We are very lucky as the Family Care Trust charity to have been selected to be part of the Princes Trust Solihull College Community project scheme with a project to redecorate a room at our Blanning Opportunity Day Centre in Bentley Heath, Solihull to be set up as a ‘Reminiscence’ room for our clients.
The Princes Trust at Solihull College run a team programme of 12 weeks which is for young people aged 16-25. It is a programme aiming to build their skills and knowledge to move into the world of work or the community. As part of the 12 week programme as well as work experience and life skills they have to complete a Community Project. This is a 2 week project where a team of approx. 15 students have to do something to benefit the community such as paint or refurbish a building/room or do some garden work etc. they raise their own funds for the project that is chosen.
At the Blanning Opportunity Day Centre we provide specialist care and support for people with memory problems, such as Dementia including Alzheimer’s, Strokes and Parkinson’s. It is a really lovely centre with a friendly group of staff. We use reminiscence therapy, looking at the past through photographs, music and pictures to promote psychological well-being which can lead to overall improvements in depression and loneliness. It will be great to have a room decorated specifically for this purpose.
The student team started the project on Monday 24th November, the students are all doing a fantasic job working very hard. There will be an official grand opening of the Reminiscence room on Thursday 4th December at 11:30 by the Mayor of Solihull.
