ELLENOR MARKS NATIONAL DEMENTIA WEEK WITH ENHANCED THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY GROUPS

At the heart of this work is Shania Allsop, who joined ellenor as a Therapy Assistant at just 18 years old. Now an experienced and passionate team member at 25 years old, Shania brings warmth, an infectious smile and genuine empathy to every session helping to create a safe, welcoming space for people living with life-limiting illnesses.

“Even though someone might be unwell, life is still worth living,” says Shania. “We aim to encourage the patient to remember everything they can still do and help them to feel good about it too.”

Our Therapeutic Activity Groups build on the foundations of its former Living Well service continuing to reflect the same core values of compassionate care, activities that are meaningful to each person and support that’s guided by their individual needs. These principles remain central to how we support people living with Dementia across our broader programme.

“While we don’t currently run a dementia-specific group right now, we are still supporting patients and families, especially those living with Dementia through our broader groups offered within the service,” says Shania. “Everything we do is shaped by the person in front of us - what helps them feel calm, connected, or just a bit more like themselves.”

The groups offer a relaxed, supportive environment where participants can enjoy music, gentle movement, creative activities, and social time supported by a team that includes therapists, counsellors, and nurses. The aim is to support emotional and physical wellbeing in a way that feels natural and empowering.

“We listen to a lot of music, and I also support and where possible, encourage patients to use their hands to help improve their dexterity as well as hand eye co-ordination. We use sand and different sensations, to try and get them used to different feelings. We have a lot of blankets, small squares, and twiddle muffs [a knitted muff with buttons, ribbons, and tags attached to the inside], which they can just fiddle with, to keep them occupied.”

Shania’s work has become increasingly important as Dementia becomes a growing focus within palliative and hospice services like us. Through working in partnership with the Gravesend community and care providers, we are able to ensure that people affected by Dementia - including patients and their families - have access to compassionate, tailored hospice support.

To deepen her understanding of Dementia a few years ago, Shania took part in a Virtual Dementia Tour run by local charity Alzheimer’s & Dementia Support Services (ADSS). This immersive course replicates some of the sensory and cognitive challenges associated with Dementia offering insight into just how disorienting and distressing everyday life can be.

“We were asked to remove our glasses and wear sunglasses that blocked our peripheral vision, with darkened lenses to simulate sight loss. Bluetooth headphones played overlapping conversations in each ear, creating confusion and sensory overload. To add to the challenge, uncomfortable shoe inserts made walking painful and disorienting. The experience was designed to show just how overwhelming and exhausting everyday life can feel for someone living with dementia.”

Throughout the session, the ADSS course’s facilitator adopted a deliberately abrupt and dismissive manner to reflect how people with dementia are often treated in the real world.

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“The point is to show that when someone’s being short with you, it’s often because they don’t have the time or patience to explain,” says Shania. “But if you slow down and really listen, you’ll be amazed by what people with dementia can still do — and how much joy they can still feel.”

And that, for Shania, is what matters most.

“At ellenor, we focus on what still brings joy, connection, and comfort,” she says. “Simply just being kind. Even with small things - a smile, a moment of calm - can mean the world. People with Dementia might not always remember your face, but they remember how you made them feel. And if they feel safe and valued, then that’s everything.”

ellenor’s Therapeutic Activity Groups are open to people living with a range of life-limiting conditions, including Dementia, and are built around what matters most to each person. Through simple, person-centred support, the charity continues to champion quality of life - no matter the diagnosis.

For further information please contact the Therapeutic Activity Group service on 01474 320007.