Joyce's story: finding community and connection
When a social worker suggested Joyce attend ECL Chelmsford Charles Dickens Day Centre she wasn’t very keen on the idea. But a taster visit to the centre changed her mind.
It was recommended that Joyce, aged 65, utilised the day service as respite from caring for her husband who lives with Dementia. At first Joyce wasn’t so sure that a day centre was for her, but a visit to the Charles Dickens Centre (CDC) transformed her opinion.
She enjoyed the visit so much she began regularly attending the centre the following week and has attended twice a week on a Wednesday and a Friday for almost two years.
I love coming to the centre, it has greatly improved my life. All the activities make sure that your mind is always entertained. I like the crafts we do too. I’ve made friends, and coming here gives me something to look forward to each week.
Joyce, Customer
“The staff are really lovely – they make the centre what it is. When I first came here I settled in really quickly because they were so welcoming. They are a lovely bunch, they care for us so well, they make you feel content.”
A lover of casinos Joyce has been to Las Vegas four times and when she’s not spending time at the day centre, enjoys a day out at the casino in Southend, where she frequently wins. Her love of casinos shines through in the activities she enjoys at the centre - she gets quite competitive during the games!
Last year for her birthday the staff at CDC threw Joyce a Vegas themed birthday party and support worker Nikki Young dressed up as Elvis, leading the group in singing Elvis hits. Joyce loved the surprise and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Almost a year on, when she speaks about the party she is still visibly touched by the gesture. When asked what she has planned for her forthcoming 67th birthday she joked: “I haven’t got anything planned yet, I am going to see what the guys here have up their sleeves for this year!”
Joyce and Support Worker Nikki make a great duo and often team up to do a duet during Karaoke sessions, dressing up to put on a show for the other customers. They’ve recently done a Grease and Tina Turner medley.
In addition to games and crafts, Joyce enjoys spending time in the garden at the centre she says: “I love the garden, it’s such a nice space. The rose bush is beautiful in the spring and summer. In the spring we plant bulbs and get the plant pods ready for the summer, it’s really enjoyable.”
Joyce loves the social aspect of attending a day centre and enjoys chatting the friends she has made over lunch. She commented: “It’s a lovely group of people and we all have a laugh and tell our stories and enjoy each other’s company. I like that you get to meet different people from different backgrounds and it’s nice to chat to them all. Everyone’s here for different reasons, some may be similar circumstances to you, others different but we’re all here for each other and it’s nice to hear their stories and life experience and have a laugh with them.
“We are also very well fed here – you won’t go hungry, lunch is always really nice and we always have a pudding, plus we get biscuits, tea and coffee throughout the day – I am so full when I get home that I don’t want any dinner!”
Recently the centre participated in Buzz in the City, a sculpture art trail organised by Farleigh Hospice, Chelmsford For You (the city’s Business Improvement District), and Chelmsford City Council.
The trail featured a swarm of colourful bee sculptures sponsored by local organisations to raise funds for Farleigh Hospice. ECL sponsored a large bee sculpture and three mini bees – the mini bees were designed and decorated by individuals that attend ECL Highfields and Charles Dickens day centres.
Joyce and her friends at CDC all thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this project. Joyce in particular loved painting the bee, which the group affectionately named Betty.
Joyce said: “I really enjoyed Buzz in the City, I loved painting the bee and visiting the art trail in the town centre. Every time I went into town I visiting our bee and gave her a little pat on the head and said hello.”
Inspired by the bee trail, Joyce undertook her own art project at home, taking photographs of the bees she spotted as she was out shopping in Chelmsford and printing them out to make a beautiful collage of photographs which she framed and gave to Charles Dickens Centre as a gift. Support Worker Nikki Young said: “Joyce’s is collage is so lovely; we are going to hang it in the entrance hall with our Buzz in the City display so that it is one of the first things people see when they come into the centre.”
When asked what advice she’d give to others considering if attending a day service is right for them Joyce says:
Give it a go. Do a taster day and see. Give it a couple of weeks even to see if you settle in. If you don’t like it that’s fair enough. But you won’t know until you try. I think you’ll be surprised in a good way and enjoy yourself...
Joyce, Customer
"...I was, I really didn’t think I’d like it and I love it. The staff are really loving and caring, they look after you and they make it a great place to come.”
ECL’s day centres for older people offer a ‘home from home’ environment that facilitate friendship and community interaction. As Joyce’s story demonstrates, while our centres offer specialist dementia care, they are not exclusively for people with dementia, limited mobility or challenges with independence. They also offer a positive, welcoming space for anyone who needs a break from their caring responsibilities, providing opportunities to socialise, enjoy activities and feel part of a supportive community.
To find your nearest day centre, visit the link here.