Foundation Services, a Community Interest Company dedicated to providing a range of accessible services and activities for people living with dementia and their carers within the local community. Music 4 Memory (M4M) is a programme of open therapeutic music groups for people affected by Dementia in Bedford. The people who come to these sessions meet once a week, either in Oakley or Queens park community halls. Music 4 memory plays an important role especially with people diagnosed with Dementia and their carers. Jeni Melia and Sarah Russell are the directors and they believe the use of music using therapeutic principles has the power to support family relationships, mental health, community awareness and connectedness. Other groups run by Tibbs Dementia are: Support 4 Memory, Clear voices, Activi-Tea club and Encompass. http://www.tibbsdementia.co.uk/ ~June Kuria 8th March was Women's International day and at Polish House in Bedford (located near the train station) Polish women got together to present stalls like:
beauty stalls where the ladies had mini facials, massages, make-up by a professional make up artist, photo shoot: flowers: art and craft: mortgage advice: advice on registering to vote: cake and drinks stalls. They came together to raise money for Natan Dziedric, a 6yr old boy who is suffering from muscular dystrophy. He is in Poland but the grandmother lives in Bedford. The community pulled together to help Natan with his medical needs and they raised £260. June and David were in the studio of the Bedford Radio, explaining to its Polish listeners about the Bedfordshire Community Awards and how they can get involved by nominating someone within their community. UNDER CONSTRUCTION please go to our old site news page to see our archive: http://www.beds-ca.org/-news.html
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