It is so good to receive news of several events staged recently in the area - two celebrating the Anna Chaplaincy's 10th anniversary!
Anna Chaplain Karen Abbott writes to tell us how she organised these with fellow Anna Chaplain Bill Hawes but, unfortunately, a fall meant he was unable to be involved on the day. Get better soon, Bill!
The events were – a day about Anna Chaplaincy and living with dementia - and then a 10th anniversary Anna Chaplaincy sing-along, with beautiful birthday balloons and cake!
'On Saturday 28th September,' says Karen, 'the Anna Chaplaincy team in Durham welcomed people from a variety of churches to Durham City Baptist church to learn more about the work of Anna Chaplaincy and what it is to live with dementia.
The morning began with worship and then Michael O’Halloran, Spiritual Direction Coordinator at St. Antony’s Priory, gave an informative, well-presented talk which covered the common symptoms of dementia; how dementia can affect the senses, communication and behaviour; lead to loneliness and isolation; and how to connect and help with a person with dementia.
It was moving to listen to a lady who is living with dementia describe her life and the sensory challenges she experiences. People had the opportunity to reflect on the poem written by Andrew MacNamara entitled “When I wander” to frame the conversation in which they were able to share their own experiences.
Femi Festus presented “Out of the Box” which uses story and play for personal and community wellbeing. Storytellers create relational space to breathe, trust, listen, feel, wonder, play and love.
Mahala Wachepa led an Afrobeat dancing session which also promotes emotional and mental well-being through the reduction of stress and improving mood.
Louise Dickinson and I, in the form of an interview, talked about the work of Anna Chaplaincy and how to become an Anna Friend, linking together the themes of the morning which closed with worship and was followed lunch.
Everyone who attended told us how much they had both enjoyed and valued the informative morning.'
Anniversary Celebrations
Members of the Durham North Team churches joined residents and staff and some family members in St. Aidan Lodge and Melbury Court Care Homes to mark the tenth anniversary of Anna Chaplaincy joining BRF Ministries on two dates: Wednesday18th September and Wednesday September 25th.
We held a sing- along led by Pauline James which was followed by tea, coffee and cake. Residents enjoyed the afternoon of singing and music very much' said Karen.
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