Last Thursday Eirianfa came alive with the Age Connects Christmas gathering. Children from Ysgol y Parc entertained us with the singing and they were treated to a visit by Father Christmas and an opportunity to sit in a police car.

We had a range of stall holders selling Christmas gifts and the Scouts had a fun competition for everyone to enjoy.

We were entertained by Brenda and her Band and the Ruthin U3A Ukulele Band The Pleasant Pluckers. Salford Community Café served refreshments.

The Mayor had the most difficult job of judging a drawing competition from children from Ysgol y Parc and Ysgol Fron

A lovely evening was had by all who attended and we would like to thank our kind volunteers who helped on the evening, Eirianfa, Saflord Community Café, Brenda and her Band, Pleasant Pluckers, Vale of Clwyd 1st Denbigh Scouts, Cheese2go, North Clwyd Animal Rescue, Teg for Textiles, The Kings Garden, Jewelscraft, Mayor of Denbigh, North Wales Police and of course Father Christmas.

Last Thursday our Forum Coordinator for Denbighshire Abbe and Rebecca our Denbighshire Community Navigator spent the morning at the Ruthin Livestock Centre talking to farmers about health and well-being. They had a great morning talking to farmers about support which is available to them within the community, promoting our forums and informing people about the services provided by Age Connects. It was a successful morning and the pair managed to talk to over 20 people.

On Saturday, Rebecca attended the Flu Clinic at the Llangollen Health Centre, this very successful event meant that she spoke to over 35 people informing them of her role, promoting Talking Points, informing people about services within the community as well as promoting Dewis.

As part of Denbighshire County Council  Celebrating Age week we hosted an afternoon of fun filled activities at The Alive Church in Prestatyn

Over 70 people enjoyed the afternoon which included dancing, artwork, information about nature and gardening, nail painting and World War memorabilia. Our Speak UP project brought the seaside inside to brighten up the day and food was provided by Salford by the Sea Community Café. We would like to thank Kings Garden Enterprise, Bezaeel Arts, Abs-olute Beauty, Teg for Textiles, Salford by the Sea Community Café and the Alive Church for all your support.

This week Denbighshire County Council has been celebrating “Ageing Well in Denbighshire” by sharing a series of videos about initiatives involving older people. Here is the video about our “Speak UP” project.

Would you consider volunteering for only 2 hours a week?
You would be trained and have lots of support.

The project works in care homes in Denbighshire, Conwy and Gwynedd. Whatever your skill…. listening, singing, crafting, quizzing, chatting… you could add something to the project.

Interested?….then phone 01745 816947 or Contact Us via the webform.

In the first year of SpeakUP, despite having to develop the activity programme for delivery, recruit and train all our volunteers and promote our new project, we were able to make contact with 40 care homes.

In addition we have delivered programmes in 16 establishments in the 3 counties, engaging with almost 100 residents. Outputs for year 2 are projected to more than double and the Comic Relief funder continues to support us in our objective of developing resilience and self-advocacy in residents.

Integral to SpeakUP is the Alzheimer’s Association’s Dementia Friends initiative and the Project Coordinators have achieved Dementia Champions status enabling them to provide information sessions to almost 100 people.

Photo: SpeakUP Coordinators with members of Dyserth WI, July 2017.