Good morning campers... I mean residents!!
When lockdown began earlier this year, Nina Ambrose was devastated that she could no longer visit her father Roger in his Chelmsford care home.
77 year old Roger has suffered from Alzheimer’s for 12 years which started to progress more rapidly at the start of the year.
Not wanting to miss a moment of time with her dad, and being furloughed from her job, former Butlin’s Redcoat Nina decided to volunteer at her dad’s nursing home as an activities and events co-ordinator, so that she could see him 3 times a week on her shifts.
Originally this was Nina’s only reason for wanting to volunteer but it soon turned into an unrealised passion. “I love it,” she says. “It makes the residents so happy. When I go in they start clapping and saying ‘sing sing’, and they remember all the old songs. Music has such a big impact on people with dementia. It’s been a massive game changer.”
“It’s lovely and rewarding to do, gives me a routine, and I’ve been able to meet residents and staff at a time which has been very isolating for many. Plus, I’m seeing that everyone’s dementia story and journey is different.”
Nina now plans to start a new full time career in care.
Article by Sally White
Ablyss Co Founder