We're
so grateful for you continuing to run the singing cafe online whilst we're in
lock down, and for your messages of support. Mum has 88 yrs so all three of us
have been staying at home for the last two months. The Friday sessions with you
and the others on zoom are an important part of our week, especially for mum as
her dementia tends to close down her thoughts without social stimulus. Thank
you so much for everything you do! – Mike, Christina and Mavis
I would like to say thank you very much to you
and your husband for all the hard work, time and effort you both put into
running the virtual Singing Cafe for us all. We are so lucky to have the
opportunity to meet up with familiar faces twice a week and sing along
together, plus the chance to see new faces too. The music, songs and smiling
faces are something that is much needed at a time when we have all been locked
in our homes for 2 months now with no end in sight for when normality will
return. The singing cafe gives us all something to look forward to and helps to
return us to some sense of normality and have fun at the same time! It has been
an excellent opportunity also for my mum and her friend to see each other and
sing along together too. Thank you for asking us for requests, so that we all
get the chance to sing our favourites, and for the reminders before each
meeting! Looking forward to the next one! – Louise and Marcia
Would just like to say how much the Singing Cafe
has helped me through lockdown. It has given me something fun and enjoyable to look forward to twice a
week and it is lovely to see friends that I haven’t been able to see enjoying
it too. Thank you so much for all your hard work Catherine Henderson -Teresa Fine
Mum is loving The Singing Cafe on Zoom. She
loves seeing people’s faces on the screen and tapping away to the beat of the
songs. The Singing Cafe gives her a bit of normality in these very strange
times. - Joan and Sarah
I
just wanted to write to say many thanks from my parents Pauline and John who have
really appreciated how Catherine has enabled the Singing Cafe to be accessed
online during the current pandemic. It has given them something to look forward
to as they are able to see all their friends. And when Catherine added a second
date it was a real bonus!
Many
thanks for taking the time and for caring. - Karen Crane
Since finding this group our Fridays have
totally changed. We really look forward to coming and meeting with people who
are so friendly and welcoming, you find that you are not alone. - Betty and Ted
The singing café works so effectively for my
father as it enhances his participation, social and emotional skills, decreases
his behavioural problems and acts as a stimulus for recall and language skills.
Over the weeks, I have seen my father become more involved, focused, engaged
and happy. He is aware of the people who are missing, or if anyone is new. He
is now joining in dancing with the people, he calls his friends and is
beginning to, not just participating in singing along with them, but actually
talking to them. My mum, as his carers, also heavily relies on these sessions as it is a
chance for her to really engage with her husband in a warm, friendly
environment, where everyone knows your name and without any preconceived judgements
or prejudices. My father rarely bothers to get up in the morning without my mother
having to prompt him. She then has to help him get washed, dressed and eat his
breakfast. Every Friday my Father does all these things for himself because he
has a reason to get up. My father says he likes the singing café “because it’s
nice. They are a lovely lot there which makes me feel fine.” If this is taken
away from him, it would be really detrimental to his social and emotional
wellbeing. And if this is how my father feels, well by the look on everybody’s
face, I would say there is a very good chance that everyone else would feel the
same way. Please allow the singing café to continue. - Nicky Rothwell
We have been attending Coalville Library Cafe
for the last 10 months. We first came across this cafe when my husband had been
diagnosed with Alzeihmas. I am sure anyone dealing with this complaint realises
just how difficult it is to keep holding on to how this person was before they
were ill. Our hrs that we spend with Catherine and Bob at the cafe
have given us something to really look forward to I
ACTUALLY FEEL THAT I HAVE MY HUSBAND BACK WITH ME. Seeing him dancing
and singing helps me to lose myself. for that time. We have both
made new friends whom we love to see once a week. Around Coalville
there are very few places people can go and be befriended in this way.
Personally as you can hear i could not be more grateful. That Catherine and bob
give up their precious time to all of us. - Cynthia and David Moore
Approximately 6 years ago I walked into my local library to help my then 16 year-old grandson copy his CV but instead of the silence I was expecting I was greeted by the sound of singing out of curiosity I approached the group and was met by a group of happy smiling faces singing and dancing I after it finished I approached the lady in charge to ask if my 60 year old sister and her friend both with special needs could join their group I cannot begin to say just how much joy it has brought to their lives they live for Friday's meeting up with their friends at the singing cafe. To lose this would be a travesty people who have special needs miss out on so much so anything that can bring happiness into their lives must be supported- Judy Mellor
For mum
and me the Singing Café is a genuine highlight of our week. Mum has Alzheimer's
and I'm her carer. Mum really enjoys being there and the stimulation of singing
along, chatting over a cup of tea, familiar faces, familiar songs, supportive
atmosphere, is beneficial and significant. I too really enjoy the singing, a
chance to relax, chatting and sharing alongside mum. Meeting the other people
who come, and also Bob and Catherine who run it, has been inspiring for me and
helpful. - Michael Seed.