VOLUNTEERS and carers at a free community arts and crafts class in Oxfordshire have taken on a pancake flip to engage attendees including those with dementia and brain injury.
The free weekly community arts and crafts class held at Uffington Village Hall is funded by home care company Walfinch Oxford, and is open to anyone in the community as a safe warm space to meet up, enjoy lunch, tea and cakes and engage with arts and crafts and now enjoy a pancake flip. Carers are provided for those needing one-to-one support.
Kam Gill, registered manager at Walfinch Oxford, said: “We are always looking for ways to brighten everyone’s day and if for example, someone with dementia or other complex care needs can be encouraged to count as we flip the pancakes smiles are raised all around.”
Kam encourages her team to go over and above to engage clients, particularly those with dementia.
She added: “It’s not just about meeting clients’ physical needs, but their social, emotional and mental wellbeing too.
“We are using our pancake flip to highlight how important company, community engagement and a safe space is to people with dementia and other conditions, for their families, carers and others from the community too.
“Everyone can look forward to finding company and join in with activities regardless of ability at no cost. This initiative effectively extends care not just to individuals, but to the whole community.”
Events coordinator Hannah Tomlin was encouraged and supported to set up the community art and crafts class.
Walfinch Oxford financially supports hall hire, carers and provides lunch plus cakes and tea and of course the pancakes.
Client Brian Marlow is pictured with Walfinch Oxford registered manager Kam Gill.