Bromley-based charitable trust, Mytime Active, is reintroducing dementia-friendly golf sessions at its Bromley Golf Centre – one of many activities the social enterprise offers to support residents living with dementia, and their carers.

In fact, to mark Dementia Action Week (May 13-19) – the Alzheimer’s Society’s annual campaign that brings people together to take action on dementia – Mytime Active is also hosting a dementia-friendly indoor street party with afternoon tea and entertainment at Crofton Halls at 14.30 on 22nd May.

Mytime Active’s pay-as-you-go dementia-friendly golf sessions are led by Bromley Golf Centre coach, Tristan, who is trained as a dementia friend. The hour-long coaching sessions take place on the driving range and are ideal for keen golfers now living with dementia, as well as people who are completely new to golf. The sessions are followed by a social meet-up at the club house.

Mytime Active’s Primetime manager and trained Dementia Champion, Ann Wilbourn, explains: “We’re creating a dementia-friendly community through a range of activities. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, by 2025 more than one million people in the UK will have a diagnosis of dementia. It’s our responsibility to ensure our community are aware of and have an understanding of the condition and help those diagnosed to get more out of life through being active.

“Golf is a safe, gentle activity and, guided by Tristan, participants get a golf experience without having to worry about losing their way on the course or getting confused.

Research has shown golf is an activity that creates muscle memory, so even though the person may not remember their way around a golf course, they’ll remember how to play. It’s an open-air activity that’s great for mental wellbeing, and carers can join in for free.”

Creating a dementia-friendly community
Mytime Active is on the steering group to make Bromley a dementia-friendly community. It supports Bromley as a dementia friendly community and is encouraging staff and volunteers to become dementia friends, as well as offering additional training for many of its Primetime instructors and volunteer buddies.

“Just upping everyone’s understanding of the condition can mean the difference between someone being able to keep coming to be active or having to give up,” says Wilbourn. “Understanding dementia creates empathy and better communication – lots of people just need a small amount of extra support to carry on with activities. If anyone with dementia or their carers wish to visit us, always get in touch; we’ll recommend the best activity to suit your needs.”

As well as dementia-friendly golf and coffee sessions, Mytime Active offers dementia-friendly 10-pin bowling and quiet dementia-friendly swims at Darrick Wood Pool, Orpington. The trust is also working in partnership with Memory Box Dementia Café in West Wickham to deliver fully-funded exercise sessions at Emmanuel Church in West Wickham on alternate weeks, specifically for people who are living with dementia. It runs dementia-friendly sessions at all its centres every week, from line dancing and paracise to strength and stability, and wobble classes for improving balance.

Dementia-Friendly indoor street party
To mark Dementia Action Week, Mytime Active’s indoor street party with afternoon tea is taking place from 14.30-16.30 at Crofton Halls on 22nd May.

“There will be entertainment from our Primetime Dancers and songs from the wonderful Andy Mace,” says Ann Wilbourn. “It’s free to attend for anyone in the community who has a connection with someone living with dementia.”

Booking is essential as places are limited. Visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dementia-friendly-indoor-street-party-tickets-877254260107?aff=oddtdtcreator to book.