Engaging Dementia August Newsletter

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our founder, Sr. Mary Threadgold.

Sr. Mary was a visionary nun and Speech and Language Therapist whose pioneering work transformed the lives of thousands of people living with dementia in Ireland and beyond through the creation of the Sonas Programme.

A member of the Religious Sisters of Charity, Sr. Mary devoted her life to improving the quality of life of older people, particularly those living with dementia. At a time when dementia care was often centred solely on physical needs, she recognised that people continued to have emotional, social and spiritual needs that deserved equal attention.

You can read our full tribute to Sr. Mary here:

Sr. Mary Threadgold RIP | Engaging Dementia

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, 22nd August, at 11.00 am in St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Parish Church, Sandymount , followed by burial in the community cemetery, Donnybrook. The Mass may be viewed live from this link: https://mcn.live/Camera/st-marys-star-of-the-sea-sandymount

Upcoming Courses

We have a number of courses coming up this Autumn & Winter:

Creating Meaningful Activities on a Budget –

A Guide for Activities Coordinators: Online, Thurs Sept 24th & Fri Nov 27th

Click here for details: Activities Coordinator Course for Dementia | Engaging Dementia

Sonas Programme: Dublin Sept 18th, Cork Oct 9th, Galway Oct 16th

Click here for details: The Sonas Programme | Engaging Dementia

Sonas License Renewal: Online, Sept 25th

Click here for details: Sonas Licence Renewal Day | Engaging Dementia

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy: Online, Sept 15th

Click here for details: Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Course Dementia | Engaging Dementia

For more information email admin@engagingdementia.ie or call 012608138.

We say Farewell to Shri

Message from Kim Tully, Engaging Dementia CEO:

“I just wanted to take a moment to say goodbye to Shri Hadimani, who is leaving us on Friday August 21st, and to thank him for all his hard work and contribution during the last seven years with Engaging Dementia. It has been a pleasure working together, and the whole team at Engaging Dementia wishes Shri every success and happiness in his next role. Many of you will have had contact with Shri during the last years.

I am delighted to welcome Hudson Coelho to the team, to take over the role as Accounts Administrator. We’re very pleased to have Hudson join us and you can reach him under the same email Admin@EngagingDementia.ie if you have any questions or need support.”

Story2Remember

WANTED: Volunteers to be trained to lead interactive, creative sessions for people living with dementia and their family carers.

These Free Online Workshops are aimed at professionals, social workers, and Dementia Cafe coordinators who are interested in exploring creative, person-centred approaches to working with people with dementia. You don’t have to be a creative person or have a background in creative arts to participate.

The Online Workshops take place from 10am and 1pm on:

-Friday Nov 3rd

-Friday Nov 13th

-Friday Nov 20th

If you are interested, email admin@engagingdementia.ie or

call 012608138.

Participants are required to attend all three sessions, as each session builds on the knowledge and learning from the previous one.

New Dementia Cafes

Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow

There is a new Dementia Cafe taking place on the 2nd Friday of every month in the Leighlinbridge Parish Centre, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow from 11am until 12.30pm.

Contact: leighlindementiacommunity@gmail.com or Margaret on 0879574606 for further info.

Shannon, Co. Clare

There is a new Dementia Cafe taking place in the Shannon Family Resource Centre, Shannon, Co. Clare.

The dates for the remainder of the year are: Monday 14th September, Monday 5th October, Monday 2nd November and Monday 7th December.

Contact: hilary.oneill@alzheimer.ie or call 0863629790.

You can find details for all the Irish Dementia Cafe Network here: https://dementiacafe.ie/