A DAY care centre in the Dengie has introduced a new class to help residents with dementia.

Ahead of Dementia Action Week, which runs from May 17-23, Knightswood Day Care Centre in Asheldham has launched a new group called Me, Myself and I.

The support group held on Mondays provides mental and physical stimulation, especially for those living with advanced dementia.

Project coordinator Nes Dickons said: “This is vitally important as each person will experience dementia in their own unique way and will need individual support to meet their needs.

“We want to make them feel important because although they may have lost a part of themselves, they are still a valued person with feelings.”

Knightswood sensory room

Knightswood sensory room

Knightswood’s new sensory room, the only one of its kind in the Dengie, provides gentle stimulation of sight, sound, touch and movement.

The approach helps relieve stress, evoke feelings of comfort, and maximises the potential to focus, all of which help improve communication, memory and wellbeing.

Nes and colleague Nicola Saich-Kersey dedicated their time throughout lockdown to develop the group.

Nicola said: “For us, the main reason for starting the group was because we feel passionate about being able to offer clients with advanced dementia the much-needed, one-to-one support in a safe space to enable them to express themselves without feeling rushed, pressured or frustrated.

“A day at Knightswood provides invaluable respite to families who become carers.

Knightswood Day Care Centre

Knightswood Day Care Centre

“For them, it’s a 24/7 responsibility so with our help, they get some precious time back to themselves, which as we all know is so vitally important for mental health.

“Here at Knightswood, we pride ourselves in supporting our community and constantly strive to do more to improve the lives of not only our clients, but their families too, because we care.”

Knightswood’s dementia-trained carers put on several activities such as painting, clay modelling, scrap-booking, and puzzles.

For details, visit knightswoodcare.co.uk.