Upcoming Activities
To find out the dates and times of activities available for each month please sign up to our email newsletter. It also highlights new activities, big events and interesting information!
Greenwood Club - Woodworking, Cooking, Crafts
What?
The Greenwood Club, run by Dorset Forest Schools, aims to provide positive shared experiences/memories for those individuals living with dementia and their amazing carers or partners. The group learn green woodworking techniques, rural crafts and cooking outdoors in a relaxing woodland environment.
A typical session would include:
1. Meeting new friends and sharing yummy cake
2. Collecting wood, lighting fire for snack time)
3. Activities- there is always a choice of activities to do either independently or with carer.
4. Reflection time around fire circle or on a walk (review what’s been achieved, how the project could develop).
All activities are designed to provide small achievable steps. This allows individuals to gain a sense of achievement, which leads to increased motivation, self confidence and independence.
Check out the Netherbury Green Wood Club Video HERE
When?
The Greenwood Club runs at various times and locations across Dorset.
Tuesdays: Thorncombe Woods
10.30am to 12.30pm
3rd, 17th and 31st July
Then every first Tuesday of the month from September 4th
Wednesdays: Netherbury
10.30am to 12.30pm
Coming soon - date TBC
Fridays: Holton Lee
10 am to 1pm
Every Friday
Where?
Thorncombe Woods is based on the outskirts of Dorchester. Park in Thorncombe Woods car park then walk to the Hardy's Birthplace Visitor Centre where Claire will be ready to meet you.
Hardy's Birthplace Visitor Centre
Thorncombe Road
Higher Bockhampton
Dorchester
Dorset
DT2 8QH
Howards Woods, Netherbury is based just outside of Bridport. Jill will be ready to meet you.
Netherbury
Bridport
Dorset
DT6 5LL
United Kingdom
Holton Lee is based on the Western side of Poole. Meet Jill in the car park or by the small building to the right of the car park (near the woodland).
Livability Holton Lee
Holton Lee
East Holton
Holton Heath
Poole
Dorset
BH16 6JN
Sounds great! Next Step...
Call Jill on 07813814875 or email jill@dorsetforestschool.org for more information or to book.
Wellbeing Walks at Radipole Lakes
What?
This is a relaxed, sociable and gentle monthly walk which is open to all, a health walk for healthy body and mind.
Enjoy a gentle 40 - 60 minute walk taking in about a mile in distance around our Radipole reserve in the heart of Weymouth. A great chance to make new friends or get to know your local nature reserve and find some calm in your day.
You may see fabulous wildlife on the walk, but the focus is simply a stroll and chat.
This walk is dementia friendly, and particularly suitable for anyone wishing to lose weight, recovering from illness or wanting to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
This event is FREE as it is funded by Stepping into Nature through the Big Lottery Fund.
Click here to watch a short video about these walks.
When?
Every first and third Thursday of the month, 11am to 12pm.
Where?
The walk is based around RSPB Radipole Lakes in Weymouth. Meet at the RSPB Discovery Centre cafe in Swannery Carpark (DT4 7TZ) and there will be someone ready to meet you.
Sounds great! Next Step...
Call RSPB Radipole Lakes on 01305 778313 for more information.
Have a look at their website for more details.
Woodland Walks at Thorncombe Woods
What?
All welcome, but especially suitable for people with dementia and their carers, these gentle strolls look at the landscape using senses such as touch, sound and smells to enable those involved to discover the reserve. There are a couple of different style walks through the woodland, some are poetry focused whilst others are based more around the sensory experience.
Watch this VIDEO to see the site and hear Claire, who delivers the sessions, explain what to expect.
Enjoy woodworking? The Greenwood Club is now being delivered at Thorncombe Woods too! Find out more about the Greenwood Club here.
When?
Poetry Words and Walks 1.30pm - 2.30pm
2018
Jan 23rd
Feb 6th, 20th
March 6th, 20th
May 21st
Oct 16th
Nov 20th
Dec 18th
Sensory Walks 1.30pm - 2.30pm
2018
March 27th
April 17th
May 15th
June 19th
July 17th
Sept 18th
October 9th
Hapazome Creative Workshop
May 21st (10.30-12.00)
More information on this can be found here: http://kindlingplayandtraining.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/hapa-zome-beating-up-leaves-with.html
Where?
The walks are based in Thorncombe Woods, just outside of Dorchester. Meet Claire at the Hardy's Birthplace Visitor Centre (DT2 8QH).
Sounds great! Next Step...
Call Claire on 01305 251228 for more information or to book.
Inspired by Archives at the Dorset History Centre
What?
Enjoy the countryside? Love history? Come and explore both at the Dorset History Centre. We will be enjoying pictures, maps or recordings and learning something new about the natural world and local artists.
In a small group we will work with speech, painting, writing, photography and crafts. The group is open to anyone who would like to take part including carers; those with mild to moderate dementia; those with a mobility, sensory or learning difficulty or those who would just enjoy the company and stimulation. It’s all about relaxing, meeting new people and having fun. This is an indoor activity, in a building with good access, so we won’t be affected by rain!
2019 activities:
January 2019: Photography Workshop
'Come along and work with us to create photographs of archive documents, and experiment with photo editing software. Your finished images will be provided as prints'
February 2019: Dorset Buttons making
Our records are full of button makers – a traditional income for Dorset women. Work with an expert Ros Atkins to make your own decorative button, and learn more about the craft
Previous activities included:
Purbeck tile making with Jo Amey
Summer holiday memories from Studland and ice-cream tasting!
Apples and pears- Dorset’s orchards, with tasting of varieties and making found poetry
Liz Day, a costumed story-teller will share stories from Corfe Castle
Watercolours and pouncing with Sara Hough
When?
1st Monday morning and 3rd Monday morning of every month (session activity repeats on 1st and 3rd).
PLEASE NOTE: The 1st Monday in May 2019 is a bank holiday so the usual 1st Monday will change to the 2nd Monday (13th of May).
Where?
The sessions are based at the Dorset History Centre in the centre of Dorchester. The postcode is DT11RP.
Sounds great! Next Step...
Call Maria on 01305 228947 or email on m.gayton@dorsetcc.gov.uk for more information or to book.
Eco therapy gardening in Swanage with Dorset Wildlife Trust
What?
The Greengage site was once a nursery and has a large greenhouse, planting beds and even a toilet block! Dorset Wildlife Trust would welcome you to join us in various activities such as planting fruit and vegetables (horticulture), cleaning vegetation and general maintenance.The Greengage nursery is still in it's infancy so there is something for all abilities. Refreshments and tools will be provided.
Watch this short video to see the site and listen to Katie, who delivers the session, explain what to expect.
This activity is FREE as it is funded by Stepping into Nature through the Big Lottery Fund.
When?
Running the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month. The session is 2 hours but you are welcome to join for as much or a little as you like.
Where?
The sessions are based at the Greengage Nursery in Swanage. Parking in Prospect Crescent. The Greengage Nursery is just past the green and before the allotments.
Sounds great! Next Step...
Call Katie Wilkinson at the Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01202 692 033 or email kwilkinson@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk for more information and to book.
Durlston Country Park Activities
What?
Durlston Country Park hold various dementia friendly events at Durlston Country Park. All these events are free but donations are welcome.
- Meet a moth - join us to look through last night's trap with a friendly volunteer - no walking required
- Clifftop tour - a gentle half-hour stroll along the clifftop. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of the sea
- Castle Tour - free half-hour tour of Durlston Castle with a friendly volunteer. Lifts available to all levels
- Dementia friendly stroll - a half-hour relaxed stroll along easy terrain through the meadows
Click here for a VIDEO of what Durlston has to offer.
Durlston also runs a Swanage Memory Cafe with refreshments and optional activities provided.
When?
Please check their website www.durlston.co.uk for details of dates of when the events are taking place.
Where?
Durlston Country Park
Lighthouse Road
Swanage
Dorset
BH19 2JL
Sounds great! Next Step...
Call Durlston Rangers on 01929 424443 for more information about the activities and to book.
For more details on the Swanage Memory Cafe call the Alzheimers society on 01202 764352.
Coastal Activities at the Chesil Beach Centre
What?
A gentle, relaxing walk around Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon, taking in the seasonal wildlife.
Over 18’s only. All abilities welcome. This walk is dementia friendly, and particularly suitable for anyone wishing to discover the outdoors, lose weight, recover from illness or wanting to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
This event is FREE as it is funded by Stepping into Nature through the Big Lottery Fund.
When?
We are taking a break over winter - but please come back in April!
From April 2019 until October 2019 sessions will be run the last Thursday of every Month 11am - 12pm
Thursday 25th April
Thursday 30th May
Thursday 27th June
Thursday 25th July
Thursday 29th August
Thursday 26th September
Thursday 31st October
Where?
Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre at 11am, Portland Beach Road, Portland DT4 9XE.
Information on how to get their, parking and facilities can be found on their website.
Sounds great! Next Step...
Call the Chesil Beach Centre on 01305 206191 to book and for more information.
Art for Wellbeing
What?
The Arts Development Company are delivering some FREE dementia friendly, arts based taster workshops for older people and their partners or carers.
Come along and try singing, music, drawing, pottery, local history storytelling and dance – no experience or talent necessary!
Want to hear more about it from participants and leaders? Listen here.
When?
Weymouth: Friday mornings from 10.30am-12.30am from 7 Sept – 12 October
Dorchester: Monday afternoons 2-4pm from 8 Oct – 19 November (NOT 5 NOV)
Where?
Palm House Café, Weymouth
Fordington Church Hall, Dorchester
Sounds great! Next Step...
To book or more information call Jo March at the Arts Development Company on 01305 228528 or email jo@theartsdevelopmentcompany.org.uk.
