Wesley Methodist Church

We are a Methodist Church serving the people of Leigh on Sea; proclaiming the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ and helping people in their search for God.

Updated:
25 February 2019
Location:
East of England
Sectors:
Faith Groups
Local Alliances:
Southend, Castle Point and Rochford District Dementia Action Alliance

1. Action Plan

1. The National Dementia Declaration lists seven outcomes that the DAA are seeking to achieve for people with dementia and their carers. How would you describe your organisation’s role in delivering better outcomes for people with dementia and their carers?

When members of the church family develop dementia, they can gradually become isolated and feel marginalised, many are anxious about communicating with people who have dementia and stay away, feeling that their visit brings no benefit.

Essentially, the spiritual needs of those with dementia are the same as those of all human beings (love, hope, faith, worship, creativity) but there are obvious impediments in their fulfilment and communication with others is made progressively more difficult.

Our aim is to offer to support the spiritual needs of those with dementia in the Leigh on Sea community.

2. What are the challenges to delivering these outcomes from the perspective of your organisation?

In order to support the spiritual needs of those locally with dementia the challenge is improving our church members understanding of dementia, how it affects people in daily life and how it affects people’s spiritual needs.

2. Actions

  • Monthly Memory Worship for those with and without Dementia

    In January 2019 we enter our third year of this new ministry. It has been our vision to find a space where people with or without dementia can approach God and feel Gods caring presence together through a regular pattern of welcome; singing well-known hymns, readings familiar passages of scripture and saying the Lords Prayer together.

    The Wesley Memory Worship team are a consistent and informed group that meet on the 3rd Monday of the Month. 

    Worship can be a channel for recalling the past, creating feelings of comfort, familiarity and spiritual fulfillment. We all have a continuing need to worship and and experience a loving encounter with God.

    The formal part of the service is 30 minutes before leading into a craft activity and hospitality, which provide an opportunity for conversation to reinforce the theme of the service and valuable opportunities for service signposting for carers.

    Status:
    Being implemented

    2019 - First Quarter Update

    Our first MEMORY WORSHIP took place on Monday 16th January 2017 2pm-4pm

    Programme for 2017 is as follows

    2pm-4pm

    Monday 16th Jan          God promises friendship.

    Monday 20th Feb         God promises to keep his promises.

    Monday 20th March    God promises to accept us just as we are.

    Monday 17th April       God promises to forgive us.

    Monday15th May        God promises to comfort us.

    Monday 19th June      God promises to give us strength.

    Monday 17th July        God promises to hear our prayers.

    Monday 21st Aug        God promises us joy.

    Monday 18th Sept       God promises to provide for us.

    Monday 16th Oct        God promises to walk with us.

    Monday 20th Nov       God promises to always remember.

    Monday 18th Dec        God promises to be with us.

  • Dementia friends training

    We need to improve church members understanding of dementia, how it affects people in daily life and how it affects their spiritual needs.

    On Jan 12th 2017 Wesley held a Memory Worship team training day where all our volunteers attended for Dementia Friend training delivered by Alzheimers Society and "What do we mean by worship for those with and without dementia?" which addressed the issues around the spirtual needs of people living with dementia and their carers.

     This action marked the start in preparing our church to understand and respond better to the needs of local people who use our premises every day of the week.

    Status:
    Completed

    2017 - First Quarter Update

    New member

  • Improving dementia friendly signage in our church

    With guidance from Alzheimer's Society we are continuing to improve the signposting, flooring and choice of decor around our church to be more compatible for people living with dementia.

    We have purchased a Dementia Clock for the church.

    Status:
    Being implemented

    2016 - Fourth Quarter Update

    new member

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