Barry Men’s Forum learn about Crossroads Care services

Members of Barry Men's Forum

Members of Barry Men’s Forum invited Jo Hendry of Crossroads Care in the Vale to give a talk at their meeting on Thursday 13th October.

Jo spoke about the different forms and symptoms of dementia, and the support that Crossroads Care in the Vale provides for clients with dementia and their carers.

The Forum learned about Crossroads Care’s domiciliary care service, support and social groups, the counselling service, and day centre provision.

An explanation was also given about dementia diagnosis, medication, and the role of the Memory Team based at Llandough Hospital.

Read the rest of this entry »

Murch Bowling Club fundraiser for Crossroads Care

Jo receives the cheque from Cynthia

Each year members of Murch Bowling Club in Dinas Powys raise funds for local charities.

This year, Club member Merle Davies nominated Crossroads Care in the Vale as one of two charities to benefit from the fundraising, the other being the National Deaf Children’s Society. A successful fundraising event organised by the Bowling Club members raised the grand total of £700, which was divided between the two charities.

Jo Hendry of Crossroads Care in the Vale attended a presentation at the Club on 11th October, and was presented with the £350 cheque by Cynthia Tranter.

Jo thanked the group for their efforts and generosity, and explained how the funds would benefit local carers and their relatives with dementia.

The Pies the limit: Dennis shares story for local project

Dennis outside the Clark’s Pie shop, Grangetown (photo by Adam Chard)

“I couldn’t wait to leave school and open my own Clark’s Pie shop”, says Dennis Dutch of Dinas Powys, who quit education at the age of 14 to join the family business.

Now 81, and despite being in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, Dennis is still  involved in running the Grangetown business that he established in 1955, now managed by daughters Beverley and Amanda.

Started by Dennis’s grandmother, Mary Clark, at Victoria Park, the company has always been a family affair, with some of Dennis’s grandchildren now also taking an active role.

Read the rest of this entry »

Singing Aloud with the Welsh National Opera

Kate Woolveridge leads the choir

Carers and their relatives with dementia took part in an exciting project during 2011.

From April to July the Welsh National Opera, in collaboration with the Cardiff and Vale branch of the Alzheimer’s Society, hosted a residency project for the group, to create a musical experience based on WNO’s production of Turandot.

Group members benefited greatly from the experience of Mezzo Soprano Kate Woolveridge, whose enthusiasm and energy added to the enjoyment of each session. The emphasis was on having fun, not perfection, so no one worried if they hit a wrong note!

Read the rest of this entry »

Crossroads group enjoys Cardiff Bay tour

The group at Harry Ramsden's fish restaurant

A group of more than twenty carers and their relatives enjoyed a trip to Cardiff Bay recently in glorious sunshine.

The annual summer outing, organised by Crossroads Care in the Vale, began with an excursion around the bay aboard the cruiser Seren y Bae. The group disembarked at Penarth Marina and joined the road train for the return journey across the barrage. Brian of Cardiff Bay Tours accompanied the group throughout, and provided a fascinating commentary on both journeys, giving insight into the history of Cardiff docklands and the recent development of the area.

Read the rest of this entry »

Older Entries
Newer Entries