The Sportsman Inn Sheffield

We work to bring a little relief to the most isolated and marginalised people in our society - no one comes even close to those who are confined in dementia homes across the country. 24 hours a day 7 days a week in the same few rooms and we wonder why they withdraw inside themselves? We cant explain to them why they are there because they wont understand but we can ease the boredom and frustration, even for just a few hours. Our work focuses at present at 2 dementia homes in Sheffield who care for people with enhanced needs - people who would not be accepted in standard dementia homes. We would like to include as many homes as possible if we can get funding or equipment. Frustration and boredom so often lead to behavioural problems as we have often witnessed - activity and engagement is the only answer if we are to avoid relying on antipsychotic drugs. Our group organise social events such as parties with food, musicians, singing and dancing, We hold a regular dementia cafe and we also provide equipment and volunteers for therapeutic activities. We have a wealth of experience in what actually works so money is never wasted on expensive ineffective sensory products. We have no overheads or running costs and no one takes expenses so every penny goes to our beneficiaries. We desperately need help with party food - cakes etc which use up a lot of our funds, we try to engage all the senses and taste is sometimes the only pleasure for some severely affected and food in nursing homes is not always good. We decorate our cafe in a suitable theme - the last one was our Cafe Paris! Volunteers help transport residents (under supervision of course) and assist with food etc. We have music or if possible a singer or musician and always end up with a singalong or dance. To see their faces light up when they walk in is worth so much to us. Our therapeutic activities are varied and tailored to match the client, we have art, singing, silk scarf making, garden and sensory corridor walks, Boccia, ladies pamper group, and many more. A very successful item of therapeutic equipment are empathy dolls and Furreal toy animals which are robotic and move - the reaction from our residents is amazing. Sadly these do need replacing from time to time and are costly at £50 each. The majority of our money is used to provide or replace such equipment and we would dearly love to be able to supply other homes - we have tried and tested many kinds of activity aids and have years of experience in what really works. If you can find a way to help we would love to hear from you maybe sponsor a doll with your company logo? Or an event - volunteers welcome? Anything - just to bring a smile to their face for a while.