A new series of services has begun in the parish of Malvern Link with Cowleigh especially for people with dementia, special needs and their carers, and so far they've been a great success. Reader, Eileen Tomlin explains:
"Our first ‘Informal Service’ was a Carol service in December 2021, held in our Church room. It was planned especially for people with dementia and special needs and their carers,
A group of older people came from a Care Home, and a group of younger people from a Home for those with physical and mental challenges, and also couples and carers with their ‘cared for’ person. On arrival, everyone was given a bag containing a kit of white card shapes which I’d cut out beforehand. In between well-known carols, and hearing the Christmas readings, everyone put together an angel from the kit, and I related the parts of the angel to the readings.
Four more services are planned for this year, 2022 – the first was held in March on a Spring theme, and this time we had several people from the community: mothers with their daughters and husband and wife couples. During the service, everyone planted wildflower seeds in cardboard egg-boxes. Each part of the activity is related theologically to the theme.
Most of those who came had carers with them to help, and we ended with tea and cakes provided by our lovely church ladies. Two people who were normally regular church members read Bible passages, and it gave them so much joy to do this as it’s a role they used to take. It’s now very hard to commit themselves to be on a rota, as they can’t necessarily get to church, due to their partner’s dementia. One lady, in her 96th year, came. She used to be an organist, but she is nearly blind, and her fingers are stiff, so she can no longer play – but she played the organ on the table!"
