NEW YEAR, NEW YOU
The power of positive action
‘Having a ball’ might not be the phrase that instantly springs to mind when thinking about people and their families living with dementia. But that’s exactly what can happen when those with a passion for being positive join forces to make a difference.
When Julie Brown’s dad Arthur began to get a bit forgetful and then confused, it was the start of a long journey for both of them. A diagnosis of dementia eventually followed and Julie became Arthur’s full-time carer, looking after him day-to- day and doing all she could to keep him safe, happy and active.
Several years later in 2016, when Julie had learned a lot and encountered various challenges along the way, an idea began to take shape aimed at plugging a vital gap in local provision and supporting others in similar circumstances. Based on her own experiences, both good and bad, Julie was inspired to set up Butterflies Dementia Support and Activities Group to help like-minded carers and to offer quality services and entertainment in the Barnsley region. Designed to encourage people with dementia to meet and mix with older people who are isolated for other reasons, Butterflies aims to raise awareness of the condition and help people to live fulfilling lives for longer. She believes that encouraging older people or those newly-diagnosed with dementia to socialise with
‘‘Friday afternoon tea dance is a firm favourite... we have an absolute ball’’
individuals at different stages of the disease helps to increase the understanding of it, dispel some of the fears and show how lives can still be lived and enjoyed. Butterflies now has a growing membership and a programme of activities as busy, if not busier, than any other social group. Arthur, an ex-Barnsley miner, now 89, still takes part sometimes and Julie firmly believes that staying active has made that possible.
The group meets four times a week at Barnsley’s King Street Community Centre to enjoy a range of fun and stimulating activities including a lunch club, support group, tea dance and film show. People can also join in regular days out, visits and occasional short breaks, the latest of which was a three-day visit to the Thursford Christmas Spectacular in Norfolk.
Run with the help of a small team of dedicated volunteers, the group relies on grant funding from the Big Lottery aside from the small fees charged for its weekly activities. It is also supported by Creative Minds, a charity hosted by South West Yorkshire NHS Trust to develop creative activities in partnership with community organisations to improve health and wellbeing.
Julie and her team are able to give advice about which activities are most suitable for people and they also organise regular visits and talks from healthcare and other professionals to help deal with any concerns. Family members, friends and carers are welcome to attend and the Thursday Support Group meetings include a dedicated session for carers to give them a break while their loved ones join in therapeutic sessions involving drama-based activities and movement classes. Embracing the old adage that laughter is the best medicine, Butterflies engages professional entertainers and organises music, dancing, games, gentle exercise and other activities to develop interests and encourage social interaction. The Friday afternoon tea dance is a firm favourite and a good opportunity for people to let their hair down.
“It’s great fun and very popular, about 50 people usually attend and we have an absolute ball,” says Julie.
And the positive impact of Butterflies has been recognised far and wide with a hat-trick of awards in 2018 including a royal seal of approval in the shape of the Duke of York’s Community Initiative Award. Most recently Julie herself was singled out as a worthy winner of the volunteer accolade in
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aroundtownmagazine.co.uk
the Proud of Barnsley Awards run by the Barnsley Chronicle after a nomination from Butterflies’ patron and Barnsley East MP Stephanie Peacock. Whatever the challenges of getting older, feeling isolated or living with dementia in Barnsley, Butterflies is certainly proof that you can still have a life and get the best out of it – with a healthy dose of support, optimism, fun and friendship thrown in for good measure.
Anyone with a few hours to spare who might like to volunteer for Butterflies can contact Julie. The group is also desperate for its own transport, either a nine-seater minibus or even a people carrier to help take members out and about. No funds are currently available to pay for a vehicle so Butterflies is appealing to anyone who might be able to help for free to get in touch.
REGULAR ACTIVITIES:
Venue: King Street Community Centre, Barnsley, S70 1JU Tuesday Lunch Club 12 noon to 3pm. Cost: £5 including hot meal, music and activities Thursday Support Group 1.30-4pm. Cost: £2 including regular guest speakers and a break for carers Friday Tea Dance 1.30-4pm. Cost: £2 including afternoon tea, dancing and games
To contact Julie about group activities, volunteering or any other support, please ring 07545 815513 or email
juliebrwn1960@aol.co.uk. You can also follow Butterflies on Facebook @ButterfliesBarnsley
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