9 Peter, of Kendal, brings his wife Deborah, who has dementia, to the group. “Deborah really looks forward to it,” he said. “It’s something she enjoys doing and can do without the impediment of her dementia interfering with it. It’s also good for me – it’s always cheerful and a nice atmosphere – and it gives a structure to our week.” The group is well attended, with people travelling from Windermere, Levens and Kendal, as well as the local area. When the weather is better, a group of residents from one of the nearby care homes walks round to join in. Table tennis was chosen for its accessibility to those with limited mobility. Lesley explained how they convinced one man who walked using sticks to give it a go. “I said to him ‘Just come and have a cup of tea, you don’t need to play.’ But then he met Brenda, who’s our amazing volunteer, and she persuaded him up, and he said, ‘I never thought I’d be able to do this.’ And it’s just fantastic to see him smile and get a sense of satisfaction from something he didn’t think he could do.” Jenny Connor, Dignity in Dementia Manager, explained how table tennis is a real leveler. “They leave their dementia behind when they get on the table,” she said. “When I first started working at Dignity in Dementia, I came to this group and I couldn’t tell who had dementia and who hadn’t. Everyone is just having fun together.” Malcolm is one of the regulars at the group – one of several bereaved partners who continue to join Dignity in Dementia sessions after the death of their husband or wife. He summed up the sessions perfectly: “This is a group of people who get together to play ping pong and spread a bit of happiness, even on a miserable day like today.” iCan Wellbeing Group iCan is a health, wellbeing and social support charity with a clear mission: helping people in Cumbria overcome barriers to fitness and wellbeing -turning ‘I can’t’ into ‘iCan’. They operate a dedicated fitness and wellness centre in Carlisle, and also offer outreach activities across the county. Last year, iCan worked with more than 5,500 people. Services are open to all ages, genders and backgrounds and sessions are accessible and affordable, if not free. There’s a community gym and wellness centre offering programmes tailored to older adults, people with disabilities, and those managing long term health conditions. The centre offers specialised fitness classes, rehabilitation support, and mental wellness workshops, all designed to promote overall wellbeing, led by mentors with lived experience. Participants often report increased mobility, enhanced strength and a greater sense of community belonging. One participant shared that “joining iCan has been life changing; I have regained my confidence and feel healthier both physically and mentally.” Another said: “iCan is my happy place, it helps me daily feel better and I can now walk without an aid which is life changing.” In 2024-25, iCan received two grants from the Community Foundation. They received £30,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for the WeCan Live Well and Work programme to support 20 unemployed people with long-term health conditions to increase their wellbeing and employability; and £500 from the NHS NENC Northern Cancer Alliance Community Connectors Fund towards the cost of a venue for the Living With and Beyond Cancer Group in Carlisle. A group walk in Bitts Park benefits physical and mental health
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